Oakley W. Best Middle School

I am a student from Best, and I have had I son transfer there from a private school and currently have one in 6th grade. I have nothing bad to say about Best. Heck, some of the teachers that are there are students that my wife and I went to school with. Most of the stuff that happens in Best, comes down to what is happening in the home. My kids are taught to respect others, we are an open talk family that no matter what we will talk about anything. Also, when it comes to parenting I become a drill instructor when I have to.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has a policy of no fighting and is quick to suspend, but has no anti bullying policy which would help prevent the fights that seem to be a daily occurance. My child was only at this school for 3 months and was harrassed by other students on a daily basis. When she reached out for help from the principle, she was told to get out of the office and threatened to be suspended if she returned with "her drama". I find it quite disturbing that my child has never showed or been involved in these behavioral problems at any other schools she has attended.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent and would not recommend sending you kid here. The school principal is a bully himself, his fundamental belief seems to be that pushing kids around is how to improve their academics. The school is so focused on discipline that the will call the parents because a kid ran to lunch but will not contact you if the kid if failing academically. We don't care if you kid passes, only if they follow every rule we have seems to be their Motto
—Submitted by a parent

OW Best has the best Principal, Vice Principal and awesome teachers. It is a good learning environment with diversity of students. The school is well organized down to the principal making sure no kids are hurt when being picked up from school. I can't say enough good things about this school and the entire staff.
—Submitted by a parent

My student has been there for 3 years and currently I would not reccomend sending your child there because the school is not focused on the learning as much as it is focused on the discipline. Also there is way to many drug problems. so far this year their has been at least 5 incidents where a student has brung grugs to school and at least 3 when students have brung alcohol. Also the school does have some race problems because some of the teachers do discriminate.
—Submitted by a parent

If you ask me, the school's primary focus is not academics, but behavior. They spend too much time taking from the good kids and making incentives for the bad kids to behave themselves. The problem, however, is that they lack discipline. Basically, sports and behavior plans for bad students come before academics and art and music programs. The teachers are great, but the school is not run very well because they have no bullying policy, and they let the kids get too out of control. I am an eighth grader there, and watching my peers take advantage of their lenience is completely disgusting,
—Submitted by a student

this school is indeed a very good school. my child goes to this school and just loves it!
—Submitted by a parent

Im currently in 6th grade and i love ow best. Its the best school ever!!! We get slushes and a big choise at lunch,The teachers are always helping,The prinsable is not bossy,The lockers are new,And i didnt now how to open my locker but mr.Bertasio showed me :) Its the best school ever. Mr.mollet is very funny.I love my school and i dont wanna leave :]
—Submitted by a student

very good school recommend it lexi & anina
—Submitted by a student

I have learned great things to say about this wonderful school. Extra credit help is always given to a student. Teachers are so bright. Never a child has had a problem with their instructor before. O.W. Best is literally the best. School spirit and school activites are high. Preps have gone up 30% in 1 school year thats just amazing. My child has inproved by so much and in this school even the student will say there is way on not getting a 4.0 In this school. Has such a good curriculm. My gosh how amazing this school. I recommend this school to every child. =)*
—Submitted by a parent

I just finished OW Best, and I have to say that the past three yrs were the best of my whole school career. In sixth grade, I had Mrs. Potter for LA, and she touched me in a way that no teacher has or had. Too bad she retired! In 7th grade, Mrs. P kept me laughing while Mrs. Perttula used amazing ways of getting us involved, especially during the Holocaust unit. and this year. This year was unforgettable! Mr. Allen was the best honors math teacher ever, Mrs. Mosher had us reading the best books ever. Mr. James is THE BEST band teacher in the whole wide world and Mr. Bergeron was the best Drama Teacher i've ever had! Mr. McKinney is something else! on the last day, we painted r hands pink and slapped them on poster boards! Best really IS THE BEST MIDDLE SCHOOL!
—Submitted by a student

