Raytown Middle School

My son attends Raytown Middle and our experience here has been awesome! My son is a child with Autism, ODD, and ADHD.We struggled years with suspensions, borderline expulsions, outburst, social rejection and labeling. He had no friends, could only play in group for short briefly and was the kid NOT invited to the party. After being asked to leave the last school he attended, we had to turn to the public school system....we had NO confidence in them. Since coming to Raytown Middle, my son is a different kid, he's not angry, he's on the Honor Roll for 5 of 6 tristers, he has friends (he had nine) and he is flourishing. We still have issues, but together we have handled it and my son understands and trust them. I credit them simply because they have been consistent, honorable and fair since day 1.....we (ALL of US) have been HIS true advocates and I trust them. They took him to another level, holding him accountable and nurturing him along the way fostering the ability and desire to excel. Major kudos to RMS for giving my family the hope and support we needed. He will grow up, move out and be a productive citizen, despite things beyond his control.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is pathetic: No leadership, no parent participation, no teacher participation, no communication. If was able to move I would have long ago,,,,,,,,,what a joke!!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is one of the most terrible middle schools in Missouri. In previous comments some had mentioned bullying, yes this school does have a lot of bullying. I was a victim of it as well. I told my problem to a teacher and she had told the principal. I sat with him one on one and he said (honest to God here), "The boys who have bullied you say they haven't done anything. Can you just pretend that this never happened?" It is rare (from my experience) to find a teacher at RM who has taught there for more than a year or two.The teachers at this school do not know how control disruptive students in their classes. For punishment they are sent in a timeout corner or are sent to ISS (In school suspension, where students sleep on desks and do their classwork separate from their class.) Another previous comment said, "The school needs to be more Ethnic." Here are the 2010 racial demographics for RM: White: 332, Black: 358, Hispanic: 81, Asian: 10. What Raytown Middle School really needs to do is to stop being lenient towards misbehaving students and start seriously punishing them for their misconduct. Many kids actually end up having 4-5 ISS sessions at school and do not change.

I have had many children go through this school. many of them have had special needs and RMS has done an amazing job of getting them to where they needed to be.
—Submitted by a parent

I had many of the same problems other parents have wrote about. The elementary school my boys attended was GREAT, however, they got to middle school and I don't even know for sure how they are passing. They have F's in 4 or more subjects every year. The powerschool option in my opinion is useless because even if you check it everyday- the teachers don't update it daily. I can't tell if they've turned in their work or not. I get the homework e-mailed to me so that I can make sure my boys are doing their work, however, 1/2 the time it's incorrect, or they've done the work "in class". I don't see how they can be failing when they are doing all their homework and none of the teachers seem concerned. They don't want to be bothered. They are failing my kids in more ways than one!! Jennifer Sawyer
—Submitted by a parent

RMS. IS THE WORST SCHOOL I HAVE TOO, THE TEACHERS AND PRINCEPAL SHOW FAVORITISM AND YOU GET BLAMED FOR THINGS YOU DIDNT DO. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL TO ANYONE EACUSE IT HAS BULLYING AND NO ONE DOES ANYTHING ABOUT IT.!! I WOULD GO FOR A DIFFERENT SCHOOL ON SECOND THOUGHT I WOULDN COME TO RAYTOWN PERIOD.

I dislike RMS so much. My son is in 7th grade and in one semester his grades fell hard. Out of 7 classes he got 5 F's. I did not receive not one phone call, nor a letter. My husband & I had to contact the school to find out what was going on. And they pretty much act like my concerns are not worth their time. Also the school is so big, he has already received 2 detentions for tardy s, trying to get from first floor then locker then 3rd floor. Its crazy. Do not get me wrong my son is A LOT to blame here. But SOMEONE should have been concerned enough to at least take a few minutes give me call or write a letter. No one had even told me about the 'Power School' I did not find that out til we contacted the teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

We've experienced good and bad at RMS. The regular school year and most of the teachers were good. The counselor was wonderful. I have to agree with one of the other parent reviews that teachers take the attitude 'it's not my job to like you.' My child will never attend summer school at RMS again. The teachers are burned out, rude, quick to blame and very condescending to the students. It's no wonder summer enrollment is so low; the incentive gift card isn't worth it. The concerned matters have been brought to the principal's attention, but no response.
—Submitted by a parent

My son's 3 years at RMS were excellent--due to the stellar staff. My son has a slight learning disability and the teachers, staff, & counselors were there 100%. I received calls at home just to 'check in,' meetings whenever I asked, and an ability to provide input. This school would not work only for a parent who didn't want to be bothered at home and expected school to do everything. Parents NEED to be involved. I would recommend Raytown school (and do) to everyone. both of his elementary schools (Southwood and Norfleet) were also outstanding.
—Submitted by a parent

RMS is a great school, some of the teachers are hard, but they are not mean. I enjoyed my time there and made friends of all different ethnic groups. I enjoyed their after school activites, and they have a great gifted student program. I miss being there! I would recommend this school to anyone. student - class of 2010 ***** A+++ : )
—Submitted by Alli, a former student

I am very very disappointed with this school. I do not think there is one principal, teacher or faculty member that cares at all about the child or their job. The teachers my child had were useless, did not want to help at all, put it all on my child who needs the extra help. The Counselor also did not care a bit. She was very hard to get ahold of and she was never with it very much, basically all over the place. I would not recommend this school to anyone unless there was no other option.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is nice but there should be more ethnic people.
—Submitted by a student

Raytown Middle school is wonderful! I love going there. I have met great friends and wonderful teachers! I will miss RMS after this year. Though hopefully RHS will be just as good! - student, trailblazers class of 2010
—Submitted by a student

My daughter struggled in 6th grade (2004-2005). I was very happy that I was allowed an opportunity to meet with the team. They advised me that my daughter had to 'want' to learn and that she had the ability to do well. However, I found it disheartening that they were willing to leave the decision to fail or succeed in her hands alone. I wish (other than PowerSchool that allows parents to view the grades after they are recorded) that there was other means for the parents to become actively involved in their child's education. I believe the district should publish curriculum that allows the parents to teach in advance and, to seek supplementary education tools.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has struggled since entering Raytown middle school. The office staff is unfriendly on day to day interactions. I am very dissapointed. Her grades have fallen and she is affected by the 'It's not my job to like you' philosophy adopted by the staff. Her elementary school within the same district was wonderful.
—Submitted by Mrs. Shelley Munday, a parent

For the first time in my daughter's educational life she is thriving. Something I didn't think I would ever see. The teachers take note of her 'special' needs and yet pushes her to strive for the next level. I love Raytown Middle. The whole school disctrict is the best in my opinion. Thanks for helping me see that my daughter CAN accomplish something in life. I will always remember the greatness of Raytown Schools.
—Submitted by a parent