Martin Murphy Middle School

I go to this school and its great! Im in 8th grade and we have a new principle that's doing a lot of good things to our school! Going to get better every year now!

i went to murphy. dont go to this school. worst school ever. more gangs/violence than anything. fights, drugs , and other threats. i was her half the school year, then transferred because of lack of academic standards. i was at a 1.7 and now at an 4.0 GPA

I will be leaving Murphy after this school year, and I hate the fact that I am overly excited to. The teachers are very good, no teachers come to mind when I think of how many aren't as good. The students here, are quite extreme. Either, extremely uninterested, or overly interested. Only a small percentage of the student body is actually interested. The principal, though, really needs to realize that she is the principal at a middle school. Kids won't listen. Kids rebel. And she doesn't understand the fact that she can't be unflexible. Middle school is all about being open minded and flexible with the student body. The principal just is not willing to bend her ideas so that both sides are somewhat happy. I believe adults that work with middle school kids have to be understanding. Which, the teachers grasp that fact. But some people don't.
—Submitted by a student

It's a shame that a disgruntled few get such a high profile place to offer their biased vent. I've found that the teachers and administration at Murphy bend over backwards for their kids. I've also found them to be very fair with the tough love needed to raise young teens and I appreciate their help. I too have run into the problem of them not delivering messages, but once they pointed out the policy in the student rules and they explained the math of running personal messages to 700 kids, it made sense. My reason was urgent to me, but not really an emergency.
—Submitted by a parent

The administration is so horrible at this school. We have left messages at the school that have went unanswered. The office staff seems very reluctant to help relay messages to students. I've experienced this first-hand, and have also met other parents with the same experience. We do like the resource teachers here, and some of the teachers have been really good. We love the teacherease.com that most of the teachers seem to be using, so that parents have a clear idea of the day-today progress of their child.
—Submitted by a parent

I called in to get a message to my son because I unexpectedly had to leave home (Morgan Hill) and go in to San Jose, so I wouldn't be home, and needed him to not get on the bus - so I could pick him up - I was informed that they do not take messages. Safety of children is not priority. I have left a message for the principal - no return call. Basically, from my experience the office does not return phone calls. Teachers: Some good, and some not so great. Last year my son was getting A's in Science, and this year, 1st trimester, an 'F' so far!!?? He says he doesn't understand the teacher. Zero communication from the school on this also.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent at Martin Murphy. There are some terrific teachers there who make a difference. As for their communication and administration, I have had several disappointing experiences. In addition to this, their phone system has no personal touches and is annoying to navigate.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a student of Martin Murphy Middle School , and i just graduated from my 8th grade and I think that this school is good in a great many aspects but even lacks in various ways too. But on the whole it's a good school to me it means a lot because this school actually gave me so much. Thanks Murphy!!!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a student

i am an 8th grader at martin murphy and i am currently going tro graduate this school.Martin Murphy is i guess an ok school.Our lunch are ok but can be healthier and also our teachers are ok but need to actually wanna make school fun.Some kids hate school or drop out because of our school suspending people for stupid stuff but in the long run were does that leave them? well that is why i rate Martin Murohy Middle School a 2 star school.
—Submitted by a student

I see a decline in overall school and class organization with the change of top leadership. I see more gang activity and a lack of overall sense of academic accomplishment, motivation. I wish there was a way to get the economic-disadvanted overall accomplishment, study, parental support increased....
—Submitted by a parent

There are some teachers with good classroom management and very good and clear curriculum and lesson plans (mostly the veteran teachers) and others with terrible classroom management (mostly the newer teachers). Afterschool sports and activities vary in their quality, depending on which teacher has stepped up to be the leader. I do feel that my child is safe at school and with help and support from her family will do well and succeed here.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers would not respond to emails or phone calls and neither did the Principal and Vice-Principal. We ultimately had to talk to the Director of Education, he was very helpful. But, even with his intervention we never got anything from the staff of Martin Murphy. I would not give the staff a passing grade in communication and helpfulness.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to this school for half of my 7th grade year (Im in 8th grade now) because I moved to another state. When I went to Martin Murphy Middle School, to me the school was ok... they do not have lockers so it can be tough to carry around all your books at times and there is trash everywhere. Teachers there are a hit or miss. Also another thing that is kinda bad is the lunch line... there is 3 lines but almost everyone gets school lunch so the waiting line is huge! Also they mainly have pizza and soup and burritos and to me even as a teen would of liked to have a healthier choices for food.
—Submitted by a student

Music program is ok, not exceptional. Sports programs are available.
—Submitted by a former student