West Side Middle School

I just was graduated from this school in June, by the end of the day, i was crying buckets cause i didnt want to leave. this school was great. they provided great academics and help if needed. They had nice clubs and teams. they had amazing volleyball team that i was in and a great soccer and basketball team. I made so many great friends from my first day of school when i went to West Side. Amazing. ! (: This school was amazing and i would wish to go back in the beginning of the year when i was in 8th grade.

Two of my children graduated from West Side - the most recent in 2009. I strongly disagree with the comments of the poster who states that there is too much homework and that the schedule is 'confusing.' Did your child come from private school, or an elementary school that did nothing to prepare him/her for middle school? Neither of my children ever had a problem with the schedule or amount of homework. The sixth grade team of teachers is absolutely outstanding - you could not find a better groups of teachers anywhere. Middle schoolers should not be 'babied and coddled.' They are there to prepare for high school, and they need to start getting used to a higher level of instruction, and more demands.
--Submitted by a parent

West Side has some very dedicated teachers, but overall is not student-centered. There is an overall lack of consideration for how confidential info is passed out, too many daily class periods (8) (and no homeroom to allow the students to review their schedules, which change every day), and an oppressive, discouraging level of homework (for 6th grade). I almost took my child out to homeschool her. Enroll your child at another school if at all possible.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been very happy with West Side in general. My daughter has had some learning issues because she was adopted at an older age and did not speak English. The school has always made every effort to help her, and to accommodate her needs. The principal and assistant principal are extremely concerned with student safety, and disciplinary matters are well handled. It would be nice to see more field trips, more extracurricular activities, and classes for parents and students on bullying and internet safety. But overall the school is outstanding.
--Submitted by a parent