Stewart Middle School

I am a sixth grader at Stewart. We have a bad reputation and my mom did not want to put me here. When i got there both of demeaners changed. ITS AN AWESOME SCHOOL!!! I love the teachers and we have lots of helpful clubs. One of the best teachers is Ms. T-Shack or Ms. Shackleford. I will have defintley be here the rest of my middle school years.

When coming from another state you want to research the best schools for your child/children and that's what I did. My son was an honor roll student and class president. His 1st school in this county had the HIGHEST ratings, not sure how. But our experience was a nightmare his grades quickly failed and it was like pulling teeth to get a conference with the staff. After extensive research with other parents and the staff I had my son transferred to Stewart Middle. Being a Title I school they have funding from different resources to help improve test scores, etc. This includes free tutoring, books, and equipment from some of the best educational places, i.e. Sylvan Learning center, etc. Also due to the low ratings they are going above and beyond to improve the negativity of the past. I am very impressed on how friendly and helpful the staff is here at Stewart as well as how much my son has improved. Moving from another state can take a toll on your child's mindset and seeing that he's improving each day says a lot.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter ended up at Stewart coming from a Kipp South Fulton, I was so reluctant to remove her, but transportation limited us. I visited four schools in Douglas County, Stewart was the ONLY school that made my family feel welcome. My daughter is in the gifted program, she feels she is not being challenged enough we try to combat that at home. I say any parent should try it before they knock it.
—Submitted by a parent

my son attend stewart middle school and he really like stewart and the teacher really taught him alots and i hope they win the prize go stewart

Stewart has a bad reputation that needs to be put to rest. I was a teacher there and only left because of the small numbers and I was reassigned somewhere else. The atmosphere among the teachers and students was like a family. The teachers did everything in their power to help the students. It is a positive atmosphere that is based on what the students need.

Stewart Middle School is what you make of it! I have to admit I was not excited about my daughter attending the school-even had enrolled her into Yeager Middle School-but could not make the proper arrangements for transportation. So she ended up at Stewart. Like I said it's what you make of it. They have access to free tutoring programs. Their CRCT scores increase every year. My daughter is in the ASP program-which is a great program-it is geared towards studying for the CRCT and really helps with learning study habits! They did projects that utilize all educational skills and that was great! The tutorting programs offered has helped my daughter a lot - she received an award for most improved student after enrolling in the programs offered at SMS!! Ms. Dukes is an excellent teacher!!!
—Submitted by a parent

stewart is an awesome school. teachers take the time and the effort to care about the students. not only do they care about their academic acheivements but their personal goals also. this is the best school yet!
—Submitted by a parent

I work at Stewart Middle School, I am very pleased with this school. The teachers really care about the students education. They are working hard to provide a good education and you can see the enthusiasm for learning. I am only disappointed with parent participation. If you want your child to succeed... volunteer! Get involved. Free up some teachers time so they don't 'burnout'. Even if you only have one hour a week to give, call the school to see how you can help. Education is ultimately the parents responsibility.
—Submitted by a teacher

The School is great. But, some of the sixth grade teachers wasn't their for students. Except, for Mrs. Robin Dowdy. She had a big impact on my son. And Mr. Brooks he always stayed on him. But, other than that, I never saw anything, he had to study for, for the final exams.
—Submitted by a parent

Although I admit stewart has a long way to go, there are some great programs at the school. One of the comments from a former student talked about the Jr BETA club and my 6th daughter was recently invited to join because of her academic achievements. I will say that parents need to stay involved with the administrators and teachers and things can be different for your childs individual experience. There was a program implimented called 'sisterhood' which is a peer group to bring young ladies together from different behavior backgrounds. The group meets every friday and are priviledged field trips separate from school trips. For parents that could not afford tutoring there was a great effort to communicate scholarships and funding for those that could not afford it. The discipline and testing at the school has to improve, but parent involvement has changed my child's experience. My child is succeeding.
—Submitted by a student

