Jefferson Middle School

I just pulled my son out of this School because he was attacked by 4 students in the bathroom.Once he told the nurse that he was attacked the security guards were never called.He has had his phone stolen and his camera stolen. In 6th grade he was pushed from behind and kicked while on the ground.His teachers were great but he is just too scared to attend Jefferson Middle.
—Submitted by a parent

Too many fights and bullies. The kids here are constantly on survival mode from other students which takes away from their education. My son had a rock thrown at his face because he wouldn't give a kid his lunch. I worry for his safety he will be transferred. This is where Camp Pendleton sends their kids for a high quality education? I think they could afford to do better!!
—Submitted by a parent

Wow.. This school has gone down hill.. More then down hill a SCARY place TO SEND YOUR CHILD....My son use to go to Jefferson in 2005, it was a good school then.. My daughter went to it in 2010-2011 and what a change.. My daughter had a bathroom pass and an boy jumped her in the hall, grabbed her by neck, pushed her into the GIRLS bathroom and said What do you think I am going to rap you? She yelled and he let go. She did not tell her teachers for fear of what the boy might do, so I took it to the police. I made a report then went to the district and they told me it would be best if I home schooled her because the other kids may gang up on her. So I put her in Pacific View for the last six weeks of school. We both hated home school and it was really sad that we had to do that being she was the victim, she had straight A's yet she had to move schools for safety reason's. Stay away is all I can say...
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attends Jefferson Middle School as a 7th grader. Is it the best school? No. However, the current principal is wonderful and is doing a great job in cleaning up the schools "ghetto" image. He is pushing the academic curriculum and cracking down on discipline problems. He is encouraging students to be involved in their school and take pride in being a "falcon". I do believe that a majority of the problems at this school stem from the students that dont really care what their future holds. As well as their parents having the same attitude. My daughter is a straight A student and works hard to maintain those grades. If your child is willing to listen and learn and put in the effort then they will have no problems at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children attending this school and it is horrorible. Ghetto is the best way to describe it! Yeah, there are some teachers who are trying if you can get past the wanna be gang members.. Bottom line, dont send your kids here! Especially if they are white my kids here racist comments daily ie. white boy, cracker. Have been jumped numerous times by the "gang bangers". My kids will NOT be attending next year. You want an idea of the demographics of this school, drive through the neighborhood its located in.
—Submitted by a parent

To all parents who think that the school is "ghetto" (which always makes me laugh) or.." the teahcers don't do this" and "..the principla doesn't do that"-well, VOLUNTEER in your kids class and see how things run. If my twins tell me that a kid is being disruptive or that they are having a problem in a particular class, guess what, I am in that classroom so fast it would make your head spin. No, I am not a stay at home mom, far from it, I am a Registered Nurse and future business owner. My point is is that it is NOT only the teachers job to educate your child, it is HOME TRAINING that allows your children to either act a fool in the classroom or to LEARN quietly. Teachers have become babysitters- VOULNTEER IN THE CLASS, YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
—Submitted by a parent

Jefferson used to be a good school.The arts were a big factor in attracting more kids to the school. When my first child went to Jefferson, a lot of the higher performing kids were school of choice, and choose to come to Jefferson for different programs such as music, drama, dance, etc. With the recent change of administration and all the cut backs, the school is very poor quality now. I am pulling my 2nd child out and going to another school. The old principal used to command respect and discipline. That is no longer happening. The wannabe gang kids rule. The test scores are very low, parental involvement almost null. Most field trips are canceled due to lack of parental chaperones and money. There are kids who can NOT speak a word of english in my kids benchmark classes! Oversight? The arts are gone, electives cut to a minimum.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a rather low opinion of Jefferson. Most of the other parents in my neighborhood have expressed concern about sending their children there. My child was getting mostly A's & B's in elementary school and was also indentified as a GATE student. After spending 6th grade at Jefferson she is a straight D student and barely passed. My child is ADHD (not an excuse) and simply slipped through the cracks without additional support. I attempted to meet with teachers and administrators several times throughout the year, no luck. I was lucky is e-mails received response. I'm not saying they're bad teachers or bad people, I think they just have too much work, too many students and not enough funding. For 7th grade I was lucky to get into a charter school and eagerly pulled my child out of Jefferson.
—Submitted by a parent

Jefferson has below average performance across the board. Their best strategy is to put their worst behaving/performing students with their best performing students...while this may help the poor performer; it creates a drag on the excelling student. They have absolutely no GATE program. Worst of all, their attitude about discipline is to punish the easiest target. If a student accidentally injures another (falling on, dropping an object, etc.) they will punish that student severely. But if there is no physical evidence, (e.g. sexual harassment, hazing, verbal abuse) they will simply offer bland platitudes and 'ensure that appropriate action is taken'. I do not know if this stems from antipathy or laziness, but this is the school's worst quality. I am very happy to be removing my child.
—Submitted by a parent

jefferson was the best they always made us learend i liked when i was there and it may not look nice but the kids did that. teachers do not give up on the kids just to let you know.

JMS is a great school. In my daughter's 6th grade benchmark math class there are about two or three students already starting 7th grade math! Mrs.Rubin is relly motivating my child to get her C into an A+.
—Submitted by a parent

I am disenrolling my child from jms yet again to home school him. He attends class and cannot even get decent instruction due to lack of discipline and organization. The teachers have given up and do not care if the child learns. They'll pass the class not knowing the information and fail the state standards. I struggled with enrolling him there this year. He loves going to school, but he's already behind. California needs to get it together at their 'public' schools. Not everyone can afford to stay home and educate their kids. I am glad I can.
—Submitted by a parent

Very unhappy with JMS. The only good thing there was the Music Program and one counselor. If you want your children to succeed and have a healthier environment, JMS is not a good choice.
—Submitted by a parent

Do not send your kids to this school. My son has always been on the honor roll. Since starting at Jefferson his grades and self esteem have fallen. There is complete lack of supervision and absolutely no structure. Some of the teachers have no controll over their classrooms. If you attempt to solve problems by contacting the staff, you get nothing. This school is ghetto and its not an enviornment where your child can focus on what they are there for- to learn!
—Submitted by a parent

My son is coming from a school on base that performs well, to Jefferson. We don't like it, even though he is enrolled in benchmark classes. I have tried contacting teachers about issues with school work with no response, and I don't feel they are being prepare well for state testing. We won't be returning next year.
—Submitted by a parent

I was kind of scared to send my son to Jefferson, however I have high regards for this school and staff. I have been very very impressed!!!!! Good Job teachers and Principals and of course the security!!
—Submitted by a parent

Jefferson middle school is great! The teachers are fun and great with helping. thanks Jefferson for giving me some great years to remember
—Submitted by a student

it is a great school, the best
—Submitted by a parent

I was very disappointed with this school period. My daughter had a really rough year there and I could not get enough support from any of the staff including her teachers to help her through the years.
—Submitted by a parent

Jefferson Middle school is great!The teachers dedicated and follow through with the students to ensure that they are understanding what they are learning.The art and advance dance class are great too. at the end of each semester the dance and drama put on a show for the students and parents its great to see how much time and talent our students and teachers devote to these programs.
—Submitted by a parent