De Portola Middle School

my son attends De Portola middle. He is the the 7th grade and I must say it seems that the 6th grade teachers are more involved than the 7th grade teachers. The ones my son has dont seem to care very much about the students academic progress.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in 6th grade. He had a rough time at the beginning of the school year with the transition of elementary to the workload and structure of middle school, BUT with the constant communication with his teachers and with their encouragment and offering of extra help before and after school, he's excelling in all subjects and no longer needs extra help. Math was never his best subject and he dreaded doing math homework in elementary, but he's now maintaining a B and is excited about the subject. I credit this to his teacher!! I would highly recommend this school to EVERYONE!!
--Submitted by a parent

This is the better of the 2 Middle Schools in the neighborhood, so I guess I can't complain too much. We are finishing up our 3rd year and feel that our student received a decent education but the teachers could have communicated a little better when our child's grades took a nose dive. I have 2 or 3 favorite teachers there but most of them were cold and impersonal when we tried to talk with them about issues. Many students at this school take advantage of the lack of supervision during P.E. This is when the kids think they can get away with cussing and bullying, and they sure do! We are hoping HS will be better.
--Submitted by a parent

The classes are way too large for one teacher to focus on everyone's needs. There is a an escalating problem with more and more fights and bullying of others...the students just don't care about others...and the staff and teachers aren't quick enough in action.
--Submitted by a student

This is an amazing school. The music program won three first place trophies at the Music in the Parks Festival and the Espre de Corps trophey and the best overall string orchestra trophey all at the same fesival in 2009. I am now entering the 8th grade and proud to be a de Portola Panther. All of the teachers and the principal are kind and they love to be involved in the school's lunch activities every Friday at Chill on the Hill. The food is great and when you need help with something the teachers, staff and counselers are always there for you. We are one of the schools to watch and the community is great. There are hardly any fights, maybe once in a school year and the social atmosphere is great, kids make friends quickly there. I would recommend de Portola Middle School in Tierrasanta to all students.
--Submitted by a student

This school is GREAT. My son is entering 8th grade and due to the teachers' continued support and academic push, he has excelled the previous two years and is flourishing; with a 3.87 GPA in GATE (he's not a GATE tested student) but they realized his potential and advanced math, with a year of high school spanish under his belt and year two will be this year, who can complain. The work load is great and expectations are high, but this has made all the difference.
--Submitted by a parent

I had to pull my child from this school due to the inability of some of the teachers and nurse in following procedures. I was regularly concerned for my son's safety. The transfer was the best thing we could have ever done for him!!
--Submitted by a parent

I have a son that attends De Portola in the 7th grade. I have rave reviews about De Portola From the principle to the teachers my son has had nothing but the most attentive support. The teachers are more then willing to go that extra mile to help a child and the principle also. My son does find the school academically challenging but he knows he has the support of the teachers that are willing to go that extra mile. Teacher, parent communication is also near top level. My son enjoys this school and will tell you he would rather attend De Portola then any other school. That has to mean a lot coming from a 7th skater boy Thanks De Portola Staff for making JR High a Great and Safe place to go!
--Submitted by Terri Ramirez, a parent

All the teachers are involved and coordinate many student activities. It is also a very safe school; fights, if they ever happen at all, are usually only a once a year occurrence. Overall, this is a great school for any student to go to!
--Submitted by a student

This school has been the best school I've ever been to. I'm going to promote soon and I don't want to leave!!! The teachers are the best handsdown and the environment is awesome! Way to go DP!!
--Submitted by a student