Granite Valley Middle School

My child is in the SOAR room (special education) at Granite Valley. We have been trying to get him out of there for 2 years. Quarry Hill was GREAT. The PEAK program at that time was the best. Granite Valley is a joke, as far as special education is concerned. We have had numerous meetings, which accomplish nothing. Things are promised, documented, LEGALLY required to be done... yet somehow... The staff changes like the wind, so when we ask what is going on with his program, no-one will take responsibility. It is always the person who left, or was let go that is to blame. I can't even beging to tell you the lack of integrity of the administration and staff. They have no shame, and they will feign ignorance or even straight up lie. They have wreaked havoc on our family out of retaliation, at the expense of our child. How low can these people go? Shame on you Granite Valley.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is terrible. This is my child's third year at the school and it has worsened every year. Let's start with academics. My child gets four hours of academics a day and two hours devoted to lunch, academic support and encores. During academic support, per my child, students can read or play games but cannot do homework. Teachers do not use that time to help struggling students either. Next year the children will get more time for encores (75 minutes) than they will for social studies and science (90 minute blocks but six weeks on, six weeks off) because they were told those two subjects aren't on MCAS. The students will get a lot more math and English next year though. The curriculum isn't rigorous at all. Homework is minimal and often posted late on www.schoolnotes.com so parents can't check it when needed. Classroom instruction leans towards lecture style so it isn't differentiated for all learners. Now on to support. E-mail replies are sporadic and requests for more frequent contact fall on deaf ears. Bullying runs rampant at the school as well. Parental involvement is okay. Kids there sink or swim on their own as too many teachers are apathetic.
--Submitted by a parent

When I first moved to this town I was happy with the school system this was before my daughter started going to the schools. Now in the 7th grade she comes home everyday complaining about how she was made to feel unwanted and bullied no matter how many times she has said anything nothing has been done. She feels the teachers do not care and will not help with solving problems. I think the school system needs help and stop cutting money when the town increases are taxes.
--Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately high academic achievement does not seem to be a priority. The students can never reach their potential while in an environment where academic and behavioral expectations are so low.
--Submitted by a parent

I am totally unhappy with this school. My son is only in 6th grade and has over an hour 'academic support' which is basically a study hall. Almost no time is spent on academics. The only computers they get is for 6 weeks a year. They have no extra-curricular activites, I repeat NONE. There is not only no communication with parents but there is also no communication within the school between the teachers or the administration etc... It is a mess. The elementary school is soooo much more organized. This school is a complete disaster from top to bottom and the budget cuts are only part of the issue. The high school and elementary schools are well regarded and they have faced the cuts just as much as this school has. Poor is the only rating I can give them. There is no school choice either so our kids are stuck.
--Submitted by a parent

Its a good school but, the cuts its facing are becoming a major problem. Art and Music are being cut. And the 8th grade is going to have 90 min. study halls
--Submitted by a student

this school does not provide students with adequete education they are facing budget cuts not a great choice
--Submitted by a student

Granite Valley is a very nurturing school with regard to children's self esteem and emotional growth. Academically, it is subpar and has an almost anti-academic atmosphere. There was a wonderful afterschool program offered this year (2006-7)that provided rich and varied programs at a reasonable cost, but it has been cut from the budget. There is a band program of very poor quality and an active chorus program. There are no sports or enrichment activities offered for grades 5 & 6. There are no drama program, honors classes or clubs. Parent involvement is at a minimum and there is a confrontational relationship between parents and staff. Communication is problematic. Teacher apathy and low morale is a problem, although there are definitely some stellar teachers in the system.
--Submitted by K, a parent