Dumbarton Middle School

In the short time that my son is in Dumbarton have noticed the great interest in learning the language and other subjects. Reviewing the information dela website I am very satisfied with the profile of the school and educational capacity presented to the community. Thank you for allowing my child to progress in the educational and human and I hope to be with you soon.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been SO impressed with this school thus far! My daughter came from a very unorganized elementary school on another side of Baltimore County. I am so happy to see my daughter enjoying school and learning again.
--Submitted by a parent

Dumbarton is a great, amusing, and unforgettable school to attend. I am currently an eighth grader at the school and I have enjoyed all three years. Dumbarton s Esol program, music program, and general learning are great preparation for high school. Negative things at the school that I would change are the amount of stereotypical bullying and cliques; these things tend to stay to a minimal and tend to not interfere with learning. But over all I would recommend Dumbarton to anyone who wants to prepare for high school in the approved manner.

Excellent faculty and staff. A new progressive, excellent principal will only make an already strong middle school even better (fall 2010). Lots of children of area professors and international students with a "world view" as opposed to the narrower perspective of area private schools. The GT program especially in math and science cannot be beat. A great example of public schools that "work."
--Submitted by a parent

GreatSchools gives typical high mark to this 'high-performing' school, which is blessed with students who score well on standardized tests. This school -- and nearly every sought-after school -- is rated highly because it has good students. It does not have good students because it earns a high rating. The principal is poor, typical of a Maryland public school with a good reputation. The principle receives little pressure due to the school's reputation, and county school administration has no incentive to move this principal to a 'needy' school. As a result, bad teachers at Dumbarton, while relatively scarce, are slow to turn over. Find out who they are and avoid them, and your kid should do fine here.
--Submitted by a parent

The wildness and bullying,(not to mention bad language) has hit it's highest. Once when I had to get my binder from a class that was in session, I was instantly harassed by the students, the teacher who was present at the moment took no action.
--Submitted by a student

As a former student I have known the school for three years. As far as safety is concerned, there are many fights, lots of bullying, and a good bit of exclusion. Otherwise, the teachers are great and they help the students develop independence, responsibility, and life skills. The music and foreign language problems are particularly strong. There are some filler courses thought. A fun-filled place that I didn't ever want to leave.
--Submitted by a student

it's bad just HORRIBLE. I went here as a child and they have not changed the building at all in 24 years. The school is overcrowded. My daughter came from a loving, well-executed elementary school and this change shocked her, the children who go to this school are quite unfortunate. I would put my daughter in private school, put we just don't have the money.
--Submitted by a parent

I am very pleased with the level of education offered my daughter. The music and foreign language programs are especially strong. As a ninth grader, my child will be placed in Honors Spanish 3 at Towson HS. The environment is working for her as well, as there is never a struggle to get up and go to school in the morning.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a former student of DMS and i think it's a great school for kids to learn and develope their independence. The teachers there are nice but they also push the students to a higher levels understanding than what is required. the classes are also set up to help students with their specific learning needs. DMS is still the only public schoolin MD (other than a French magnet school)to qualify for the Natinal French exams, where students have gotten 2nd place in. I would deffinatly recomand DMS to anyone.
--Submitted by a former student