Eisenhower Middle School

Overall, I have been very pleased with the school and most of the staff. I have two daughters there and both have had great experiences. They are both challenged and pushed to do well. The only department that is lacking is their math department. They assume that because your child is in the higher math, that they understand everything, but they don't actually teach the math. My daughters come home frustrated because they aren't taught the concepts. They look forward to substitutes because they know that they have a chance to actually learn the material. Other than that - we love the school.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son had a good middle school passage here. In 7th grade he was challenged and frustrated, but that is part of growing up. He soared in 8th grade, despite having a spectrum of issues associated with his Tourette Syndrome. There are many new teachers at this school and most of the experienced ones have knitted together with the new teachers in teams that support students effectively, in spite of the size of the school. The PTA is active and worth getting involved in. They support supplemental academic programs that help at-risk students make dramatic gains, catching up to grade level in math and reading as well. The principal shows up at nearly every academic and arts special event possible.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my children went to this school. Both had very different but horrible experiences. When we tried to learn what was going on in this school or stand up for our children the principal started to pick on them. Then the staff who were trying to work with our kids closed up and would not even return emails. We will be home schooling. Something I never thought we would do. I sure do hope the high school is better. I want to believe in the public school system. This school deserves less than a 1. How about a -5.
—Submitted by a parent

I was shocked when I saw this school had a rating of 10!! That is not an accurate account of this school. My son went to this school for 1 very long year and I was very unsatisfied with just about everything. From the rude front office to the completely out of touch principal and vp. The majority of teachers act as if they don't even want to be there, let alone teach. It is a bad environment for your child when the worst bullies at the school is the faculty.
—Submitted by a parent

Some uneveness in teacher quality, but overall pretty good. Band program is really good, as are other extracurricular activities. Pretty good science instruction. My main complaint is that the teachers seem a little over-worked, and homework is not always handed out promptly - probably a result of district cut backs forcing larger class room populations. Also, not all teachers understand that less can be more, some of the homework I see seems more like busy work.
—Submitted by a parent

Terrible faculty. I can't necessarily speak for the teachers, but the Principal definitely does not know how to take care of her students. There is a child in the 6th grade, who is on special transfer because of his recent bad behavior at other schools. This child has bullied my younger brother around the whole school year, including a few other students. My brother has been suspended twice for standing up for himself. I can understand that to a degree, but the suspensions have been on the same level as what the bully has gotten. My family and others have contacted the school numerous times about the issues with this child, yet absolutely nothing has been done! Even the superintendent hasn't bothered to confront this issue. He has every single class with this child, and the school will not even budge on changing his schedule. The mother of this child is another story, but she has even threatened my brother, and had the cops involved in restraining her on school grounds because she was yelling obscenities at him. Save your child the pain and suffering, do NOT enroll them in this school.

We moved here 2 years from Colorado. My daughter has had a great experience at Eisenhower and has made some great friends. Communicaton between parent and the teachers has been great also.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school! The principal and assistant principal obviously care about kids. The teachers work to maintain high standards with the students. Great place for my kids!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is not a 10 i would give it a 0 this school did not keep my child safe if you want to keep your child safe do not send them here. The principal dose not do anything to keep them safe. And the teachers bully the children there too. I had to tranfer my kid out. And they do not care about Special Ed kids
—Submitted by a parent

My child has not had a good experience at this school I think it is the District we are in. my child has been been bullied since my child has got there. The assistant Principal said it was all in my child's head about the bullyer trying to bully my child but today we showed them that that child had it in for my child. Maybe they should listen to the child and not the bullier. Hope my child has a better rest of the school year.
—Submitted by a parent

Eisenhower Middle School is a fantastic school! While there are some teachers who need to retire (and aren't there some everywhere?), overall the teachers really care about the students and what they learn. I think it's very unfortunate that the leadership of the school has recently changed because the principal left to take a district job. I think she was the best thing to happen to EMS. Her leadership was strong and she expected the best from students and staff. I had children attend Eisenhower before she came and have had two go through since she came and the difference was amazing! Rather than the cold environment that was there before she came, the school was warm and inviting and you just knew by walking in that good things were happening! Some of the parents at Eisenhower are much too involved in the school and need to get a life!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student at eisenhower. I have not had a good experience at eisenhower. I was sent to the office, where I feel I have no chance to be treated fairly or with understanding! I believe that the principal and the vice principal are very uptight and are ruining an already good school with good students. I for one have grown to dislike school and feel like I am walking on egg shells. I fear that I will get in trouble for stupid stuff. My attidute, behavior, and grades have gotten worse because, stress environment created by the staff and facuilty! I dread going back and I hope and pray that this, my final year would be different!
—Submitted by a student

Unfortunately EMS is a product of the very pathetic Albuquerque Public School system. A weak curriculum, underpaid and unmotivated teachers and an unsafe teaching environment are only a few of the problems that exist here. Spend your money on private school if at all possible. New Mexico schools are ranked at the bottom nationally for good reason!
—Submitted by a parent

EMS is a very student oriented school. The focus is on providing the best opportunity for learning and enrichment of lifetime skills. The teachers are supportive and communicate well with the parents via e-mail, newsletters and through the students. I have been impressed with the overall academic cirriculum and believe the disciplinary principles are strong.
—Submitted by a parent

Because I am a teacher, I do know the ins and outs of the daily structure of this school. I think we strive to be the best for our students, but we can only go so far. The STRIPES program was removed becaue the school could not afford it, or so they said. The money was used to fund another program the school already had. The parents who had their students in the math program were left behind and are now failing, I was suprised that the school says we leave no student left behind but they did.
—Submitted by a teacher

Our experience with EMS has been excellent. All the teachers we have been involved with have shown personal interest in the children. The children are learning respect and caring for their fellow students. The academics are excellent. This is a very large school (over 1,000 students) and I think we were blessed to be able to send our child to it.
—Submitted by a parent

I grudgingly give EMS a '2' out of five, but I want to give it a 'one.' The school is a wonderful place but the parents are way, way to involved. I know parent involvement is necessary, but the parents at EMS go too far! It is not enough to meet teachers and confer with them about curriculum; these parents wish to control the curriculum. And they will conspire to ruin the careers of any teacher that doesn't follow their corrupt plans to dominate the coursework of their own children. These people must be stopped, and control of EMS students' academic lives must be returned to the teachers.