Durham Middle School

This school has no idea what is going on within it's own walls...there are kids who bully and even punch kids and nothing is done, the administration is just marking time and do nothing to insure students safety. The teachers give grades based on personal feelings rather than academics and when questioned about it the grade mysteriously goes up the next day. I have been involved with Cobb County schools for 30 years as a student myself and with my other children but no more, this school changed my mind and I am pulling my Daughter out and homeschooling her. You can believe what you wish but this school is out of control and very dissmissive to parents and the issues going on here, it gets worse every year. Please keep an eye on your child if you decide to send them here.
--Submitted by a parent

Durham Middle School is so insane. Kids back talk, people are passing drugs around behind teacher's backs, and the classes are so huge! Theres about thirty kids in each classroom. The teachers are rude and never are able to keep up with grades. I hated the three years ive been at Durham. Worst years of my life.

Durham is a great school its principal Georganne Young is soooo funny, I feel safe in the classroom, it is cool that every class has a smartboard

It's a really good school, the teachers are very nice, and you learn a lot in a fun and easy way. There are also tons of events that you don't want to miss whe you are there!
--Submitted by a student

This is probably the best school I have ever attended! The technology is so cool! Keep up the good work Durham!!
--Submitted by a student

The principal loves to come to work. Her inspiration trickles down and is infectious. Our teachers care and are friendly. My kids actually, all 3, like school. We feel privileged to be here.
--Submitted by a parent

Durham is very technologically advanced. We were given a multi-million dollar grant to install interactive white boards, student response systems, projectors, stereo speakers, and 30 laptops (in a cart) that are shared by 4 classes. Our school is the only middle school in the county to have this technology. We helped develop the software SMART Ideas using our SMART boards. I have seen a huge advance in learning since we got the technology last year and I love that we have it. It makes learning fun, interactive, and easier. We can do so much that it will be hard for everyone to go to high school where they still use computers from 1995!
--Submitted by a student

My daughter attended 6th grade for part of the year. While her teachers were excellent, the other girls were down right brutal. When I brought it to the attention of the admin, it was never resolved to my knowledge. I agree that the kids jusdge others by the clothes they wear and accessories. I think Mrs. Young is trying to do a good job but perhaps does not have the administrative staff to back her up. I sunsequently pulled my straight A daughter out before the end of the 3rd nine weeks to homeschool. She will not attend Durham again if I can help it.
--Submitted by a parent

I attended this school my 6th and part of 7th grade years 2003-04 (?) It had been a fairly new school and it was very hard to get accepted anywhere. It was the most clique-ish school I have ever attended. The teachers get frustrated easily, the class sizes are enormous (my first day some people had to stand until they could get more desks for all the students). The school was divided into sectors like '6-A' etc making it very difficult to make multiple friends. The students mostly come from upper class white families and have a very snobby side. In fact, I can remember at least one time I went home crying because a girl was making fun of my glasses because they weren't a main stream brand (like Calvin Klein). The students are cruel and they are aware of it. I would not send my child there for anything.

Parents at this school are snobs, and it reflects in the kids. We moved into this area in the last year and our kids have had great difficulty becoming accepted. The teachers seem nice, there's a new principle who's competent, the kids can be downright mean, and judge others by their clothes, ipods, and cellphones.
--Submitted by a parent