Factory Shoals Middle School

Factory Shoals Middle School is a great school! My son has attended since 2010 and is now a 7th grader. Teachers challenge the students to work hard and some (not all) even offer free tutoring. I must say, anytime I have had an issue, I have been able to work with school administrators to get questions and concerns answered, working towards complete resolution. The principal is James K. Allen who believes in structure, high achievement and strongly encourages parent involvement. Because of Mr. Allen beliefs, the environment is very structured, organized and there is complete control of students at FSMS. There is a strictly enforced dress code, encouraging students to be neat at all times. Thank goodness for this! From the schools head counselor Emily Felton, to teachers like Bill Trisler who take time out to tutor Math students, Mrs. Phillips(6th ELA), Mrs. Long(6th Math) who are always loving the children as their own, and the Band Director Mr. Jackson for being firm, but believing these children can and will succeed, I am very pleased as a parent.
--Submitted by a parent

I have to say, as a parent of two children that have attended the school, it is a great school. I have one that has already moved on from the school with honors and one still attending. They both have had great teachers but, this is also because we are very active parents in their education. Everything starts at home and if you don't take the time to get involved with the teacher and let them know that you are active, just with anything else, the teacher may or may not do what they are supposed to do. I have nothing but great things to say about FSMS and the teachers. You can't always judge something by some one elses views. You can go to the school and see for yourself.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is such a better place than the negative reviews i've read. My chilf is a 6th grader & the experience has been great. Administrators care about the kids & have a great staff to support them. the students are first priority for everyone @ FSMS. Don't go by reviews, stop by and see it for yourself!
--Submitted by a parent

We have experienced unethical behavior of a teacher, from retaliation, distortion of the truth and the list goes on and on. Our concerns are currently going through the chain of command. As a parent we have the ability to change things by bringing awareness of staff misconduct and hold the violators of unethical behavior accountable for their actions. I would like to see the staff receive annual education in ethics and diversity awareness. I foresee a greater future for Factory Shoals and Douglas County Schools System as they increase their level of standard for their teachers, staff and students to better prepare the students for the future, academically, multiplicity and ethically. Our children are the future.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a student that attend this school now.I have read some of these reviews and I can say I only found one of these to be true.This school is excellent.Its a very challenging environment but your child will get use to it.I know this because I just moved here from another state so I would know best.The counselors are there to help you whenever possible.At the beginning of school they encouraged you to come see them whenever possible.I also can say that there are a couple of teachers that can get a really quick attitude but most recently its only because its the end of the day and they are ready to go home.They are very eager to help us get a good education and have a healthy learning environment.
--Submitted by a student

I am very disappointed with this school. The teachers do not have control of the students. They in no way let parents know what is going on. There is a site you can go to in order to monitor your students grades but its rarely updated. And by the time it is, there is little a parent can do because none of the teachers will take late work. Middle school is hard enough on teachers and students without this total lack of communication. It is as if they have no interest in helping a child learn and move on. I am working disparately to get me child in a different district. I have requested several times that my child talk to a counselor only to have my emails and phone calls ignored.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is a Mess I am a student who used to attend here.The school is so unorganized! some of the teachers know how to teach but most of them don't. they have way to many behavior problems and do not know how to handle them So parents please do not let your child go to this school!

I was hopeful that when this school was built that perhaps DC would finally have a top rated MS. However, I've been disappointed. The staff are rude to the children. Some teachers have reached their tenure and should retire because of their bad attitudes. OMG! The children NEVER seem to have enough homework to keep them challenged. The PC program does not offer the differientiated curriculum that we were expecting. I hope DC BOE really takes a good look at each and every school and makes significant changes. Oh...this district really needs to offer training in diversity awareness to all administrators-need I say more?
--Submitted by a parent

This new facility in Douglas County has the bells and whistles for technology - well, the most advanced that public dollars in GA will support. I have found that the PTA is working hard to communicate with parents to enhance the new facility. Parent involvement is key to make this school better. Science & math scores for the county are disappointingly low.
--Submitted by a parent

The school is VERY new and NEEDS community support. There are several areas of concern with school, i.e. communication with parents, discipline and methodology of discipline, low academic standards for students, and no reward system for children doing well.
--Submitted by a parent