Haven Middle School

This is my sons first year. I have two major complaints, about this school. Since the begining of the school year, I have had a very hard time, in the "Parent to Staff" relations department. Often, teachers/staff do not inform parents, that their child is having problems, until too late. I have also found it difficult, with communicating successfully, with the principle. Plus, the chain of command is choppy. There's a huge gap in communication between staff and parents. I find that, if you do not persistantly ask about your childs progress, then you will never know. Pop up visits to the school are highly recommend. Secondly, I believe the school should spend more time, with helping students to properly intergrate and adjust socially. There are various problems with bullying, and many students stay segregated into groups, from their home schools. Problems like these have become a major issue for my child. He feels the environment is not a possitive or encouraging. Out of concern, that his grades may start to suffer; I am now looking at another school, for my son.
--Submitted by a parent

This is my child's first year at Haven, she's a 7th grader and came from a tiny school. During our move I have reached out the principal several times and never heard back. I am not happy with the leadership at the school at all. My daughter comments that she never sees the principals. The music program is excellent and she is loving Spanish and math is challenging. I believe she has excellent teachers. Her English teacher told us, at conferences, that she scored so high on the MAP test that she worries that they'll be nothing left to teach her. I took it as a compliment, but her father got worried - what are they going to do about that, was his question. With this lackluster leadership, I'm really worried myself. Thank God Evanston has been improving it's partnership with Northwestern, so she'll still be challenged.
--Submitted by a parent

This is my daughter's first year at Haven and she loves it. I, on the other hand, am not impressed. I feel the teachers are afraid to step in and control the students. The students who are well-behaved and do the work are looked over. I have already had to contact a teacher about questions. I think the it is fortunate for us our daughter is interested in utting in the effort to learn. We have to put in a lot of time to encourage her. The school does nothing. Even she has said that she doesn't feel like she is challenged. I am sorry we enrolled her here.
--Submitted by a parent

There is a great music program at Haven, sports, and arts. Most importantly, we need to teach our kids what it means to be responsible students, that it is ok to go to study hall after school or find time with their teacher to ask for the help they need, because there are some very good ones at Haven willing give an extra hand.
--Submitted by a parent

I dont like Haven at all. My childreen went there and they said that hey hated it. I dont think you should recamend this school to anybody. It is bad and you shouldnt go there.
--Submitted by Betty, a parent

I went to Haven back in the mid 70's and turned out awesome because of the teaching staff and principal!They were extremely awesome then, especially the then principal Lorraine Morton. I owe alot to the staff there for teaching and guiding me the way they did and what they did! I'm very proud to say I went to school there!
--Submitted by Michael Kotchounian, a former student

I think there is a divide between what the parents think of Haven and what the students/former students think. I had an exceptional experience at Haven. There were a few principle changes in the past, but Mr. Michelin, the current principle has been teaching for over 25 years and has been with Haven as the Asst. Principle for about 10 years or so. He is retiring this year and a long time teacher there will be the new principal. All of the same teachers that were employed when I was there 8 years ago, are still there. There are a myriad of extracurriculars for students to become involved in and the level of education and ultimate achievement is excellent. I, like many of my former Haven counterparts have gone on to be complete successes. I am a graduate of Northwestern University, and Haven has helped make me who I am today!
--Submitted by a former student

Of Evanston's 3 middle schools, Haven has struggled the most. Staff turnover, inconsistent leadership. Now a solid asst princ. w/ teaching bkgrnd and strong understanding of curriculum, teaching needs, learning styles. Building wide emphasis on vocabulary, cross-discipline learning. Good math instruction at 6th gr level. 6th/7th gr Eng/L.A. is good. 8th gr was so-so and not such a good preparation for the rigors of the high school, but improvements are being made. Very diverse population; you will get behavioral issues in every class because they have to spread out the pain. Extra curricular offerings abysmal. Parent involvement aver-good.
--Submitted by a parent

As an alumnus, I can honestly say that Haven is a good school. Those who are giving bad reviews don't know the whole story. There have been quite a few principles in the past 10 years, I think 3 or 4, including the current principle Mr. Michelin. He has been with Haven School for a very long time at least 15 years as the Assistant principle and he basically ran the school the whole time, so now that he is the principle he is doing a great job and the position he has now, was well warranted. The teachers are good and the school is very diverse and includes many extracurricular activities and clubs for students to participate in. I was very happy with the education that I received at Haven and I believe that it did a great job in helping prepare me for high school.
--Submitted by a former student

There is much to say about this school. We had such a difficult time with the quality of teachers. There are a few good ones who really care about the students education. However, few is not many. It seems as though everyone on staff, from the principal to the teachers, are all overwhelmed by the students.
--Submitted by a parent