Briscoe Middle School

Briscoe is a fantastic middle school in every which way you want to look at it! The teachers are completely devoted to their students and go out of their way to make sure they are learning and happy. The academic course offerings are quite vast for a middle school--heck, there is even a "Tech Ed" elective course where the kids are hands on in learn engineering, manufacturing, and marketing! I've spoken to many Briscoe parents and all our kids are different whether it's their gender, academic level, grade, outgoing-to-shy personalities, etc. and Briscoe seems to accommodate every type of student, and does it well. Parents and students are all happy with the school. Extracurricular activities are great, the field trips are fun and educational, and the principals are friendly and very student-oriented yet still run a strict, disciplined school. I feel confident that my children are getting everything plus more from their middle school experience here and will succeed at any high school we choose later on due to their attending Briscoe Middle School.
—Submitted by a parent

Briscoe is the shining nightmare of the mediocre (at best) school district. We moved from a nice house in a nice neighborhood in Beverly to a neighboring town for one reason-the school district.
—Submitted by a parent

Briscoe Middle School is horrific. Unfortunately our oldest son is a product of the Beverly School system and will most likely suffer for our mistake. The education is about 2 years behind private schools so moving him now is not even an option. We have 2 younger children that will be attending St. John's and at least will obtain an adequate fundamental education. If you have children and live in Beverly my best advice is to stay as far away from the public schools as possible.
—Submitted by a parent

Amazing. The teachers work you hard and everything is organized. You learn so much in just one day. Plus, new kids usually become swarmed with friends on the first day and is a more healthy environment socially as well as academically. Though there are a few rusty teachers here and there, most of them are amazing at what they do and it is obvious. You go home with lots of homework, but because of what you already learned, most of it is simple. Though the Teachers do push you hard, you get used to it and learn to go with the flow. As for the other reviewer who doesn't appreciate Briscoe, don't listen. They haven't experienced it themselves
—Submitted by a parent

If I were a parent searching for a middle school and read these comments, I would not put my child in Briscoe. Good schools should not be defined by extracurricular activities. Judging from some of the comments, these people are unable to spell or articulate very well. As for the former student who believes that "caring" outweighs good teaching, it is no wonder that he hates St. John's. It is a school with high expectations and accountability. He obviously has no idea what 5 star school can be.

Briscoe is a great public middle school which helped me, a former student, garner the skills I needed to attend St. John's Prep (even though I hate it there...) Briscoe has some great teachers who truly carew about the education of the students. Some of them aren't really great teachers, but they still care about the student, and if your child cares enough, they will succeed. If your child doesn't care, put simply, they will fail. Like the high school, the band program is superb... Mr. Costa is truly one of a kind. Mr. Goncalves (ahem... Mr. G) is one of the best Vice Principals on te North Shore- he earns respect unlike many of the V-P's who are just pompous asses and expect respect. As the previous reviewer stated, more extracurriculars would make BMS a five star school.

My kids love Briscoe. The strong leadership and wonderful teachers make going to school a great enviorment. I have a 7th grade handicap daughter and Briscoe has acomidated her in every way. We could not be happier. My son entered the 6th grade and Briscoe has made this transistion easy for him. The only thing missing is more extra curricular activities.
—Submitted by a parent

Brisoce is an old but beautiful building. The principal is very much on top of things and seems to have a good idea of what the school needs to move forward. The teachers too are very good. But, there lacks enough extra curricular activities for kids. Class sizes are pretty big and the building is crowded, but the school is very good overall.
—Submitted by a parent

I think Beverly High School is a good school. There are issues that need to be looked at closer like: too much liberty in the halls in the forms of kissing and touching. This just needs to be monitor as it is expected for teenagers to loose control if there is no enforcement. In general, the education is good and so are the programs offered.
—Submitted by a parent

i go to briscoe and i think its alright the classes are to large, and some times its hard to travel the hallways theres so many people the buildings kinda falling apart a bit. but you do learn aot and the... well some teachers are pretty good but its like any other school it has its ups and downs
—Submitted by a parent

Briscoe is a great school! I have I child currently in 7th grade and she has done very, very well there. Mr. Poska, The new principal is awesome and seems like he truly cares about the well being of his students. Yes, the building is very old, but it is the people that count! My child has run across some bad kids, but the majority are really good. The academics are also great. There aren't many sports teams yet, but more and more are being added each year. Briscoe is really a fantastic school!
—Submitted by Riley, a student

The school is a mixed bag. If your child fits the model, it's adequate. If your child is a non-traditional learner as my child is, it can be a pretty rough ride. There are truly some great teachers but plenty of the 'old school' type as well. Until now I have been a believer in public education, but I am also looking elseshere as teaching positions are at risk and my child is already not getting the attention he is required to receive.
—Submitted by a parent

This school needs help. Gang awareness in Beverly is unacceptable. Pricipal Gauthier (The best) is the only thing keeping this school together and she is gone next year, as are my 2 kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I think Briscoe is a great school. The building is old but the academics are great, which is what counts. This is the first year the 2 middle schools were combined so there are lots of changes and bigger class sizes. As for safety, never had a problem. There are a few bad kids at every school. The principal is on top of any and every problem. I would recommend Briscoe.
—Submitted by a parent

It is a scary school. They are having a lot of problem with bullying. If you try to get in touch with certain teachers, they do not care to call you back. You have to mention it to the principal for the teacher to finally calling you. I am really thinking putting my kid in a private school because this school doesn't bring anything positive to my child's education and behavior. This school really needs help.
—Submitted by a parent