Riverside Middle School

Truly a great school! After private school where good teachers were shunned so everyone has a good marks, this was a real learning experience. Front desk: the unseen heroes always professional and with a smile. Administration: efficient and friendly, Principal is easy to reach and talk to. Teachers: fantastic and dedicated, with interesting and innovative teachings. Great opportunities for those who wants to learn, Math club (RMS was a regional winner in the Math Olympiad), interesting field trips. Quality of education is high: Duke University test on the level of college acceptance showed a multitude of 7th-graders who passed it! As parents we are very satisfied with solid knowledge our son received and often demonstrates in topics of history, Earth science, anthropology, or just good speech and writing skills. Great athletics programs: wonderful teachers are equally good coaches. During a meet at GHS one can see HS students running across the field to give a hug to their former RMS coach Mrs.Petty! They remember now she gave everyone chance to shine! Lastly, secure feeling of safe school atmosphere. My son says: "3 years in Riverside Middle were the happiest in my life!
—Submitted by a parent

My children attended a Private School and I paid high tuition fees and had to do a lot of fundraising. The level of education they're getting is just as good in this school and it's not costing me $20,000 a year. Parents need to appreciate this Public School. The education and scores my children are getting in this school are just as good as the education thye were getting at the Private School. Parents need to be involved and take responsibilty for their child's edcuation and be cooperative with School officials and you'll have great results. Both are Honor Students. It takes work and dedication from both the child,parent and teachers to do well. I do wish they had more challenges and projects, creativity is essential for a childs growth.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is in 6th grade at RMS this year. I t has been a great experience for her and myself.
—Submitted by a parent

I have one son who is there right now and one who went there for all 3 years. It is continues to have involved faculty and parents.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have spent a total of three years at the school, all years covered. We transferred from another middle school in another state and this one is average to above average in comparison. When my oldest got here, the rest of her 8th grade was a waste of her time and she was barely challenged. The school has a pleasant atmosphere but does not prepare the kids for the high schools they go on to, making freshman year a shock for many. I do not support the in- school suspension policy of the whole district and find it very anti educational to punish kids by making them miss class time. It is a regimented school with very little freedom for the kids. Maybe they have a student body that cannot handle it but it seems to be a big deal to go to the library.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children who are attending RMS for the first time this year and I would just like to say that we are very happy here!
—Submitted by a parent

RMS is as good a middle school as you can hope to find. The principal is top notch and our experience there has been nothing but positive. If your child loves music, then this is the place to be. Mrs. Easler is the best of the best! They don't make teachers like her anymore. She has a love and enthusiasm for teaching that is contagious to all. We are sorry to have to move at the end of the year and not have my son go to 8th grade there.
—Submitted by a parent

Aside from a handful of teachers who I hold dear to my heart, I generally consider my three years at RMS, three years of waste.
—Submitted by a parent

Riverside is a phenomenal school with a great staff. The review of August 2005 is completely unfounded and offers erroneous information. There has never been a drug, sexual harassment or gun problem at Riverside. I've been involved with this school for eight years and had three children who cherished the years spent at RMS. You can't go wrong with this school.
—Submitted by a parent

One of the best schools in the nation. Definately by far.
—Submitted by a parent

Riverside Middle School is in a highly affluent district. The scores that the school makes academically are as much the results of the parents working with their children, as it is the teachers. RMS has a few outstanding teachers, but the overall faculty is mediocre at best. Many of the teachers employed at the school were hired, not for their ability, but because they were sons/daughters, neices/nephews, of system employees. There is a severe problem in this and other schools in the Columbia County system in relation to nepotism. The schools also try to keep items that could result in 'bad' publicity quiet, including sexual harassment of students, gun, and drug issues.
—Submitted by a parent

I would like to be more involved with my childs activities at school, but I live out of state, how can I communicate with his teachers?
—Submitted by a parent

RMS is an excellent school and the teachers are willing to go over, above and beyond the call of duty to make sure that no child is left behind. I love RMS and the education that my daughter is receiving.
—Submitted by a parent