Joaquin Miller Middle School

As a former student who graduated just last year, I believe that Miller exceeds the expectations a parent would want in a middle school for their children. There are quite a few flaws but the pros tower over them. The school board knows about the problems with the lunch lines and food prices, and they are slowly trying to fix things to make sure that each and every student is satisfied with what they are trying to do to help the school. One of the things I am not happy about is how many of the good teachers I wanted to have at Miller were dispatched to different schools, such as Lawson. Therefore, we recieved a handful of new teachers who are still getting used to the way things are at Miller. Despite these problems, Miller was the best thing that has ever happend to me. Go mustangs!
—Submitted by a student

What are you guys talking about? All our music programs are really good, our sports clubs are doing very good now. It is very safe, I don't see anyone smoking or something like that. There are so many extracurricular activities. The teachers are also very nice and very good at teaching. I learned a lot. You don't know because you didn't go to Miller.
—Submitted by a student

Miller management is doing a great job in getting some new and enthusiastic staff on board, after some old annd good teachers left in the last two years. I had my initial apprehensions about new teachers, their experience etc., but as the year has gone by I feel extremely happy, comfortable and confident about the school and my daughter's performance. great values and awesome teachers!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in 6th grade at Miller and is having a terrific experience. Great academics, great families, a really good place to transition from elementary to middle school. I am surprised by the other reveiws- when I talk to other families, everyone seems very happy at Miller.
—Submitted by a parent

There has been a noticeable decline in the quality of education at Miller. There were some great teachers who left a few years back and this has had impact on the education. The parents are the ones who keep kids afloat, they are the reason for the high scores. Facilities definitely need improvement as they children are packed into portables. There are not enough books in the library, not enough tables and benches for lunch (or enough food being sold). This school needs new management, probably better pay to entice better teachers and a new curriculum that can compete with international standards. I encourage parents to please provide feedback to the school. As with most Cupertino schools, we the parents are the ones who actually provide the necessary tutoring to keep our kids in step with kids from private schools. Let's help by honestly assessing the current situation of the school.
—Submitted by a parent

Let the truth be known, this school needs work. They have a good band class, academically though, Miller is falling behind other schools.
—Submitted by a parent

Miller offers a wide range of activities particularly for academic, drama, and music excellence. The high-end math curriculum is especially strong. The faculty is top notch, as is the administration. The students are conscientious (although some students may have a bit too much parental pressure). Miller is a superb US school and I'm surprised by some of the parents' comments.
—Submitted by a parent

Miller's teachers are indifference to students' needs, They are constantly complaining the pay/treatment. The high score in SAT/API are due to parent's involvement and after school tutoring. Parents are highly educated and cared, they are the one push/motivate the students.
—Submitted by a parent

The faculty is horrible at getting information through to students. The school spirit is not very high here. Actually learning at this school depends on the teachers, if you get a godd teacher, then your child learns, but a bad teacher will just let your child goof off.
—Submitted by a student

Learning at Miller is a hit or miss - it really depends on who you get as a teacher. In comparison to other schools, Miller is doing great for now, but in a world that needs global education to help children achieve in the future, the standard of education (curriculum) as well as instruction is sorely inadequate. Parents are involved in extracurricular activities, but fail to see the need for better textbooks, additional teacher training,etc. Above all, an updated curriculum is well overdue.
—Submitted by a parent

I believe Miller is a good school in academics.
—Submitted by a former student

The quality of academic programs is usually very good. The band/music program is excellent, and choir has been improving a lot in recent years. I find that school spirit is not very high, and extracurricular involvement like clubs (sport involvement is o.k) is also not very high. Parents are very supportive and involved in student life.
—Submitted by a former student

Great school. Excellent academic programs and extra curricular activities. Sometimes students only get 6 instead of 7 courses.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has excellent academic curriculum and good extra activities after school and elective.
—Submitted by a parent

Academic programs are good. music and sports too. parents are involved!
—Submitted by a former student

High standards here, but any child can learn. Most teachers are highly competent or better, and very caring. Administration does a decent job of school management. School is somewhat crowded, but staff makes a sincere effort to make students feel at home. Excellent electives such as band, choir, art, French, Spanish, Japanese; great after school activities as well, such as a string band and an after school quiet study area.
—Submitted by a staff

Very good academic school. I think Miller is better school in terms of academic achievement than Kennedy. Also, almost all the student in the Miller would go to Lynbrook so if you are going send your kids to Lynbrook, you should begin with Miller.
—Submitted by a parent

Very high standards; many high achieving students. School tries to cater to the needs of all students though. Many caring and very good teachers. Excellent electives, PE and after school sports programs.
—Submitted by a teacher

A good school if your child does not need any help in school. Like mine, they are A & B students with trouble in one subject. If your kids need help, you are on your own. The students that go there are basically good kids, but there is far too much pressure to succeed. The school is too large. They just cram more students on the campus by installing portables, without adding and additional common area facilities like restrooms, multi-purpose rooms, etc.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a very good school, teachers and parents push their kids hard to achieve more in the given time. The only thing which bothered me was, they look down on kids who come to Miller from other middle schools.
—Submitted by a parent