Redan Middle School

DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO THIS SCHOOL. The teachers lack vision and they can't teach. The principal is worthless.. They run that school like a prison. The children can only go to their lockers 2 times a day. They got to walk around with 3 classes of books , notebooks and gym clothes. They teachers won't communicate with the parents. The only people in that school that's worth anything is the front office secretary and the security team. I say fire them all and start over
—Submitted by a parent

I am totally dissatisfied with Redan Middle School, I came all the way from another state to find that this school has a weird way of handling any problems or concerns that the child or parent may have. I also find that some of the teachers as well as administrators aren't very supportive, especially when it comes to Bullying, Self Esteem issues, etc. I am very concerned about alowing my children to continue this year. PARENTS THIS MUST STOP, WHAT CAN WE DO?
—Submitted by a parent

My child is doing well at the school as far as grades are concerned. Unfortunately, I know that the child isn't learning much in the actual classroom environment, and I'm not surprised. The school schedule that was implemented this year is a complete disaster. It is extremely disorganized, and there doesn't appear to be any sense of accountability on the part of either the teachers or the administration as it regards the same. Some of the teachers appear to be nice people, but it's pretty clear that at least a few of them ought to consider moving on. They are obviously burned out and have resorted to taking their frustrations out on the children. I'm a little concerned, too, that the skill set of some teachers appears to fall far below that of those who teach at schools of comparable size and in comparable neighborhoods. At this point, my spouse and I feel as if we are essentially homeschooling our child. We don't trust RMS to provide even a basic middle school education, and that's a scary feeling -- particularly when minority children in the U.S. face so many other challenges as they prepare to attend college, perhaps graduate school, and eventually the work force.
—Submitted by a parent

After reading the reviews on Redan Middle school I have to say I was a bit on edge about my child attending this school off the bat. Unfortunately my concerns were not put to rest at all during the so called Open House that took place August 3rd 2011. Unlike the good experiences reported to me from friends about open house events at their children s middle schools, my experience was very different and frustrating to say the least. I arrived at Redan middle only to discover they had nothing ready (no schedules, no meet and greet tables, nothing), far from the well organized events with many informational meet and greet tables I had heard about from other parents who attended open house events at other middle schools. After aimlessly wondering I finally located a staff member and was able to ask what are students suppose to do on the first day of school? And was told in a very unsure manner that students would probably have to find their names on a piece of paper that would be posted somewhere . Needless to say the first day will probably be very chaotic. I am praying that this is not a sign of what s to come.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a child that attends Redan middle and I must say I have spoke with several of my childs friends. Mrs. Gaines is their math teacher she is rude and she speaks to the children as if they are nothing. I plan to make a complaint about her she is very rude. When I speak to her she makes it seem as if the kids are the worst in the world. To say the least I am confused as to why she still has her job.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended Redan M.S. I had positive and negative experiences. My child had items stolen. I had some problems with some of the teachers and had to go to the superintendents office. Some of the teacher resented my frequent calls and visits. My child is doing good at Redan High. I was exhausted by the time he left Redan M.S. The music teacher Mr. Greene is excellent. He encouraged my child's music skills. As a result of his encouragement my child learned 6-7 instruments. Mr. Griffith was my child's science teacher. He kind of reminds you of the nutty professor. I don't know how his did it but my son was able to test at college sophomore college level in the sevnth grade. Ms. Freeman was my child's math teacher. She returned calls. Be prepared to monitor and visit. If you can't you better send them to another school.
—Submitted by a parent

It is a great school much better than redan high school. The teachers are wonderful and the students. A lot of extra cirrucular activities.
—Submitted by a parent

This school can not get children ready for the state test that they have all year to do. Poor involvement of teachers with children who need help. This is not a school that I would recommend to anyone looking for a school with high standards and good education for their child(ren)!
—Submitted by a parent

I have been going to redan since the sixth grade. Some of the teachers are caring and they truly try their hardest to teach us valuable knowledge. But there is one problem the kids are out of control and without parent involvement how can we find a solution to this problem?The girls are too fast and the boys are too.
—Submitted by a student

It's not that into your child's ability to exceed, the teachers just teach they really don't care about anything else
—Submitted by a parent

Redan Middle is the worst school that I have every encountered. I am a parent and former teacher and this school is like a prison. The teacher are unprofessional and childish. The administration plays favorites and treats parents and students unfairly. They create an atmosphere that is not condusive to learning.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is not enjoying Redan Middle He said everyday the children are out of control and the teachers or unfair, I hate that my child come home every day with a horror story I am disappointed in the school broad how they have insufficiant and unqualified teachers and adminstrators I am a distress parent ready to leave the State of Georgia so my child can get a good education and I did not say great just opportunity to learn a good education
—Submitted by a parent

I did not enjoy Redan Middle School. Majority of the teachers were very unprofessional and lacked focus on the important issues. The principal didn't take care of the concerns in a timely manner if at all. we ended the school year with grades still not recorded from the first semester. 7th grade was a terrible year and we are moving to a new school for 8th grade.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been going to redan since the sixth grade. The teachers are caring and they truly try their hardest to instill in us valuable knowledge. But the kids their are out of control and without parent involvement how can we find a solution to this problem? The parents are complaining but they aren't doing anything to fix the problems. I believe we need more teacher,student,parent involvement in our school. I believe our school have great potential we just need some improvement. If we get that than we can successfully reach excellence.
—Submitted by Jane Fillman, a student

The kids have no say so in anything. Whatever the teacher says gos and that is final.
—Submitted by a student

After weeks of classroom observations, this school lacks parent involvement, educated, concerned teachers, and administrators. The students are not challenged and will not be challenged due to the uneducated, ignorant, self-centered teachers that are in the school. As for the principal, his gatekeepers prevent parents from speaking to him. The school encourages parent involvement, but when you visit the school it's like visiting Fort Knoxx. You don't want to visit because you do not feel welcome and there are rules that parents should abide by and if you don't, you are escorted from the school. I believe the teachers and administrators are threatened and intimitated by the educated, concern parents. If you are ignorant and uneducated, they welcome you, because you don't know any better. Parents you need to find out what is going on with your students before Dekalb School System fails your student and you as a parent.
—Submitted by a parent

I think that the new administration that's in place now-effective as of the commencement of school year in the Fall of 2005- is being and will be successful in removing Redan Middle School from the 'In need of improvements' list. This principal and staff will do it and find and get rid of the few teachers who are the major contributors to low-achievement, low-morale and poor teaching. Vast improvements are on the horizon.
—Submitted by a teacher