Vail Ranch Middle School

Life is all about expectations, and for those that rate Vail Ranch poorly, they are the same people that are never happy about anything -- they have unrealistic expectations. They are the people that will always support their own kids poor judgements/decisions, instead of supporting the teachers in maintaining a proper learning environment in their classrooms. Folks, look at the school budget. More kids with less money = more students per teacher. Why don't you try to teach a classroom full of 35 kids with different needs? Why don't you help out and volunteer in your kids' classrooms? With my experiences, my 7th grade son is small for his age, and he has learning issues. Incredibly, he has never been bullied by anyone. The Principal, Vice Principal, and all his teachers always go out of their way to accomodate his "personal" issues. Of course my expectation was that they would recommend him to leave the school, so the test scores could remain high. However, the opposite has occured, and all his teachers really care about him getting past his weaknesses. I look forward to my 5th grade daughter attending Vail Ranch, as she will help raise the average test scores!
—Submitted by a parent

I too am very disappointed with this school. We really liked the elementary school our daughter attended, so we had high hopes for middle school. Some of the teachers here are good, but many are below standard. The administration is rude and seem annoyed and could care less about parent concerns. This school does not challenge students and does not offer any type of programs or accomodations for students who want to excel. I feel sorry for the children who attend because they have to deal with the rude staff and innapropriate, unprofessional teachers. One teacher in particular even tells her students to 'shut-up' however the principal seems content with the behavior and acted irritated about parent concerns regarding this matter. This school has good potential,but needs effective management and quality staff. If we could afford private school we would pull our daughter out of there immediately. After reading the other reviews and speaking with other moms whose children attend VRMS my concerns and dismay is shared. Very unfortunate for the students.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has been a huge dissappointment for us. While there are some great teachers, the administration is totally lackluster. Things are very poorly organized. My son has had his schedule changed 3 times this year! Not because of anything to do with his performance, it is only to do with the total lack of organization. He is qualified for GATE, but there is no program in place. The punishments are extemely harsh and inappropriate.
—Submitted by a parent

Very poor communication by administrators. Their communication skill is "far below basic" at best. They fail to pass on pertinent information, do not return phone calls or e-mails, and when you do eventually get a returned e-mail the tone is very rude. The District needs to clean house at this school and replace the administrators with parent and student focused professionals, not the dopes that are currently in place. Decisions are made seemingly at random: For example, my son is on his THIRD Language Arts teacher and the first semester isn't even over yet. There are also multiple teachers near retirement age that should be forced to retire. We're told as parents to "check the website" for information, but older teacher either don't know how to use it or refuse to use this method of communication. Very frustrating start to my son's Middle School years.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter loves her middle school. She excels in academics and enjoys spending time with other Vail Ranch students who take their education seriously.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very dispapointed with this school. Academics are okay...we shouldn't be giving this school the credit for the scores they get though... the 3 elementary schools that feed into this middle school are doing an excellent job in preparing the students for middle school. My two sons have yet to be challenged here. There is no GATE program and if there is, there has been no communication about it for my two sons who are qualified to receive GATE enrichment. As a matter of fact, the communication here is very poor all together. In addition, rules are imposed and consequences are dealt to the entire student body, whether or not they were actually involved in the breaking of the rule. Harsh consequencesare given for minor offenses, like accidentally hitting a ball over the fence (a student must pay the very next day or serve lunch detention indefinitely until they do). And the librarian is given free reign to deal out heavy fines for already overused books (check your books before taking them home). Supervision is sparse and students do not feel safe while passing between classes or at lunch.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had my children in both private and public school here in Temecula and must say I have really enjoyed VRMS. The way you can keep up on your children through the internet is great. The principal has always been very responsive to any inquiries I have had regarding the school. I also believe the kids my child has chosen to surround himself with has made a difference as to the school experience. There are good and bad teachers at the school like any school but we have been fortunate to have generally the best teachers. The one that we didn't care for is still there but it taught my child coping skills.
—Submitted by a parent

I had 3 children go through Vail Ranch Middle School and I have to say that they were prepared for high school. VRMS is strong in academics and all 3 of my children excel in high school now at GOHS. Discipline at VRMS seems to be good, however, my kids are well behaved and never got in trouble. I heard from other parents that they are strict. As far as being organized, I never had any problems finding out information that I needed. But i am an involved parent and my kids told me what I needed to know. I think that 95% of the teachers are competent in their subject area and are excellent teachers. I would highly recommend this school to any parent that wants their child to have an excellent education
—Submitted by a parent

Our family has moved around a lot due to my husband being in the military. My 4 children have been to numerous middle schools. Vail Ranch is the best I have seen so far. I think that parents in the area are spoiled and have nothing better to do then complain about the teachers and staff. Parents should venture out and see what other schools around the United States are like, then they would understand! Teachers and staff at Vail Ranch are the best I have seen, kudos to them on a job well done.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is very unorganized. Disappointed with first week information letters sent home with students are not very well written. Band teacher sends home a notice that an important meeting is needed to attend scheduled for the next evening (no notice). Library is not up and running. This school LACKS teacher enthusian and the incomming new students notice it the first week and are now regreting not transferring, charter and private. It is a shame, it teachers would just get motivated, kids would respond. Get ORGANIZED Vail Ranch. I would not recommend school if you have other options.
—Submitted by a parent

I sort of like this school but the way they give out notices, they give it to us, and most of us (we, idk) students are expected to give them to our parents. Come on! like more than 40% of students wouldnt give it to their parents anyways. And I'm gonna be honest, I dont think we really are that great of a school. Yeah, our Bulldog Band has a GREAT reputation but the academic subjects . . . Not so much.
—Submitted by a student

Interesting. Military children and doing great at Vail Ranch in GATE program and in line for IB at Great Oak. I think it is the spoiled kids that tire the teachers, or spoiled parents. It has excellant teachers and hearing back from freshman Great Oak teachers they are ALWAYS have Vail Ranch excell in their programs. Morgan Hill, Crown Hill and Vail Ranch kids those that want to learn excell others end up on government funds. Teachers know who are trying, and help them succeed.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has come a long way in the last 4 years. However it is still ruled by the unruly. rules and regulations are formed to keep the out of line kids in line with no exceptions for hardworking good kids. The staff is much like the post office or dmv. The prinipal does not like to communicate with parents.
—Submitted by a parent