Granite Oaks Middle School

I to feel compelled to offer an alternate view of the mid-year transfer experience at Granite Oaks. We transferred my son into Granite Oaks mid-year after moving from the east coast. The school arranged to have another student show him around and act as a buddy for the first few days to ensure he didn't get swallowed up in the crowd. It was a great experience. My son is not the type to be in cliques so if this was a problem here, we would have experienced it. Every kid is different so maybe the child of the parent below had a different experience, but....I'm pretty sure it wasn't because of the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am submitting this as a G.O. parent, but in specific reference to the listing below (with two stars) and beating up G.O. over a transfer. For starters, why are property values associated with how your child did or didn't do in middle school? And for your information, we all lost value, but people move here for the schools and safe community. Probably like you did. Second, you can't denigrate a school because your child may not have assimilated well. This is a small community and these kids have all grown up together... either through school or sports, clubs, etc. Cliques exist here like they do everywhere. I think it unfair to blast the school based on a single experience. Tell your counselor that affluent communities have clique challenges. Go to El Dorado Hills... Folsom... Granite Bay or higher end neighborhoods in Roseville. Good luck avoiding them. Finally, if you move a kid mid year, you can expect a period of isolation. That's always tough on kids so quit using the school as your scapegoat. Perhaps moving mid year was the "biggest mistake" you ever made. Look in the mirror... not here.
—Submitted by a parent

Please, do not send your child here. I'm in eighth grade and are have a horrible time. The teachers are not understanding and their teaching styles are mediocre at best. The only teacher I like is my math teacher (in quest academy). Please, the cliques are just awful and I'm doing math I learned in sixth grade. The exact. same. math. book. twice. No joke.

Yes, it is me again warning parents not to bring their children to this school mid-year. The student body, I have been told by a professional who has counseled several children over the past years, is exclusionary. In short, the student body is uninviting to transfer students. Moreover, the faculty and the staff do not have in place a system to integrate transfer students. Mind you, I am talking about moving to the district from over 300 miles away. Had we known that this was the modus operandi of the district we would have pursued Roseville Schools. Again, I warn parents seeking to transfer students to this school mid-year it is my belief that any child would suffer both academically and emotionally were they to come to this school. Careful about ratings, however, as the property values of homes are, in part, a function of the school ratings. Property values have been hit very hard in this area. That is why I was very surprised that the school did not have a system to integrate transfer students. I would say in this regard the school is a total failure. I sum it up as thus. I wish I never sent my child to the school-biggest parental mistake I have made.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended this school, and she really liked Mr. Beckler's science class. She also like Mr. Champ's social studies class. All I can say is she really learned a lot in both of those classes, but was just struggling a little bit with math.
—Submitted by a parent

I just moved to Rocklin, from Japan (big change), this summer and already have tons of friends! The teachers and students are great and the work isn't too hard. They have great electives and sports for students, but you must have a certain GPA or higher (I think it's a 2.5 GPA). Every Monday, school gets out about an hour earlier and almost every Friday, you get to sit outside in the quad for lunch (their food is great, but the line can get pretty long). Pretty much everyone has their own group of friends, but the cliques aren't that bad. And the racism isn't bad this year, unlike in the other comments, either. I recommend that your child goes to this school, especially if they know someone going there before hand. I hope you found this information helpful, a GOMS student <3 =)

Its an OK school, too many people with low IQ's though, and they dont help you very much, im a student here, in 8th grade, and it has its ups as well as its downs, but it could be worse, and it could be better, the teachers dont listen to you for the most part, but they do know what they are doing, i enjoyed 7th grade much more than i am enjoying 8th, and the homework load varies day to day, and the math in 8th grade is awful, you dont even do real math, but in 7th grade it was fantastic. Some of the teachers take you too seriously, and they dont allow you to joke around with your friends, and the new kids get treated like outcasts, but its a fine school other than those downs.

I recently passed the seventh grade at granite oaks, and I was SUPER glad to do so. They may have high standards at this school, but I can easily say: "it's supposed to prepare us for the real world. To give us the information and experience that we'll need to get a job and succeed in life." The teachers are AMAZING!!!!!! Super great, and very kind and if you need someone to talk to, instead of our school councilors, they will always listen and try to help. I know from experience. Occasionally, you may hear a bot of gossip and fake drama. Not to often though. Honestly, the drama was worse in elementary school. But I love this school, great staff, great teachers, principals, everyone:). Overall, a little drama/gossip is NOT enough to lower my vote of five whole stars:). Your child will love the school, and if they are going to thy school in the 2011-2012 school year, I am willing to help them out if they have any questions, after all, I am a "teacher picked" WEB(orientation) leader. Just tell your child to go to student services and ask for Mikayla J. But don't worry teachers will help ANYTIME:). have a nice day! Sincerely, A granite oaks student

I am currently a student at GOMS and am having a wonderful time. Sure there are the 'popular people' and the 'not popular at all people'-like me- but there are friends out there who can look past all that crap. My friends consist of extremely nice people who care about each other, everyone matters. The teachers are really nice.
—Submitted by a student

Granite Oaks is a great school overall. They have high academic standards with high demands placed on the children. The behavior is closely monitored - but only inside the classroom. The weak point is that the clics are strong and gossip rules. Childred who don't fit the clics and don't gossip, are ostracized and given various 'labels.' Nothing is being done at the school about this type of bullying.
—Submitted by a parent

This skool sux!!!!!!!!!!! To many cliques and if u r new then they make u feel lyk an outcast! Worst skool i've ever been 2!!!

I'm in eighth grade at GOMS. Its a great school but it has its share of negatives too. Like there are alot of clicks and social groups, and you have to have 'whats in' or else your not 'cool enough', also word travels fast, and dont plan on having any secrets( they will get out ) . Other than the regular middle school drama though, Granite Oaks Middle School is the most wonderful school out there, and even if your not in the 'cool group' you can still meet tons of friends and have a great time learning here.
—Submitted by a student

I am a student at granite oaks. Im in eighth grade, so this is my second year. I love this school. They have great teachers and staff, and everything they do is so wonderful for us. I highly recommend this school. It is not a 'rich' school, the kids that may be rich go here, but people who live in not the best house or apartments live here too and are very welcomed. =]
—Submitted by a student

Good school. Lots of positives. Negative is what you find at most middle schools....gossip, clicks, what you wear is most important, drugs, etc. What can be worse is these kids have the money to afford the drugs.
—Submitted by a parent

Fabulous school! We moved to Rocklin one year ago. Our son is highly functional autistic. He is mainstreamed and socially this was a enormous step forward and he is happier than ever. is part of the entire community
—Submitted by a parent

This is a super school! The administration and teachers really care about students. We are very grateful to the principal for creating a super learning environment for students. Our children had a great experience at Granite Oaks
—Submitted by a parent

The academy system works well at this school. There is great parental involvement and many extra-curricular opportunities. Student behavior is well monitored.
—Submitted by a parent

Parents are very involved with their children in this community.
—Submitted by a parent