Edward L Pine Middle School

Pine has shown a lot of growth over the last three years. Academic expectations has increased. Teacher involvement has grown. Students are able to participate in a lot of activities and sporst. They started an eadible classroom (nearly a half acre- of growning plants to harvest, etc). They have active solor panels that the students use in their classrooms. There are a lot of different kids there, but they get alaone pretty well. Some fights, but it is a safe school, and my kids love the school and they feel safe.
--Submitted by a parent

I think this school is very great!!! I am a student there and i love it, the teachers have strict policies and they shape up poorly behaved kids. The art teacher is amazing and is truly not out to get anyone. She is funny and nice. I think if you came to our school and really saw how nicely pine kids act, you would love the atmosphere.
--Submitted by a student

I am the art teacher at Pine Middle School and I was personally offended by the parent comment posted concerning me, and I thought it was taken out of context. There are many situations were I have been positive and It's too bad that this parent has not seen the every day environment in the art classroom to see how students behave and what myself and other teachers have to deal with daily, the negative and the positive.
--Submitted by a teacher

The science department is very poor and cant even supply books for the kids they have to use an online book... what if you dont have internet are you sol? I really dont care for the staff they are hard to work with and the teachers are very unprofessional. They favorite kids and I have also noticed that teachers blame kids for not turning in their work and a couple days later say oh well you must have snuck it into the classroom. It is the worst school ever if you dont have to send your kid there then you really shouldnt. Hope this helps! :)
--Submitted by a parent

I honestly can say that this is the worst school I think I have ever seen. My husbands job causes us to move all over the world, and temporarily in Reno. My daughter actually had to move up a grade because they were so behind. They do the equivalent of sixth grade math in 8th grade. I have never seen teachers so rude to the children. I supervised an art field trip where the teacher yelled at a child, called him dumb, and told him to shut up and sit down. There is no respect from teacher to student whatsoever. Some will tell you it is an excellent school ect. but notice that usually these people have lived in Reno their whole lives and don't know anything different. Some also say that the violence is under control when in reality it is not at all.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has really changed from when my friends went there and siblings. I was afraid to go there because everyone makes it out to be a bad school but its not its a really good school. There is 2 things bad I can say about that school and that is that an English teacher called another student a bad name and suspended the kid for it. Also RI restricted instruction. You get sent to RI fro talking,, asking for a pencil, ect they send you there for the stupidest thing! Why cant they just talk to you first and tell you to be quiet?
--Submitted by a student

Pine has really turned itself around in the past four years. There were only a few incidents of violence last year - the principal has really made a presence at the school. Most of the classes and teachers are right on target as far as curriculum and homework, although my child is in the ALM track and I'm not sure if it would be different in other tracks. The band and jazz band are excellent and my child loves the school and feels safe there.
--Submitted by a parent

Curriculum is dumbed down. It's sad but teaching is to the lowest common denominator. For instance, there is no list of required lit reading for 8th grade. Kids can read whatever they choose, even if it's 4th or 5th grade material. Makes everyone feel good but wont' do much to help our kids compete in the world.
--Submitted by a parent

pine is a great school with great teachers and classes its no doubt better than dillworth that is a bad school with gangs. pine has nice friendly kids. best class there is P.E.
--Submitted by a student

In my opinion, some of the classes at Pine are very strong and some have been very weak. I've been very pleased with my child's science class. On the other hand, I've felt the English Department is very weak performing and, is not well supervised by the administration. The teachers have, however, conveyed a sense of caring about my child's welfare. In regards to violence,it seems there is some kind of disturbance weekly.Their our frequent bouts of violence amongst the students.You defiantly get the sense that it is a inner city school. In regards to the administration, it is very difficult to get the Principal to take action on problems within the school. You have to be very persistent and willing to follow up to seek resolutions.
--Submitted by a parent