Westside Middle School

my daughter is a 7th grade student at Westside. She is doing better here than at any other school she has attended. The teachers all seem very enthusiastic and always keep me informed of what's going on in the classroom. I have seen several other parents complain that parents are not welcome in the school. I find the exact opposite is true! I think the parents who are complaining about that just don't want to let their child grow up and want to hover over them as if they are still in elementary school. like it or not, out children are growing into what we are supposed to wish for them...to become independent adults, not whiney self absorbed immature mama's boys and girls. The staff at Westside is A-1 in my opinion! They are always helpful and seem happy to talk to me.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of Wesstside Middle School it's a two award winning school.Well run oraganize school and invovled in the comm. 0 tolerant and very clean school and very good teachers and it very teachers,students and parents friendly.
—Submitted by a parent

westside is a well structured school its necessities are up to date and they have a disciplinary level that is understandable also i truly believe they give us an education worth fighting for
—Submitted by a student

It is amazing. The chorus program is very fun. The band (from what i hear) is fun to be in and it has very well educated teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

I was in Westside and I think it is an awesome school . Yes there is a lot of discipline but it is for the students good . I love westside and any one can be sucessful in it like I am a straight A student all my life and I really enjoyed my years in Westside and I felt like they were doing for our good.I hope all students entering westside have a great time like I did.
—Submitted by a student

Westside was litterally the dumps in 6th grade, (look out the window and BAM, there it is) but in recent years WMS has upgraded the gym, and will have state of the art technology in all the classrooms by the beginning of the 09 school year. The teachers really do care for about the students and have great attitudes.
—Submitted by a student

As a parent, WMS has to be one of the most uninviting schools in existence. Parents are highly discouraged from coming to the school and being involved (unless you're there to raise money for them at a sports function). The principal needs lessons in how a strong home and school connection can benefit both, not isolate parents because children are no longer in elementary school. The student led conferences were meaningless - teachers were not even present to confer with. Many changes need to be made - starting at the top. The school has high achieving students from good homes and that's why the test scores are generally good. The students deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Schools run like this are the reason so many parents wish school vouchers were an option.
—Submitted by a parent

At first, I was very impressed with Westside Middle School. The faculty and administration seemed focused on quality education and safety of the students. However, as I continued to observe the interaction of parents with ALL faculty, I found that Westside Middle is NOT welcoming to parents unless the parents are there to contribute their time or money without suggestion or question. The faculty is arrogant and expect total submission from students and parents. The school is not inviting, friendly, or fun by any strecth of the imagination. There are a few volunteers that are asked to do everything becuase the rest of the parents do not feel welcome. This school has a lot to learn when it comes to creating or fostering a caring relationship with students and parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent teachers focused on the child's education. A wonderful band program. Very disciplined principal focused on Education and safety.
—Submitted by a parent

My son went to Westside and had a great experience. In the final analysis, the test scores speak for themselves. Rather than trust me or anyone else, see for yourself. There is a person on staff who specifically coordinates parent volunteers so if anyone wants to help, get involved and personally witness this great school in action, just give them a call. High expectations and strict discipline are admirable qualties in a school. Major Domo
—Submitted by Major Domo, a parent

I am a teacher at Westside and have been teaching there for 5 years. We are not perfect, but I have never worked with a more caring, dedicated, and hard-working faculty in my life. Each team goes above and beyond what is required to inform parents about grades and behavior. Yes, we are strict on dress code, but we only inforce what the BOE has put into place. We work very hard to ensure that our students are successful and most of our parents thank us for our efforts. It is sometimes easier to be critical than to give a compliment.
—Submitted by Joy Watson, a teacher

I am not a parent, but a former WMS teacher, and I feel the need to respond. My sixth grade students were given a grade report every two weeks. Any student that was failing was given a weekly grade report. It was stapled into each student's agenda on either Thursday or Friday. There were also progress reports issued mid-way through each quarter. I hope that those parents who did not receive these items called their child's homebase teacher to find out why those reports did not make it home. Many times I either called parents or sent notes home in the agenda and never received a reply. Communication is extremely important for students to be successful, and it must go both ways. I always welcomed phone calls, emails, and notes from parents. I will continue to do so.
—Submitted by a teacher

I am also a student at WMS and i love it! the teachers are great! i have learned a lot form them..not only school stuff but life lessons also. they truly care about you and on our team they always say 'failing is not an option' they make us work hard so we wont fall behind..i love the school and i hope others apperciate it more.
—Submitted by Lindsay Schirato, a student

I also am a student that attends Westside. Sure it's not perfect, but unless you go there yourself, you have no right to say anything. The teachers are actually very involved with parents. Read your child's agenda once in a while and you might find that out. I think the teachers are great, thay really are focused on getting us ready for the world. I'm an eighth grader, and I've been there since sixth. I'm not a straight A student, but I do know that the teachers care a lot about what goes on in their students life. They make us work hard to get the best grades we can so we'll be prepared. If you are a parent, and you think your child complains a lot, it's probably because they don't like their teacher. That's not the teachers fault.
—Submitted by Macy Diehl, a student

My son is a student at Westside. I have to agree with the previous statement. The staff seems uninterested in the students learning and more interested in control. My son has spent two years at this school and only had ONE project the entire time. He makes straight A's and complains about boredom on a daily basis. The teachers do NOT challenge the kids and they give barely any homework. I don't feel my child is getting a good education at all. I am currently looking to move out of this county all together. Yargo is great but Westside is about as bad as it gets... Plus it's right next door to the stinky landfill. The children are forced to look at the discusting landfill before, during and after school. The staff seem as depressed as the students.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in 6th grade at Westside. There is no parent notification of any kind. Teachers do not care whether students do classwork or not. Principal and vice-principal are just as bad. I guess they feel that us as parents care no more than they do about these kids and their well-being. I would not recommend anyone sending their children there!
—Submitted by a parent

i go to WMS and I love it. The teachers are wonderful. Yes, they are strict on dress code but in the end it helps us to focus on our work. If your child had a problem with dress code then that's her or his problem not the schools.
—Submitted by Elaine Aliff, a student

I do not approve of this school. It is very focused on the dress code and not the grades. My child was failing and I was not informed of this but I was informed right away that my child was not wearing appropriate shoes. This is a horrible school in my view.
—Submitted by a parent