Helen A. Fort Middle School

My son has attended 7th and 8th grade in this school. It has tried hard to improve its academic scores, and to a great extent it has. HOWEVER, it has failed to improve the student culture. Non-military students are often ostracized and targeted. The teachers and administration have failed to fully incorporate the military as members of the community. Military students are often treated disrespectfully and as outsiders by the local student population. Additionall, there is a lack of communication from the majority of the teachers, and the principal and counselor have yet to reply to any email or phone message I have sent. My son is in Honors classes and has never been a problem student. Over the 2 years, I have sent approximately a dozen email total to his teachers, but only 1 of his 7th grade teachers and 1 of his 8th grade teachers have ever bothers to respond. The school does a horrible job of providing information to parents. The e-chalk and parent genesis web pages are not updated by teachers, so it is impossible for parents to know what assignments are due and/or missing. Parents should strongly consider Burlington schools as alternative to Pemberton.
--Submitted by a parent

I am an Eight Grade Student and this school is a VERY safe and the principal is a good strong leader that provides many extacurricular activities. Unfortunatly parent involvement needs improvement. I cant say anything about the teachers because some are good and some are bad it all depends on who you ask.
--Submitted by a student

I am in 8th grade honors at HFMS. This school gives good education, safety, and activities. What matters is how you take it and use the information they give you. Many students in Pemberton are bad and refuse to do work. As long as you don't fall into the wrong crownd, you'll be fine. I can tell you many success stories of people that went to Pemberton schools all 12 grades. If you're looking for a school, look into this one. Thank You. :D
--Submitted by a student

This school dedicates itself to helping challenged children achieve with alot less stress by accomodating them in smaller classes.
--Submitted by a parent

The students are awesome! We made Safe Harbor and things are beginning to improve!!
--Submitted by a parent

( In addition my previous review ) There are so many extracurricular activities at Helen A. In my school, there's band, chorus, and four sports. In Helen A., there was that and more. Yes, Helen A. WAS bad, back when it was a high school and a few years ago, but it has improved. Most of these comments ARE from a few years ago, and others are based on from when it was a high school. Helen A. is truly a great school, and you shouldn't worry about sending your child there.
--Submitted by a student

My daughter has gone to 7th grade at hfms. She was an honor student until she hit 7th grade. She used to love school. HFMS changed my daughter and not for the better. Viloence & out of control kids are what rule this school. We are in the mist of getting a civil lawyer to get our school tax credit money back and enroll her in New Egpyt school district. If you have an option, DON'T send your child to this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm in the 8th grade in the Fort as well and I think that the school could use some reconstruction on discipline. Whatever a teacher does to a misbehaving student, it doesn't seem to help at all. They just keep on doing it and it's really annoying. I'm glad that its my last year here.
--Submitted by a student

i attend the fort and im in 8th grade honors. i wouldnt tell you to put your child in this school. their food is nasty and the education is poor. when i walk into the school i dont feel really safe, but good enough since im not new. but if your child is new, you'll have some problems. race is deffinately an issue in our school. our security guards are as old as dirt. but they somehow keep sanity within the school. as for the over all look of pemeberton, it is rough and doesnt give the brightest educaation your child can get. - a student
--Submitted by a student

There are only a very few teachers that are truly dedicated to helping the students. My sons guidence councolar is phenominal in helping get my son the help he needs with his learning disability.
--Submitted by a parent