Barber Middle School

I am sorry to say I don't like this school. (I am a student in 6th grade) there are over 4 people that bully me at school and today I even cryed in class because it was so bad. I am intimidated to go to school now. The teachers all love me and I am a good student with work and behavior but some people don't see that and they pick on me. I don't like it and when I stand up for myself they practicly shove me inbetween a rock and a hard place. Sorry to make this long but I didn't want to tell anyone so I am just going to write this review. I don't know what to say so have a good day peoples! :)

Unfortunately I cannot give this school a good rating. I think they do not handle bullying well at all. I think most of the teachers are okay, but there are a few bad apples as with any school.
—Submitted by a parent

Barber middle is a great school.The teachers are very paticular about what you do or say but overall great alot of clubs and activities you can do.
—Submitted by a student

Barber Middle School is ''okay'' i mean the teachers are great. But at moments teachers sometimes dont upgrade the students grades on Pinnacle. How Can i tell if im doing a good job on my classes.
—Submitted by a student

I am sad to say that the reviews regarding the discipline issues at this school are all too familiar to me. Last year I had a teacher call me and tell me she was going to punish my son for distracting other students in her class. I support discipline so long as the punishment matches the crime. Unfortunately, the teacher failed to recall that she had already disciplined him and was attempting to double/triple do it. First she marked his conduct card, then she gave him silent lunch and initialed the card then she calls me, with an attitude in her voice I might add, and wants me to support her in forcing him to write a paper on why he shouldn't have done what he did. A bit irresponsible if you ask me. For parents researching schools before buying new homes, my advice is to steer clear.
—Submitted by a parent

My 6th grader has had trouble on the bus with the 8th graders since the beginning of thisyear, nothing has halted the trouble. barber M.S. uses Pinnacle an online grade ans assignment notification) for those that have internet access. THe teachers blog assignments and class updates also online, no hard copies come home. Some of my childs teaches do not update their grades but the students have to turn in the work on time. How am I suppose to keep up with what is or is not getting done or failing grades if the teaches are not grading the work? This is a big school, over 1000 kids, but Cobb county is a big disctrict. The disciple in this school is not top priorty, I know the school year just started but come on!
—Submitted by a parent

My oldest daughter attends this school. She is an honor student, and a good kid. My wife an I always attend any parent teacher functions and try to stay on top of what's going on by talking to our daughter and her friends. There are a few things that have troubled me a lot lately. At the last parent meeting that was held in the auditorium, we were informed that in order to help raise grades, students would be given a 'free pass' that would allow them to completely skip the assignment of their choice with no grade penalty. We tore our child's pass up. This is not how the real world works, and it is clear that they only have their own ratings and interests at heart - not the childrens' in this case. My daughter is frequently telling us about the lack of discipline and accountability as well.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been going to this school ever since it opened. My class will be the first graduating class to go through barber for 6th 7th and 8th grades. The accellerated programs at our school are extremely good. We only had 12 percent of our 8th graders fail the 8th grade writing assessment, which ie really really low. Many of the students exceeded the standards. One girl got a perfect score on it! She scored a 300, and she has Ms. Vicki Washington to thank for that, she has been her language arts teacher since seventh grade! Also, we are one of the only middle schools in the county that has a dance program. I am a part of the dance performance group in 8th grade, and I'm going to be going to the Cobb County Center for excellence in the Performing Arts @ Pebblebrook High School this coming fall.I this school!
—Submitted by a student

Barber Middle School is, in my opinion, one of the best schools in the area. The principal is concerned with the student's learning and annual test scores. Each year I have seen vast improvement in the scores as she and the teachers work together with much planning to ensure our children are receiving the best education they can. As a parent, I would like to extend my appreciation to Mrs. Williams and her staff for all of their hard work not only to educate my child, but to keep her safe and free from the harassment that sometimes plagues our children at this age.
—Submitted by a parent

its an awesome school,&it dosent have a drug problem,most kids are drug/alchol free.although many people who go there are quite fake,you can amke some amazing friends there.the teachers really care baout the students & you can by the way they handle situations they do.im quite proud to call this my school.
—Submitted by a student

I am very disappointed with this school....I think the kids are gong to suffer greatly if they do not improve drastically...they are concerned with behavior and how great the building looks, but the when it comes to making sure the teachers are teaching well and the students are learning well, that's last on the principals/ admins priority list. I was thrilled about the idea of a new school at first but now I'm planning to move so I can be out of this school district and seek to find a school that will give me child the education she needs to be compete in the global world when she is an adult.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has its problems, but the second year has become a major improvement.
—Submitted by a student

Although this is only the first year that Barber has open I can honestly say that it is proving to be an excellent school. My daughter is very happy there. Her teachers are all very attentive and thoughtful of each students' needs. The music dept. and especially Ms. Coste are wonderful. The art teacher,in her own time, established an after school Art Club which my daughter belongs to. It has been a great way for my daughter to express her creativity. The principal came to Barber from Autry Middle School and Barber is lucky to have her. She is very involved with the school and her students and has even taken part in the after school Art Club classes. I'm extremely pleased with Barber Middle School and look forward to my son joining his sister there next year.
—Submitted by a parent