Severna Park Middle School

I am product of SPMS; I graduated in 1987 and I think I turned out pretty well. My very bright son just went through SPMS and had a positive experience. He is not going on to SPHS because he was accepted to the STEM program at South River (Yay!!) The SPMS facility is newly renovated, the course work is generally rigorous and my son snagged credit for 3 HS classes there (Algebra I, Geometry and Chinese I.) He also learned to play the guitar! The biggest criticism of the school has to do with the area...your kid needs to be bright, athletic, nice looking and well dressed or they may be picked on. That is a tough situation for a kid that doesn't fall into that narrow category. That is a tough one and I was tempted to give the school 4 out of 5 stars for it, but I feel that it is the fault of the community...it was like that when I was there. So do your kid a favor and get them some nice shoes and a cool haircut and a heads up about the fact that "cool" is being kind to everyone, even the people it is easier to tease...and your little darling will be just fine.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm not entirely sure how to rate SPMS? We moved here from the West Coast and decided on SPMS mainly due to all the great reviews we read on greatschools. However, our experience has not been positive thus far. The entire school is solely focused on academic achievement - high pressure and stress is an understatement. In our opinion, the teachers and faculty care nothing for the emotional well-being of their students, strong academic scores are their only concern. The faculty is unresponsive to phone calls or emails about our children. When we did finally contact the faculty regrading our children's adjustment and emotional well being, they spent 30 minutes telling our children they need to study harder. Notes from our children - As others have said, this school is highly cliquish. Most kids do not accept outsiders and actually ridicule them. Drugs use and sexual activity is considerably higher than what we experienced on the West Coast. At this point, we feel this school is very strong academically but very weak on morals, values and ethics from the faculty to the student body. Knowing what we know now, we would have not moved to SP.
—Submitted by a parent

this school is in need of administrative change. the same prinicpal and at least one of the vice-principals have been there since the mid-90's. the principal does not seem to be very involved with the students, looks like she is afraid to get her hair and clothes messed up! The staff i have interacted with (with exception of band teacher, who stated to a roomful of parents:"I am a musician first and a teacher second)! are really great teachers, who are caring towrad the children. They are not really free to be creative with their teaching because of the tests required and expected high grades. There are way too many children in the school. I

this school okay.. i have seen bullying but not experienced it myself. it is diverse... personality wise, bullying is always the same, a kid calls u fat or ugly and its only categorized under bullying if u take it to heart... i myself have been called a lot of names since i started in 6th grade but i brush it off and call them a name... key thing to remember in this school: the golden rule, treat others as u would want to be treated and if want to go to this school and be sensitive, make weekly plans to see a guidance counselor but Mr. Cummiskey the chorus teacher rocks!!!

I am a student at spms me and my friends are harry potter freaks. Yes are school is probably the cliquest school on the east coast but that is okay because everyone fits in some way or another. We do all own 'Vera Bradley ' stuff but lots of kids dont and thats okay. My friend wears a Harry potter cloak to school all the time and know one says anything to her. Yes there is a popular croud but they arent all that different. THey still talk to people who arent in that group. The school is brand knew and the academics are great so are the teachers(well most of them) ps if u r in 7th grade then the best team to b on is the north stars. also mr addis and mr cserveck are the best
—Submitted by a student

i attend severna park middle and i, personally, have not found my experience very enjoyable. the education program is all right, though i am under the impression that high test scores matter more than what u actually learn. i don't like the current principal very much (no offense!). socially u will not fit in and be popular unless u are one of the four things: 1. possesing a vera bradley mini backpack, ugg boots, and hollister clothes. 2. are extremely beautiful 3. are rich and preppy 4. act 'ghetto' but are really upper class. these statements all come from my own personal experiences and are not intended to offend anyone. who knows ur experience may b totally different.
—Submitted by a student

I am a student at spms and have found it to be the most snobbish and cliquey school i have ever enrolled in. yes the education programs are incredible they have algebra two students in 8th grade but I have been plagued by bullies from the start and have not had a kind word said to me since my first week here and i've only been here two months my parents are going to enroll me into a new high school next year Aside from that the competition to get into sports is huge, my aggravation at this school system beg any parent that is thinking of putting their kid in spms to know that breaking into, eighth grade at least, is impossible I haven't smiled for five weeks
—Submitted by a student

this is the best school i have ever been 2 i would not b happy at any other school we have great after school activites and if u sign up for 1 u have 2 go 2 enviormental science with mr phillp is is sooo funny adn he plays jimmy buffet songs on his gutairs . are school has an excellent reputation and we recently had the governor martian o'malley come 2 r school. if u want your kidz 2 get a good education then this is the place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a student

I'm a student at Severna Park Middle and I must say it is a wonderful school. Although, it's snobby, rich kid reputation limits diversity, we are all still open-minded and excepting students, staff, and community.
—Submitted by a student

I love my school. We're very fortunate to have such excellent teachers and students who really care about their education. I wouldn't be happy going to any other school!
—Submitted by a student

I love this school and all my teachers. I love Mrs. Gelesky. They have so many clubs.
—Submitted by a student

The teachers are exceptionally creative and able to excite my daughter to be an active participant in her learning. There are many extra curricular opportunities for the students in music, drama, performing arts, sports, and academics.
—Submitted by a parent

Severna Park Middle School is fortunate to have excellent teachers, a very active PTA, a good facility and strong community support. All these lead to strong academics, an excellent mucic and arts program, and a stong associated sports programs (Green Hornets and SPARK). Test scores from the Severna Park schools including Severna Park Middle have historically been high compared to others in Anne Arundel County and Maryland.
—Submitted by Bradley Schoener, a parent

The middle school here is very competitive academically,meaning students are encouraged to take HS level courses in math and languages, and there is a big push for excellence and test scores. The teachers are quite good,and the administration is helpful. I have heard that some parents did not find the special education department helpful in fulfilling inclusion programs for their more seriously developmentally handicapped child. In special education inclusion cases for less handicapped children,the school has done an excellent job in have assisting kids moving from classes where they needed more assistance to classes where they no longer need that help. The PTO is active here, and it is generally as safe a middle school as I have ever seen. The children,academically able, come from middle class and upper middle class backgrounds. Sports are a big interest for girls and boys outside of school and that leads to popularity here.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has the best after-school activities I have seen. Kids can choose from computer club to National Junior Honor Society. Parents are dedicated to make their kids the best as possible and to have a great life. You can't beat this school because everybody works together,including staff, adminstation, volunteers, and students.
—Submitted by Julie Trogh, a parent