Rector A. Jones Middle School

We regret our decision to send our kids here! Very happy to be moving on!
—Submitted by a parent

this school's scores remain very low. test scores are not everything, but they are objective. I contacted the principal to express concern over the scores, and he basically blamed the "transient" students for tanking the scores. He said that if you carve those students out, the school's scores are great! What?! No more excuse-making. If you get transient students, then meet them where they are and help them get up to speed, implement aggressive interventions and whatever you can with the extra money you get from Title I funding. Stop blaming the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not at all pleased with the structure of the curriculum or the attitudes of several of the teachers. They give children a school schedule and if they are doing a bit poorly in a subject, they take one of the classes away, such as gym, chorus, etc. In my days you attended the classes that were set forth from the beginning. Gym allowed you to participate in sports which I think is a very important class that helps promote spirit, teamwork and challenge.Chorus was also important as it teaches you about different culture and allows you to express your inner ambitions through music and song. Schools have gone down hill. Why children lose interest in learning, perhaps! There is no longer fun in learning. Children lose their pride of attending.

I have been going to RA my whole time in middle school. i know that we aint the smarts kids but Ra is an alsome school! We learn alot about school and life, but most importantlly we learn about friends. RA also no longer has a dress code!
—Submitted by a student

I went to R.A. Jones for two years. The teachers are great but when it comes to taking care of the trobuling students, they just don't care. There is very little communication between parents and the school and the test scores are not the best out there.
—Submitted by a student

I went to RA Jones my sixth, seventh, and eigth grade year and I loved every minute of it. Yes, they have a strict dress code but it makes everyone feel equal. You don't have to worry about who is wearing what and what this person is going to say about your shirt. I was on A and B honor roll all three years. Yes, there were a few fights but it happens every where. RA Jones made me feel safe and every one of my teachers helped to to reach my full potential. I was proud to be a Jet and still consider myself one. It's the best middle school out there.

Our child moved from the Campbell County School system into the Boone County system at Jones. His grades improved drastically and he seemed to understand so much more than he did before.The teachers are friendly and attentive. Campbell County seemed to be very much ruled by the 'nose in the air' PTA /soccer oms who look down on you if you aren't rich and part of the 'in' crowd. Not the kids.I'm talking about the teachers and the faculty. Boone COunty is not at all like this. I'd highly recommend Boone County Schools (our other child just graduated from Ryle High School) and tell anyone that they are doing the right thing by bringing their child here.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently an outgoing eighth grade student at R.A. Our teachers go above and beyond, when it comes to attempting to getting students and parents involved. No one outside of our school understands what really goes on inside the classroom. There may be some very innapropriate situations. However, the students are still learning. The teachers can only try so hard. The students AND the parents have to collaborate with them. There are many opportunities at R.A. But, the people outside of our school, give it no chance, until they are forced into a new learning enviromentm due to redistricting, moving, or simply entering middle school. I have enjoyed all three years at R.A., and believe it or not I feel over prepared for highschool. R.A. is not perfect. But with the help of the parents and the cooperation of the students R.A. could be one of the best. =D
—Submitted by a student

I am very pleased with the principal, David Rust, who started in August 2007. Mr. Rust has brought a clear sense of leadership that did not previously exist at RA Jones. He has raised expectations of the teachers, including their own dress code (didn't exist previously, either). Parent involvement is up, as evidenced by the regeneration of the parent-teacher organization, now known as Jets For Excellence. I see a good future for RA Jones.
—Submitted by a parent

The reason that this school is so bad is because of the athletics. No involvement from parents, no involvement from the ra jones staff, no money to support there programs, no community involvement. Its just a mess
—Submitted by a student

I love RA so much it's my first year and the school is really great!!! the teachers are nice and i love chorus!
—Submitted by destiny m, a student

I do not feel that the teachers have enough communication with the parents, at least a lot of them. I requested a meeting with my sons teachers three times and it took me over two months to get a meeting. That is not acceptable. I do not feel there are consequences given to students when they are not doing there work. I requested that my son be given Friday school, and they agreed, but it was never set up. My son is capable of doing the school work, but has started slipping and choosing not to do it. I give him consequences at home but the school just doesn't' seem to show him that there are consequences at school too. I do not feel that the teachers are doing there part. I did not even know of a lot of the problems until I was able to get my meeting, finally.
—Submitted by a parent

We just moved to RA school district and I have 2 children (6th grade) that attend. I am very disappointed. The bullying that goes on at this school is horrible.
—Submitted by a parent

The only problem I have is that most of the office staff are hateful with parents and our kids. I would also appreciate a phone call back when I try to get in touch with a teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

R.A jones is an increadable school with unbeleavable basketball teams cheerleading teams and achadimic team who all scored in 1st,2nd,or 3rd place,now tell me if that aint impressive compared to all the other schools. They care,there fun,they teach you all you need to know!!!I will always see r.A as the land of oppertunity. R.A is the best middle school there will ever be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a student

Teachers at RA go above and beyond. Most are dedicated to ensuring the success of all students to the point of giving up personal time with no pay. Parents who feel as if RA is not committed to their students are more than likely not involved with their students education. If, as a parent, you feel as if your student is not getting what he/she needs from a school, then it is your responsibility to make yourself known in the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a teacher at R.A. Jones and I just found this site. Apparently some of you are unaware just how hurtful and unsubstantiated your comments are. Our staff is top-notch and our students are of the highest moral caliber. Before making blanket statements that are obviously not factually based, I'd recommend making a visit to the school and expressing your concerns in a more constructive manner rather than demeaning an entire staff and student body on the Internet. To the students who've responded on here, you guys are the best. You are why I come to work each day! :-)
—Submitted by a teacher

I am a student that goes to R.A and all I can say is I love it. The teachers and RA are great they really do care about you and want you to learn. The dress code maybe strict but every student must wear it so no students even really stand out.
—Submitted by Trevor D, a student

I am a parent of a child that went 3 years at ra and all i can say is thank god they are out! i would and should have drove them to ockerman middle for 3 years. All i know is myself, my husband and 10 other parents celebrated after 8th grade graduation. Teachers for the most part were great, it was just everything else. The best part was 8th graders going to boone orientation and being booed because they went to ra jones. Cheerleading, sports what a joke go to ra and then go to gray or ockerman to see a real team participate sorry tried to make it work 3 long years but after hit lists, etc. No positive here. They might be more involved or included more if would have went to another school.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a student at R.A. and there seriously isn't anything wrong with this school. People say that the school doesn't care about the students but they do. Yea, their dress code is strick but their trying to help prevent problems.If R.A. Jones didn't care about the students then it wouldn't even exist because someone would've tried their best to ruin it. Please think about what I just said before you try and critsize ur school. Try being a student, teacher or a staff member at R.A. and see why they care. ~Joy P
—Submitted by Joy Pryor, a student