Roosevelt Middle School

I am a former student of Roosevelt (and, as of this year, a graduate of Manzano High School). Looking back, I have to say that my experiences at Roosevelt have proven to be far more rewarding than even any I had in high school. I was in the gifted program, which was an amazing experience for me and taught me things that I am just now realizing the importance of today, almost six or seven years later. All of my teachers were amazing, though I regret many of them have now retired (Broadsky, Talley, Haras, Burwinkle). I have to say, though, that the administration has a weird way of handling discipline - I found that they seemed to be buddy-buddy with all the bad kids and eventually became friends with repeat offenders, routinely joking around with them at lunch and passing. Besides that, the education was amazing.

It is one of the few that it is the best in the APS school system
--Submitted by a parent

I love this school it is a great experience as my first year of a middle school.
--Submitted by a student

i think this school is pretty good except for sometimes it can be kind of boring and strict but only with certain teachers!! but some teachers are awesome and make learning funn!!
--Submitted by a student

I think its a great school, and the extracurriculars are fantastic, i will be in 7 grade this year and i have found all the electives including band, student council, art, p.E, and all others are taught very well. The staff is great and discipline is always taken care of. I believe they teach all subjects well and they have very expeirienced teachers.
--Submitted by a student

The only subject my child likes is band taught by Ralph Harris. He is a wonderful teacher that cares about student's well being (with the exception of steve haras) compared to other teachers that seem to care less. Band is the best class in the school and so far the only one actually helping develop my childs brain and it's the only one with a challenge.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been very disappointed in this school. It is not at all challenging for my child. The teachers seem mostly bright and dedicated but I have been discouraged from getting involved or providing feedback. I think the classes are too big and so it is a no-win situation. Whether kids are in front of 'the pack' or behind it I don't think they can have their needs met in this environment. It just seems the entire focus is preparing kids for the standardized No Child Left Behind testing, which isn't reflecting positively on this school anyway! Too few extracurricular activities, as well. Can't wait for high school for my child.
--Submitted by a parent

As a former student of Roosevelt I was exposed to the worst administration there could be in a school. Disipline is non-existent. Very disappointed in the path the school has taken.
--Submitted by a student

A positive: A wonderful band taught by Mr. Ralph Harris. Negatives: The administration is not responsive to parent concerns, and is very anti-parent if the parent has any concerns at all. All extracurricular activities are sports related with one exception, a bible study club. We live in a rural community, and there are not enough things for kids to do. The school needs to increase the number and type of extracurricular activities. Teachers seem quite good overall. But when there is a problem with a teacher there is no administrative support. Typical administrative response is to blame the parent or the student. Parent involvement is good, but there is a definite administrative trend towards discouraging parental involvement. Definitely parental involvement seems more reluctantly tolerated than accepted. This is not appropriate for our rural community. Safety and Discipline: Parent concerns about bullying are ignored. Overall Quality: Administration shows no concern.
--Submitted by a parent

I have a child with special needs, and I feel it was the support and help I got from the teachers, principal and other staff that has kept my son actually in school in stead of home bound. Some times being IN school is very importante also! I am, however, concerned about the education received in the LD Classes. I intented to be very involved this year.
--Submitted by a parent