Herbert Hoover Middle School

They didn't let me wear a pink backpack with hello kitty on it because it was pink. Apparently it's a gangster color,and the next day I see some other girl with the SAME backpack walk right by my teacher who said pink wasn't allowed. The teacher even said hi to her.

Hoover is fantastic! We love it-my kids feel safe and there are alot of activities for them to participate in. My daughter was elected to the student council and was placed in the advanced drama class. The performing arts simply can't be beat-excellent!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is great. My kids love the drama classes and have made so many new friends. The teachers are responsive and they have fun weekend trips and activities to participate in. The surrounding community is so nice and safe-I don't mind my kids walking!
—Submitted by a parent

I went to this school for only 6th grade. about 7 years ago. I used to always complain about the schooling system in San Jose, I disliked that we had to swim even on rainy days or else we'd get ocs. on campus suspension. I moved to Pittsburg, Ca. Everything is way worse. Low budget so there is no dancing, cooking, foreign language, computer skills, no swimming pool, no sports! not really any electives. 8th grade a lot of kids still had difficulty with multiplying. students were barely learning things i had learned in 4th grade! so now i appreciate schools in San Jose. Teachers would challenge us more. Now all my old friends from hoover are at ucsd, uc berkeley, ucla, meanwhile all my friends in pittsburg are at community college and if theyre lucky some not known state college that accepts almost anybody with atleast a 2.0. That is the lucky ones. most are pregnant with 2 kids already, they or their spouse have been to jail already, no hopes of going back to school or ever getting a job.

Reviewing sites listing API scores, I see that Hoover has the lowest API scores of any middle school in San Jose. For parents who have children there, I'm wondering: What's good? And what's not? For students who excel at math, science, and reading and writing, are they going to be bored and unchallenged? My experience with the gifted and talented program in SJUSD is that it's all for show.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has really made my daughter stand out and discover her talents. She didn't like to be in the spotlight before attending here; but because of the performing arts program, she has really improved her confidence and poise. She has made a lot of friends also. Thanks to the great staff and administration!
—Submitted by a parent

this school has improved a lot much more. i can see it's trying to challenge more students to become successful in life.

this school is horrible the rules are unfair and the teachers chose favorites all to much and pick on students who dont understand the material.
—Submitted by a parent

Hoover faces a lot of challenges (high proportion of low-income families, many English Language learners, really high staff turnover in recent memory), but it is on a serious upward track that's exciting. A new principal this year and a renewed commitment from all staff to bring Hoover's test scores out of the dumps are bringing a much-needed positive spirit to campus (along with research-driven, powerful instructional methods), buoyed up by more activities and field trips than Hoover students have seen in a few years. This is a great place to get involved and make a true difference in students' lives while having a lot of fun with excellent parent volunteers and fantastic, dedicated staff members.
—Submitted by a teacher

i went there some years ago im sure there have some changes since but i loved that school very much the dress code and the rules and just everything the teachers where great my fav where ms. shapero and mr. higbe my drama teacher and math teacher i had to much fun there my 2 years i wnt there and mesa i tell you the oppertunaties are great
—Submitted by a parent

Public school is no good, outdated and falling apart. Kid bring their rough home life to school and San Jose. Think overcrowded and mediocre.
—Submitted by a parent

I gratuated last year and it was the best year i had so much fun with all of the great teachers and a great principal too. I reccomend this school because you can feel safe because there is a great staff department.
—Submitted by a student

This is a very good school.
—Submitted by a parent

The Greatest school In the state of California!
—Submitted by a parent

My 8th grader has had the opportunity to develop academically and artistically at Hoover M.S.. The Arts programs there are definitely unequaled. My experience with the teachers there has been positive, I believe that they are committed to the students and the school. This can be a challenging time in the life of a young person, and I am both happy and proud to say that my child and I are getting through it just fine. With the Parental invovement and Arts programs in place at and our local supporting elementary school (Trace), I am confident that my younger children will be able to achieve similar success when they attend Hoover M.S..
—Submitted by a parent

well I'm a student from Hoover and I think this school is okay. A lot of kids get bullied by other kids that they don't even know.
—Submitted by a student

My daughter came to Hoover MS in the Fall of 2004 & attended 7th & 8th grade. She came from a catholic school where she struggled from 2nd thru 6th grade, (mean kids and under-par teaching). Hoover was an excellent change for her. She received straight A's both years and received the Former Teacher Award at graduation (one 4 girls received this award). She excelled at Hoover and made some good friends. I never had any problems with the teachers and everyone I spoke with on the phone was very helpfull and nice. On the down-side, my daughter had to deal with occasionally being called names because she was white, (the minority at Hoover).
—Submitted by a parent

Hoover is a great school. The prinicpal and teachers are wonderful. My daughter has joined clubs and does other activities. However, my daughter has also consistently come home with bruises and stories of being pushed, hit, smacked, etc at school. Many of the other students are abusive and when I spoke with a teacher her excuse was she could not watch all the students all the time. Whatever. I have moved and changed schools in the hopes my daughter won't be bullied so much.
—Submitted by a parent

After three years and mostly positive experiences, I would say that Hoover is at best a nominal school, at worst a ghetto. Alot of the parents have a mentality that they pass on to their children who come to school and display such arrogant contempt for any teacher that requires anything of them...very sad.
—Submitted by a parent

The academic programs stress the development of skills, as well as content knowledge, based on the California state standards for the subject area. Many extracurricular activities are available, but unfortunately many of our parents have other commitments.
—Submitted by a teacher