Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School

Like any school, there are teachers at Anderson that go above and beyond and show true concern for the children and know the importance of education. My only wish is that there were more of them. Out of 7 classes, my daughter has only one truly exceptional teacher. Most of the teachers do not update their class pages frequently and some do not even have theirs activated. If the school wants the parents to be involved, then perhaps they should make sure the teachers are updating their pages, so that we as parents are able to view the lesson material for each class. I hear a lot about bullying amongst the children with little or no intervention by the administration. Although, I believe this occurs in every school, I would like to see a more pronounced anti-bullying stance and program implemented to help prevent it. My feeling is that this school does not take it seriously.
--Submitted by a parent

From a parent, Very good school, but like all schools I think you get out what you put in, so if you are prepared to work and listen and do your best then the teachers are with you all the way. Deserves a much higher rating.
--Submitted by a parent

Ignore all of the ignorant remarks that people have made about this school. AMS is a great school filled with many, many after school activities and such. I know this because I'm in 8th grade here, a cheerleader here, and have gone here for three years. There are only a few fights, three at the most during the whole school year, and it honestly is a very very very safe school. No need to worry about your child's education or safety. If needed, the teachers are super super nice and helpful. You are NOT treated like a number, but as an individual student with their different needs and feelings. Also, most teachers are available for help/tutoring before and after school. In addition, there is an online grade checker called Pinnace where you can keep up with your child's grades and communicate with teachers with ease.
--Submitted by a student

I love it there. Feels like home to me..
--Submitted by a student

im going into 8th grade and i do not like this school very much. the rules are sort of strict but not really. and even though there is a dress code that doesnt mean that there is pressure to wear things form Hollister and Abercrombie and Fitch. which are VERY exspensive. we have to wear collared shirts but if it doesnt have the right emblem on it then its not cool. (same with jackets, pants and shoes) if your worried about clothing pressures its no different here. you might as well enroll your child to a school without such a strict dresscode so that way he or she can wear his or her school clothes on the weekend too. there are also a lot of fights. it feels like your treated like a number and not like a student with feelings and opinions of your own.
--Submitted by a student

Moving from the Midwest (where my child's educational experience was excellent) to S. FL, I knew nothing about the area and relied heavily upon my Realtor's advice, choosing a school I was told was A rated. False info! It is not an excellent or inspiring school. On a regular basis, my child comments upon the extremely strict and limiting school policies, dress codes, student social control, lack of meaningful after school clubs and activities and a very small variety of sports programs. As a parent, I feel the administration does not foster any kind of parent/teacher/administration interaction. Also the curriculum is not in any way a challenge. For the most part, the teachers seem to be on auto pilot and do very little to stimulate the students or encourage higher thought processes. One given, the school is beautifully new. In hindsight, Hidden Oaks in Palm City would have been much better.
--Submitted by a parent

I went to this school for a year. It has very low security and there was a lot of fights. Lets just say thank god i moved.
--Submitted by a student

I'm an 8th grader and have attended this school for the full three years now since it opened. Many of the teachers are amazing, nice and good at their jobs, interacting with students and making sure everyone in their class obtains a high grade but others are horrible, not caring about your grades, and writing students up left and right. I do agree that students need discipline, but this is crazy. Dr.Howard and Ms.Husander are two of our administrators and they are extremely strict and will even punish students if their shirts happen to come un-tucked. I do not recommend this school because many students would rather attend another one. Unless your child plans to kiss up to all the teachers and administrators then this is not a school for them.
--Submitted by a student

I am the parent of a student that has been at Anderson Middle School since it started. I am shocked at the array of comments on this site. I am in complete agreement that the administration (read Dr Howard here) is completely incompetent. There are some excellent teachers but there are many more that are just as incompetent as Dr Howard. Gifted does not mean more work.
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended Anderson for two years. The administration is out of touch with todays youth and does not want to listen to any opinions other than their own. The academics wer below standards and many of the teachers were incompetent.
--Submitted by a parent