School 9m-Oceanside Middle School

My son has started at the OMS a month ago, and so far, the experience has been extremely positive. While the academic level is certianly a huge step above the 6th grade, he is enjoying the challenges. The teachers are very supportive and it looks like they are oding their best to teach the subject in the most interesting way. I have also asked him about bullying, and he is the type of kid who could get easily picked at-skinny, glasses, kind, but he tells me that there is nothing going on and he is very honest with me. We still talk about how to recognize and deal with bullying, but the school has a formal policy and each teacher also enforces peaceful and cooperative environment in the clasroom. The big plus are the late after school buses which allow kids to stay for clubs, atheltics and extra help.
—Submitted by a parent

The schools inability to deal with the emotional issues many preteens face makes oms a terror for many students. As a former student who had an exceptionally hard time in middle school I found the response of teachers & the counselors to allegations of bullying, etc. to be minimal. The use of "teams" gives students relatively little time to socialize with other students and the experience was very much "one size fits all" which seems odd since middle school marks the beginning of many changes in students (internal and external). Truly the most positive thing I could say from my experience was that there was a wide variety of extracurricular activities that students were actively encouraged to take part in.

OMS is a great school! My son has a 504 plan and is involved with the inclusion team. His teachers do a wonderful job of keeping him on track and involved in his own education as well as clubs and intramurals. He has been very unhappy with school the past 3 years, but is going to school happy, coming home happy, and even doing homework without growling...a huge thank you to the OMS staff!
—Submitted by a parent

Oceanside Middle is ok if your child is on grade level. If you have an IEP they will put your child in a cookie cutter program. One child fits all. Not happening!
—Submitted by a parent

I have been very happy with OMS. The school offers an innovated program wherein students have the same teacher for a given subject in both the 7th and 8th grades. This system allows teachers to connect with and know your child. With few exceptions, my childrens' teachers have been very responsive regarding emails and telephone calls. The Principal appears to be happily involved in most aspects of school life and in developing not only academic success but also each student's character. Any issues regarding students' inappropriate conduct is dealt with quickly and seriously. In addition, OMS offers many after school clubs, and intramurals for those students who do not make various sports teams. The school offers late busses- a real plus for working parents. I would highly recommend OMS!
—Submitted by toni Logue, a parent

My daughter started 7th grade here after 6th grade JHS experience in NYC. We love this school, There is such a feeling of community. The level of education is superb. They are given a well rounded education. The school is not overly concerned with test scores, so as a result of this , the academics in all subjects is well concentrated.
—Submitted by a parent

My son only started in the middle school a month ago, and he likes most of his teachers so far. I attended 'Meet the Teacher Night', and was very impressed with the quality of the teachers -- they seemed very competent and organized, and the curriculum sounds stimulating. The district does a lot with technology, and the teachers are all well-versed, or learning to use the latest programs and tools in the classroom. THere is a lot of suuport for the students as far as getting extra help, counseling, and the like. Of course, time will tell whether everything the teachers discussed translates into an excellent school experience for my son.
—Submitted by a parent