South Pasadena Middle School

Of course, every parent's/child's experience is different. My child had a WONDERFUL experience in middle school--socially and academically. (She is in her first year of high school.) For the most part the teachers WERE engaging, and willing to work with my student when she needed extra help. There are various extra-curricular for students to participate in and most of the teachers provide high expectations for students. Parents are the first teachers, so we can't check out once our kids get to middle school. I am so happy my child had such a GREAT middle school experience, and I look forward to my son attending this school in the future. REALLY, this school is far above the average middle school.
--Submitted by a parent

An average school school with good extra-curriculum activities but not engaging teachers. The math teacher will help you a lot but the 6th grade science department is really weak.

Mean teachers! Avoid this school if you can. I am very disappointed in the principal, he should pay close attention to what is really going on in the classrooms.
--Submitted by a parent

The classes are big, the school feels like a huge impersonal institution, easy to get lost there. The periods are too long, there must be breaks for the students every 45 min, otherwise they just zone out instead of learning. The lunch lines are huge, and the students who did not make it to the line early enough don't get the favorite items, because they run out. The science book is BORING, and is written to turn the students away from science. The teachers are very helpful and available. Overall probably a decent middle school compared to LAUSD ones, but certainly not a shining example of what a school should and could offer in terms of nourishment for the brain and spirit.
--Submitted by a parent

South Pasadena Middle School is AMAZING! I should know seeing as I've attended since 6th grade and am now a 8th grader. The teachers are dedicated to helping students learn. My math teacher last year actually would help students prepare for a quiz or test during lunch. Also the classes are challenging and interesting. There are a bunch of activities to participate in like ASB, WEB, Tigerettes, Band, Math Team, etc. Also there are spirit days every month allowing students to relax.

Agree with previous post. Middle School philosophy re motivating students seems out of synch with district mission and new superintendent's 21st century outlook. Students not meeting certain expectations re homework and self advocacy are basically demoralized, rather than guided through a learning process. The claim that the school is preparing students for the 'real world' rings false. The current real 'working' world is innovative, self reflective and, in fact, less harsh than SPMS. Also, the concept of the students starting the semester at an 'F', then having to dig themselves out of that hole by earning points for tests and homework seems antiquated. The love of learning, at least for our child, was lost.
--Submitted by a parent

School is over-crowded and has been under construction for quite some time. Budget cuts impacting quality and class size. Some teachers equate motivation with instilling fear. A few teachers do try. All is all - Mediocre.
--Submitted by a parent

South Pasadena Middle School is staffed by dedicated teachers that guide students through the especially challenging, formative years of adolescence. The principal and vice principal are full of heart and have a clear vision of the school future. The money could save some endangered programs.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is really great. The teachers here are really supportive and the students are very diverse. Everyone gets along very well and there are many electives and sports. Although it is a bit crowded, the campus is very nice and the city is very safe. There are places to go after school to get food and there are many fun activities during lunch time. I completely recommend this school.
--Submitted by a student

We were very happy with our son's middle school experience. He is now a freshman at the high school, and he was very well prepared for a full schedule of honors classes. I'm disappointed, but not surprised, to see some of the negative comments here. South Pasadena parents are extraordinarily demanding and some have, I believe, completely lost perspective about the role of public schools, expecting a personalized and perfect experience for their children. No school can be all things to all people, but SPMS does a great job of serving the wide spectrum of all of its students.
--Submitted by a parent