Thomas W. Pyle Middle School

In some ways Pyle is a great school. The curriculum is excellent and rigorous, if a little traditional. Most teachers are dedicated and caring. But be prepared for high expectations on students, relentless pressure and over-emphasis on grades and testing. I get that the school tries to prepare students for the pressure and competitiveness of high school, but it is too much pressure on kids too early. This school may be better than most, but it does not attempt to meet the needs of young people. Rather, It demands that students fit its mould. There is a belief that as Pyle is such a good school, if a student is unhappy there must be something wrong with the student. There is no recess or outdoor time during the school day, which is just terrible for students this age. Students often can't sit with friends, even at lunch. At worst, It is a rote learning factory churning out high performing, hard working drones. But they will be prepared for the demands and high expectations of the local high school. The school isn't totally responsible for this educational culture - local parents demand the school set the bar high for students. But I've met many parents who question it too.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is inconclusive no other word for it the English teachers drone on the front office is rude (They seem to speek in some wierd variation of morse code that involves tapping on the desk) avoid it at all costs alot of my fellow students are rude as well it's like no one here knows how to act halfway decent i'm thinking of leaving and going to Westland thigs seem much better there than at this poor school.

omg the person below me is right. The front office is VERY RUDE. I have zero involvement with the school because of it. I think my kids are doing ok but it really it's just average and not worth 5 stars. If your first point of contact with the school is the front office and the interaction is so rude what does that say about the school.....
—Submitted by a parent

Academically this school is first-rate. About half of the teachers through my child's time here were excellent and the other half were mediocre (especially the teachers who've been there for many, many years). The counselors are superb! The front office -- if you ever have to do anything that requires you dealing with the people in the front office, brace yourself for uncivil behavior, including answering your questions with tapping on different parts of the desk to indicate a form that needs to be filled out (Hey lady, I don't speak "tap" - USE YOUR WORDS!). Avoid the front office as much as possible.
—Submitted by a parent

This is one of the best public school and anyone placing their kids in private schools here really has an issue(s)!!! Of course there are minuses (such as the Drama dept... very unexpected BAD reviews there, take another elective and skip Mrs Cox OMG) but there are AMAZING teachers (walk on water amazing) and they really care about the kids, their safety, their learning styles etc... If your kids has ANY issue that needs to be addressed it will be. Their Special Ed department is unreal! They get kids from the brink back to straight As. My son attended 6, 7 and 8th gr and I cannot thank them enough for their "gentle toughness" and their constant attention. Counselors rock (REALLY!) and even if the language department leaves much to be desired in terms of teacher quality, you will not find a better math dept anywhere!!! The organization and parent contact and involvement also is fantastic. Go on ratemyteachers dot com and check out individuals. That's the only negative I can point out, but if your child has an issue with a specific teacher they will address it! They are very accessible. Loved it.
—Submitted by a parent

Pyle middle school has good teachers and to be honest is a pretty good school, however I do not beleive it is outstanding. I beleive for a school to be above average it needs to really engage students. It fails. English (one of my favorite subjects) has become so extremely boring I'm starting to forget the point. I have never liked math either but last year at my old school I got an A. Here I can barely stay awake. Also parents tend to be somewhat deluded about kids. There are some really great students but I've never met students (and I'm not just speaking about those few extremely bad kids) that where so stunningly disrespectful or immature. Not even funny immature just really annoying. My parents say thats most kids that lived out of the country are more mature, but going to school now feels like doomsday.
—Submitted by a student

Truly a very productive school. I only recently transfered here from another public school in the county, and I couldn't be happier. The envoirment is so relaxed, and there are very little bullies and reluctant students who want to do work. The teachers put work in a creative, yet straitforward way. I wonder if thats just the way the cirricuclum is formed ir just the teachers. I haven't seen a teacher or student who isn't prepared to work (sadly with a few minnor exeptions). Not only that, but the extra cirricular activities are astonding. The band sounds very well organized and professional, unlike many other middle schools in the county which im sorry to say, are not as high quality as this one.
—Submitted by a student

We are a blue ribbon school, and Pyle has very few bullies thanks to their great no bullying programs. Go Panthers!
—Submitted by a student

You can't ask for more. I have had 3 kids go to this school and couldn't be happier. Level is extremely high if you are placed in top classes, and the organisation of the school is superb. This is THE BEST, of the countr. And it's free:) this is why houses near this school are so wanted. The school spends 14 thousand $ every year on each student
—Submitted by a parent

this school is very productive. i especially enjoy and appreciate the hard work and dedication they put in. from the principal to the bodyguards, this school is an overall plus. Maybe there is a few teachers better than others here and there, but most of them care.
—Submitted by a student

Pyles good but there is a lot of preasure and tests!
—Submitted by a student

Excellent guidance staff and principal; skilled and dedicated teachers, and an active parent community.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has high demands. They really have good planning and follow up regarding homework assessments etc. Great principal who has choosen the right staff all over in school. So dont move Mr Principal
—Submitted by a parent

Pyle is very high in academics, but that is all the teachers seem to care about. Even my Physical Education teacher only says that we must be the best school in the US. I think that we could use some more creativity and time to relax. I always get stressed out because of the pressure they put on all of the students here.
—Submitted by a student

This is a very awesome school. As seventh grader, unlike the person who said the school stinks. People are very welcoming to the school. The teachers are nice and you learn things from them.
—Submitted by a student

i belive pyle is a desent school. the only problems i have had are that there are not many school sports for example football baseball cheerleading etc. but the learning and teachers are nice. the students are also very freindly
—Submitted by a parent

While Pyle school is to be commended for being Blue Ribbon, it may have reached such acclaim at a huge price to students. The award is received for math and reading scores and this counts for only a small percentage of the student body. Teachers are unable to perform their tasks creatively because they need to make sure the students do well on the tests. The school follows a block schedule (90 minute blocks of class) and this is quite difficult for middle schoolers (and adults!) to sit without stretching. In addition, recess has been eliminated and students are not permitted to move around the cafeteria during lunch. Not all teachers are dedicated. I have met teachers who love their job and those who don't and for the latter the behavior is reflected in the their lessons plans and interpersonal relationships with parents and students.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very pleased to have my child go to this school. When she comes home most of the days she is happy that she had to get up so early because the teachers enlighten her day. All of the teachers seem to be good at what they are doing froom what she tells me. And she is in most of the afterschool programs which she says are really enjoyable. Though I am not envolved in the school day, my child tells me the 411 as she calls it on what is going on so I do not worry about anything that goes on during the day. But over Thomas W. Pyle is a very good school and I think that anyone should send their child their if they want a fun school the has the right amount of education while allowing the children to prepare for High School or Whitman.
—Submitted by a parent

Thomas W. Pyle is a great school for everyone. They have great classes for those who need to excel or people who need extra help. The teachers are also very skilled and teach in a very effective but pleasnt manor.
—Submitted by a student

This school stinks. If you come in the 8th grade no one will talk (or look) at you. It's the worst school I've ever been to. There are only three school teams (soccer, basketball, and softball) and the extracurricular stink.
—Submitted by a student