Olive Branch Middle School

If football is your priority this is your school. It's actually a class! They don't offer PE to girls, they must take cheer! Very lacking in teachers who enjoy their career & want to learn newer ways of teaching that excites students. There are teachers who are superb & make class interesting but they are in the minority. The screaming of teachers in class is unacceptable. The lack of help with student problems is horrible as the teachers and 6th grade principle constantly said "kids are mean in middle school" when our child was constantly bullied. So threatening we had to enroll our child in self-defense classes! My child had a teacher who said "Muslims were bad & hobo's were sinners"- nothing was done when it was reported. Kids are scared of those who are different and seem to segregate themselves, which is tragic in today's society. Due to cutbacks counseling cost $90, they did away with their gifted programs & field trips. I have had 2 positive encounters with the principal & one that was less than professional. The band program is excellent. It appears the area has grown quicker than the county & taxes can manage. The reputation is not true, don't move here for the schools!
—Submitted by a parent

I do agree that the guidance counselors are not performing the way they should be. They are not interested in the things the children are going through. Some kids do have personal issues that they would rather not speak with their parents about and that's where the guidance counselors step in. I can't say that about them. They are not approachable for the kids at all. It seems that all of them (the teachers) have attitudes and then wander why the kids possess them as well. I am so sick of the teacher saying they are here to help us. They should really look at their behaviour! I am having problems with specific teachers telling my child he is talking but when others are talking and they are being patted on the hand and told to be quiet (never being put out in the hall or anything) is very disturbing.
—Submitted by a parent

My name is Matthew and I am currently in the eighth grade. While I dislike many of my peers I find this school fun to attend. It appears many people that communication is a problem and all I have to say is that my parents have never had a problem setting up a parent teacher conference. This school is big on sports (mostly football) just like many Mississippi schools as well as education.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. I would not want to work anywhere else. We have a great group off teachers and prinicipals. I honestly believe we are the best school in north mississippi.
—Submitted by a teacher

I have a 7th grader this year and she is struggling. I've tried to remedy problems by going thru the teachers and counselors who promise help but see no results. The lack of communication is the most upsetting. Teachers rarely email me back and the their words and actions are completely different. I am worried that my child will not be successful because of the lack of follow thru, information and communication from the staff.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student at Olive Branch Middle, and I really love this school. Almost no problems in it, except the horribly long lunch line. Sometimes it take 20 minutes to get your lunch! But other than that, OBMS is a great school. Great teachers, and awesome principals.
—Submitted by a student

I have two children in the Olive Branch district from OBES, Chickasaw, OBIS, and now the eldest at OBMS. I will agree their is not much parent participation as parents are used to from the other schools, but let's face it, this is junior high. Besides, at this age children don't want to see their parent(s)coming to the school every day. I have never had a problem with teachers not calling me back, although they prefer email. Besides, these teachers teach several children on a daily basis. Most teachers teach more than one subject plus extra curricular activities. The only problems I saw with this school were sanitation problems inside the boys bathrooms and the lunch situation. If your child's lunch period is last and they have run out of food, Oh well! Overall great school, great teachers!
—Submitted by a parent

this school is a great place and has a great enviroment. The teachers do hand out progress reports and if you are not getting them then that means your child isn't showing them to you. our guidance councelors are wonderful people and would do anything for your child. The teachers are great and they do everything to help kids understand what they are teaching. I know that obms does have its downsides like the bathrooms or the lunch food but, its a public school what do you expect? Your childs not going to always have a gourmet meal. Every school has its downsides. obms is a great school!
—Submitted by a student

I am both a parent and a teacher of students at this school. My sons have adjusted nicely to their new school. I am very impressed with the way the resource program is run at this school. The Learning Labs are a plus! My son has had good experiences in band, choir, SPOTLIGHT, and his advanced academic classes. The biggest adjustment for us has been the block schedule. It is hard to get used to, but it allows for the students to participate in more activities. My biggest disappointment is that the PTA does not seem to push for (or want)new members. I asked about joining and never received an answer. This is discouraging to me as a parent and as a teacher.
—Submitted by a teacher

This school limits the parents involvment and discourages parent teacher relationships. It is next to impossible to speak with a teacher. You do not know how your child is doing in school until you receive the 9 weeks reports. The teachers will not return calls nor send out progress reports on a consistent basis. One teacher did not grade any papers until the end of the 9 weeks. The guidance office does not work well with the children nor the parents. They are very negative and not at all flexible. This is not a productive nor emotionally positive environment for our children. What a Shame!
—Submitted by a parent

The achievement standards are high, which is great; however, 95% of my experience with the teachers have been negative. I feel that that on an average of 6 teachers, 1 didn't demean the children. Where has the love of children/teaching gone?
—Submitted by a parent

The school is great my son plays football and is very active with the school.He tells me the teachers are nice and DO teach him fairly.
—Submitted by a parent

I will have to agree with the other review. The teachers and principal only do the minimal. Only when a parent pushes issues do they act. Our children deserve better from their schools.
—Submitted by a parent

I have never seen such an 'un-involved school' in my life! Teachers are barely paid, therefore they teach the children there as little as possible..while informing parents rarely- teaching is such an important job, the pay here should be better. Unfortunately, things are still ran on the 'buddy-system' here, and if you dont personally know your childs teacher, your child is not worth the teacher's time!
—Submitted by a parent