Old Court Middle School

I AM A PARENT AT OLD COURT I HAVE BEEN THERE FOR THREE YEARS, IN THAT TIME THINGS HAVE IMPROVED GREATLY. IT IS A HANDFUL OF OLD BAD EGGS THAT THEY NEED TO REPLACE. BUT THE ADMINISTRATION THIS YEAR IS THE BEST! THEY DO MULTIPLE THINGS TO KEEP PARENTS IN THE LOOP, ON-LINE GRADES, MASS PHONE MESSAGES, NEWSLETTERS. YOU HAVE TOO MANY ABSENT PARENTS FROM THE SCHOOL. THE SCHOOL LACKS IN PARENT PARTICIPATION AND PARENT RELATIONSHIPS. KIDS ARE LESS LIKELY TO ACT OUT WHEN YOU HAVE PARENTS OR A FRIEND OF A PARENT, PRESENT IN THE SCHOOL. WHEN YOU RATE A SCHOOL YOU HAVE TO FIRST LOOK AT THE PARENTS...ARE THEY CONCERNED ABOUT EDUCATION OR HAVING CHILDCARE FOR THOSE 7 HOURS. IT IS HARD TO GET THE PARENTS TO SIGN-UP FOR P.T.A., SCHOOL EVENTS, COME TO MEETINGS OR PARENT CONFERENCES. IF WE AS PARENTS ARE MORE INVOLVED WE CAN HELP BUILD A STRONGER SCHOOL BUT INSTEAD PEOPLE POINT FINGERS AND BLAME THE SCHOOL. FOR THE FIRST YEAR I CAN STAND UP PROUD AND SAY NO IT'S NOT THE SCHOOL, IT IS UNINVOLVED PARENT. KUDOS TO THE PARENTS AND STAFF THAT REALLY CARE AT OLD COURT. DRIVE DOWN THERE ONE EVENING AND YOU WILL SEE STAFF STILL THERE, THAT SAY'S A LOT ABOUT HOW COMMITTED THEY ARE TO MAKING A CHANGE!
—Submitted by a parent

I substitute at OCMS and would love to become a teacher there. Yes, it's a tough school, however, the staff is very friendly and helpful. They care about the students and don't take any "foolishness". I find the students to be very respectful. I think the administration and teachers are really working to improve the school. Whenever I am called to substitute, I am very happy to accept.
—Submitted by a teacher

It is a good school. The curriculum seems good. They need more of a one on one with children with ADHD or other learning disablilties.

I think this is probably one of the worst schools in Baltimore County!!! The schoold administration is pretty good. However, the have a horrible team of teachers representing their schools and teaching our kids. You have a few that are old school and really care about the kids. However, I have found that many are their just for the pay check and JUST DON'T CARE!!! or you have the ones that your kids may recieve a good grade but are the really learning?? The Students are horrible and their is so much gang related activity it is sad. I think they need to do a better job o hiring well trained teachers because they have some sorry teachers and then the sad things is that may be the only teacher teaching a particular subject in your child's grade level. This becomes frustrating !!!
—Submitted by a parent

this school is the best wether people like it or not it's like any other middle school in blatimore county the kids are great and teacher are cool if u dont cause trouble nothing will happen.

I really dont like attending this school. The kids are mean, the school work is horable, and those teachers sometimes dont do their jobs right. I just wish i would have gotten into Sudbrook
—Submitted by a student

This school go hard. The teachers and pricipals are so cool. You should bring your child here! The students get thier work done and no interuptions ever! We have the best trips and activities in the county. So you know what to do!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I dont know where to start. Unfortunately my experience with OCMS have not been positive; however, I do believe the Administrators and Teachers are doing a great job! I absolutely appreciate and enjoy the enthusiasm the teachers have and their teaching styles. It's really refreshing. Now my problem. The students; hence the parents. Please dont complain about school if you are not tending to your children! I have hear language come out of the students mouths that I wouldn't dare to say even as an adult. Just the other day, my son who just entered the 6th came home and told me he was asked by another student if he was in a gang. Needless to say he never wants to wear red to school again.
—Submitted by a parent

i like going to this school. it gives alot of trips and it i really concerned about their kids
—Submitted by a student

it's a great school for me!!!
—Submitted by a student

Parent involvement is fair. The quality of the academics is far behind adjacent school districts. The only extracurricular program offered to my child was YuGiOh club.
—Submitted by a parent

After reading all these parent reviews I believe that all their points are proven wrong because presently I am a 7th grade old court middle school pupil and I have seen many changes. We have better staff, students and mostly less violence and currently there are renovations being done to improve the school. So to all parents I urge you all not to withdraw your kids from OCMS all you have to do is give it a chance...a very big one -Afees Abolurin OCMS STUDENT 07
—Submitted by Afees Abolurin, a student

This school deserves support. The school is improving and will keep improving. There is no such thing as a perfect school. Every school has it's violence. You could go to any school and see the same thing you see at Old Court. I am a former student and I believe this school is very good. The discipline has made a big turn around with new rules and regalations.
—Submitted by a former student

I think Old Court isn't the best school, but it certainly has improved. The principal, Dr.Woodley, is doing an excellent job trying to change the school for the better. There are new rules and regulations being enforced in the school and the test scores are improving. If parents have such a huge problem with Old Court, then they should remove their child from the school, home school them, or join the PTA and give money to help fix this so called 'horrible' school. I bet the ones complaining aren't doing anything to help.-LaBreea Hargrove 8th grade
—Submitted by LaBreea Hargrove, a student

I think this is a horrible school for any child to go to. I've been trying to remove my child from this school since the school year ended. Being new to the area and not knowing the school has really hurt my child. I'm forced to let him attend again this year because the other schools stated that they were crowded. Why doesn't anyone care about a childs education anymore. The teachers, principal, guidance counselors, etc. can't even control these children. The bathrooms are horrible ( no toliet paper, no doors). I wish I had never moved to this town.How could this be happening and nothing is ever done about it? Visiting the school, complaining, nothing seems to work. If someone can possibly help make a change I would appreciate it. These children don't stand a chance in this world without a good education.
—Submitted by a parent

I think this school is improving very well. if i were to rate as of how the students act compared to how they acted last year, and years before that, i would give it a 4 out of 5. Administration is doing a good job keepin students on track.
—Submitted by Kay Rocafella, a student

This administration is the most unprofessional I have encountered. The teachers don't care, therefore the students don't bother. Due to current circumstances my child has to go to this school, but I am constantly working on ways to get her out of this mess. Every encounter I've had to date at that school has left a sour taste in my mouth.
—Submitted by DELISA THACKER, a parent

Teachers are challenged by students who speak over them when they are teaching and disrupt the learning process. More parental involvement -- school visits, interaction with teachers would help circumvent this problem.
—Submitted by a parent