MY son has been at FTMS West since 5th grade and now is in 7th. My husband and I are very displeased with the leadership and education level. The teacher don't care about teaching or being mentors. My childs grade have always been A's and B's since kindergarten and now they are the low C's and even D's. I have asked for help from the guidance councilor and the teachers to help determine what is causing his grades to fall. They don't seem to care and it almost seems like you are being inconvenient when you want to help your child. I will not be sending my 9 year old to this school once she reaches the age. We will likely look in to Middle school East or even another township school.
—Submitted by a parent
I have had excellent response when needing attention, suggestions and some assistance with my son regarding his grades and education in general. My son does not have disciplinary problems, because that is supposed to be the parents' job. Teachers educate---parents discipline. Obviously, if you simply compare the passing scores/percentages of the ISTEP tests to other local schools, this school is doing a great job. I love this school and the dedication of the teachers, guidance counselors, principal and anyone else that works so hard to make a difference for our future by way of teaching our children.
—Submitted by a parent
F.T.M.S. is a good school, which is struggling with the evolving needs of a growing township. Many of the teachers are very involved and love their jobs...I mean, when I think about teaching 12-14 year olds all day long, it isn't a job most would sign up for. I have found that contacting via email is the best way to keep up to date on my child's progress. Also, I monitor the agenda they are supposed to be keeping. Of course, there are problems in middle school; it is a tough age, but take a look at the other township schools and you will feel lucky to have your child in FT and receiving the help of the teachers!
—Submitted by Involved Parents are Key, a parent
We pulled our daughter out of Franklin Central. before she was a strait A student, and her grades were becoming C's. most of The students were rude and abnoxious. The teacher quality wasn't bad, but when you have 30 kids in a class, it makes it hard to teach when kids are throwing pencils in the room (which was happening on a daily basis).
—Submitted by a parent
I think FTMS is a great school. If you want your child/children to get a great education, go to FTMS. The parents also have to work with your child/children to complete a great education.
—Submitted by a parent
This school is lacking all the way around. Students are not supervised in the halls at all. Despite the principal having a great number of parent complaints about the pushing & shoving that goes on in the hall ways he refuses to do anything about it. During the 2004/2005 school year I contacted everyone of my childrens teachers and more than 1/2 of them acted as if I was a nuisance because I wanted to know how my child was doing and what I could do to help. Furthermore, the front desk is rude to the children and parents alike. If your going to enroll your child here be prepared for a fight.
—Submitted by a parent
If you have a child with behavior problems, you really need to look at the reason why. One has to acknowledge that the parents have not trained the student to act or behave well. When a teacher has 30-32 students in a classroom, it should not be necessary for the teacher to give special attention, constantly, to a 13 or 14 year old young adult on a regular basis who consistently disrupts their class. If the parents fail at disciplining in raising their children, the other students and staff should not have to suffer the consequences. The teachers at FTMS work very hard, and simply want to teach the subject area that they are trained in to students who are willing and wanting to learn. IF your students desires to learn and expects their teachers to do their best every day to teach them not discipline them send them to FTMS.
—Submitted by a staff
If you have a student with special needs (behavior problems) please be advised that this school needs some help with dealing with children on this level. Half the time I think a select few of the staff here are special needs individuals themselves, who do not have the patience or proper training to deal with students of this stature. Sometimes they act like a few of the students by making inappropriate remarks about some of the students. Who says words don't hurt...if you're an adult staff member at this school act like it and show some support for our special needs children. We, as parents of these children need all the support we can get, especially in the Northern Community where we have to travel a great distance due to bussing just to have a conference or to pick up a sick child. May God bless you all.
—Submitted by Kimberly, a parent
FTms is a great school! I've been going to FTMS since the sixth grade and I'm currently in the eigth grade. I've enjoyed every year at FTMS. The teachers are very supportive and involved. The extracurricular activities are also great...I'm looking forward to going to D.C. with my eigth grade class this spring!
—Submitted by Tabitha, a student
Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools
nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities.
Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.
About these ratings
The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.
The state average for English/Language Arts was 78% in 2012.
261 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
87%
2011
n/a
2010
n/a
Math
The state average for Math was 82% in 2012.
261 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
89%
2011
n/a
2010
n/a
Science
The state average for Science was 64% in 2012.
261 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
79%
2011
n/a
2010
n/a
Scale: % passing
About the tests
In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.
The state average for English/Language Arts was 75% in 2012.
274 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
84%
2011
79%
2010
73%
Math
The state average for Math was 78% in 2012.
275 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
86%
2011
79%
2010
79%
Social Studies
The state average for Social Studies was 71% in 2012.
275 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
80%
2011
75%
2010
68%
Scale: % passing
About the tests
In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.
The state average for English/Language Arts was 73% in 2012.
324 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
76%
2011
71%
2010
77%
Math
The state average for Math was 80% in 2012.
324 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
87%
2011
81%
2010
87%
Scale: % passing
About the tests
In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.
In 2011-2012 Indiana used the End-of-Course (ECA) assessment to test students in middle and high school in Algebra I, Biology I, and English 10. The ECA is a criterion-referenced assessment developed specifically for students completing their instruction in Algebra I, Biology I, or English 10. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.
In 2011-2012, this school received a grade of "A".
In 2010-2011, this school received a grade of "C".
In 2009-2010, this school received a grade of "C".
About the tests
Indiana uses the A through F School Grading System to assess the overall performance of a school. For the 2011-2012 school year, schools were graded based on performance and participation levels in state standardized tests and student growth using the Indiana Growth Model. In addition, high schools were graded on four-year (on-time) graduation rates and college and career readiness indicators including Advanced Placment exam results and industry certification exam results.
This school's GreatSchools Rating is based on academics (90%) and climate (10%). The academic rating measures students' test scores, academic growth and college readiness. The climate rating measures safety, cleanliness, parent involvement and more.
Our rating (from 1 to 10) reflects a school's overall performance.
The higher the rating, the more likely the school will prepare your child for the future,
so choose an above-average school (8-10) if possible. For average schools (4-7),
do careful research and look for evidence that the school has high-quality programs.
For below-average schools (1-3), take caution; a low-performing school may not provide
the instruction or environment your child needs to learn, and you may need to supplement
classroom lessons at home.
Academic rating
The academic rating is made up of equally-weighted parts: students' test scores, their academic growth (for elementary and middle schools) and their readiness for college (for high schools). The graphs below compare this school's results in each area to other schools in the city and state. Growth and college readiness ratings are coming soon, pending publication of 2012 data.
*Test scores are based on 2012 ISTEP and ECA results from the state of Indiana.
**The academic growth rating measures how schools affect student test score improvement over time in reading and math. Data is from the 2012 school year and is provided by the Indiana Department of Education.
Climate ratings
Climate rating for this school is not yet available.
Students participating in free or reduced-price lunch program
39%
N/A
47%
Special education
14%
N/A
15%
English learners
4%
N/A
5%
Source: IN Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Student-teacher ratio
This school
District average
State average
Students per FTE teacher
18
N/A
17
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Teacher resources
Special staff resources available to students
Assistant principal(s)
Art teacher(s)
ELL/ESL Coordinator
Instructional aide(s)/coach(es)
Librarian/media specialist(s)
Math specialist(s)
Music teacher(s)
PE instructor(s)
Nurse(s)
Security personnel
School psychologist
Special education coordinator
Speech and language therapist(s)
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