It is the worse school I have ever seen. The county puts no money into it. The attitudes of the staff stinks but no more than the students. It is built in middle of the project and that is the way it;s kept up. Do not attend this school. By law if you do not want to attend this school they have to transfer you. They do not meet state standards. But remember you have to pay your own transportation.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to Stewart the 01-02 school year and it was great. I had quality instruction, I took honors classes was challenged and kept all A's the teachers were always willing to help. Jr BETA was the best experience I've had in any schools BETA organization I've been in (four of them from 5th grade-12th). Though the principle I learned retired after that year and redistricting was done I think even if Stewart has fell some in quality it can certainly make a comeback with effort from students, parents, and the staff but everyone will gave to help not just parents and lazy kids wanting the teachers to 'fix' things. Stewart made me want to be a better person and be educated and now I'll be graduating this year with honors and going to Mercer University so don't just toss all hopes for stewart aside. This can be a great school.
—Submitted by a student

Please don't send your child to this school. The manner in which they handle parent concerns is less than satisfactory. My daughter will be transfering to another school as of Jan 08, I will no longer put my child at risk for failure as a result of this schools poor administration.
—Submitted by a parent

Stewart Middle School was the downfall for all 3 of my children.They went to Burnett their whole lives and were all Honor and Deans list students. their attendance was awarded yearly. at Stewart, my son was sent to the hospital from the bus ride home.My daughter lost the sparkling personality she used to have,my other son quit caring altogeher.Their grades went rockbottom.Their lack of attendance ( various reasons) landed us court several times. I went to a talent show there,I was speechless by the behavior of the students watching,and the total lack of attention the staff gave to it.we were crammed on the bleachers with kids screaming and stomping non stop.the Microphone didnt work half the time the kids sang,no one had a speech,they charged me for this.
—Submitted by victoria schafer, a parent

Stewart Middle School is not as horrible as people make it out to be. Every school has its challenges and Stewart is facing the ones that it has head on. Quality instruction DOES happen in the building. Teachers and adminstrators DO care about the students and their progress. Unfortunately, Stewarts reputation lowers everyone's expectations and people come in automatically looking for the things that are wrong. In doing that, they're failing to recognize the numerous things that are done right! Parents are quick to point fingers at teachers. Teachers are quick to point fingers at administrators. Administrators are quick to point fingers back at teachers. If the finger pointing would stop and everyone work together, maybe the repuation of the school would turn around. Is the school perfect...by all means no. But it is on its way ti improvement.
—Submitted by a teacher

I went to Yeager Middle School for two years and half of my last year in 8th grade.In my last year in 8th grade I transferred to Stewart Middle School.Stewart Middle School was horrible.Their constantly running out of lunches everyday.My mother wanted to transfer me back to Yeager but the year was almost over so there was no time left.My grades also slipped from all A's to C's.At Yeager Middle School I was an honor student,but at Stewart I was just a student.Warnig parents if you want your children to get a quality education and to be prepared for high school don't try Stewart Middle School!!
—Submitted by a student

Unfortunately the low standards at Stewart are compounded by the school board who make it practically impossible for parents to exercise a real choice by limiting the schools available for transfer. My child is in the 8th grade under protest and so far I am less than impressed with the school's committment to my child's education. The school try and legislate parental involvement with contracts but then fail to provide anything other than standard feedback. This is a bad school - unless you are willing and able to educate your child yourself, don't send them to Stewart.
—Submitted by a parent

If you want your child to get a quality education please dont send them to Stewart Middle. The administration leaves a lot to be desired. They dont look out for the best interest of the students and there is a tremendous lack of respect for the parents.
—Submitted by a parent

I taught at this school and the lack of management support and interest in the best interest of the students and staff made it an extremely difficult work environment. Never in my teaching experience have I felt so frustrated, unsupported and disregarded. Would not recommend the school to anyone until management practices change drastically, teachers are respected and supported regarding classroom decisions and discipline and students are expected to be at school to learn.
—Submitted by a teacher

I have a child in the 6th grade attending Stewart Middle school and have plans not to return the following school year. I would not recommend this school to anyone. This school has had and continues to have a significant number of administrative staff turn over. In addition, Stewart Middle School has not adequtely met Georgia's Department of Education academic performance and has been on the GADOE Needs Improvement list for the last 4 years. I feel sad that a lot of students from this school will not get the education they need to be successful in high school and beyond.
—Submitted by a parent