Petal Middle School

This school absolutely sucks. The scores may be high, but that is only because the pressure us to make the high scores. They don't truly care about the students' well being, only how the school is seen on the outside. Everything is centered around sports, especially football. I am in showchoir and we have to pay every penny ourselves with no help from the school. The highschool spent 7 million dollars on a football field that was not needed whatsoever, and cut back on the budget for everything else. The gifted studies program used to extend into 8th grade and they have now cut it back to 6th because of funding issues. Many of the teachers are rude and don't care about the students. Some even target certain students because of their appearence, which definitely isn't uncommon in Petal. The principal is nice enough, but like I said before, he only really focuses on sports and how our school is seen by others. There is also a strict uniform, which of course has it's benefits, but keeps us students from expressing ourselves. I have no earthly idea how this school got a 10/10.
--Submitted by a teacher

Petal Middle School is a public school with ALL the private school benefits. Thanks to our Principals, Teachers, Staff members and superior Volunteers, our students will be prepared to lead this country!
--Submitted by a parent

It's a great school with fantastic teachers and a wonderful principal. The middle school years are some of the toughest for children as they adjust to becoming more independent teens and I think our school does a great job of nurturing them as they grow into young men and women.
--Submitted by a parent

Petal Middle school consists of highly educated teachers that go to great lengths to see your pupil succeed. The social status appearing at this school however is not very appealing seeing that the children usually socialize in 'cliques'. But looking at the educational success, Petal is 1 of the best public schools in Mississippi and in the US. On a scale from 1-10 I give it a 9.5. If you are planning to send your child into the hands of these educaters, please inform your child that there is a possible but usually rare chance that their will be some teachers, usually occuring in most places, that will choose certain students for tasks of running errins, but they usually do not let those interferences effect your child's grades.
--Submitted by a parent

As far as acedemics, the school is great. However, on the social fairness of this fragile age of entering adolescents, the school can be very unfair and partial. Some students are allowed to get away with things, while others are not. The children are pre-targeted based on older siblings previous to them. Most people here have money that talks, those of us who are not upper middle class, our children do not get the same treatment all of the time, even if our childrens grades are good. I realize school is a place to learn, not socialize (per say) but its hard to learn when your child dreads going due to unfair judgement and partiallity from some of the staff as well as other students. If a child constantly feels like the don't belong, outcast,the will sometimes start to rebel just to cope.
--Submitted by a parent

Petal is a great school. My son was only there for 17 months and durning this time the principal and teachers made such a positive impact on his life. The teachers at this school actually enjoy their job. They all want to see each child succeed. We hated to leave this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a student at Petal Middle School, and this is my first year here. School is great here, and i enjoy gping Mon-Fri every week.
--Submitted by a student