Westport Middle School

I am a former student of Westport Middle School. The negative reviews made long ago were unfortunately true. In the 6th grade, I was constantly bullied and that unfortunately sucked. That all changed in the 7th grade, where they hired new teachers, counselors, and assistant principals. I still didn't feel welcome. By the 8th grade, it was amazing! I love Westport, I'll miss it. I got extremely good grades and I was placed in the advanced placement program. Back in the 6th grade, NO! The teachers didn't care. Those that didn't care were SCRAPPED and replaced with ones that did. Westport does NOT take bullying too kindly. To the newest response, they do offer tutoring called Superstar Saturday which happens every other Saturday. Scores have definitely jumped up because of it. I used to get Cs, Ds, and Us, but thanks to Superstar Saturday I got All As! At Westport, there aren't as many students as there is in Kammerer or Crosby which helps in the Teacher-Student ratio. There I actually felt like a student and they were dedicated to teaching me. If you're not looking forward to Westport, you should! Westport is full of teachers that care and if you explain an issue, they'll solve it.

My son is going into his second year at Westport Road. I do not feel as if he is ready for the seventh grade. He almost failed social Studies and Science. He barely passed English because he was not turning in his homework on time or he would lose it. The teachers and staff do not handle bullying in the school very well. Every day I hear that somebody had a fight in or around the school building. My son got bullied and name called all year round. He got in trouble at times for only taking up for himself. My son was only trying to make friends and classmates were mean to him. He is not learning at the school. They only grade students for actually doing and turning in work put are not grading them on their work performance. Students need to know what they are doing wrong so they can correct it and learn from it. I know that Westport Middle School hosts a lot of fundraisers for school supplies and what ever else is needed for the school, but yet they don't have enough text books at the school for them to study with. The school does not offer Summer School. It is not fair that the school only offers free tutoring once a year.
—Submitted by a parent

I will be the first person to admit that I fought tooth and nail to keep my daughter out of this school....and boy am I glad I stopped the fight. My daughter is in their Montessori program and has simply exploded as a student, athlete and on a personal level. Dr. Eddleman and her outstanding team of teachers and administrators have what it takes to make this school a top notch program. The athletics and after school clubs are right there with Kammerer. They also have a full time Athletic Director for the first time! This is their first year offering the Montessori Magnet and it has been out of this world! I challenge each of you to please come and tour and talk to teachers and Dr. Eddleman. I assure you that you will be pleasantly surprised! Please don't buy into the negative hype! I have been beyond impressed in how far this school has come in such a short period of time....a true testament to their leader, Dr. Staci Eddleman.
—Submitted by a parent

While there may be some teachers that really do care, they are far out-numbered by ones that do not. My child went from being an A/B student to being a D/F student. I have always felt my children were getting a good education in JCPS, not anymore. These children have no structure at this school. Sixth graders are kissing in the halls, skipping class, and stealing from each other and fighting. I worry each day when I drop my child off that she may slip out and they won't have a clue where she is. If we don't get a transfer there is always home school. This is definately one of the worst schools. I will not be sending my child back for another year.
—Submitted by a parent

Ok, so I'm sure you've probably heard some nasty rumors about Westport. Most of them are untrue, or just exaggerated alot. But this school still isn't any good. The students are some of the most disrespectful people you might ever meet. The teachers don't even try that hard, and they'll just 'give up' if the students won't cooperate in class and sit down and be quiet. There are a few really good teachers, along with students, but this school is practically overruled by the horrible students. I'm in 8th grade currently, and I have to say, I am so excited to get out of Westport for good. I'm tired of the ignorant kids, and the level of education. I have been lucky to have AP classes all my years, so I got educated. But if you don't have AP classes, you're screwed. But this is my opinion.
—Submitted by a student

Like any other school you're going to have fights.But this year we really hadn't had any fights. I'm an 8th grader, at first i didn't really care about this school. I heard the rumors, they weren't true. The sixth grade was horriblefor me. Later the teachers started to change how they'd dicipline us the students and how the students acted changed. By setting goals. This school is a good place especially when you meet unique people.
—Submitted by a student

My child is in his second year at Westport. He loves going to school daily because he feels he has teachers and administrators who care about him. We are involved at school. I have never been in that building when I didn't find it orderly but not rigid, clean, and met with a positive atmosophere. I have witnessed this with any person who has come into the building. I have seen friction between a few teachers and the principal, but my take on it is that these teachers are not on board with wanting change and are fighting the positive things most staff want to take place. Overall, the staff works hard to improve on the weaknesses. As they continue to build on strengths (caring, proactive staff: students who want to learn), Westport will be able to change public perception for the better.
—Submitted by a parent

