Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School

More like a reform school than a middle school. Dunbar is absolutely awful.The school is full of drugs and fights. We did NOT want our child there but thanks to the ridiculous "school choice" program(which gives you really no choice at all) we are stuck with Dunbar. The teachers and administration do not respond to letters/emails and never return phone calls(including the prinicpal). Our child is in AVID and the gifted program so she is somewhat protected from the bullies and the gangs but it is frustrating to not have any communication with staff when there are issues. I' m constantly told Dunbar isn't as bad as it once was but I find it hard to believe. Never have I seen ANY school have a seperate sign out book for children's probation officers or to sign children in/out for COURT! That sums up Dunbar right there and unfortunately those children are taking up the staff's time leaving the involved parents and their non criminal children out in the cold.Had I known last year what I know now I wouldve homeschooled! Lee county has great elemntary schools but after that it's hard going...
--Submitted by a parent

This school is wonderful! The staff there always encourage students to succeed. Though I do wish they offered dance. You rock PLDMS! For being one of the only REGULAR (not a magnet school) schools in Lee County PLDMS has many wonderful encouraging programs helping the students live up to their full potential. Some people don't like that school because of the kids (they think they are mean) but I have met many friends there and I am a good student, not a bully. I get good grades ect. Our band teacher is amazing and funny, our Drama teacher is funny and very laid back. He teaches us wonderful good things.

Being a a gifted student I need to be academically challenged or else it's completely worthless to try. Unfortunately, PLDMS wasn't able to stand up to my needs. The teachers are always having to deal with problem students (the schools is crawling with them) andthe "gifted program" is really just more of the same work, making you reguritate information you have already mastered. There isn't a week I can remember the students not breaking out into fights or causing problems. If you want your child to succeed, this is not the school for him or her. With bad teaching methods and a horrile staff, though there are a few jems in the bunch, this is definitely a breeding ground for failure. This might not be the nicest review, but from a ex-student, it's the truth.

its the best :) Ms. Joiner is awesome the AVID program the best I LOVE THIS SCHOOL :D
--Submitted by a parent

I'm a student, And I have to say, I got in a lot of fights at Dunbar Middle. It is not a safe school.
--Submitted by a student

I love Dunbar Middle. I recently switched to Canterbury School, and I really do regret it. They have a great gifted program that really challenged me. I miss my friends and I want to go back! Miss you guys!!! :(
--Submitted by a student

I can't imagine how PLDMS has only a '7' Great School Rating when its quite apparent its by far the best school for academically gifted children because they are pushed in all subjects. I can't imagine Cypress Middle getting a '9' great school rating when my son who attended both schools always found PLDMS a lot more diffcult academically than Cypress Lake Middle, where he would get A's with a minimum of effort.... go figure.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a student, 6th grader at this school at I absolutley love Dunbar. I was a staright A student in elementary school, but that was a school where I wasnt challenged enough. When I moved to Dunbar in Advanced classes and in Pre Algebra with 15 other students, my grades have gone down, but that only tells me that I am being challenged. This is a very good school and if your a parent reading this, I highly recommend you to enroll your child into this school.
--Submitted by a student

Academically very enriching for my 6th grader. Though a straight A student in private schools, when placed in the gifted advanced PLDMS program for all her classes, she is somewhat struggling, specially since she's only 1 of about 16 students taking 8th grade pre-algebra. Very challenging curriculum, not too happy about the class of students in general, but that's preparation for the real world. Great teachers, electives & IB program.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great place to go if you want to succeed in a positive environment!
--Submitted by kandyce clark, a former student