Roberto W. Clemente Middle School

I am student at RCMS and I like this school. I made many new friends easily but there are always the some people who always cause trouble. I like my teachers in general, but I have seen some teachers who I think that just don't have the feeling to teach and are really hard to learn from. Why I gave it 3/5 is all though it has great students and all, some actually can be aggressive. Everyone I know, saw at least one fight before. I already saw one in my first month. Also, when the bell rings to dismiss students, it is like a mob. There is at least 50 people charging up the stairs and you keep getting pushed. I have seen teachers focused and interested on the topic they are teaching, but some are just bored and don't look like they know what they're doing. Some great things about this school are the library and the gym (including outside), the library has outstanding new books that everyone wants, and many info. The two librarians are very nice, and make sure that all books are neat and no one is ruining them. We have high tech gear such as a new Promethean board, which is now HD! Their is at least two computers in every class room so that is also good. Good school, but can improve

I do not know what to give this school for a rating. I am an 8th grader in the Humanities program. I LOOOVEEE the Humanities Program and I have a GREAT family there and I never want to leave the other Humanidorks. The Humanities program has great teachers and great students. Some people have commented that the Humanities program is catered too much. NOT TRUE. None of the administrators/gym teachers/non-magnet teachers pay attention to us. We barely get NYC, and that's the highlight of our year. People complain that the Humanidorks get better teachers and field trips than other students. THAT'S BECAUSE WE USE THOSE TEACHERS AND FIELD TRIPS TO THE UTMOST ABILITY! THIS IS OUR REWARD FOR WORKING HARD AND STUDYING AND LIKING TO BE ACADEMICALLY CHALLENGED. The Humanities program gets 10/5 stars. The school outside the programs though, gets a 0/5 stars. It's absolutely dreadful. Fights occur daily, curse words are used more than the word "the", and just the school atmosphere and students ARE HORRIBLE. so I give it a 3.

RCMS has an amazing diverse community. However many in the leadership and staff are stuck in old models of both leading and teaching. The materials are outdated and unispiring. Many of the teachers have no interest in inspiring learning - it is learn this, take the test and move on. Special education in this school is poorly managed. The teachers are wonderful but many support staff are disinterested in their jobs and lack compassion for the children. There is little to no "inclusion" and the attitiude of non sped kids is poor towards the sped children. Communication from the school to families is poor. The counseling office has never been able to help me, they have always neede to "check" on answers to my questions. The PTSA is hardly existent and the "magnet" student families are eliteist and seperatist in their attitudes toward the rest of the population. They are also catered too. This school needs a total re vamping in staff and attitude.
—Submitted by a parent

U SEE? I NO SPEAK ENGLISH AND GET BEAT UP MUCH VERY AT THIS SCHOOL. I GET BULLY BY MANY KID AND IT NOT VERY FUN. I DO NO LIKE THIS SCHOOL!

I never quite know how respond when asked to rate this school. From my point of view, I love this school and will give it five stars. But if you were judging based on the number of fights, or the grades, or the number of suspensions, you would have to give it a 2.5 or a 3. But I do not grade my school based on how many fights it has a week. I base it on how much I want to come to it in the morning. I am an 8th grader in the humanities program and will be so sad when I have to leave all my friends at the end of the year. Because they are more than just friends, we are the humanities family. But families have their problems, so I feel that the staff and student body of RCMS is a family. I see problems all the time, every single day, but what can you expect? I give it 4 stars because yes there are negative, but the positives should count too.

I have attended Roberto Clemente for the past two years, and currently attend this year in the Humanities Program. I know there has been a history of violence, but personally, I believe conflict at this school is easily avoidable and those who do partake are punished and face consequences. It may be the fact that I am a student enrolled in the Humanities program, but I have had a wonderful experience with teachers and have received excellent help. Addressing language and behavior, sure are school is not the best, but it is not the only one in which people curse or are loud in the hallways. Once again, being a first hand witness, I have to respond to the discipline comments because whenever I do see kids wildly misbehaving, they are always punished, in either lunch reflections, after school detention and even suspension and expulsion. I think the negativity or positiveness of this school is mainly based off experience, and apart from a few students, I have seen many people love and make the best of it. Personally, I do not look forward to leaving this school and I advise students to make the best of their time at Roberto Clemente.

As a student at Roberto Clemente Middle School, I have seen first hand what goes on at the school. To be honest, bad things do happen here. Profanity can be heard constantly throughout the day and fights do occur quite often. However, it is always the same students and as long as your child keeps his or her distance from them. I am in the Humanities Magnet Program and am generally well-liked. This is because there are great teachers and great students despite the bad reputation the school has. So, if you are planning to send your child to RCMS, I would implore you to consider these two things. First, is my child aware and mature enough to respond to the poor habits exhibited by the "bad" crowd. And B, if so, make sure your child applies to the Gifted and Talented Magnet Programs where they will be grouped with other well-behaved, ready to learn kids. The education the Magnet Programs give outweighed the bad influences for me personally. But make sure your child is emotionally and mentally ready for a "new" experience.

This school spiraled downward when the new principal came in after the one who won 'Principal of the Year.' The teachers don't care if there are students who repeatedly skip classes and run down the hallways, screaming profanities over and over again. The students who come out of this middle school are rude, arrogant, and disrespectful because there are no teachers who actually care about the students' future left in that school. It's terrible, and I'm glad that I'm in high school now. I am never going back there again. I only hope that my little brother doesn't get sucked into Clemente's black hole of horror.

