Cromwell Middle School

As somebody who has recently left the school, its safe to say that they lack many factors that other schools would agree are completely necessary for the basic structure and growth of their students. The only things any of the teachers had focus on was making sure we knew what was going to be on the Connecticut Mastery Test. There is also a distinct lack of extra-curricular activities available to the students. In fact, there are only a few small sports programs, drama club, a singing group, and future problem solvers. Unfortunatly, the school is also too low budget to provide a Tech Ed class as well. Parental involvement is weak, to say the least. Many teachers in this school pay no individual attention to students. Overall, I'd advise parents to find another school system and not act to hastily if moving to Cromwell. There are plenty of private schools around.
—Submitted by a former student

Disappointing to say the least. Yes there are very good staff on board, leadership is the issue or lack of. Academic programs could be stronger, expecially in grades 3, 4, 5. Weak curriculum and not challenging enough. Grade 6 and beyond improves. Unfortunately, need to document in writing or email all communications with the school, can't trust direct communications with Administration. Music, art, sports and extracurricular activities weakened by lack of funding. Music-Instrument lessons not provided until 5th grade. Used to and should be started in 3rd or 4th grade. Sports and extracurricular activities 'cut' out of budget 2005-2006 school year and has cheated children out of another wonderful opportunity. Bullying policies stated and not followed through with. Parent involvement has been low in recent years, however is increasing. Need better 'district communication' in a timely and direct manner as opposed to 'rumor' mill. For a small community, leadership is weak.
—Submitted by a parent

We ve had three children go through the school and found very good support for an academically struggling child. For another who is extremely bright, special program support was weaker. We believe that is more due to funding and reasources issue than any administrative failure. Parental involvement in the Middle School has been weak but does seem to be improving. The school did contained a Grade 5 but Cromwell has recently built a 3-5 school which will reduce the number of students in the school. The current principle is retiring and has done an admirable job with limited resources and a school containing both 10 and 14 year olds. The school facility is aging and needs modernizing, but since it was the old High School, the school has a reasonable amount of classroom and facility space, especially once grade 5 is moved to the new Intermediate School in Jan 06.
—Submitted by a parent

They have very good activities and they are able to make the best of the words.
—Submitted by a student

I agree this is a poorly structed school. Classes are based soley on the CMT's with little respect to any structure.
—Submitted by a parent

Yes, my children are failures that never learned how to read an write. That is why all 3 of them graduated with high honors all 4 years that they attended this school. Granted that isn't much of an accomplishment when the work they give out might as well come with the answer sheet because it is so simple, but nevertheless, they still maintained 'A' averages. Yes, reading and writing and all that good stuff are, in fact, important to every child's education, but when they are teaching solely to look good, and in the process holding back students from bettering their education any farther than the CMTs test, then it becomes a problem.
—Submitted by a parent

This message is a continuation of the previous one sent due to the word count limit. The CMT focuses on the three major areas of academics: reading, writing, and math. Cromwell M.S. teaches only in part to the CMT, not entirely. Anyone can visit CMS and see for themselves that this is most certainly a fact. However, don't our children need to learn the mechanics of reading, writing, and math? So what's wrong with teaching what's on the CMT? There is nothing wrong with teaching to the CMT because our children have to learn what's on it anyway! The parent's children that 'learned next to nothing' is clearly a result of their own doing or lack thereof, not Cromwell Middle School. This parent is obviously bitter toward her childrens' unfortunate failures in school, and she chose Cromwell Middle School as her scapegoat.
—Submitted by a parent

My 3 children have all gone through this school and they teach nothing but what is on the Connecticut Mastery Tests so that the school can look good. My children learned next to nothing while attending this school and I'm glad they are out of it finally.
—Submitted by a parent