Walker Mill Middle School

A few issues with the school. 1rst I'm not sure why PG county has chosen to channel TAG students to this school. My daughter's bus ride is over an hour and she constantly complains of unruly kids. Her science teacher got ill and it took them months to finally get a replacement. The replacement was the substitute teacher which wasn't teaching anything before she took over (not sure why). The TAG math apparently doesn't believe in books. That's how I studied math. My daughter is constantly online while I'm asking her does he teach out of the actual math book and she's constantly saying no. There's never any assignment given from the book...only hand-outs and online stuff. No wonder our kids are actually getting worse instead of better at math and science...in today's world the two most important subjects if you're trying to get into high paying long lasting career fields. English is just as important but it's a little easier finding a quality English teacher. It's no wonder our kids starts to shy away from math and science once they get to High School. They have become conditioned to think they cannot handle it because of poor teaching technique and guidance.
—Submitted by a parent

Walker Mill is a good school. My son attend and is in the TAG program . Yes the principal last year "Mr Brown" was very good with the kids!! I'm still trying to get use to the new principal..
—Submitted by a parent

Furmer student that school was great im just upset that im not there this year GO PANTHERS Mr. Gorman, Brown is the best he was the most involved principle ever he even came in and taught classes i wish he hadn't left your welcome Flowers

This is my daughter first year at wmjh so far so good the first two days showed a well organized staff. No one said they didn't know and just walked away they pointed me in the direction where I could get the answer . If this is how the whole year will follow thur then I am glad my child is going there. Please keep up the good work and don't drop the ball these our your future leaders.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my sons first year as a seventh grader at Walker Mill Middle School for 2012 year. So far he has had no trouble. There is a new principal in place and she seems to be on point with the interest of the children. It is only the first quarter.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the parent stating that the staff should be more professional. Phone calls and emails are never returned. I seem to get attitude no matter how polite I am or what I am requesting. Im still waiting on a call from the principal regarding issues with my son. Its been over a month now. And Ive called 3 times. embarrassing.
—Submitted by a parent

I am attending Walker Mill Middle School 2010-2011 will be my last year this is a really good school. We do alot here. You have many extra caricular activitys to participate in. The staff are very helpful and want you to succeed , at some schools they dont care if you learn or not they just want the money every two weeks. But here they really care and they will make sure they do everything they can so you graduate and get your diploma. From;ME THE JOURNALIST

My son graduated from Walker Mill Middle school 2009 and our experience with the Staff and Teachers was outstanding what a great and committed team. I highly recommend the AVID program. My son and I will miss Walker Mill...but we must continue our journey...into high school!
—Submitted by a parent

I entered Walker Mill as a 7th grader in 2008 and I had a good year. The teachers are great an I got a 3.0 and higher grade point average for all quarters. No school is perfect, we had little fights, and 1 food fight. I would say they professional security guards and not ones who play around with kids. The school is organizand there's at least 20 students in the classroom with helpers.
—Submitted by a student

I do not recommend any parent to send their child to this school. The school lacks disipline and some of the staffers at this school are very rude and unprofessional. For the most part, I do not believe the above first two comments listed are fairly accurate for overview of the school. I think this school mainly focuses on entertaining the children instead of the academics and structure building. I would like to also reiterate one will get along with the staff very well just as long as the individual does not become a problem with the child teacher. I would also like to emphasize that the staff needs managerial and public relations training when dealing with parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Walker Mill is a great school! The principal, vice principal and staff are very supportive of their students and they truly care about each and every one of them. At the sporting events you'll see either one or both and several teachers. I love how they enforce respect and discipline at all times. I recommend Walker Mill if you really want your child to 'learn all the right things'.

