McConnell Middle School

This school is a mixed bag of good and bad. There are some real wonderful teachers who are concerned, responsive, and dig to find the individual and elevate their strengths. Sadly, there are also a few who are not interested or, worse are climbing the Principal ladder which is so easily climbed in Gwinnett. While good relative to other area schools, there is always a problem on every team. Be willing to advocate hard for your student and do not expect the admin to advocate for your child. They are there to defend teachers. Be a strong source of listening and if necessary go to bat on your student's behalf. You are the only one interested in your student's rise above mediocrity.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent, my kids had a great experience here, we would stil be at MMS but due to the stupid district change, we are now at the Bay Creek school, I so far cannot even compare the two, as Bay creek is such a mess, no one knows what is going on, and there is no help for the kids who are behind, tons and tons of homework and just not the same interaction with parents that MMS has to offer, those luckey enough to not be moved to the horrible Bay Creek Middle, McConnell has wonderful teachers willing to help in most anyway including coming early and staying late to help your child with work. Dont expect the same from other middle schools.
--Submitted by a parent

We have just finished MMS. We spent 3 years there and received an excellent gifted education, but I have some concerns about 2 new programs: the WAM and MAT programs. Gwinnett County claims to focus on teaching and learning, but these 2 programs tend to take away over 1 hour of instruction per week for the students. WAM is a weekly advisement time of about 40 minutes in homeroom and MAT is an enrichment/tutorial period of 30 minutes of 1 to 2 times per week. This time is built into the daily school schedule of an already packed school day that needs to be devoted to teaching and learning. Plus, I am confused as to why a school that has free 45 morning tutorial sessions every Wednesday before school needs to have another time of tutoring built into the school day? I feel that MMS may be lowering its standards.
--Submitted by a parent

MMS is an ok school. Test scores are good. Very crowded school tons of trailers. Principals are not usually available. Unless they want to harass your child about something. Strict dress code to 'Some Students' not all students. Teachers for the most part somewhat bias towards certain students. Maybe the students that have attended mms since 6th grade...all of their middle school life are probably the happiest...or the students who's parents are well known in the community. Please think about the adverse/scarring effects before moving to mms area. Some incidents that has happened to my child but not all...I cannot mention due to (terms of use). Please think twice before enrolling your child. Once you're in the mms area purchasing a home you're kinda stuck for a while. Not all teachers or principals fall in to the not so good group...but 75% does.
--Submitted by a parent

After Cooper Elementary School.......ahhhhh, what a relief it is! I have a 6th grader this year and had probably above-average concerns for my small-for-his-age 6th grader. I have not only been completely relieved but overwhelmed by the support, kindness, help-days offered, web-site homework help, quick communication by teachers, and cheerfulness of administration. I mention the cheerfulness of the front office because that was non-existent at Cooper Elementary. I had become so accustom to being treated AS an elementary student at Cooper, that it is entirely refreshing bo be treated as a Middle School PARENT. Thanks McConnell!
--Submitted by a parent

It is a very good school. I go to this school and I have never been to a school this good. The administrators are fast and the school is always clean.
--Submitted by a student

As a new stundent I think that mms is a great school and Im happy to be there.I love all the teachers that I have they all help me in some kind of way thank you.
--Submitted by a student

This is my child's second year at McConnell, and we have been very pleased. It's natural to be concerned about the number of students there (a lot!); however, it really is a well-run school. If you read the reviews by parents and students, you'll notice that most of the complaints are about how strict the dress code is, or how how the standards are too high. Of course, most parents consider these things to be positives. My child is in gifted classes, and I can say that I truly feel that she will be well prepared for the advanced classes that I anticipate she'll have in high school. My younger child will be attending the new Bay Creek Middle School. I can only hope that we'll be as satisfied with it as we are with McConnell.
--Submitted by a parent

This is the second year that my daughter has attended this school and I very much support the strong academic curriculum. My email feedback with teachers over the past two years has been direct and prompt. There are weekly designated help days as well as weekly progress reports via email if desired. This school has too many kids [for] a middle school but the academic and extra curicular programs in place are still exceptional in my opinion. If you are a hands-on type of parent with your kids then this is definitely the school for you.
--Submitted by a parent

As a first-timer with a child in middle school, my husband and I were quite concerned about the transition into a huge school. That said, McConnell has exceeded expectations and calmed our fears! What a great staff! The school is truly a well-oiled machine. Even our son is happy and doing well. Teachers return emailed communication quickly and the office staff have been helpful on numerous occasions.Our only complaints are the lack of recess (which we believe could be made a 'connection') and the short lunchtime (30 minutes should be required).
--Submitted by a parent