Taft Middle School

I have know Taft Middle School for many years. My children have attended this school and all the negative comments are probably made by unhappy students or parents who do not get their way. Academically the school offers an A thru G curriculum. Highly qualified teachers and receptive administration to community and parents. Too many negative people express their unhappiness and not enough positive because they are happy and don't think they need to express concern. This is a great school with community support and very bright future.

My son transferred here from a "really good" school a few months ago, and I have to say, I am more than pleased with this school. They have such a low rating and the other school is well over rated! This school does NOT have a bullying issue, and when there was even a concern of that, the teachers were quick to resolve it before it became an "issue." My son went from hating math to it being his favorite subject! Being at the "good" school didn't teach him anything bc the teachers were careless and the principal was not even aware of anything going on. With this school, any concerns you may have, they are quick to get answers and resolve any issues that may arise. The Principal is very nice and he is very involved. All the staff, from office, to cafeteria to the teachers are well involved and very nice. I have recommended this school to other friends as well as strangers and I am proud to say this school deserves a much better rating and this school is one of the best ones I've come across and I hope you give it a try if your looking for a middle school for your child!
—Submitted by a parent

There are alot of bulling in this school even if your popular. Also some or most children use innaproiate words. The teachers are great, but some students only about there grades and learning.

Since most of these reviews are very old, I am compelled to update the general public. The school currently has an API score of 776 which is a steady increase in test cores over the last several years. The teachers are caring and compassionate...and working harder than most teachers in affluent areas. Yes, as in all schools, there are some discipline problems (which, by the way, stem mostly from the home environment.) If less than 5% of the students can create an entire reputation for a school, then there is something wrong. People may have an opinion about the school and its leadership but, please consider the source of such comments. Our Student of the Month Awards ceremonies fill the library every month and we just had four students win first place at the Science Fair. There are some fantastic things happening...come to the school to visit and judge for yourself.
—Submitted by a teacher

Oh my. This school is ... ugh. Some of the people you meet here are great, and I've made great friends throughout my 2 1/2 years (just recently switched) But it is very unsafe at times. (weed? comeon now . )
—Submitted by a student

Just less then a month of school left. I am so happy. This school is horrible, yes some of the teacher are great....but the lack of leadership here, is un-de scrib a ble. I have required some informations from the school and some of the staff here wouldn't know what end of a stump is if they were to see one.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had nothing but problems with this school. There are several teachers there that have been great, but as far as the leadership and safety in the school I am certainly disappointed.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is in the fifth year of the program improvement and has still not made any progress.
—Submitted by Richard Chalk, a parent

Adivisory is nice because a lot of people need to build their character that's what we do in advisory. We are also working on how to be optimistic.
—Submitted by a student

The schgool is good and has an excellent after school program but it lacks in the education programs compared to other schools in San Diego.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel this school needs a lot of improvement, teachers need to take control. Problem children should not be allowed to stay in class they should be sent to the office. I feel the school also needs to communicate with the parents more often. My daughter did her state testing and scored 98 % way above her 7 th grade level, yet failded in all of her class. Now there seems to be a problem with this.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel that Taft is in need of a leader not a follower. The staff is afraid to grade students on what they do, because it may hurt their feelings. They have teachers that obviously do not want to teach certain subjects but have to fill in. Grand parent
—Submitted by a parent

Great school for military families.
—Submitted by a teacher

this school is okay. its not so bad...counselers need to pay more attention to children.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been very dissappointed with the school. There is no music art or sports at this school. they have one choir class that has 10 students. there is also NO extracurricular activities. I am not sure what parental involvement is if there is any.
—Submitted by a former student

I have been very dissappointed with the school. There is no music art or sports at this school. they have one choir class that has 10 students. there is also NO extracurricular activities. I am not sure what parental involvement is if there is any.
—Submitted by a student

It seams to me that they focus on the 6th and 7th grades. When they get in 8th grade they are forgotten. I understand they maybe getting them ready for high school, but their grades go down hill, and the support for the student, and parent is terrible. My child has been struggling since the first report card. I have asked for after school programs, Saturday school. I have sent notes to the teacher, no reply. They also hire subs to teach a class for almost a entire year, who is not even qualified to teach that class. I am very unhappy with this school. Now I understand why it is a No Child Left Behind School.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a big diappointment this year, 2003-2004. The drugs, alcohol, gangs and violence are among some of the problems at Taft. The serious issue I have with Taft is the teachers that my child have, 'Do not care about their students!' My son went to this school last year and excelled. This year has left a sore taste in my mouth.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student i go to taft and it's a wonderful school. i love it. i don't see how i am going to be able to leave it. i will miss it so much but this is the best school ever!
—Submitted by michelle

The school is wonderful. After my divorce I moved with my sons from Delaware (Where the education system is awful and my oldest failed 6th grade and was failing it yet again) to San Diego where my oldest started at Taft. The school helped to turn his life around. He had fantastic teachers who reached out to him and it worked. In high school now he is a A/B student, on football, track, ROTC, Upward Bound, The School Paper, and the list goes on. Now my youngest son is in Taft and I am so happy with how the school is handling his education also. Thank you Taft for making a difference in my sons' lives.
—Submitted by Peggy Pavkovich, a parent