Ralph Cadwallader Middle School

This school is an example of what is wrong with the Clark County school district. My son has attended this school for his 6th grade year and out of 6 of his teachers I can say only ONE of those teachers made any real effort to push him and encourage success. When he was struggling one class in particular, he went to his teacher to ask what he could do to improve, and her response was so negative. Teachers here seem to be bothered by questions asked with regards to class topics or classwork, they do not spend any extra time with the students, and a parent teacher conference consists of ALL teachers not just the one teacher that any issues need to be addressed with. When a district survey is given the teachers will hover over the students shoulders and if any negative comments are written will advise the students to remove. This is a complete disgrace, why ask a student for their opinion if a teacher is going to censor their opinion? Furthermore, why are the students not confidential and linked to their school id's? Clark County School District will continue to be a horrible district and placed in last place nationally if they continue on this path.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attends this school and he HATES it!! We just recently moved here from California and my so has always been a good student. He was on the honor roll every year. Once he started attending this school his grates have gone down hill. I have reached out to several of the teachers for support and I was told that they have no extra time to help my son. They cant come in early, stay late or give out any extra credit. I would not recommend this school to ANYONE!! I must say that I now see why CCSD ranks near the bottom in the U.S.
—Submitted by a parent

I, a student at Cadwallader, believe that this is not the best school. Most of the teachers/staff are rude and don't do anything to help you, you get in trouble for very minuscule things (like leaving even a little piece of trash at the lunch tables on accident gets you a dean's detention), and the dress code is terrible. I've been dress coded 2 times for wearing my jacket in between classes, which they TOLD us you're allowed to do, and you're not even allowed to wear scarfs. I don't think they realize how cold it is outside. I could go on, but I will end my rant there. Thank you.

As long as you do not have English in 8th you will do great The kids all know that there is 1 teacher who makes you watch adult films in class lol

In looking at this school, you must seriously disregard the reviews of the parents who weren't able to bully the administration into excusing their children's poor behavior. It is much easier to attack those who hold children to a standard of acceptable behavior than to face the fact that one's child is capable of poor choices and deserves the consequences of those choices. Luckily, Cadwallader is full of great kids with parents who care and are raising their children to respect themselves, peers, adults, and rules. The teachers DO care and show it on a daily basis. Administrators base their decisions on what is best for kids and strive to bring the best out in their teachers and students.
—Submitted by a teacher

Cadwallader has failed to meet even the minimum AYP standards for four consecutive years. The parents are not involved which heavily contributes to these isues.
—Submitted by a parent

I LOVE THIS SCHOOL. It is convient for me to ride my bike. The park can also make a good homework/study place.

I read all of the negative reviews, and honestly, if you do not succeed at this school, you are not going to succeed at any school. Most of the teachers go out of their way to offer assistance in any way needed. Any school experience is about student-parent-teacher relationships and the staff at Cadwallader is excellent at meeting our child's educational needs. The negative reviews you read on this site are from bitter parents and tainted children who are not happy because they did not get their way! Education has always been about strong parenting. Apparently, this community lacks some of the strong parenting skills necessary for their children to be successful in life and dealing with the hurdles life has to offer. Our child has thrived at Cadwallader, yes even through the tough times, but we constantly communicate with our child and the instructors that help shape our child's future. From the math teachers, to the english teachers to the performing arts teachers, this staff is top notch!
—Submitted by a parent

I was a student here in 2009-2010, It it was horrible! I always got bullied, the teachers were no help, and I always failed. The teachers just yelled at me and gave me really tough work and did not help me. If you got a young teen abot to go in middle school, I do not recommend this school, try somewhere else li

At this time I would recommend that you try to get your student into a different school. Although it is my understanding that the current principal is leaving at the end of this school year 2012. This school has become a "punish the many for the sins of the few" type of school. Role models in the form of upper administration is a joke. The teachers do as well as they can, at least the permanent teachers. They can only do so much when being stifled by supervisors. This school also has a serious problem with rotating substitute teachers and long time subs that may or may not know the subject matter. If I could rate 1/2 a star I would, I believe a full star is too much.
—Submitted by a parent

