Paul Breaux Middle School

Weak principal, bad neighborhood, pulled my son out of the gifted program, would not recommend!
—Submitted by a parent

I am the parent of two gifted and talented kids that has attended and is still attending Paul Breaux Middle School. My son is now a freshman at LHS and my daughter is in 8th grade at PBMS. This school has an EXCELLENT GT program. The teachers are very qualified, many have masters degrees. They push them to the limit with work. I am all for this. It has definitely prepared them to be organized and able to meet deadlines and handle pressure. As far as what some of the other parents are saying about the physical condition of the building, this is somewhat true. This is a very old school. As you all know, the recent Master Plan Proposal failed overwhelmingly. I for one voted against it. There is no direct correlation between a new or maintained school building and students' test scores. PBMS is one of only two schools that has a four star rating as far as Leap/I-Leap test results. So, if the bathrooms run out of toilet paper, so what. As far as the comments about the rude staff, I personally have not experienced any incidences with rude teachers. I have however experienced rudeness from the ladies in the front office. The Principle, Mrs. Caldwell, is very strict, but also fair.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a Senior this year and did attend Paul Breaux. She is an Honor student and her grade point is extremely high. However, I have learned that what she NEEDED to learn in middle school was not learned . I believe it is due to the constant statewide tests that MUST be taught. The areas that the school NEEDS to focus on is Math & Science....especially science.
—Submitted by a parent

I think that paul breaux is a great school. There may be problems in behavior including mine but i think thatt its gonna get better throughout the years. i plan on sending my kids here wayy in the future. There are many clubs kids can join. sports too.

Paul Breaux is an old school and the parish maintenance budget is low - so the school does not look new. It is not dirty however, just worn out. The school grounds are just as safe as any other school in the parish. The gifted/talented program and the french immersion program are housed here, and they are both excellent programs. In middle school students need to become responsible and independent and my child's GT teachers are making that happen. The staff is good and dedicated. Give respect and you will get respect. Best middle school in the parish because of GT and french immersion.
—Submitted by a parent

When I decided to send my child to Paul Breaux to continue with the French Immersion program, I was assured by other parents and teachers that it was an excellent school despite its obvious flaws. I am more than dissatisfied with what my child & I have experienced. Other than open house, I have been bombarded with the rudest of attitudes and so has my son. This includes Mrs. Caldwell. Once you get past the office, the hallways smell like a urinal. Recognize that everyone has their own opinion and experience, but mine has been beyond awful & I am taking him out. I should exlain that my son has made honor roll both 9 weeks & has never had a behavior problem. I will not be recommending Paul Breaux to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

This school sucks. i hate coming to this school daily, the only good thing about it is the band. Mrs. Caldwell doesnt give a care about any students.

Paul Breaux is an excellent school for students. Ms. Caldwell, the principal is awesome. She cares about the students and makes sure they are involved in their studies and learning. The teachers care about the kids. If there is a problem with any teachers, I let the principal know right away and she urgently takes care of the matter. Great School!
—Submitted by a parent

Paul Breaux can be improved.Many teachers are paranoid. There are teachers that will not let you take an assignment out of the classroom for fear of you getting help. Many teachers are understanding, but many are to lenient, and others are to strict. Some teachers give an 'A' for effort, and others will grade to harshly. The principal enforces the most ridiculous rules the most, and she does not enforce the some rules that even some of the students agree with. The place is a filthy mess. I agree, the school has many great programs,such as French Immersion and Gifted and Talented, and, as a participant in G.T. i greatly appreciate it, but the place is filthy, and cannot go from one class to another without hearing at least one verbal fight. Every water fountain is clogged. Every bathroom stall is dirty. Most students behave horribly.
—Submitted by a student

I actually removed my child from this school, and transferred her to a much better school. The academics were fine, but the staff is rude, and treats the students very badly. The location is not bad, in my opinion. The school is not well maintained at all. The staff is rude to parents and other students. They yell a lot at the kids. They don't communicate with parents at all, and never kept me up to date with anything that was going on with my child's education. I honestly wouldn't send my dog to this school. With all the good schools in Lafayette parish, I wonder how this one slipped through the cracks. They need to get a better staff who has no problem doing there actual job. This school seems to have the staff of leftovers that none of the other school wanted.
—Submitted by a parent

this school is great there's a gifted and talented program and a french immersion program. the tachers and staff are respect ful. the school is located on orange street which is nothing like a ghetto.

This is my second review and I feel it necessary in order to provide other parents with ongoing info. It irritates me to hear the other posters referring to this school location being in the ghetto. People put too much emphasis on location.Yes, it is not a desirable location; but, could be alot worse. The cleanliness of this school concerns me. Taking into consideration that this school is very old, it still appears clean. However, there are mega rats, the gym/locker rooms are disgusting and doors do not function. Complaining rests on deaf ears. Children go without toilet paper and stall doors that do not lock. This is my daughters third and last year and we will be totally relieved when it is over. We both realize that this middle school could have been worse and are thankful that it has been tolerable. To be con't
—Submitted by a parent

My whole out look on the school has changed. If I was able to afford private school I would remove my son without a second thought. Safety, quality,level of standers,priority, communication, these are all low at Paul Breaux.
—Submitted by M, a parent

Paul Breaux is wonderful. It has a great academic progam, wonderful teachers and staff. The only problem is some of the students. They are very disrespectful and don't try hard enough.
—Submitted by a student

The school is great!I love it. Some parents say the school is located in the ghetto, you have no idea what the ghetto is. Orange street is a long way from the ghetto. Have we forgotten that Columbine H.S. was located in a rich suburban area.No one would expect anything bad to happen there. There has never been such a grusome incident at a school in a 'GHETTO'. So please don't judge a book by it's cover, why not open it up and read it!
—Submitted by a parent

Paul Breaux is a great school, academic wise. It has a Gifted/Talented program, and a French Immersion program. The only bad thing about this school, is that it is stuck in the middle of a ghetto.
—Submitted by a former student