Canton Middle School

Canton Middle was a very poorly run, dangerous school. My daughter learned almost no math at all in 2 years and had a difficult time in high school catching up. The students at this school make so much noise in the classrooms that teachers started showing movies like Men in Black, Big Momma's House, Barbershop etc. instead of having class. The following year, there was a new staff, but the discipline problems were still there. The art teacher got hospitalized, books were thrown out windows and foods fights were commonplace. My daughter had a 12th grade reading level and was in the same class as kids with 3rd grade reading levels. This school offers nothing to kids who want to learn. This school is not diverse ethnically or racially, it does not offer foreign language, art or music. No stars for Canton.
—Submitted by a parent

the is is dangerous as a teacher in the school i quit after seeing another teacher attacked. It looks good on the outside because it is multicultural but the culture is primal. Like surviving in the jungle. on all levels the school is poor. parent involvement involves poor . everyone feels entitled to every thing from the students to the ignorant but arrogant parents . the level of disrespect is beyond any thing you can imagine. Canton middle school is like lean on me the movie. Run and do any thing to get your kid out. although the surrounding area has row homes (not to be confused with brown stones)for 300,00 0 you have generation of multi- racial poverty and crime and a lack of caring. Showing that you care is like showing weakness they are crazy
—Submitted by a teacher

In my opinion, the problem is that not with the educational system, but with how the system is communicated. Sure there may be problems, everywhere you will go thats the case. The lastest principal is by far the greatest since the age of speilman which about 8 years ago. If you believe the problem is that theres not enough kids then you may have mistaken. Also there are other schools that could be used. In my opinion Canton has went from ok to trash; but now there is some progress in a turn about. The question now is that will the school ultimately be allowed to remain open or will it close? There are others middle schools out there and besides the city wants to save space so why not shut down a underproductive school?
—Submitted by a former student

The school has a good educational program believe it or not. The sad part is, there are not enough students in the 21224 area to fill this very large school so students are bussed from other areas. This is where the problem lies with Canton and Patterson High School.
—Submitted by a parent