Seminole Middle School

I am going to this school next year, and the ratings are 50-50, to be honest. But, I do have something to say about all you ranters out there. Don't go complaining with all caps and exclamation marks and such on some over-protective parent website. I say that if you want change, MAKE IT HAPPEN.

AFTER 2 YEARS AT SEMINOLE MIDDLE SCHOOL. I HAVE SEEN MORE PROBLEM SWEPT UNDER THE CARPET AND IGNORED BY 2 VICE PRINCIPALS AND THE PRINCIPAL HIMSELF. THE PARENTAL PORTAL IS THE BIGGEST WASTE OF TAX PAYORS MONEY. AND TEACHERS WHO ARE SUPPOSE TO TEACH SPEND MORE TIME OUT OF CLASS THEN IN CLASS. AND SOME ARE OUT OF CLASS GOING TO COLLEGE TO GET HIGHER DEGREEES. INSTEAD OF BEING IN THE CLASS FOR WHICH THEY ARE BEING PAID. SO NOT ONLY DO WE PAY THEM BUT WE AS TAX PAYORS END UP PAYING FOR A SUBSTITUE WHEN THEY ARE NOT THERE. AND DOES THE PRINCIPAL OR THE SUPERINDENDENTOF SCHOOLS OR THE BOARD DO ANYTHING... NO. NO WONDER THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS IN SUCH BAD SHAPE. THEY CANT EVEN POLICE THEMSELVES.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is not up to par. There is no discipline. The kids run rampant, and there is no respect for the teachers. I am ashamed to be associated with such a disfuntional school. I wish it was a fundamental school. We might have a chance at success.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm going into my 2nd year of Seminole Middle (AKA 7th grade). Seminole Middle is a Great school.The teachers are great and very helpful...I've learned so much at Seminole Middle and can't wait to go back at the end of the Summer. :)
—Submitted by a student

My son attends this school and so far this is a wonderful school. The school is clean and teachers are extremley helpful with students to exceed success.
—Submitted by a parent

the teachers are awesome and fun to work with
—Submitted by a student

There's been a night and day difference since the new principal arrived. The school is much more hospitable toward the families and kids that attend. Before there was a mix of wonderful and so-so teachers, but I must say the attitudes from the so-so group has improved immensely.
—Submitted by a parent

O.K. The principle is great. He finnaly approved for 8th graders to listen to ipods. Let me just say listenin to my ipod helps me focus alot more in school, I do alot more work in a shorter time. Also Mrs. Linda Burdette is the best U.S history teacher. She is extremly nice and helps fight for students rights. I hope she will become Pinellas School superintendent..
—Submitted by a student

I attended this school for all three years, and it is the best middle school in Pinellas County. Programs you should enroll in: MEGSSS, IMAST and Gifted. The music programs are also excellent, if you're into that sort of thing. Poeple will tell you not to take MEGSSS and IMAST at the same time; ignore them. I took them both and suceeded pretty well.
—Submitted by a student

I am an 8th grader here. I enjoy it. The extra curricualr activities are wonderful! Heck! I'm even a captain of the colorguard. I love all of my teachers that I have now and that teachers that I have had. And for all of you who said that the safety is poor, please!! Its wonderful! The food is pretty good and its healthy. Most of the other students there are easy to get along with. The new Principal is wonderful. He is friendly and he gets to know each one of the students. The teachers have great attitudes and they understand us.
—Submitted by a student

Eh, this school isn't the greatest. But its definitely better than some. Some teachers aren't the greatest, but some are positively amazing. I've learned a lot from the DECAL program, but I can't necessarily say the same for the kids in the average or lower-level classes. But I've seen most of the teachers in action, and they do the best they can. Security has become more attentive. There are some cliques, but most of them are pointless, and as long as you hang out with the right kind of people, you shouldn't have a problem with getting in trouble for anything. As long as the students show respect and pay attention, there aren't any problems. I think the main problem is just how the students act, but there's really no way to get away from that. Overall, the school is better than some.
—Submitted by a student

The new principal is wonderful, very involved and cares about the students. The staff has always been great. With 1100 students, there should be more parents involved
—Submitted by a parent

I couldn't be happier with the teachers and administration at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

SMS has a many hard-working kids and teachers. Kids are encouraged to learn, but cannot be forced to care. More parent support for students would foster a climate of learning. Discipline for those chronically misbehaving students is unfair to the rest of the school. I wish we could be a fundamental school. Thanks to all those who work so tirelessly for our children. Every day YOU make a big difference in a child's life. :}
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent, I am very disappointed with SMS. Communication with home is poor. Teacher conferences are a joke - teachers run in and out or forget their appointments. This attitude is noticed by the kids. We can't wait until our child gets out of here.
—Submitted by a parent

I know alot more about this school then all of you who have given it bad credit. I am an 8th grade student there and this will be my third year. The teachers are actually helpful the administators are very friendly and are totaly not hostile towards parents. There are absolutely no fights at sms we have one probably every 2 months and it gets broken up before anyone gets hurt. This school has a very good atmosphere and you dont get lost in the 'crowd' you just have to talk to people. I know what I am talking anout and I give my school 4 stars. -Lisa
—Submitted by a student

I think I would know best about Seminole Middle School, since I am a student there. Seminole Middle School is great! We have some of the nicest teachers, some of the best coordinators, and great programs. We really like to have fun, but also work hard. Sure, there are some fights here and there, but what school doesn't have a little bit of problems? Hey, no one's perfect right? This year we did a the play 'Annie' and it was phenomenal. I think that this is a really great school, and yes, I understand that people are entitled to their opinions. Please just check it out? Sincerely, an Honored Student
—Submitted by a student

About half the teachers are absolutely terrific & really care. Others are awful, ineffective, don't grade papers or answer questions, and still get admin support! Parent Involvement: Horrid, and not for lack of parents who want to be involved. The school treats parents terribly. A few teachers are wonderful exceptions, but more teachers and admins display unhelpful, uncooperative, even hostile attitudes toward parents. There's little communication. They will do as they please. Safety: May rules only seem to be enforced against the more docile kids. They turn a blind eye to the really bad kids. Bullying is rampant. When the teachers and admins bully parents, you can't expect them to stop bullying among the kids. It's the modus operandi there. Sad to say, though, it's probably the best public middle school in the county.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended the Seminole Middle and it was a terrible experience. In my opinion, it's a school full of spoiled children with problems. I think the teachers, principal and vice-principal are indifferent to students and they have an 'It's us against them' mentality with regard to parents and students. I believe it is horrible learning environment with bullies galore.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is ok. The teachers are good, but some of the kids that go there treat others badly. My child comes home and tells me about the things that happened at school like fights. It is incredible how many fights there are in that school. My child feels very uncomfortable at that school. It is not a good one.
—Submitted by a parent