San Elijo Middle School

I do not understand why Mr. Hall is hiring the rudest parents as supervisors. I don't feel safe for my children.
—Submitted by a parent

Another good year at SEMS! Child number two is currently in 6th grade. Although not as strong academically as my oldest, I so appreciate the excellent communication with the teachers. They always respond so quickly to my inquiries. Recently my son had an issue with another student and I thought it was handled very well. The teachers work their tails off to provide these students with a rigorous education. I feel my oldest was SO prepared for high school. Thank you, SEMS!
—Submitted by a parent

I don't quite understand all these nasty critcisms here. As a former student, my experience was fulfilling and my academics soared. I moved mid-term at around 7th grade (for financial reasons), and started at a new school. This school has very kind, social, and smart kids and is not very different from SEMS. SEMS does, i admit, have a bit mroe of a bullying problem.... Honestly, bullying is something that everyone faces no matter which school you go to (private or public etc). I for one, have been a peer ambassador and helped many kids with their social life. You must learn to ignore and just rock on with your indivisualism and be proud of it. Take pride and don't care about what others think of you (it may be harder to do that said). But everything should work out fine. Point is, the bullying is pretty bad (just a tad but worse than the school I am now attending) but I think it can be worked out.

Very impressed with staff and teachers.I have two kids attending, each child on the opposite spectrum regarding needs. My honors child is fully supported and challenged by the curriculum. My struggling student is getting the extra support that didn't exist in our previous hometown. Not only are the teachers doing a great job, but the staff is perceptive and looked out for adjustment issues when we relocated to the area mid 2011 school year. Normal Jr. High bologna aside, it's a well diversified school fully supporting it's students. Just wish there were sports teams.
—Submitted by a parent

I don't get all the negative comments here. This school is awesome. My son has not seen or been the victim of any bullying. He knows of no one who does drugs. And, he is not one of the "cool" kids, I guarantee. I think if you are looking for problems, you will find them. My son is in band and all honors classes and loves school there. Every time I have had a question, it has been answered immediately.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is HORRIBLE, as a student that attended 2 years ago i can honestly say this school provided the worst experience of my life. The bullying issue is HUGE if you are just a tiny bit different, expect to be bullied by the "popular kids". The supervisors and the vp's are the worst, my friend held up a sign that said "clap if you support japan" shortly after the earthquake, everyone started clapping but they pulled my friend aside and threatened to have her arrested for causing a riot. If i were you i would go to a private middle school, because san marcos high is great. I experienced the tyranny of this school first hand and i can honestly say i hope it ROTS!!!

5 families that carpool with us and 3 other friends who have kids attending this school all very satisfied with this school. Do not go to a school that never expel any students.
—Submitted by a parent

There's a reason behind why their's so many for sale signs all over town. People know sems is bad and are leaving by the boatload
—Submitted by a teacher

I hate to admit it, but the negative comments posted are true for this school. We live in the SE and have expressed to our children to stay away from the crazy principals, teachers, and bullying surrounding them every school day. We dont know what to do with our upside down house, but would leave immediately if we could solve this problem.
—Submitted by a teacher

I am a student at SEMS and this is an amazing school! I have no complaints and I am very surprised at all the horrible comments about it. Last year I had 2 amazing teachers one that I will remember for life. I have not had and problems with bullying and I think the staff is amazing. They do have rules but they need rules! Some teachers are hard but they all do it for the greater good and try to prepare us for the future! This is an excellent school

This school sucks. Top to bottom, the staff is incompetent. Take a stroll into the Albertsons after school and ask any student what they think of the school. Our home prices are dropping because people who do just a little bit of research will find bullying is a huge problem at this school. In fact you might be lucky enough to witness the asst principal confiscating private, student property. There are less and less people wanting to move here because of the rumors which are TRUE. Thanks SEMS.
—Submitted by a parent

It is interesting to read people post things that have very little to do with the school (home prices), and then when they state their facts, they are incorrect. People not paying their mortgages and the overall state of the economy is why your home prices are the way they are. Rumors about a school drive the housing market over job loss and overextended, irresponsible buyers? Interesting theory. The Principal is not leaving until he retires, and the Assistant Principal is retiring (she is over 60). It is interesting how you use leaving instead of retiring. That's the measurement you use to rate schools? Due to enrollment increases, the school hired more teachers, and the only teacher retiring is also over 60 years old. I do not know what you mean by admin staff, but no classified staff is leaving. I am sure that if your child made a mistake, you would be ok with the district going outside State law and expelling him to court school forever, but this district has more compassion than that. You should really call the school if you want the correct information.

Here is a good way to validate the rating of this school...the turnover of staff. Just this year 2011 the principal, vice principal, speech therapist, assistant speech therapist, 6 teachers and a few admin staff will be leaving. Three students were expelled last year and brought back this year with one of them re-expelled and 4 more students expelled. Wait for STAR test results to come out in August and form your own opinion. Ask kids who attended this school this year about how they felt about the classes, teachers and other students. That is how you should rate your opinion of this school.
—Submitted by a parent

San Elijo Middle School is a great school, I can't believe all these rude comments about this school. I guess everyone has their own opinion. I have always taught my kids to respect others and be polite and to stay away from drama. My opinion, I think parents NEED to be more involved in their school and out. And because of that I have NO issues with my children at this school (=
—Submitted by a parent

well my child was served an inschool suspension for hugging her friend when she saw her at the beginning of the school year. it was the "no-touching" policy and the assistant principal screamed at her. i dont think that was right
—Submitted by a parent

We are extremely happy with San Elijo Middle School. The staff, the teachers and the whole school is wonderful!!!
—Submitted by a parent

A trashy school with trashy parents and a dangerous adminstration and staff. What a waste of time. Yuck
—Submitted by a parent

As you can see where the bullying is coming from, the parents! I posted a comment on here last night and now it's gone! Funny how the ther negative remarks are still there but mine. I only speak the truth here. I have seen and experienced this first hand at this school. Drugs, bullying, terrible teaching tactics, and administration is unprofessional.
—Submitted by a parent

First, I would like to say that I have had nieces and nephews going to this school since it opened and all of them recommended the school. This is the first year I have had a child at San Elijo Middle school. We have not had any issues. In fact, the only thing that I see that is lacking is enough parent volunteers. My wife and I currently both volunteer in the schools and what we have found is if you want to effect positive change then get off your butts and help out.
—Submitted by a parent

Agree with all statements below....principals are the bullies at this school. My son is the subject of their harrassment. Potential lawsuit here.
—Submitted by a parent