Switzerland Point Middle School

Switzerland Point Middle School is an excellent school. We have 14 years experience with three youth who have attended. Our two oldest were well prepared for their high school experience. Our youngest is enjoying his middle school years and is growing academically. The teachers and leadership are excellent and dedicated to student progress and learning. We continued to be very impressed with St. John's County Schools. I know some folks had issues with academic changes in the system but our 14 years have seen continued improvement in an already excellent system. I am sure the school will continue to progress and develop. Some programs like the band program are well supported by parents even though the county has cut funding. All in all the school is one of the best. Education in general needs to continually evolve to promote individual growth.
—Submitted by a parent

I really strongly do not like this school. The teachers here do not know how to teach at all!!!!! I am failing my classes because they don't teach the academics they have us copy their lesson plans basicly and figure it out from there. This is my first year (8th grade) here and I wish I was back at my old school. And if I had a kid, I no offense wouldn't send them to this school. I'm not happy with the school, needs better teachers that connect with their students and teach right .

I am a parent and would agree with the post by the 8th grade student. Most of the teachers do not teach at all. They give the children learning goals and ask them to teach themselves. Their homework looks as if it comes right out of a teachers lesson plans. Very strange, the students are lost and have no idea how to approach this type of work. Once you are in an advanced class..... good luck moving to anything else! And even the principal will not aid in moving a child out of this. Especially, 8th grade advanced science ....no moving out of that! Teachers need to go back to the basics and TEACH these children not expect them to teach themselves!! I am not happy with teachers or teaching style at all!!!!!! very unimpressive.
—Submitted by a parent

Almost the same as the 2nd newest review, I thought this school was good first but once I came, I saw how bad the education is.

My son started in this school under one principle and the environment was excellent. The teachers would communicate with the parents and the parents were welcome always. By the time he left in 8th grade he has under a different principle the school felt like a jail they never wanted parents in to see what was going on and the education dropped like a brick. He was in the gifted/pre-ap program which was very hard to get into. Now they will let anybody into it and it is not even hard. Would never send the rest of my children to this school under this leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

Very limited academic programs: This once had a gifted program until 2009, when the gifted program was eliminated in favor of an FCAT general ed program that no longer serves the gifted student needs, and no longer allows for acceleration, creativity or flexible teaching. General Ed advanced placement is the only offering, and it is watered down to focus on rote grade level mastery. FCAT now rules, which is very sad. It was a wonderful district, very child-centered, and families moved here for the gifted program and the excellent academics, until the steep decline that began with dismantling the gifted program and quickly plummeted in 2009. Some teachers are good, some are not, but if you have a gifted child, this school is a shell of its former glory, as is this district. The principal believes gifted children should be "mainstreamed" to "raise the bar" for "high achievers" even though that's contrary to research for both segments. All is focused on rote learning for standard grade level tests and school scores. It's the age of the FCAT standard ed "achiever." If you're looking for strong academics, this school/ district is now focused on rote minimum grade level academics.
—Submitted by a parent

Awesome teachers, students, and continues to have a motivating learning environment!

Great school administration and great teachers. What more can I say!
—Submitted by a parent

I think the staff and teacher are very professional and they care about the each student and their education. I know my kids teachers come in early and help the kids on her time and that is special. This is how the kids know they care about them. You can know everything but if kids know you don't care it is for not. So good on you Swiss Point Great going on a Job well done. Dad of a kid.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school! I've witnessed a lot of changes over the past 6 years and I have to say that this current Administration is wonderful and are backed up by amazing teachers who really care about their students success.
—Submitted by a parent

The PACE program for gifted & talented students has been wonderful because of the teachers - math and science in particular. Strong academics and safe environment. Would love to see the fine arts kicked back up a notch, but something is better than nothing. We've had 2 students at SPMS over the past 5 years and are very satisfied with the education provided.
—Submitted by a parent

It a very dirty school with cockroackes, otherwise its ok.
—Submitted by a parent

This has been a great school for my child and children of my friends. Very proud to be a part of this community.
—Submitted by a parent

My oldest son has had a great time in Middle School and his brother will be attending in the fall.
—Submitted by a parent

what a great school!! The teachers are so welcoming to parents. They keep the communication wide open. Thats hard to find. The staff in the office is just as great. They greet you with a smile and really enjoy being there. They care about our kids and it shows. I feel good about my childs safety there as well. The teachers care about the childrens grades and go all out to make sure they get the help they need.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful teachers who really care about the students! Wonderful advanced program, that really challenges the students!
—Submitted by a parent

I love working at Switzerland Point. The students are wonderful! You cannot beat the support teachers get from parents and administration! Swiss Pt is the BEST!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers and administration. Communication between faculty and parents is outstanding. The faculty and administration really care about our kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful opportunities for children to grow academically, socially, and personally!
—Submitted by a parent

They provide an excellent academic program that fits well with my childrens learning styles and abilities.
—Submitted by a parent