Brown Middle School

Still looking for better communication with parents from Brown Middle School. All schools should at least, allow, review and consider input from parents. This school can be so much better, but must first decide what is important. If the children continue to have discipline problems, it should be dealt with appropriately so that it does not affect the school overall. There are some issues about this school that affects its overall programs, such as the problem it has with parking. When a parent can not attend a program, it thus affects the child. Children need supportive parents and sometime parking is a serious and critical issue for this school. The administration is not always open minded for suggestions on how to improve the school. This school has great potential!
—Submitted by a parent

We are new to Brown, with one son in the gifted and talented academy and I am so impressed with the level of expectations, the tenacity of the principal and the rigor of the educational teaching/work. My children have gone to the top rated APS public elementary, middle and high schools. This progarm has truly challenged my son and simultaneously taught him life skills, like time management, organization, quality of work, self-motivation, etc. There are less parents involved in the school overall than the other schools our kids have attended, but there is definitely a difference in the community/workforce/income levels, so that creates gaps in availabiliy of time and financial resources often. I wish the rigor of Brown was felt throughout the entire APS system.
—Submitted by a parent

Principal Underdue is outstanding, understands the need to involve the community in the development of our children; 'It takes a village!'
—Submitted by a parent

This school has so much more potential if it would use the parents more. Parents are the greatest advocates for a child's success. Brown has very low participation in it;s PTSA and so much talent in the parents. If Mr. Underdue would take time to survey the volunteer interests of the parents and truly allow the parents to help him, then this would be one of the best middle schools in Atlanta Public Schools. Communication is in dire need of improvement. This is a uniform school for some students and thus not for others. This needs to be inforced better. There's still a lot of work to be done to make this school better. A school sometimes has to 'grab' the parents and make them feel more welcome!
—Submitted by a parent

I think this school has mde great gains,however, the principal is more into his looks than anything else. I want to talk about my child, not about how good he looks.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my daughter's first year at BMS, so far I have enjoyed her stay. The feedback from teachers is great and it is a totally uniformed school this year.
—Submitted by a parent

I am glad Dr. Ordu is gone!!! She broke the spirits of the entire student and staff population!! She also ran out great teachers from 2003-2006; that is why AYP was not met this year--great teachers could not take it anymore !!!Mr Underdue is what the school needs!! He is a positive and firm principal for staff and students!! Brown will go from good TO GREAT NOW! dedicated parent
—Submitted by a parent

Brown Middle School has been an eye opening experience, some good, some bad. Brown's enrollment is an asset in a city where middle school enrollments below 1000 are rare. The interactions with some of the administrators and front office staff leaves a lot to be desired. I will say that the extra activities are in abundance and students have and endless list of ways to spend their afternoons. Academically, I see improvement but know that Brown has a way to go. The sad part is that parents fail to realize that a school's academic greatness is highly dependent on their involvement in PTA, and other facets of the school. Brown is similar to any other public school, what will make Brown great is the parents who take an active part in their children and the children of Brown. Hats off to the staff at BMS.
—Submitted by a parent

I am beginning to see tremendous change in the way that the school is handling matters. The school is working harder to help the chidren (especially 6th graders) make the adjustment from elementary school to middle school. They are reinforcing good conduct and reiterating to the children how important an education is. I think that the Principal, Dr. Ordu will soon make national news if they stay focused with the right teachers and administators. I am seeing great progress and change. The main goal is for a child to receive an education. If there are factors that affect prohibit the child from receiving an education, then it should be dealt with immediately.
—Submitted by Audrey Wilson, a parent

It has a high selection of sports and many other extra curricular activities
—Submitted by a student