South Orange Middle School

The school has good teachers and concern parents. I had one child complete the eight grade and one currently attending and it has been a positive experience. The class sizes are not too large.
—Submitted by a parent

SOMS has been an incredible disappointment to our family on many levels. There are some great teachers, but in the classes of some other teachers, our child receives homework assignments that leave us scratching our heads and wondering, "What's the point?" We had hopes that under the new principal, things might improve. Rather the changes that have been made this year have been even more alarming. Especially troubling is added busywork in the classrooms and at home. We had hoped that, under the new principal, a more progressive approach would be adopted. Indeed, there was much hoopla upon his arrival to indicate such would be the case. Instead, we find the school further mired in rubrics and less interested in accurately assessing whether students are truly learning what they need to learn to be successful individuals. On a bright note, the arts and music programs continue to thrive. Hopefully, that will continue, as those programs are among the few areas less governed by misguided measuring sticks and in which the students seem to be learning valuable life skills and acquiring knowledge that will serve them beyond the next round of standardized tests.
—Submitted by a parent

Since the first day of school in 2010 SOMS didn't respond well to a transportation blunder. They also did not relay an important message and as a result my child was not at the designated pick up. In addition administrators have questionable priorities in regards to student discipline. Disciplining a child twice for the same occurrence is not setting high expectation and high performance.
—Submitted by a parent

South Orange Middle School is where our kids matured and were able to nurture great freindships in a warm and caring environment. The principal Mr. Smith is very caring and his efforts to know every child's name reflects his going above and beyond to help solve any issues that arise. The staff is dedicated and caring as well and the teachers are selected for their ability to engage and incite learning in these challenging pre teen years. There have been just 2 or three teachers here we did not care for, but this does not diminish the wonderful instructors who have guided our kids. If you ask me they should get rid of Home Ec and replace it (and the instructor) with Environmental Studies. WE are very happy at SOMS and could not have asked for a better experience.
—Submitted by a parent

The dedicated staff creatively and consistently works with their students to provide a quality education.

I Love my School it is great!!! Everything about it is perfect and I recomend it to any child moving to the district!!
—Submitted by a student

Great teachers, great administrators and fun and interesting class projects. .Also, the best Middle School Plays! By the way the school is in South Orange, not Orange.
—Submitted by a parent

This school does not give children an opportunity to express their creativity, and that is the key to a good learning experience.
—Submitted by a parent

I like the actual building and the teachers, but the other kids? They're just....bleh. Compared to kids I know that live in N.Y.C., they're horrid (Except for my friends, of course). Also, the math curriculum is a bit too easy compared to other schools'.
—Submitted by a student

SOMS may not have the best facilities, but it has amazing teachers and satff who really care about the students.
—Submitted by a student

This school is AMAZING! I look forward to going to school every morning! The teachers teach well and are very friendly! I love this school SO much! GO SOMS!
—Submitted by a student

My nephew started attending this school since September of 2006 and has been there for 6 months and I'am already disgusted with this school. From the first day I dropped him off to school I just knew this school was not a fit for him. I take him to school every morning and notice many of the children are unruly and disrespectful as well as using profanity. Concerning academics my nephew is given very little homework assignments on week days and rarely anything on weekends. How can what he is learning in school get reinforced if there is very little homework given? Even though I'am paying 13,000 in taxes to live in South Orange I will be putting him in Private school when he starts the seventh grade. If push comes to shove I would rather move to Millburn or Short Hills because they have great schools.
—Submitted by a parent

What a great school! I am a 8th grader here at South Orange Middle School and I dont want to leave! The teachers are awesome and the principals work hard. Also the Guidance counselers are great! I reccomend this school!
—Submitted by a student

i think that south orange middle school is both a very good learning enviroment for children and also a very involving school. No matter what people had said about this school in the past I think this is an excellant school
—Submitted by a former student