Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School

I am a teacher at Bethune and this school is horrible. I feel like I am in a movie. The teachers genuinely care, but no amount of teacher effort can combat students' behavior and values. Instructing a lesson is nearly impossible. Most students have no respect for adults or education. They talk, yell, curse during the entire lesson, no matter the consequences. When I send student s to the office they are sent back to my classroom. Students have no fear because they are not held accountable for their behavior. I have witnessed countless fights in my classroom and aggressive behavior from students toward myself. The only thing students seem to respond to (minimally) is screaming. This management style that does not set a positive example, but I now understand, after gaining a better sense of many students home environment, why it works . If your child is bright and values education in any way- do not send them here. The students with extreme behavior problems control the classroom and I feel very badly for those students who have potential and do care, as they, sadly, suffer due to their classmates. I truly feel that any option has to be better than Bethune.
—Submitted by a teacher

This school is the definition of terrible. From the teachers, to the staff in the office, and even the way the classrooms and hallways look do not set a positive learning example. I attend BMS, and to be honest, they treat us like prisoners! They expect, and basically tell us, that we'll never be anything but minorities. Most barely pay attention to what we're doing, and could care less. If you can help it, DO NOT send your child here.

This school is full of energetic faculty and staff who truly believe in the children.
—Submitted by a teacher

not sure this is my sons first year and he's been failing since school started. I didnt receive the sec free tuorturing book, in which i asked about a month ago. Im looking for help for my son as far as help goes with his school work, or he will be attending atlanta public school system, they have more to offer!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Bethune middle school is one of the worse schools you could ever send your child to in dekalb county. It has done nothing but destroy my perfect record. I have been nothing but an all A student and my record looks terrible because i was jumped and no teacher's were around in the beginning of this conflict and Bethune's adminstrative staff did not complete the investigation properly. There was nothing but lies told and the principal took the adminstrators side without doing any investigation of his own to get to the bottom of this situtation. So, if you care about your child's safety, record, or grades don't send your child to Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School on Covington Hwy in Decatur, GA.
—Submitted by a student

As a fomer bethune middle school student i would say that bethine is not such a bad school, but its certintly not perfect either. I am now a junior in high school. One of the things i would say was a problem while i was there was the constant lockdowns. Lockdown meaning that when the cetrin (6th 7th or 8th) class would be disruptive to the other members in the school, the whole 'team' would have to stay in there classes and have their work sent to them by their teachers. I guess this would cause less drama and what not. Overall it it a pretty good school.
—Submitted by a student

Good principal, Dr. McMullen. Average on academics as some teachers are light on homework and in-class assignments. There were also some good teachers that my sons had.
—Submitted by a parent

i lllooooovvvvveeeeee bethune. and im really learning a lot. not good with after school activities though.
—Submitted by a student

As behalf of the class of 07 at Bethune Middle School, I wanna say that Bethune is really not a bad school. The teachers really care about our education is just that the students arent really willing to learn. So I would say that its the students decision to change the ways of their behavior towards the education stages. The teachers try their best to teach the children who are willing to learn and for those students who really dont care about their education, the teachers still try to teach them, its just not that their doing their job but they also care about the children. As Dr. Terry McMullen being our principal for the last 2 years I was there, the school learning have been better.
—Submitted by Christina Evanculla, a former student

Despite the negative reviews about Bethune, this is still a good school. As a former student I know what the school is all about, success. When Mrs. Mafico was there, she ran the school, had control, and always continued to put education first. So I would have to say that I was proud to be a Bethune lion!
—Submitted by a former student

Bethune is not as bad as some of the parents are making it seem. The problem isn't the teachers so much as it is the students. The academic problems are a result of the teaching staff having to deal with the problems that the children are causing whether it is dealing with fighting or any other social issues dealing with the children. When I attended Bethune last year, the teaching staff was okay it could definetly be better, but for the most part going to Bethune was a good experience.
—Submitted by Aliyyah McGhee, a former student

This school is horrible! Don't send your child to this school, unless neccessary. They are way behind in work. I no longer want my child in this type of enviorment, that is why we are moving. So, think about your child's future and well being before sending them to Bethune.
—Submitted by a parent

I think salem middle school would be a school for your child and from my childs point of view it is the crunkest school and the school has good recreational things to do and has an undeatable team.
—Submitted by a parent