Willow Glen Middle School

The last reviewer is right - WGMS has had 4 principals in the past five years, with the new, current principal having deep roots in the community (I think she's actually a WGMS alum) and a good understanding of the student body and their needs. Under this new principal, things seem to have stabilized and student behavior seems to have improved. Academics still seem weak though...curriculum feels "dumbed down" to me. A number of projects my child was assigned didn't seem to be aligned at all with classroom work, either.
--Submitted by a parent

They didn't include my son in his graduating year yearbook. All we got was a "sorry" and a refund. Besides that, it has been an ok school. Changing principals a lot.
--Submitted by a parent

ilove willow glen middle school im currently a student there all the teachers are nice the administration this year is strict and this year is going very good if you do not do your homework assignments they give you f's . so look at this middle school best middle school ever so i dont agree with the 2nd to last comment that is so not true SO LOOK AT THIS SCHOOL EVEN IF YOU COME FROM BOOKSIN OR ANY OTHER SCHOOL.!

I completely disagree with the previous posts regarding WGMS. This is a supportive, neighborhood school where bullying is not tolerated. PBIS, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports is a system created to create a positive environment for all students on campus. This school challenged my child to obtain all A's in 6 semesters allowing her to sign the Golden Book. With 3 full years of science, she left middle school scoring advanced on the CST state test in math, science and language arts. Choose WGMS for the programs, stay because of the positive community involvement.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with the last two reviews wholeheartedly. My child was not just bullied when she was in 6th grade there, she was grabbed by a girl in a crowd of girls surrounding her. The discipline was not there. I had to go back and forth and still nothing came of it. It IS the parent's responsibilty to instill tolerance and confidence, but why should the kids who possess these qualities have to fear school because other parents do not? Is school not supposed to be a safe place for children to learn and grow? It is appalling to hear that some parents excuse the school for being unsafe. My child did receive attention and nurturing from her teachers. There was no true preparation for high school and when she went on to high school, she said she felt like she was tossed into the ocean with no life raft. Academic preparation is important, but it is also important to give the 8th graders a more accurate portrayal of what demands high school has on homework, personal accountability, lack of teacher support and expectations from administration.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has rampant bullying issues. The problem has existed there so long that the student culture is broken and needs a major "reset". I would definitely NOT recommend sending your 5th grader to this middle school, especially if you are coming from a really nice, neighborhood elementary school, such as Booksin Elementary. You will be horrified and your student will be abused. The contrast is that sharp. Aside from the barbarous culture, our child tells us that most students in his classes don't bother turning in homework and still get 'C' grades in their classes. The teachers seem to "look the other way" at classroom discipline problems. In two words: Look elsewhere.
--Submitted by a parent

I have to say that I had absolutely no issues with sending my 6th grader to WGMS, and I have not regretted it one bit. My son has had a great experience thus far, and has adapted to the culture well. His teachers appear responsive and he has been involved in leadership and school sports. I have heard of none of my child's friends complaining of bullying, as they all are used to diverse environments. It is the parents' responsibility to teach tolerance and instill confidence so the student optimizes his/her educational opptys. I have another child going to WGMS next fall, and have no problem recommending the school to others, My son plays sports with kids from Booksin, Schallenberger, and Willow Glen Elem, and I have heard none of them say a negative word about the school.
--Submitted by a parent

great for training us to study for tests. My favorite teacher here at WGMS has been Ms. Garcia. She goes above and beyond in everything she does. She set up her classroom with amazing lights in her classroom with vases of flowers on desks and snacks for all to enjoy while we did the poetry slam, inpiring students to enjoy and appretiate poetry. The poetry slam was after we finished our poerty anthologies. We wrote about 15 poems about one subject (examples: lyric poems, elegies, sonnets, concretes, etc.). I also had an amazing social studies teacher who showed great videos and DVDs in relation to the subject. I was amazed to see all the citizens who perished during the civil war. That class inspired me to collect many of the state quarters - I now have the full collection. Thanks Willow Glen for all the great life lessons I have learned!

The cheerleaders at willow glen middle are absolutely not racist and have become positive role models. Willow Glen Middle has so much to offer it's students. Teachers really do make an effort to offer extra help to their students.
--Submitted by a student

I think this school is amazing it teaches you al lot principal malina is the best and so is mrs.Saldana I think kids looking for a school to go to should go to WGMS
--Submitted by a student