Walter F. Dexter Middle School

His mother tells me that he gets good grade's A"s and B's. Now let me ask the Administrations there, Is he prepared to transfer to lets just say, Loyal High school, will he have the knowledge base to be a competitive student at a private High school? I have been to that school and I am not very impress and let me tell you it does not come close to the private school my daughter goes to in Orange County. Believe me if I could, he would not be in any public school, maybe but for a few.
--Submitted by a parent

I really like how Dexter supports my boys. If they do poorly on a test, they are given help and then get a chance to take the test again. They have improved their grades during their time at Dexter.
--Submitted by a parent

Every school has problems and Dexter is a work in progress. With that in mind, the progress is remarkable. There has been a schedule change to assist students who need extra help. Dexter is implementing "Professional Learning Communities" that has been so successful at the high school. The school is huge and so progress is slower than I'd wish. Dexter's primary problems can be put at the feet of parents who raise their children with a poor values system. Most negative comments I've seen on this site are the direct result of poor or non-existant parenting. The people skills of SOME(not all by any stretch) of the office staff could be improved. Something I'm sure will be addressed over time.
--Submitted by a parent

I will admit that Dexter Wax Museum is admirable. The GATE students are the performing students, they are the ones that do the research according to the they sylabus provided by the teacher for the GATE Projects. It is also the parents of these honor students that are providing the support for their child, This is not open to all students even when the avberage 8th grade student would liike to participate. Only a choosen hand few of parents and students are treated w/respect .
--Submitted by a parent

I was told about this website and wanted to talk about how great the GATE Open House was surprised when I found so many rude comments about individuals and the staff. I thought this website was about the students achievements, academics & special events not individual vendettas. This is very sad. I am happy to say that I have always been treated with respect by all the employees. They work very hard and care deeply about the students at Dexter. The teachers and administrators go above and beyond to make sure students get the help they need. Like this GATE Open house, the time and effort that the students and staff put into this was immeasurable. I look forward to next years!
--Submitted by a parent

I attended the GATE open house at Dexter last night. I was astounded by the fabulous work produced by the 6th and 7th graders. The most amazing part of the evening was the 8th grade wax museum. Students had extensively researched historical characters and then dressed and played the part of those characters. Each individual performance was well rehearsed and acted. I would guess about half of the 8th grade participated. This is a real tribute to the excellent teaching and dedication of the teachers at Dexter. Congratulations students and staff!
--Submitted by a parent

This is a school with issues that need to be resolved. 1, The staff in the student center never acknowledge that your there. Instead of helping you, they sit around-like they expect you to know they're to busy to help anyone but themselves. 2, Some teachers have no control over the class. When the teacher is talking many other students are busy with their own thing. Some even cussing loudly or applying make-up. 3, To me, the principal is just a front. Really, its the vice pricipal who's in charge. this is my last year here. it finally came!

I'm a parent of two children that attend dexter. I would never have sent them there if I knew how this school is. The office staff is so rude and uneducated. Mrs. Luna needs to go to people skills classes. My child has been in a fight and nothing happened. The crossguard saw the whole thing and didn't move an inch. Some of the teachers really care for the children. In September I'm getting a transfer to another local middle school.
--Submitted by a parent

The staff in the front office is very rude and unprofessional. They do not acknowledge you when you walk in the door. Finally when you ask for help, they don't really care and just tell you to go see so and so and they'll send you to so and so. The school nurse will ask students "what do you want?!" instead of trying to be helpful, especially when a student is in need. The campus is filthy, the restroom are unsanitary, as well as the locker rooms. Most of the teachers are unorganized and not well put together. The subtitutes sleep while the class works on a worksheet that a 3rd grader could finish in 10 minutes. The staff talks to students like they are worthless, and theyre more concerned with socializing than helping the school be a better place.

It is by far one of the worst schools I have been to in the area. If you live within the city, it would be best to either send your child to a private school or to a school in the East Whittier School District. The teachers really do try desperately to push their students, but ,honestly, the 7 hrs of teaching can not correct behavior or encourage better study habits in their entirety. A majority of the responsiblity falls onto the parents and guardians. They do offer a number of programs that are beneficial for students looking to excel or work on their studies, but with budget cuts who knows if they'll remain after fiscal readjustments. This really isn't hyperbole. Evaluate every aspect of the school, or any school for that matter, before you decide where to place your child.
--Submitted by a teacher