A great school with great staff and students! Appreciate the focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and opportunities for gifted/talented students. Our daughter has had a wonderful experience here and we highly recommend.
—Submitted by a parent

We're off to a bumpy start in 6th grade. Kids are treated like little prisoners. Can't use the bathroom. Must carry library books in a ziplock bag or get a detention from the reading teacher. Not allowed to go to locker and retrieve items. Must carry morning stuff all morning and afternoon stuff all afternoon....this includes your gym clothes and cannot carry in a backpack. No one seems to care that these 11 year olds are new at changing classes and may be unorganized for a few weeks. We're not impressed.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a close relative of a student at Barker Middle School and there have been nothing but problems since the beginning. Classes are undersupervised, most teachers disinterested in educating, and during one recent incident where a fight broke out among some students, the teacher simply ran from the classroom instead of trying to restore order. Private school for us next year and good riddance to Barker Middle School.

I would rate this school a10 because i think that it is a very good school because only thing the people is worried about is the kids saftey and their work and that is why!
—Submitted by a parent

A great school, always showing improvement, has a welcoming and safe environment.
—Submitted by a parent

I found Barker Middle School to be a great place for learning this year. It certainly faces the many challenges that other public schools have throughout the country, but I feel the staff and administration had a realistic aproach to meeting the varied needs of the students. I like the fact that students were continually made to feel worthwhile and valued. I applaud the efforts made by all staff. The 7th and 8th graders have gender pure classes and I think this helps the kids focus more on academics and less on socializing. Good job Barker!
—Submitted by a teacher

Barker Middle School is a prime example of the numerous problems in the Michigan City Area Schools. Many of the teachers do not pursue the goal of teaching the children with results of knowledge received. The Principal and Assisitant/Vice Principal need to be replaced. They are not in the building to ensure the safety and rights of all the children. They do not want parents in the building, nor do most of the teachers. They blame all problems on the parents but do not work openly and honestly with the parents. Once a child has made a wrong choice, then the adults in the school flex their power muscle and show the child and the parent who is in charge. The concern is not for the child. The concern is for the adults in the school and their rights.
—Submitted by a parent