Cooper Middle School

Cooper Middle School is devoted to students. The teachers are very passionate about what they do and most volunteer their time to help students expand their knowledge and interests. The Fine Arts department which comprises of Band, Chorus, Orchestra, and Visual Art is one of the best and students regularly place in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd positions when in competition. The school also offers FREE busing for students interested in one of the 30 clubs that are volunteered by faculty members. Over 12% of the school population is involved in clubs. The number of faculty members at CMS with at least a Master s degree surpasses that of both the district and the state of Georgia. Cooper Middle School has met AYP for the past three years and is on track to meet AYP for this school year. The school recognizes student achievement by hosting quarterly academic assemblies, and monthly student breakfasts. Overall, this is a phenomenal place to learn and the faculty is happy and excited to be here. The school leadership of new principal Dr. Watkins is amazing and she widely respected and admired by the faculty, students, and the community.
--Submitted by a teacher

At Cooper Middle School the word "change" is evident. The new principal - Dr. Watkins exemplifies transformational leadership. There are excellent teachers throughout the school - from academics to orchestra. Let me say also the band and orchestra programs are one of the best in the county! Parent involvement is directly related to student success - Cooper's PTSA, Student Council and Cooper Foundation are some of the vehicles driving parent engagement. Great things are happening at Cooper. Dr. Watkins is passionate about students having equal access to a quality education. She has raised the expectation bar for all.
--Submitted by a parent

Even though Cooper is looked upon as a bad school to those who havn't even step foot in the school i think now that uniforms have been placed and the excellent new principle Dr. Watkins and the very surprising turn over of the PTSA, Cooper is on its way to a school of excellence. I think all Cooper needs is a chance and mor parent invovle ment i look forward to my daughters last 2 years here .
--Submitted by a parent

Cooper Middle suffers from weak leadership, many teachers who aren't passionate about their jobs and poor quality teaching. If you have other school options, consider those options before going to Cooper. I wish I would have. Thank goodness my child has a few more weeks before we're done with Cooper Middle.
--Submitted by a parent

I feel that it takes everyone being involved in order to make any school truly successful, but there are teachers who don't care not doing their jobs and not being held accountable. If there are discipline problems there need to policies set in place and enforced to handle it so that it doesn't continue. I do my job as a parent and the teachers needs to do their job and as long as we act like it don't exist and there is nothing being done about it they are sitting there in these classes basically collecting a paycheck. There are kids who want to learn and teachers who are not controlling the classes and the kids that are causing problems needs to be disciplined they do it in other schools and it works.
--Submitted by a parent

I think that Cooper is a good school because I understand all the material given to me and always get A's and B's. Even though there are some kids who act dumb, it doesn't mean it's a bad school. I also feel safe there, sure there are some fights but I feel that it is a safe environment where I can state my opinion.
--Submitted by a student

I have had 2 children attend Cooper. I have found that the administration is lacking and this has been the same with both principals. Most of the teachers tend to be uninvolved and when certain occasions have arisen, meeting with the principal or other administration have been very difficult. No one is available when you need them. Voicemails go unanswered. Only a small handfull of teachers use the blogs and keeping up with IParent is inconsistent. Communication with teachers is mostly parent-initiated. I feel this school could improve on many fronts. We have been very unhappy. One good thing I can comment on is the music program is very good.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has attended Copper for two yrs (6-8), the teachers in his sections for the past two yrs have been helpful toward his education and communicate whenever there is a concern or problem. There are monthly meetings at the school to keep parents educated about the curriculum and tools they can use to help their son/daughter. There are fights at Copper just like with any school but my son doesn't get involved. In the future I wish to see more extracurricular activities. Remember, with any school it takes parent involvement to make it the best it can be.
--Submitted by a parent

BTW, The school hadn't passed AYP a few times. I know at least two in the last three/four years were due to low testing results in Special Education. The school passed in flying colors in all other areas. In fact reading and math scores have been on the rise since the new leadership. The Lesson: look at the whole, not the parts before you assume!

The fresh, new principal that the Feb. 16, 2008 refers to knows little about what goes on in Cooper. The principal before her held a docorate and must have kept up with teachers such as Feb. 16th post who was not doing her job. The disipline there is not applied evenly. The administration and staff are either catering to or are afraid of some of the students and their parents. The teachrs who were there 6 years ago were good, but the newer ones are pathetic. This school has not passed AYP since the fresh, new principal has been in charge. I could say a lot more, but will not. I recommend that you send your child somewhere else. I am happy that mine will no longer have to attend Cooper.
--Submitted by a parent