As a parent that had a great of apprehension based on the below comments regarding allowing my child to attend Walker Mill's TAG program, I am very impressed by the administration and qualified teachers that have the children's best interest at heart. Back to school night was very organized and informative. The PTA and parent liason team together to ensure that parents are heard and the focus remains on the overall success of the children.
—Submitted by a parent

Whether a child is categorized as being TAG or Comprehensive, a parent should give it considerate thought if they are contemplating sending a child to this school. Two years of learning should not go down the drain.
—Submitted by a parent

If you love your child you won't let them go here. TAG is a joke. There are some great kids here, but the administration and teachers are a joke. Come visit during lunch if you want to see some pure insanity and ineptitude...
—Submitted by a teacher

Walker Mill Middle School is not a bad school as some people say it is. The TAG program offers a very valuable academic program. I was in the TAG program and at first I was reluctant about going because of the bad things I had heard. But once I got over there, I said it wasn't as bad as people made it out to be. About parent involvement, I know for a fact that they have PTSA meetings but not sure on how many parents actually attend. My friends Mother and Uncle are in charge of this. I can also say that there are not as many behavior problems or food fights as people say there were. The teacher's in the TAG program are great and I really like the school. Walker Mill isn't the best school to send your child to but it isn't as bad as people say it
—Submitted by a former student

I second the motion, Walker Mill Middle school TAG program is a joke. I am considering not letting my child finish the 4th qtr it's so bad. I have never seen anything like this before. The staff of Walker Mill believes sticking together will benefit the children, but what is most sad, the system is failing and my child is suffering because it We need to clean house and allow the parent to find suitable teachers and a Professional Principal with morals and a good ethical background.
—Submitted by a parent

This was my child's first year and it has been a nightmare. This school is plagued with a lack of qualified teachers. My child has had a substitute in a class for most of the year. The TAG program is a joke. The children are out of control. The administrators say they want parental involvement but I haven't found that to be the truth. I understand why some parents have ceased trying to be involved. Parents are not met with a positive administration and your child ends up getting retaliated against the more you try to break through the obstacles they put before you. Fortunately for my child, I don't give up easily. Attempts to get assistance from the Superintendents and political figures have been ignored. My opinion-pg education system is horrible. I wish I could afford to move where there's a better school system.
—Submitted by a parent

As a teacher at Walker Mill, I admit the school has a bad reputation and challenging students, but with a new principal and dedicated teachers, Walker Mill is improving. Getting substitutes is often a problem, but things are looking up. It is still a process, and will take several years to erase the bad reputation the school has recieved. Most of the students are respectful and obedient, with only a few causing problems. Walker mill has great programs including a TAG program and is offers numerous after school activities. It becomes evident in the children's behavior which parents are actively involved and which are all talk. The fights and disruptive nature that other people have commented on no longer occur. During classtime, the hallways are clear, and only a few out of control classrooms remain. Come be a part of the 'New' Walker Mill.
—Submitted by a teacher

My daughter is an eigth grader and second time student at Walker Mill. I also had another daughter who spent two years at Walker Mill as well. My only problem that I have with the school is the disruptive students. Unfortunately the teachers and administratives aren't at liberty to discipline these kids because they have the option to call child protective service or the police so I say to the parents who are complaining about the school, go complain to the board of education and to our government. I have had great success with my child's grades and overall outlook of being in middle school. She does have her complaints about the disruptive students, food fights and fights but I as a parent am teaching her at home how to overlook those things and get her work done and to go through the chain of command when another student touches her.
—Submitted by a parent

As a teacher at Walker Mill, I feel I can comment on this issue. Yes, we have very disruptive students here. Their bad behavior is a direct reflection of how they are raised at home. As teachers, we are educating these kids; we shouldn't have to raise them, too! If some of these parents would do their part at home, it would definitely rub off at our school. And if some of these parents would be more involved in their child's activities and school, we would have a lot less problems in our school. I should be seeing all of my parents at Parent/Teacher conferences, not just the two or three parents who show up! And the sad part about that is, I don't even need to see those parents because their kids know how to act and do their work in class! Raise your child!
—Submitted by a teacher