Monocacy Middle School

I had two children at this school. Teachers and Admins absolutely play favorites. Child one was well loved. Strangely, this was the child constantly in trouble. Given a pass to leave class when he was "stressed", truth was there was a conflict with the teacher. Student and teacher should have been made to adjust. Child two was terribly bullied. Even though other students went to the front office, and complained. Nothing was done. There were pointless investigations. To the point where this child was accused of doing things to herself. Students who are favorites are given passes and excuses. I can say this fairly since I had one child who was a favorite, and another who wasn't. FCPS has all these wonderful bullying posters up everywhere, and they do not do anything to back it up. Other parents and staff have commented on this.
--Submitted by a parent

The school is poorly run, bullying seems to be abundant, and the goal seems to be solely getting kids up to proficient on their MSAs then shoving them to a corner to focus on the ones that are still struggling. The school leadership does a good job at lip service and gives out a lot of As to keep most parents molified. The school seems more concerned about 'looking' good than actually attempting to achieve excellence.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is horrible ecspecially if you are not pretty or handsome or cussing all the time. Really,cussing i have found is part of what makes you fit in even though i do not participate. You shouldn't have to be perfect just to have freinds,and that is what the kids at this school have been demostrating. They call you names that they know you're insucure about,yeah it hurts. And then they set up these stupid ccp classes that talk about whay not to bully and how to avoid them but honestly there are more bullys than you think. Also my sister has come home crying because somone told her that nowon liked her and that they were just pretending but they had codes that were inside jokes about her.I hate that school.And so does many people i know. The teachers never ever catch the real problems,and every kid knows it!
--Submitted by a student

I have a child who just went to this school for three years. I also have one going into it. My child got a great education. He took two high school classes this year and is in the top percentage nationally. The only problem I have is with the redistricting that was done a few years ago.
--Submitted by a parent

Horrors that lurk around the corners?! C'mon... I also substitute at this school -- everything from honors to special ed. I have never seen the chaos described by this reviewer. I agree that I have seen problem kids allowed to have their own 'show' and these issues should be dealt with more head on. Counselors should be more than a place to get out of class. Parental involvment is important. Squeeky wheel does get the greese. School is not daycare, and Middle School students still need parental involvement. I agree that some of the administration lack...something - connectedness perhaps. The majority of the teachers are excellent and engaging, and should have more say since they are 'in the trenches' I see school spirit increasing. Kids can be involved with as much or as little as they choose -- everything from debate team to reading rally to visiting authors to sports teams.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has got major issues that I would like to address. I am a student here, and what I have seen makes me highly displeased. I see fights almost every day in the halls, and most of them get away with it. I have also seen lots of very uncivilized, preposturous behavior in the school. You'd be amazed at what horrors lurk around the corners at this school. Most of the students here act like animals. They scream for no reason, they act up in class by dancing on top of tables and chairs, and sometimes they try to destroy things. Unfortunately, that isn't all they do. When a substitute comes around, it's complete chaos around here, and when the teacher comes back, the only punishment is that we don't get a reward. My mom was a substitute there once, and she came home crying. Your kids deserve better.
--Submitted by a student

This school is lacking professional teachers and the staff lacks the skills to educate the students. The students in this school are not receiving the education they need to go onto High School.
--Submitted by Nancy Smith, a parent

There has been a dramatic change in this school. I have 3 children that have attended this school, the first recieved a good education and was excepted at a prestigious boarding school he attended MMS 4 years ago. The other 2 are taught privately. Currently, the school is out of control in comparison. The administration is seriously lacking, meetings are only cosmetic. The climate of the school has degraded to an atmosphere that is possibly one step up from an inner city school. The only safe place for your child is possibly 'honors' but don't kid yourself, honors is not segragrated by ability. The real problem with this school is that the leadership does not even know they have significant issues. The professionalism that was once the halmark is now gone. If you have conservative values, you will need to reinforce them at home due to what your kids will be exposed.
--Submitted by a parent

I have 6 children, 2 have already finished middle school in Montgomery County. Due to a move our son ended up at this school. I find leadership to be seriously lacking in this school. I cannot believe there is a school that never listens to the children before rushing to judgement or calling a parent. I was called to pick my son up from school for posturing. Which means dancing in a lunch line. I am so unhappy with this school. If you can avoid it , for your childrens sake, Send them somewhere else. I am trying to set up home school for my children, to get them out of this Frederick County System.
--Submitted by Lori, a parent