I am a humanities student in this school and I have to say that there are many problems with this school. Every year since the new principal, teachers are changing the rules and how they do things which confuses a lot of us. 6th grade was PRIDE, 7th is SOAR, and now, 8th is SOAR with PRIDE. Lunches are far from healthy and there are too many fights in the hallways and classrooms. I agree with the other Humanities student that the Center program is not a part of this and that a majority of the students from outside the program are the ones that makes my opinion so negative. I don't mean to sound offensive to other parents and of course there are students who are respectful and responsible but there isn't a day where I can walk through hallways or classes without hearing swear words, disrespectful behavior to students and teachers and a student touching another student.

I Just Finshed the 7th grade there there is alot of fights. some teachers you cant under stand . so teachers kids are really scared of . Teachers over all kids dislike. Mosst Teachers are RUDE nd Call kids name.(losers) and stuff like that . The councelers do NOT fix the problms between the kids.... they just make it wores. the school has alot of new rules since we got a new staff and i dont like the rules . and it really seems like since those rule were told to us there has been more fights and bad stuff . the staff is really rude over all . i would not recomen this school to anyone

When I finished the 7th grade at RCMS, the school was coming out of its best year yet, with violence at a low and noticeable progress in the school's academics. I attribute this to the formation of all-magnet classes, which eliminated most sources of conflict and allowed separate classes to proceed at appropriate, more individualized paces. This has changed with the introduction of the new principal. Through a persistent problem before, students increased their frequency of screaming obscenities and anti-semitic slurs. Discipline falls at the wrong ends of the spectrum; gym teachers allow frequent physical abuse to go unpunished, while other teachers give Saturday detention for even the slightest utterance. Fistfights are common and draw large, cheering crowds. Perhaps the best testament to the quality of education at this school is the grammar of those reviewing this school positively; I encourage any prospective student to read the positive comments so as to familiarize themselves with the improper English spoken by both students and staff alike. In short, though a once a refuge for gifted students, the school has become an example of mediocrity dominating the educational system.

I agree with parent opinion here that 'magnet students' talk about other students - it's offensive. Best is the diversity at this school. My sixth grader complained he wasted a whole year in math and science because it was repetition of curriculum from third and fourth grades. School must be willing to transition more AP students to magnet programs if need be.
—Submitted by a parent

this is a okay school. students are okay. but the teachers and the staff they showed true colors. they don't care about u only your education. they are rude and inconsiderate. i am ashamed and mad.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son has been attending RCMS since 7th grade. The school is a little too big for comfort but it is well organized. Teachers are very attentive to the students' needs and immediately respond if contacted. The student body is very diverse and, of course there are some students that I would not like my son to associate with. Nevertheless, the majority of kids is fine. I however do take offense with the way some "Magnet Students" talk about the rest of the students on this site and sometimes in school. Our son attends all Honors classes so he is in the very same classes these kids are taking. He did not apply for one of the Magnet Programs since we do not believe in Middle School gifted programs and the statements of the so-called highly gifted students seem to prove us right.
—Submitted by a parent

A principal transition bodes bad news for thie school. The previous principal was named Principal of the Year for the state of Maryland - he moved on to a admin job and the new principal is not getting the job done. Discipline is down, teacher morale is down - a bad spiral is beginning. The magnet programs are invite only from all over the county, moving into the school district will not neccessarily get your child in these programs. Watch for this school to decline in the next few years, it has already begun.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student in the Humanities program at this school. There are many problems with this Middle School. You cannot walk through the hallways without hearing long strings of profanities, the teachers are entirely too lenient, and the food, although delicious, has no health to it's name. I know some reviews of this school, however, were angry and frustrated at the state of the school, and I disagree with that. The reason? It is mostly the student's fault. The children at this middle school are rowdy, disrespectful, and it is shameful for me to be considered a part of the 7th grade. The Center Program is not part of this, and I am sure a lot of the students do not take part in the idiotic behavior of their peers, but this has to stop.
—Submitted by a student

roberto clemente school is awsome. it has cooler food then germantown elementary. they have colored lockers every year. if you are in chorus you get to go on a field trip. in 6th grade you go to out door ed, and it is really fun
—Submitted by a student

Of course we know its not high school! But they have extra activities for the students . And actually you have NO IDEA how much money they spend on the students last year they had Scooter Smith which his producer is chris brown come in there! And they have a carnival too . Actually the parent doesnt need to always talk to the teachers the teachers talk to the parent like if the student is having problems . And the school EVEN emails the parents about upcoming events . I have never tasted expired food there nor have heard of it maybe its just your sons weird taste buds . Because i know lots of other kids going there and i checked the food and its in pretty good condition actually . so NOBODY would no if the food was expired unless they saw something green unless it was maybe lettuce
—Submitted by a parent

I have been going to RCMS since 6th grade. I'm in the Humanities program here and it is absolutly life changing. I have the most amazing friends, who I know would be there for me in a heart beat. My teachers are great too and really relate to you personally. The kids are really smart too, and mostly dedicated to school, sports, and extra curriculars. I know that I'll walk away as a changed person. This school is one of the greatest things to ever happen to me. You really have to go here to understand the sense of togetherness and strength that we feel together. I really just love this school. It's amazing. I love this school.
—Submitted by a student

I go to Roberto Clemente Middle School and it's awesome. The principal is nice, and most of the teachers are helpful. The kids are sometimes a bit rowdy, but hey it's a middleschool every school's the same. We're doing pretty advanced work and it's just awesome here
—Submitted by a student