I am currently an 8th grader at best middle school and i have learned so much the 3 whole years i have been there. the teachers just make your child develop more than any other private school. The best of the best teachers at O. W. Best are: Mrs. Mosher, Mrs. Moran, Mr. McKinney, and Mr. Bergeron. Those teachers only teach 8th grade but they help your child prepare for High School. The Curriculum in District 7 has sky rocketed over the years and i will always remember my tough but fun years at best following the pep ralleys and the meap festivals and the band concerts. BAND IS THE BEST E.C.A ( Extra Curricular Activity) The Teacher, Mr. James is the best and i will always come on open house just to see him again he is awesome. I will miss my middle school years!!! <)=-{}]
—Submitted by a student

The teachers at this school do everything that your child needs, whether it be coming in early to help with homework or sending assignments to your child when out of school for a little while. While the rules may be a little strict, they better the school experience for students in the grades of 6-8. They have great programs within the school including Band, Gym, Art, and they also have many extra-cirricular programs and sports. They have NJHS (National Junior Honors Society) and peer mediation, along with counseling, where you can talk to people about problems dealing with family, school, friends, etc. O.W. Best Middle School is a great choice of a middle school for your child.

My child is a special education student at Best. I am so dissappointed in the way the school has handled the situation. The teachers are very reluctant to help and could care less that he has a disability. I would not recommend any child with a learning disability to this school.
—Submitted by a parent

It needs improvement in all matters. There are some teachers who are good and some are just there for the paycheck.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a former student of Best and i absolutely loved it. The teachers are great, it is never a boring day there. Unlike most schools the students actually can understand what is being taught. I only went to Best my 7th and 8th grade years, but as soon as i got in i felt very welcomed. The work might be hard but the teachers motivates you to think, and they teach you what life outside of school is like. Thanks to my all time favorite teachers, Mr. Mckinney, Mrs.Mosher and Mrs. Leschenger!
—Submitted by a student

i used to go to ow best and i loved that school it gave me a safe haven for me to know its okay too be quiet and be the shy person in class i was able to become a new me, i had become involved in the school play with no acting experience and i had placed the star role..so at high school i decided to go out for the play in my freshmen year which is mist times impossible but i managed to fit the role and now im passionate about acting all thanks to ow best and all its teachers such as mr. bergeron, my mckinney and rs. negrus! Lovee lena (former student!) :)

My Daughter attends this School,the staff seem very caring and involed,She has always been a bright student,but when she has a problem with just about anything someone seems to notice and trys to help her,this is concerning her School work or mood,they just seem to know when she's having a problem.They are very caring.I have to really thank them for being there for her duing her teen yr's.She is always talking about how they care about her in general.So thank you O.W.
—Submitted by Kara's MoM, a parent

I went to this school for the past three years. It is not the best school, but has a pretty good amount of people so kids will make friends easily. I really like the teachers here. I loved Mrs. P, Mr. McKinney, Mr. Blackwell, and Mr. Datillio. They are the greatest teachers I have ever had. I am now in high school and I am really prepared. I am one of the smartest kids in all of my classes, and I have never had lower than a 3.2 GPA. In elementary school, it was all review, but this school taught me a lot. I enjoyed going to O.W.Best and im sure your kids will too. It is, by far, the greatest experience in my life, I am being completely honest, and I dont even like school.
—Submitted by tabithia kujat, a former student

I am a student of this school and I definetly have something to say about this school.First of all our test scores are one of the best in the state. this school for sure pushes students to an education but at their own pace. secondly, our band is a really good band. You would be amazed if you had the chance to listen to it. our band teacher is a great teacher being the fact that he had played for many popular music artist such as duke ellington. our sports teams are also great except our foot ball team but they aren't that bad. We also have many activities for the parents such as band boosters, parent/teacher discussions, and event planners. I definetly reccomend that your student attends this school.
—Submitted by Julian Reed, a student