Crystal Lake Middle School

This school is so unorganized its crazy. They had 3 fights just yesterday and you go to try to speak to the Dean and he blows you off like you are bothering him. No one there seems to care about the safety of the kids at all and could care less about the bullying that is going on all around them!
—Submitted by a parent

My family and I just relocated to the area and this is the middle school my children will attend. I have an 8th grader there now and I have to say that since walking into the school the 1st time I hate it! It is "ghetto" and unorganized, the teachers allow the kids to do what they want in class and it's causing issues with my daughter that I have never had! She tells the teacher she can't concentrate due to the outburst all class and she won't do anything about it! I have never had problems with the school we just moved from and I hate there isn't anything I can do. If you can avoid sending your child to this school I would say do it because It is just horrible. The campus actually reminds you of a jail. I will do everything in my power to make sure my 5th grader doesn't attend next year!
—Submitted by a parent

Actually for the reviewer on 12/10 if you were really reviewing it and not just an upset student (which I think might be the case) you would know they were in the middle of a huge upgrade and finished in time for this school year (2011-2012). As of right now I am rating it average, my nephew was not dealt with the way he should of been. He had great grades, but kept skipping classes or drugging out. The teachers since then have been replaced and the school has been completely renovated and I look forward to my daughter going to this school next year. (My nephew has since been sent to the 'proper' school he needs to be in)
—Submitted by a parent

this school is very bad on12/9/10 it was a another fight the school is nasty un clean and needs upgrade.

Having an ESE child is tough but the teachers at this school are kind and considerate to my son. He is in an inclusion setting, meaning that he receives special services within the regular class. I feel that the teachers really try hard to help my son to succeed. Compared to other schools we have had him in, teachers are far above average!!
—Submitted by a parent

Almost average school. Teachers were terrible but I had alot of good friends.

ok this school is in need of a lot of improvement! they dont have enough money for anything! Theres a lot of violence!My daughter is begging me to take her out that school!Her grades have been dropping a lot so i give it one star!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Clearly not the best school for an adolescent. The schoolwork was not challenging at all for my son and there are no extracurricular activities. However, there is a band program. The year my son spent there, he spent a lot of time avoiding the choas in the halls and on school grounds.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been going to this school for 3 years now and he has done well, for the most part everyone is nice there. I am glad to see the new principal he has done an excellent job this year and I love the extras that he has brought back, like basketball. These kids need the extra, and there is no parent involvement little if any at all, this is very sad because children need us more now than ever. I do have a few problems with the teachers some of them, they forget what it is like to be a child and forget about peer presure, they dont like to give make up work and this is sad because some children do fall behind regardless if it is from not understanding the facts or playing aroung or being lazy, they could give make up days.
—Submitted by carla conibear, a parent

Violence is a major negative factor at this school, along with lack of respect from kids for teachers, adults, property and selves. Most of their teachers are dedicated, though parent communication is lacking. Parental involvement at this school is non-existent, I speak from 4 years of experience with my kids attending & myself volenteering. New principal may be an asset, but will take time to bring the rest of the administration up to speed or get rid of them! Several of the teachers are AWESOME, janitorial staff, way AWESOME! My son came out of this school to excel in high school with Cummulative GPA of 4.222 in sophmore year. But had to transfer daughter because of ongoing, out of control violence! Though she remains a Advanced student & is excelling where she is now!
—Submitted by Teachers & Staff Know me, a parent

It is a good school, since we have a new principal.
—Submitted by a student

Too much violence with little intervention.
—Submitted by a parent

This school could use some improvement. The academics aren't the greatest, and this school could use more after-school activities. The teachers are all very friendly, but this school, like every school, could use some improvement.
—Submitted by a student

I have a child attending ESE classes at this school. I feel that she has received an above average academic schedule for her particular needs. She has been very sheltered and nutured thru out her years here. With the ESE's teachers help I feel confident that she will go on to finish high school with more than a special diploma. Thanks to Mr. D and Mrs. S for your particular interest in my child. She wouldn't be where she is now without your special interest in these children and especially my child. Thanks again.
—Submitted by Ronni Logue, a parent

I have found this particular educational facility to lack structure and discipline. Teachers seem unmotivated, and send home work for the parents to teach their children. I was not pleased at all.
—Submitted by a parent

My son went there for part of 6th grade. I find the school to overcrowded, staff is overworked and not very attentive to parents. Lots of gang kids, drugs and discipline problems there in my opinion. I pulled my kid out of there after only 3 months. Busing issues were bad too, fights on bus.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a former student of Crystal Lake Middle School, she attended this school for all of her junior high years. I was always pleased the way the discipline was handled at this school, and my daughter this day has turned out to be a fine, educated student. She is a junior in high school now with a weighted GPA of 4.25. This is culminated from several years of strong guidance and teachings from previous schools. I'm proud to say my daughter went to Crystal Lake Middle School.
—Submitted by Pamela Midgley, a parent

My son just started 6th grade in the magnet program, science and pre-engineering. He loves it! The teachers are great, he loves his classes, he is challenged and learning lots! I highly recommend this school and this program.
—Submitted by meb, a parent

I have not experienced any problems with this school, or staff.
—Submitted by a parent