Gifford Middle School

GMS is a great school, academically. There are great teachers and i cant imagine going anywhere else for middle school. I do think they should focus a little more on the bullying issues and the locker stealing issues than the fact of chewing gum or something stupid like that though. But, besides that, great school!
--Submitted by a student

I am an eighth grader currently attening Gifford Middle School. GMS is a great school for learning, but not a great school to escape from the bullying problem. The teachers are strict when it comes to fights and the hands off policy. Especially the principal, Mr. David Kramek. But not so much when it comes to people lowering your self esteem. People belittle others so much. Its quite stupid. Some students get belittled so much they are afraid to come to school because of it. The problem with that is, the students that are the worst are the ones that act like perfect angels. As a student, I'm being pretty hypocritical, but the students that never get in trouble are the ones that are the worst when it comes to belittling others. I see it everyday. Don't you agree with me?
--Submitted by a student

OK, so this is my first year at GMS and so far, I love it! All of the teachers are so nice, you just have to behave.If you dont, than your done! The only things i disagree with are the hand-off policy. If yiu give someone a high five you get in trouble! Also, the bathrooms are absoluteky disguisting! I mean honestly, can we please get a janitor in there! **Yuck**
--Submitted by a student

Giifford Middle has HUGE Bullying problems and i as a 7th grade student know what has been going on for the past two years. The Bathrooms are disgusting the locker small and us not being able to carry backpacks and have lockers whats up with that? This School needs to change for the better. Our school is full [of mean people.
--Submitted by a student

I think this school should concentrate more on the bullying factor and less on the dress code. Too many kids are being messed with. Not cool...
--Submitted by a parent

I think Gifford middle school is a great school and my daughter is learning very well. She also loves it and would rather go there then any other local public school!
--Submitted by a parent

I do agree that some of the teachers are harsh,at times, but I still think its a good school.
--Submitted by a student

I was a student at Gifford Middle School last year, and I disapprove with some of their policies. The student population was way above what the teachers could handle. Over 1,300 students went in the 2006-2007 year alone. The rules sounded very harsh to an innocent student. the school had a hands-off policy in which you can't even high-five somebody or give a pat on the back. But the teachers never handled the rules correctly. I was disappointed in the way kids were punished. Many of them were given a warning when they punched somebody! Also, the education was not challenging in most classes because they had some children in advanced classes who needed extra time to understand the activity. I joined advanced classes for just the opposite. Over all, don't go to Gifford.
--Submitted by a student

There are some teachers that do not do a good job of teaching. For a bright child this is not the school of choice.
--Submitted by a student

After reading the statistics from Greatschools.org regarding the lack of experience and advanced education of teachers at Gifford MS, I feel a need to comment. My son is in his second year and doing well, in spite of having ADD. His teachers have made school interesting and fun, while managing to give him a good education. School spirit is very high among students. Perhaps it is the youth and vitality of these teachers that they inspire and contribute so much. My son has found role models and a quest for learning at GMS. Mr. Srigley's band concerts have been awesome
--Submitted by a parent