New Market Middle School

My daughter just finished 6th grade at NMMS and has done very well here. She was in honors courses and enjoyed all her classes and teachers. Her assignments and projects were challenging and fun. On an academic level, this school is excellent. But there is a disturbing social element to this school. I'm sure it's common in all middle schools, but the bullying and "class warfare" in this school really took me by surprise. If you buy all your kid's clothes from Justice, Aeropostale, buy them $200 Ugg boots (and yes they look for the label) and $200+ Pandora bracelets, then your child will be accepted and happy at this school. If you can't afford these things or simply don't believe in it, then they will be ostracized by the others. My daughter is near the top of her class academically, but she deals with the bullying and gossip from her classmates every day. She has her other "outcast" friends and deals with it well, but she's asked me about changing schools. I don't know that it's different anywhere else, but just be prepared for this - my family was not.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school and on the ball when dealing with bullying. My son just graduated there this past June. I was extremely worried about him starting Middle school because he is really shy so I was afraid of him being picked on. Well, months into school, he was picked on and administration was made aware of it. The school Psy. quickly pulled my son out of class and talked with him and then talked to the other boys. He has never been picked on again. The teacher were excellent with their communication. I have a son that will be going there next year and I am relieved that he will have nothing to worry about.
—Submitted by a parent

Some excellent teachers and opportunities and an administration that cares, after two years, we are moving our daughter on, because the accommodations for any challenges other than classic ADD/ADHD are weak (in our case, movement from a magnet program to the mainstream and anxiety issues). In a number of classes, children are not encouraged to think - the curriculum/text/materials seem to be more important than any opportunities to interact or explore. In addition, anxiety issues and bullying have been poorly handled.
—Submitted by a parent

At New Market Middle School, they offer a very wide variety of classes. The music and arts division is great and the physical education is superb. They offer many different extracurricular activities, so many that all of my children have found something they love there. The parents involved with this school are great, and the level at which they work is very high. The teachers are friendly and very helpful. My kid in high school sometimes calls his 7th grade math teacher to ask for help in math! This is a great school!
—Submitted by a parent

OUTSTANDING teachers and leadership! The teachers are very responsive. Communication is awesome via email, phone calls, meetings. Whatever you need to help your child be successful is middle school is available at NMMS. Issues? Dan Lippy has never failed to rise to the occassion to support the education of our children. Awesome principal, awesome teachers, awesome PTSA, awesome staff. I have nothing but praise for this school.
—Submitted by a parent