Brooklyn Junior High School

I personally love this school. I was looking at the 2005 reviews and wow. BJH must have been really different back then. There are tons activities besides sports and the teachers are awesome. If you are reading these reviews, I suggest you ignore the 2005 ones. They're out dated. They do not describe BJH today. The staff at BJH really push us to get good grades. And the teachers really help us to explore our talents. If they see you're really good in one area they will suggest a club or event. Like my Social Studies teacher had our HP class do History Day. Also my Art teacher suggested I enter a Art contest. The staff also keeps control of the students well but they don't just punish the misbeahaviors, they talk to them and see the problem. - Student

I have lived in Brooklyn Park for over 11 years. This is my third year teaching at Brooklyn Junior. The bad reviews from 2005 almost kept me from teaching in one of the best educational environments I have ever seen. When I first started working with some of the seasoned professionals in the building I could not believe the passion and dedication they had for their students. All staff including administration welcome students in the morning and monitor behavior in the halls every hour. Students have a wide variety of choices in classes including Standards plus, regular, and the newer STEM program. Staff work with students with a wide variety of academic ability. With programs like read 180 and fast forward students are identified and placed in appropriate remedial programs to help them catch up with peers. Staff collaborates in their departments and across the school with other colleagues to create Professional learning communities (PLC's)that identify needs in the building and content areas. These PLC's then develop action plans to help all students achieve more. The Administration staff maintains a safe and healthy environment for all learners.
—Submitted by a teacher

Brooklyn Junior High School is a great school. One of my boys attended as a freshman and another as a seventh grader. Both boys had great experiences. The principal works hard to create a safe environment for students to learn in. He also does a great job working with his teachers. Most of the staff my children had for teachers had been teaching at the school for more the five years with the majority of them being there for more than ten. The office staff is very helpful and the administration/guidance counselors are very willing to work with parents to ensure that the student is able to has the best possible junior high school experience. My boys took high performance classes and also participated in athletics and had great experiences. I very much reccomend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is now 9th grader at BJH and he has had a great junior high experience. I know that thee is a lot of hesitation with the school, but that is due to some parents and their own diversity issues. BJH is a great reflection of the diverse community that we live in and those that live in our neighborhood. The teachers have been challenging and my son is receiving a great education there. We are looking forward to our next son starting at BJH next fall!
—Submitted by a parent

My Daughter has been at BJ for 2 years and I have only had 1 instance of teacher/student favoritism. The rest of the teachers have been fair and accessible if I need them. As far as extracurricular activities,some are offered in the mornings before school. My daughter is doing very well at BJ. I think some parents expect the schools to do there job for them.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been pleased with my child's experience at BJHS so far this year. My son likes his teachers and feels very comfortable at the school. He has chosen to surround himself with good people and is really enjoying his junior high experience. As with all schools, there are some bad apples, but the majority of kids who attend school there are great kids. I have also been impressed with the staff members that I have met. They have been willing to talk with me and listen to me. I'm proud to be a BJ parent and my son is proud of his school too!
—Submitted by a teacher

My daughter loves her school. She would not dream of missing a day. I want to say this loud and clear -- there is no gang activity at bjhs. She has never been offered drugs or cigarettes etc. There is no tolerance for racism or bullying. The administration is so on top of problems that you see more suspensions but i would rather have that than an administration who was afraid to suspend because some affluent parent would sue. This is my daughter's 3rd year there and we have only had one 'dud' of a teacher. They are excited and engaged despite the tough job they have chosen - and bless them for doing it! i wish there were more extra-curriculars but you have to get your child involved at church or in the community. Parents who complain about that just want the school to do their job for them.
—Submitted by a parent

I am highly shocked about all the bad reviews the parents have put. My honest opinion is that this school is one of the best. The first day my child attended BJHS he came back full of smiles, with great reviews about all of his teachers. I would recommened this school to anyone and everyone.
—Submitted by a parent

Brooklyn Junior hisgh school is one of the worst school is one of the worst schools in the state! That is my honest opinion. I feel that the enviorment at the school is not a good one. My kids were bullied and picked on because of who they hung with. The school has no extracurricular activities and lacks any kid of help given to students outside of class. I don't think any parent should even CONSIDER taking there kids to BJH. There is a internal gang like activity in the school and a variety of types of violence. It is just ugly to even think about! I now drive my kids to Osseo Junior High every day.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a disaster! Do not send your child there! Unless your in sports, there are no after school actvities. Teachers are not involved in the learning process. As the other review stated the principal is rarely seen. Communication between the school and parents is very poor, i.e. poor grades. Unless your child tells you or you review their work on a regular basis you don't know if your child is doing o.k. until conferences, then it comes out. My child fortunately is doing well, but we have found out at conferences, about some potential issues that we could not have known about, through reviewing our childs work. The teacher failed to communicate with us. Staff and Administration claims of being concerned and caring and wanting to help are not in line with their actions.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel this school is more concerned about whether your child is there on time, or there at all then the education and opportunities provided. The first couple weeks of school year is spent reading about what students can't do , what parents can't do, what's not allowed. What punishments there are for every infraction. Unless your in sports there are basically no opportunities. According to my child the principal is seldom seen. My child has found hair in her food. Lettuce for salad is often brown, other food is so undercooked it has grease puddles on it. State money for this district seems to stay in maple grove and does'nt get to the low income end of the district, where it's needed most. I would take my child out of the osseo district but have no way to get my child to a different school due to work schedules.
—Submitted by a parent

I am also not impressed with this school. This is probly the worst schools I have ever seen in my life. I would only reccomend it to parents that don't care about their students education. Parents should really consider taking their child to a better school seeing that the teachers aren't really involved with the child's education because of 2 reasons. The first is that the class sizes are to big and second is the school has very bad surrounding!
—Submitted by a parent

I'm not impressed with what I have seen here at BJHS. I've seen alot of bullying and intimidation. I prefer a stricter no tolerance policy. I've not been privy as to whether this school offers much for afterschool or summer activities. At this moment, I would rate this school from my own personal experiences a 2.
—Submitted by a parent

Brooklyn Junior High is a great school and has alot of diversity in it. The great quality of teacher is one reason that I broght my nephew to this school. Its a great choice for a Junior High school!
—Submitted by Jerimya Thomsons