Marcellus Middle School

My daughter started at the MMS September 2007. I have been very inpressed with the staff, busing, lunch program, what is expected out of the students, band program - I feel fortunate that my children are in the Marcellus Community School system.
--Submitted by a parent

this school is one of the best schools in the world to me no matter what other people say. i went ot this school as a kid and when i get older and have kids i will send my children to this school.
--Submitted by heather oconnor, a former student

My son attended MMS for 3 yrs. If he was struggling the teachers took extra time to contact me and tutor him. The Band program is excellent! It is a small school so everyone knows everyone else and sometimes their business, but it does take a village to raise a child. Those on the school board are doing what they feel is in the kids and school districts best interest. Not too long ago the MS was shut down due to disrepair and lack of funds, it is now open and even with all the cutbacks Marcellus continues to offer an excellent curriculum with a personalized touch. The sports programs are excellent as well. I like that if the kids grades fall they cannot play. This prevents kids from forgeting the real reason why they are in school. There is also zero tolerance for bullying and a peer mediation program.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a former student who attended the school for four years. As for the teacher quality goes, all of the teachers that tought at Marcellus Middle School were very much strict, and cared about the future of their students. These teachers knew then, and still know now that students will only work up to their teacher's expectations, and that is why the teachers always kept high expectations for their students. The extracurricular activities such as basketball, volleyball, football, and softball were great activities that helped me grow as a person and help discover my individuality. However, the school did not primarily focus on sports or clubs (such as S.T.A.R.S) because the students are not allowedto play in games without keeping their grades up to average. Safety and discipline was always strict- there is a write-up for any student who gets out of hand. However, the overall quality of this school is excellent. I can say as a former student of Marcellus Middle School- (and I have been to five different schools in the past two years), that this school had the greatest educational effect on me and has helped build me to what I am today.
--Submitted by a former student

My children attended Marcellus Middle Schools, I was deeply disappointed at the Leadership of the Principal and the majority of the support staff.The guidance counselor is a social worker who is very ineffective and wants to be a 'friend' to the students instead of focusing on the issues of bullying and violence that happens in this school. The Majority of problems with the educational instruction is due to lack of availablity of Golden apple award programs-this would not have been an issue if the school would have used the 265,000 dollars that was in the general fund for education instead of buying property that was not needed. The teachers make 18% less than the teachers in the surrounding school systems and just this past spring finally were able to get a contract that increased their medical co-pays and preminums, with a 5% raise. There are several very good teachers in the system who do care about the students but the focus of the school system is sports centered not education centered. Very limited art program. They do have an excellent band program. I would not recommend this system to anyone-I would recommend homeschooling or Howardsville Christian School,( with homeschooling your child can still participate in the band program.) There have been several parents who have attempted to change things but one of two things happen -retailation on the children or ineffectiveness of the school board to follow up on the issues due to road blocks from the administration. This is a very poorly run school with to many issues. I would rate a F for administration, support staff D-, teachers C, Guidance counselor-F.
--Submitted by a parent