Highland Middle School

Highland is like most public schools: too many kids, sincere and sometimes still passionate but overwhelmed teachers and a well meaning administrative staff that is doing the best they can with what they have. Turnover is high and my child has subs too often. As a result, the environment is often chaotic and not academically challenging. If you don't stay on top of everything 24-7, your child will surely get lost in the shuffle. There's hardly ever homework or projects that promote critical thinking. Heavy emphasis on getting through the curriculum and testing at the sake of ensuring kids learn (but these days, I'm not sure if you can escape that no matter what public school). Heckman is a pretty good principal, there's an active PTA and hopefully with the IB program academics will get stronger. Looping system has been an asset.
--Submitted by a parent

Highland is truly a great school! My daughter is a 7th grader there. We really like the looping system where students are put into teams & stay with the same set of teachers for all three years. The teachers really get to know the students. The academics are rigorous and challenging. The 3-D art classes are wonderful! The PTA is very active. There are a lot of after school activties. The school has a nicely structured environment which supports each youth expressing themselves and appreciating diversity. If you're looking for a great school, check Highland out!!
--Submitted by a parent

HMS had a distinct and drastic change in it's student body when the district remapped it's reside area.... and the change wasn't for the better. I love the fact that there are no uniforms and that school really tries to offer after school opportunities to the kids (lots of clubs, sports, and even intramural volleyball in the fall and spring). However, the looping does have disadvantages. One of my daughter's teachers simply doesn't click with her, but she can't change that one teacher without changing all the others (but she loves them). Only one team (1/3 of each grade) get's to make the big class trip a the end of year, and it's not divided evenly. My daughter was not given the opportunity to ever attend one of the 'big' trips (Space camp and Washington DC). They got to walk up to local park all 3 years.
--Submitted by a parent

Best school ever. I love this school and i always will. The team activities are great. The pep rally amazing! Looping rreally lets you get t know who is teaching you.
--Submitted by a student

It is a wonderful place! The teachers and staff truly care and want the kids to be individuals. This is my son's first year and he absolutely loves it!!
--Submitted by a parent

I went to Highland all three years & I absolutely loved it there ! The looping was great & I wish that other schools had it. It really does let you bond with your teachers & see them as more than teacher. I know this first hand when me & my teacher would joke around & have fun. A lot of the teachers try to make it fun. They try to take you on as many field trips as you can & when you get to be in eighth grade you actually get to go out of Louisville and Kentucky ! It was a lot of fun there at Highland & you are always accepted there. I really am going to miss it there.
--Submitted by a student

I went to Highland all 3 years for middle school, and I absolutely loved it. The looping program was a great opportunity to get to know your students and classmates on a personal level, while the classes such as art, p.e., health, etc. where a great chance to make friends with students from other teams. There was a lot of parental involvement and the leadership at this school was very good about making sure to listen to students. At Highland it was easy to feel safe and be around a diversity of people. I would highly recommend this school to parents/guardians.

I absolutely love Highland I have been there for 6th-7th grade. The teachers are wonderful! Their looping program is a great opurtunity for students to builod a special bond with their teachers as I have done with mine. The staff and administartion really cares they are their to listen to any personal problems going on at home, school, etc. This would be something very hard for a student to say about their school but I am! Your child would very easily make friends with the hundreds of friendly students to meet! Parents:send your child to this school!
--Submitted by a student

I lovethis school. I have been here ever sence the 6th gade. They keep myself and others safe.
--Submitted by a student

I have had 3 children in Highland and have been very happy. Each one of my children are very different.One is an IT/technical student. Another is studious and on the dance team and the youngest hardly sits still and loves sports. Each one of them really found their niche at HMS. The staff works so hard for the students and school. Every school has their problems. It is whether the staff is proactive and how they react that matters. HMS staff does both well!
--Submitted by a parent