My child HATES this school and doesn't want to go back. i also have a younger child that should be attending this school THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN. I will not put this child through the same stuff as the older child. This school is a JOKE long term subs in classes REALLY lets get a teacher to teach this class. NOT A LONG TERM SUB. when you voice your concerns its turned around to your child isnt doing thier part. yup this school needs to have an overhaul.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school!!!!They teach all of their students to have the utmost respect to teachers, adult, and others.They howl for knowledge and get back success!!:)

I regret the day Clark County changed the school zone and my children were asssigned to this school. The upper staff is absoultely terrible. I Will never forget when the principal told me that it was up to my daughter to make it right with the Dean after all she was the only Dean! WHICH BLEW ME AWAY!This was after i told her my child feared the Dean and called me crying from school and begging me not to say anything, my child was affraid to tell me how unfair The Ms. L treated her and what would come if i addressed it. As a leader her solution was unprofessional and not comforting knowing she was the voice that paved the way at her school> Ive instilled values in my child to always have a voice with respect . There are several parents who in fact agree>
—Submitted by a parent

i would never send my kids to this school its not a safe place to have your kids i have a daughter that goes there and we had serious problems with this school do some research before sending kids here don't make the mistake i did by not doing research ..
—Submitted by a parent

This school has some good teachers, but the administration is horrible. My child has never been in any sort of trouble, or had bad grades. My problem with the administration is that they do not answer questions directly or completely honestly. They are also so overly concerned with 'safety' that they have forgotten to focus on grades and education. As a result this school did not make their AYP's (annual yearly progress). I believe that if this school worked harder to balance safety and education it could be a great. With this administration that will not happen.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student here at cadawallader and we have had varies issues with many different adminastraters i am 6th grader and have only been here 1 year but will NOT be attending next year beacuase of the staff. I highly recomend DO NOT send your children to ralph A. Cadawallader Middle School!!! Thank You the secret student!!!! ; P.S I loVe Mrs. Singer and Dr. Mathews and Mrs. Cahoon!!!!!) thts alll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a student

My son has attended this school for two years. I would say this school is above average but not excellent. The principle, Ms. Singer, is wonderful. She really cares about the kids and is active in showing it everyday. I've had an issue with a teacher screaming at my son which made him hate going to her class and hating the subject! I attributed it to her being 'older' and not having patience for middle school aged children. Yes, there have been mandates and rules dictated because of problem students but that's alright. If it makes the school a safer place, I have no complaints. I've always felt that you'll get more out of the 'pulic school system' if you're involved in your childs education. It's my responsibility, as well as the teachers/administration, to make sure my child is learning.
—Submitted by a parent

We had the misfortune of transferring our daughter into this school as a result of job relocation this year. I have to say we all have heard the stories of how poor the Nevada public school system is, this school is considered one of the best by locals, so I thought surely it couldn t be too bad. The class sizes are ridiculous, her smallest class was 34:1, some even larger. Honors classes homework was often 2 sides of a worksheet, while the regular class only had 1 side to complete. The complexity of work and subject matter taught in the Honors classes was work my daughter encountered 2 grades ago. At first the administration, particularly the counselors seem very accommodating and helpful, but once your child is enrolled returned phone calls are not even considered. Furthermore a counselor met with my daughter s class to give them insight on college that with an admitted goal to change their desire to attend. If you have to move to this area, I strongly urge you to consider Magnet schools as I have heard much better things about them. If at possible, consider online schooling available through connections academy or k-12. Compared to the rest of Las Vegas, I am sure this school seems stellar, on the national level; I assure you it leaves a population of underprepared children and leaves much to be desired.
—Submitted by a parent

In regards to the aministration, rather than deal with the small percentage of students who cause problems and do not follow the rules, the remaining 95% of the law-abiding students are dictated by arbitrary rules and mandates to address problems caused by the non-compliant students. About half of the teachers are dedicated education professionals who make the learning experience positive, while the other half seem disinterested and inadequate making those classes a year-long ordeal.
—Submitted by a parent

This is truly the best school I have ever went to. The teachers are awesome. I Can't wait till next year.
—Submitted by a student