Riverside Middle School

Riverside Middle School is a D rated school. The staff are not held accountable and seem unmotivated, the principal is not an effective leader and makes excuses, and parent volunteers are not encouraged nor welcomed. I am an involved parent with high expectations of my children first, staff second. I've tried to be communicative with my child's teachers and have gotten resistance & even attitude. I've had issues with teachers marking assignments as missing, however the assignment would have a red check mark across the top. The few times I've come into the office, I was not greeted warmly. I've offered to volunteer on my few days off, and no one seemed eager to find anything for me. I don't take it personally, because the staff doesn't know me; it's pretty much the culture of the school. Dry, cold, and unfriendly. I've expressed concerns to the principal regarding my child possibly needing help in areas of reading/writing and he stated all the kids are struggling at the school and that's something they're trying to work on. Well, I can only speak for my child, not an entire school. I'm disappointed with Riverside and have ALREADY paid the full tuition for private school this fall.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is AMAZING! Coming to this school as a 5th grader you are really welcomed into the wonderful atmosphere. The teachers there actually cafe for you opinion and do not discriminate. Academicly this school suceeds in giving advanced clases and remedial classes for those who need it. The princepal there is strong, strict, but has an approchable side. He will take care of the students and will do anything to protect them. This school is a multiracial school, it has a varity of Arabs, Whites, Africans and Asians! Letting your child go to this school gives them an advanage in life and in education!

So far so good. I was extremely worried to place my child in this school but there was a change of principal this year, to the best. He is tough but I want tough, kids these days are hard to deal with. Academics seem right on spot but kids could use more homework at home. True that kids correct tests and homework sometimes and that can be not a good thing for mediocre students but it is a good lesson if not abused. Parents involvement is low. I guess the grade of 5 should be improved...maybe next year.
--Submitted by a parent

I went to this school from 5th-8th grade, and it wasn't that bad. Like all schools, there are always those few teachers that no one likes, but there were a lot of nice ones too. Also, that person was right about lost assignments. They do seem to do that a lot. But all in all, this was a good school and i have a lot of good and fun memories from it. Each year there is a class field trip for each grade and they are very fun. I enjoyed going here.

As a former student of this school, I have mixed feelings about Riverside. While the atmosphere and a few of the teachers were great, many of the teachers were very rude, never gave after-school help, and on many cases - went through student's belongings. I personally had a notebook taken from me and went through by one of the teachers, without reason. She highlighted anything she found unsatisfactory, and threatened to search the rest of my things. We also had teachers search through our bags and purses during "bomb scares." Students were forced to go out and purchase clear backpacks or carry all of their belongings by hand. I would never send my child to this school.

This school must be one of the worst schools in Michigan. My brother who is in fifth grade goes there and he comes home with his work all spelled wrong even though the teacher have looked over it!! The teachers do not not really pay attention to the students and many times they let their peers check their work! They are in fifth grade for god's sake how are they going to know which one is really the answer. My brother is a little behind in reading and instead of giving him attention and helping him they placed him in this "homework hour" class where it is also run by fellow students! and the teacher just looks fast over the work and doesnt really put effort and pay attention! ..I can keep going on and on but I will stop as I am reaching my limit...all in all BAD SCHOOL!
--Submitted by a parent

This school is nice but has harsh teachers. For example they seem to lose assiments and dont give one on one time with the student, out of that it is a pretty nice school.
--Submitted by a student

Moving from Detroit to Dearborn Heights, I thought it would be not just a big adjustment but hard for my children to blend into the schools not knowing the make-up of the diversity. But since school has started my children love it and I love it. I love the interaction that I have with the teachers, I love the fact that I can stay on top of my 6th grader's assignments by viewing them on the internet and even communicating with the teachers! And they are so prompt in responding to your emails! The teachers are so nice and they care about education no matter what! Thanks for making us feel so welcomed. MRS D
--Submitted by Bernadette Dingle, a parent

RMS has great programs for my 2 kids, and if not for the great teachers, it could not happen. The principal and asst.principal have always been approachable as well as my kids' teachers. While serving in Iraq, my kids' classes and many others sent me and my sailors alot of goodies and cards, so it proved that RMS is both patriotic as well as academically strong. Keep up the good work!
--Submitted by MAC, a parent

My son is just finishing his 8th grade experience here. We love this school. The teachers are very involved in the whole growth of the student. The band program is awesome! There are plenty of sports and extracurricular events to choose from including cooperative programs with the high school. The principal and vice-principals are very responsive to parent and student concerns. We moved in here 4 years ago from another district and could not have made a better choice.
--Submitted by Sarah Rondeau, a parent