Washington Woods Middle School

I have had all 3 of my kids go through this school. My last one is currently in 5th grade. I have had no issues at all. The staff is all friendly, nice, and caring. I just don't understand the bad reviews on this school. I have nothing but good to say about them! :)
—Submitted by a parent

Beware of this school. There is an enormous problem with discipline and bullying and the staff is unwilling and/or unable to handle it. The principal does not answer his phone, nor does he return messages. If you want to speak with him, you have to actually GO to the school and wait for him to come out of his office. The lack of communication between the staff members is concerning. This has been a terrible experience for my student and our family, and I encourage ANYONE who considers this school to find an alternative.
—Submitted by a parent

my daughter just completed 6th grade at washington woods, and we were very disappointed this year. I have had other children attend school here, but things seem to be getting worse. Class sizes are getting bigger and teachers not as willing to work with students who need more than the average time to learn a subject. I for the first time am considering going out of our district to attend a school. Holts focus has gone from quality education to athletics.
—Submitted by a parent

Extremely high quality teaching staff, far above average, all things considered the best we have encountered in public schools. Principal leadership is well below average. Parents seem well involved and strong showing at parent teacher conferences, student activity nights, extracurricular events, etc. School could achieve a 5 star rating with new principal leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

Discipline is a big issue at Washington Woods. My child has been harassed and provoked on several occasions and yet the principal does nothing to support me or the teachers who are dealing with disruptive students. I try to reach him after school, when I pick up my son and the principal has already left the building. He does not return calls or answer emails. Moreover, this school's extracurricular focus is entirely on sports. Music and arts are given little thought. In fact, there has not been a steady choir teacher since school began in the 2009-2010 school year. The jock attitude--might makes right--is prevalent. Culture is wanting and it breaks my heart to send my son to this school day after day. Some teachers care and are wonderful. I don't mean to be unfair to them. But this school has been an awful experience for my son and my family.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers in my 6th grade daughters Pod are amazing. Mr. Buckley goes above and beyond to keep these kids interested with hands on projects and age appropriate humor.
—Submitted by a parent

this school is very good I was a student here in the years 2008/2009 and it was good mr.buckley is an awesome teacher and so is mrs.martin your child will really like this school
—Submitted by a student

This school is great. WW DOES have yearbooks, some people may have started a school newspaper, field days, and extra learning activites. I am a student here and I think its really great.
—Submitted by a student

I've had some pretty bad exsperiences at this school. We are not treated with respect and about 1/4 of the students at WWMS are self absorbed kids and and focus mainly on making other students feel bad.(trust me i've been through it)
—Submitted by a student

this school is amazing in all ways possible. everyone is nice, im not afraid of being jumped, the teachers are nice the they teach stuff great. i get it and that's never happened before
—Submitted by a student

Awsome. The best school ever
—Submitted by a student

I was disappointed to see there was very little opportunities for extracurricular activities. WW students can't do yearbook, school newspaper, or other extra learning activities. Also, there was no end of the year field day, or service learning day. I think, academically, that HOPE is a better school, but WW is more nurturing. I will say the school counselor at WW is more proactive.
—Submitted by a parent

Discipline is an extreme issue in this school. I feel that the leadership of the principal is lacking. Children are disciplined in a very negative way. Positive behavior in children requires ongoing positive reinforcement. This is very rare under the present leadership. Communication should be a key component between administrators and parents. This school takes too much into their own hands, and does not treat children with respect. Also, the focus on the MEAP 'training' for the entire beginning of the year is way overdone. The focus should be on teaching the required material, not for the test, but for the future of our children. Way to much pressure is put on the children to perform on this test,
—Submitted by Rhea Buell, a parent

Our experience a WW was not good, staff mostly concerned with apperances, and having these new programs, with not alot of substance. Holt has massacared their Instrumental music program,by cutting it to 2x a week,Don't they know that children involved with music learn better. I was so discouraged by WW that my other child is now enrolled at Hope. We will see how that goes.
—Submitted by a parent