Duncan U. Fletcher Middle School

Poor curriculum. Predjudice against students with learning difficuties. Unable to process complaints or issues effectively. Never get to speak to the principal (he's always "in a meeting"). Continually rerouted to the staff that is the problem for sending my child out of the classroom for 5 days without even informing me. My child has been bullied there many times. Her friend got punched in the face there. Nothing was done to stop the bullying. My child does not receive a quality education there.
--Submitted by a parent

There are many choices out there right now in choosing a school for your child....each bring their own positives and negatives. With that being said, I would like to commend the FMS principal for making such a positive impact on his staff and the students. He has managed to bring cohesiveness amongst the entire school which in turn is demonstrated through the positive attitudes in the students and the teachers. Granted, ALL schools have their issues (even the magnet schools believe it or not!) But, do they have a leader who will not stand for mediocracy? That is what makes FMS different we have a leader who will not settle for less than 100% effort from his staff and from the students. Do the other schools have a principal that goes out each and every morning to greet the students with a hand shake, high five or a "I am going to keep my eye's and ear's open today, stay out of trouble!" Our gifted program is led by elIte teachers in their field. We have a science teacher that could do 360's around any science teacher in town! A gifted math teacher who pours his heart and soul into making FMS the best it can be! Let the word get out that FMS is a FORCE to be RECKON with!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I have the opportunity of having kids in all three schools on Seagate and 18th. The middle school while having problems is not the only one. The only way to get good education is to be an advocate for your child and be involved in the school, both PTA and committees, and activities. Only this ensures a better outcome when going to high school, which is a whole different ballgame. The education does need supplementation even in honors classes; Our children attend outside coursework to keep them competitive for college. Florida education system in general needs some serious review.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has been ignored by the teachers at Fletcher Middle School. They were unresponsive when my daughter needed help or was having problems. I was shocked to see my daughters report card grades to have dropped to C's and D's when in elementary school she was making A's and B's. This just didn't make sense, and when I tried to talk with her teachers, they blamed it on my daughters 'learning disabilities' which of none she had. This infuriates me that the teachers do not try to help the students but instead give long lectures on how to behave which is obviously not helping because my daughter has seen many fights in her school, none of which she was involved in. My first child had gone to Mayport Middle School, which he had no problems at, and that is where I'll be sending my daughter now.
--Submitted by a parent

This school reaches past my standerds. It's an A+ school. It's achievment in helping kids learn and succeed, is beyond excellence. It has opened my eyes in how well their teachings are. I know my 3 kids love it there! Ever since they arrived at Fletcher in this year, They have done nothing but build cofidence and achive things on whole new levels, I never thought was possible! i am honored to say My kids will continue to stay at Fletcher for their 7th and 8th grade years!
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers work extremely hard to help students be successful. Discipline, however, has been lax in recent years and the students have begun to run wild. It is still a great school with great students, overall and there are many opportunities for students to receive extra help when needed.
--Submitted by a teacher

I am a student at fletcher school and I love it! all my friends go there and I have had a blast in sixth grade... there a little problem but they handled it all out.... I have to disagree on the teachers though most my teachers are pretty nice but Its not like im failing... like in math I started out with F's and D's and now my math grade is up to B's once I got used to the curriculm...
--Submitted by a student

My son go to FMS, 7th grade. His 6th grade at Fletcher was just a nightmare and it didn't change a bit. His grades were a lot of D's of F's. I was just shocked. He was in the gifted class at the elementary school .I couldn't understand the reason behind this, until I meet his group of teachers... just mean and careless teachers. They will blame everything on him.Their lack of communication with the parents it's just amazing.It took me a lot of my time to help my kid to go through this. I exchanged opinions with other parents, we all got the same answer: 'This is middle school, kids need to grow up and deal with it'..If I could pay for a priv school, my son wouldn't be there now. Beware of this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a student at fletcher middle and my first year I was very pleased. We had gifted, advanced,and standard cirriculum. It really benifeited each student. Now that they have done away with sepparted cirriculum it is a lot harder for kids who cant learn on the same levels as others. They say that test are proven you can mix diffrent leveled students together and they learn better, but for some reason they still separate math. I think the other 3 main classes are just as important so why just separate math? I think this change has lowered the succsess in students, they either arent challenged or they can not keep up. It has lowered my personal success, becuase I am learning at a level and pace not sudiable for me or any other student that is in the same position as me. This has change my opinion about this school
--Submitted by a student

Personally i am a student at fletcher, but i have to say fletcher is very bad. Im going into 8th grade.Yeah their gifted program is good but normal standard and advanced, its bad. Kids always trash talk,and even though we have a police officer on campus we still have so many fights(and we have cameras!). To me, is just unbelieveable how bad kids are. Even the youngest ones are the worst! the cirriculum is ok but to me they should split up the more challenged to the less challenged. Because i will be reading and we have to stop because a child cant read or anything!!! i do not recommend fletcher as a school; it is not safe at all. Im not even going to fletcher high!
--Submitted by a student