Edna Brewer Middle School

Edna Brewer was already above average when I joined in 2006 and it has improved every year since. The student body, quality of work, and test scores attest to my experience. It is the epitome of America, diverse and hard-working. Students from the hills to the flats, east to west Oakland, and first generation to the next generation all attend Edna Brewer. Edna Brewer does deal with the staff turnover that plagues urban schools and will continue to plague urban schools until we change how we fund public education, structure the school day, and legitimize the teaching profession. But the fact that Edna Brewer has continued to improve in spite of turnover attests to its strong culture of success.
—Submitted by a teacher

My 6 grader had an English teacher leave in the middle of the year. From what I heard, at least 2 more teachers left their classes hanging in the dust for long term subs to pick up the pieces. EB did not meet expectations. Oakland schools lose teachers all the time, but what kind of school loses so many in one year?
—Submitted by a parent

My son came from a distinguished school in the Elk Grove Unified School District where he earned a 0.0gpa after his first quarter. After having moved him to Edna Brewer I am pleased to say that he is delighted to be there and earning a 3.0 gpa after a few months. Something must be right... :)
—Submitted by a parent

EB is a truly wonderful middle school with an excellent music department, solid academics, good physical education program and exceptional parent community/student body. For the most part, parents and students will find this school to be a great choice, and the test scores attest the solid learning environment. That said, anyone who has raised a tween to teen knows that this age will present periodic challenges. Neither you nor your child will escape adolescence at ANY school, sigh. However, be assured that you and your child will have a strong community of peers, families and teachers to help buffer the ups and downs. I have one child happily moving through teenhood and the other moving down the pike. EB is a true neighborhood gem
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in his first year at Brewer. He has never been happier. He says it himself. The communication between teachers and parents is very strong. They are truly committed to excellence for every student. It is amazing to see my son having the support at school to become a responsible citizen.
—Submitted by a parent

I know that no cell phones are allowed at school. If seen, they are confiscated and I believe a parent is allowed to retrieve once. After that, they cannot be retrieved until the end of the school year. Students are encourgaged to use the office phone to call their parents. So if there is rampant sexting, it probably is not part of the school day. I'm not sure how the school can control it as part of the after-school environment. It would be the same with what kids post on Facebook to each other. There is some type of cyber behavior policy that we all sign off on at registration, both kids and parents, so someone could be turned in as violating that policy, and then receive disciplinary consequences. But I think it's only about the cyber resources of the school.
—Submitted by a parent

Bullying is rampant for this age group, and each school has to make a big effort to give kids support. Like for my child, they have to be willing to come forward to say they are bullied, and that is a big barrier (the snitch factor). There is a box in the main office to drop in a slip and ask for adult-guided peer mediation. There is restorative justice program where the person who caused harm does civic action to make amends to the community, that a restorative justice circle has agreed upon. There are intra-day mental health counseling services, groups, and after school programs such as Brothers on the Rise. There is a counselor-led Gay Straight Alliance weekly at lunch. These are a wealth of resources, so there is help if kids seek it out. They are told how to seek it out.
—Submitted by a parent

Agree that 6th grade was adequate, but there has been a change in administration since then, resulting in a complete change in feeling of community. Many teachers and administrative staff have left recently-seen as a vote of no confidence. Few, if any, research papers required and even less reading (two or three books in a whole school year). Current administration seems to expect the worst of students and acts accordingly.
—Submitted by a parent

I am the parent of a 7th grader at EBMS. While I feel the school was adequate in her 6th grade year, I am beyond displeased with the school this year. The teachers hardly give homework, and what they do give doesn't seem very challenging, and the administration seems to turn an eye away from the social issues that are happening at the school every single day. There is bullying, catty behavior amongst the girls, sexting (mass text messages of a sexual nature), and kids sneaking around performing sexual acts on one another. Unbelievable! The fact that the kids are so under-supervised and the security so blind that they are able to sneak off and do these things is absolutely appalling. I am making plans to transfer my daughter out of EBMS as soon as possible.
—Submitted by a parent

We were nervous about our daughter entering a public middle school but were beyond relieved to find that she not only loves the school but that the culture there is positive, supportive and engaging. We're thrilled with the climate and teaching at Edna Brewer.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. i have 4 kids and all of them have been to edna brewer, all of them have loved it too. I cant wait to send my youngest, Jamie, to edna brewer. For now he will stay at Crocker Highlands Elementary the SECOND best school, in the oakland school district. After edna Brewer i sent my kids to Oakland Technical Highschool. The teachers are friendly, srtaff is helpfull, the hw is minimum but also challenging for my children. the afterschool programs are fantastic as well. I LOVE THIS SCHOOL! A+
—Submitted by a parent

I am a young mother of 3 and my expirience with this school has been terrible. I sent my first born here, and i really regret it. The classrooms are cramped and clustered and my son could not get the help he needed for his studies, because the teachers were to flustered by all the children. I will NOT be sending my other two children here. i highly recommend you DO NOT send your children here if you would like them to suceed
—Submitted by a parent

I am a 7th grader at EBMS and i love i at this school, some students are bad, but others are nice and the teachers always have time to listen to you. I will encourage people to come to this school.
—Submitted by a student

I fought hard to get my daughter into this school, which is nearby our house, but not our 'assigned' school. This required not one but two appeals to the school board for placement. Was it worth it? Yes. This school still has its problems, and a fair share of regular urban issues, but it is amazingly diverse, has friendly, motivated teachers, a real music program (with music classes led by good professionals every day, a rarity anywhere in public ed) gym class, and a free afterschool program we were also lucky enough to get into. My daughter has made good friends quickly, and although I know there are kids who are discipline problems here, they don't distract enough for me to hear about them every day from my daughter. She is excited by school and her classes, and I feel good she's attending public school.
—Submitted by a parent

Edna brewer is the best school in the state because of extra curriculum and online grading services that let you see your current grade in every class
—Submitted by a student

The best middle school ever with the best teachers!!!!!
—Submitted by a student

I love this school this is my first year and i love it i luv mr.Sullivan
—Submitted by a student

This school is so AWSOME! Believe me, I'm a student who goes there and it is fun! You get to go somewhere out of state, out of town, ad doing fun activites, too! Having fun isn't the only thing, teachers will be there at your side and if you have a problem, they have time to sit next to you and talk about it. THE BEST! Too bad I'm going to high school and I am really going to miss everyone, that mean teachers and staffs too, and always buddies!
—Submitted by a student

As a parent with a child attending for two years, I must say that this is a good school. If the child is active and interested in the learning process, he or she will definitely succeed here. The teachers are very present to both student and family, to help your child do their very best. The parent association is also very well organized and supprted, by parents and the administration. It almost seems un-real in comparison to some of my previous experiences with-in the OUSD. Good job to everyone!
—Submitted by a parent

I was a student here and it was a fantastic experience for me, I loved going to school every day. There are great teachers, and they care about you and your grades and will help with any problem. I miss it everyday. GREAT EXPERIENCE!
—Submitted by a student