My son started this year he said it's o.K. So far. I was so worry because it was so many fights there two years ago. My only problem some of the kids talk to much during learning time, which need to be under control.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a seventh grader at Westport Middle School this year. This is truly a great school! All the negativity that has been spread about our school is unnecessary. We have many bright and outstanding students. Many people misjudge us; it s not the building that gives the school the reputation, it s the students in the building that give us a good or bad reputation. The teachers on my team; green gators are extremely caring, and very helpful. I fell that if you want your child to attend a safe and helpful environment Westport is the perfect school!
—Submitted by a student

I am a seventh grader at Westport Middle School this year. This is truly a great school! All the negativity that has been spread about our school is unnecessary. We have many bright and outstanding students. Many people misjudge us; it s not the building that gives the school the reputation, it s the students in the building that give us a good or bad reputation. The teachers on my team; green gators are extremely caring, and very helpful. I fell that if you want your child to attend a safe and helpful environment Westport is the perfect school!
—Submitted by a student

Just like many of the other reviews it is coming from an 8th grade student. Like many I have attended Westport for almost 3 years and I too will miss it. This school has made many opportunities available to the student body. This year I will be applying for the Youth Performing Arts School in the string section. It is all because my teachers really helped me understand the core of content that we were supposed to learn. So really if you heard anything about this school then ignore it because it isnt really true. The students are cool and the teachers are nice. And if you aren't sending your student here because of violence then I will just say that all school will have fights that occur in them.
—Submitted by a student

I'm an eighth grader at Westport and I've gone here all three years. It's really changed since sixth grade (for the better) When I first started out I hated this school but now I'm sad to see it go. I've made a lot of friends here. I've heard just about every rumor about this school and watched them be disproven.
—Submitted by a student

I am an eighth grader here at wesport middle school. I just started going here this year and it is not as bad as what you hear. I mean there are some really nice teachers, a nice principle and some really nice kids. All the rumors I have heard aren't true. The dicipline of the school is not bad at all. There is actually a police guard that walks around the school. I really like this school and I think anyone who comes here in the future won't be dissapointed. -Mindi Wafford
—Submitted by a student

I go here right now as of '08 and id like to say that this school is actually pretty good. i know most teachers have had bad experiance with this school but our education is really sourcful. and the teachers are well understanding and everything so i really appreciate what all they have taught me
—Submitted by a student

I go to westport middle school it is a great school. When you have a problem the teachers will listen to what you have to say! If you don't good to westport you can't say that it is a bad school because you don't know anything about westport!
—Submitted by a student

I am an 8th grade student at Wesport on the Eagles team, and Wesport really isn't as bad as some people say, sure there are a few fights but none this year. Westport has a great staff and teachers like Ms. Weis and Mr. Carrol make the classroom a fun & exciting invornment for students. I reccomend you send your child to Westport but it's your decision. Marcus McBroom
—Submitted by a student

Westport is a great school with it's huge amount of extracurricular activities, outstanding library and excellent staff members. It's clean, the people are nice, great learning opportunities, and much more! Sure it's not perfect, but what school is? It's a great school. -Caterina Wulf (an 8th grade student at Westport TMS 2008-2009)
—Submitted by a student

Westport is a good school. It's starting to improve from the time I first begin. This is my last year so I hope it continues to improve throughout the years to come. Carl Coffey
—Submitted by a student

Westport is the greatest school ever. I'm an 8th grade student on the EAGLES. We have the best staff, teachers and bus drivers. All the bad reviews people been saying ISN'T TRUE. Its all false so don't believe them one bit.
—Submitted by a student

Im a Westport student and I have one thing to say. All you people who think Westport is a bad school is out of their mind. Westport isn't as bad as you think. We have a police officer here that keeps us in line he also coaches Westports very first volleyball team. There hasn't been any fights this year. If the parents who say Westport is a bad school they need to walk a day in the kids shoes and see how the school is now. We have a lot of discipline now that the teachers and staff are more attentive to what we are doing. So really parents Westport is a really good school. So I recommend you send your kids there but its up too you. - Jasmine Lockard
—Submitted by a student