Gilmer Middle School

I am very worried,if I could afford priv.school my kids were be gone.Parents stand up and fight.My 6th grade honor roll student asked me what country Paris[France] is in. My 5th grader still can't tell time despite all the work I try to do with the both of them. Thank you Gilmer[past]school board for the outstanding job you have done for maintaining a high standard of education for the students of our county
—Submitted by a parent

Gilmer Middle School's teachers and instruction as a whole is very good. There are some outstanding teachers who have received a number of national and state awards and honors. The teachers truly care about the students and do give timely and honest feed back. Many give out their home or cell phone numbers and tell parents to call them any time. The administration is supportative but over worked. There is little parent involvement although this appears to be a county problem since sports activities take top spot whether it be school or recreational. More parent involvement would increase overall school improvement and parent satisfation.
—Submitted by a parent

Well I give the school a high rating because the teachers, staff, & coaches try really hard to do what they can for the schools. So you can't throw it all on them sometimes it can be the students behavior, parents behavior, and the state on whether or not they enforce the academic requirement for kids. I think it would help if there was a required phone call to see if the child is sick or to see if they are just skipping school to do negative things. And the parent involvement is really on the parent because some are just so lazy that they don't even work and there kidsend up getting involved with the wrong crowd.
—Submitted by Lynn Walters, a former student

I have to say that I do not agree with the previous entry about Gilmer Middle School. This school contains teachers that are held to very high standards. They participate in many hours of school improvement workshops, as well as, constant meetings on how to make the school better for the students. Also, as far as parent involvement is concerned it is what you make of it. There are plenty of opportunities for parents to get involved. Example: Parent Night, Parent Teacher Conferences (which usually have very low attendance by the parents). The teachers even come in after hours to meet with the parents. In reference to this school facing problems with the fast growing community, people need to realize that there is already a plan to handle this situation. A second middle school is in the works for being built. Perhaps, solutions instead of critisim would serve better.
—Submitted by a parent

I have to give the Glimer Middle School a POOR rating in there acedemic and parent involvement. Unfortunately, the only thing on there website calendar is sports dates and holiday's. As for parents, it's really hard to get involved when there is absolutely NO feedback from teachers on how well there children are doing..they almost seem bothered that you ask. There are a few exceptions when it comes to the teacher's and I have to say they really shine! Very little computer hands on learning, and there scores for 3 yrs in a row are below average.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a predominately rural school with strong family values. The promotion of the Assistant principal to principal opens possibilities for changes. Teachers are careing and concerned but parent involvement is poor. No PTA. Strongs sports programs. This school will experience the pains of rapid area growth.
—Submitted by a parent