Roosevelt International Middle School

This school is a lot better than the ratings would suggest. It has made tremendous improvements in the last few years, especially with the addition of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program, which emphasizes the development of the 'whole child.' The staff and teachers alike are very dedicated to the school and the children. The school offers a strong curriculum, plus unique programs with the San Diego Zoo and an unparalleled variety of after-school clubs like Guitar, Taekwondo, Girls in Science, Ceramics, etc.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a 7th grader at Roosevelt. She is excited about school & eager to learn. I think this school has shown great improvements in the recent years. They are implimenting the International Bacalorete Program & have enforced a strict dress code. Changes for the better! Overall we are happy with Roosevelt & my daughter likes her teachers!
—Submitted by Melissa Borgner, a parent

I am so glad to have this chance to share our experience with roosevelt middle school! My daughter attended 6, 7, and 8th grades there and had excellent, highly dedicated teachers who continually went above and beyond to help their students academically and emotionally. I feel my child was challenged to improve her writing, critical thinking, and organizational skills and was thrilled to see her excel in math for the first time, after years of being strong only in the language arts. This is solely due to the extra work mr. Brock put in tutoring students after school her 7th grade year. She went from failing pre-algebra at the beginning of the year to testing into high school algebra at the end of the year! (to be taken in 8th grade) thank you, mr. Brock!! Personally, I have found the teachers at this socio-economically disadvantaged school to be much more dedicated than the teachers our children have had at more priveleged schools. They know and truly care about their students. While parent involvement is low, I feel it's rarely due to a lack of caring on the parents part and more due to a lack of resources; be it having to work, childcare, esl issues, etc. The truth is, poor parents want their children to be successful in school and go on to college just as much as rich parents do! I went from being concerned about roosevelt from the negative feedback we received when she started, to vehemently defending it when parents at our younger kids school look at us cross-eyed when they find out our oldest attends roosevelt. No, it's not scary... The kids are not gang-bangers, they're kids! As for the low api scores, I can assure you that the principal and staff have been working like dogs to improve the school by going for the I.B. Program and bringing onto campus a whole family resource/counselling center that is prepared to meet the needs (tutoring, mentoring, mental-health counselling, etc) of not only any students in need, but their families as well. Kudo's, roosevelt! Roosevelt also offers the best 6-6 program of all the schools we know of! Year-round: san diego junior theatre; fern street circus; guitar; ballet folkloria; karate; and my favorite, girls in science at the san diego zoo! These programs were really enriching and a lot of fun. I do wish the school had a smaller student body. Thank you, roosevelt, for doing such a fine job preparing my daughter for high school!
—Submitted by a parent

The gate program is very good. I feel the school is a little rough and could get it s scores higher.
—Submitted by a parent

I was surprised to find out this school was in the 3rd or 4th year of the improvement program. My son will graduate this and daughter will be in 7th grade next year. I believe the principal to be the best. My son has enjoyed both years and my daughter is one of the top 6th graders. I am more involved this year than last, and will be joining parent groups getting ready for next year. I want my daughter to truly enjoy and benefit from being at this school. I believe the main issue at Roosevelt in the lack of parental involvement. I believe the teachers and principal are top notch & deserve more support. My daughter really enjoys the 6 to 6 program here. I just hope this is not cut with all the budget issues the district is facing.
—Submitted by Philip Hill, a parent

Counsler does not return phone calls or answer letters regarding my childs educational needs, and safety concerns regarding hazing incidents that have been allowed by school staff to continue without proper intervention. My student has been allowed to fall behind, and has not been offered proper assistance with learning needs in order to accel. Teachers in several classes have no control, and classes are so unruly that my student cannot learn! Lack of action by school staff has allowed for a hositile educational environment to run rampant. I am certain that not only my student but numerous others are being disenfranchised from their educations. The San Diego Unified's academic Blueprint for Success, coupled with this type of learning environment, where behavioral issues are allowed to be imposed on other students, is a Blueprint for absolute failure. I believe Charter, or Home Schools are the optimal choice. Dont ruin your child.
—Submitted by jamie kimball, a parent