Poughkeepsie Middle School

When my daughter attended PMS several years back, the Teachers and school personnel were very much involved and active with the students. My son is now a 7th grader there and the quality, dedication, efforts and support of the teachers and Administration is lacking tremendously. It seems that with the exception of literally a handful of Teachers, they fail to exude the following: Professionalism, patience, positive encouragers, guidance, support, enthusiasm and ability to connect with students in a friendly but firm demeanor. Students are not given additional help. They are quick to suspend and find some sort of negative consequence for students actions. Moreover, there are no afterschool assistance, homework help, afterschool programs and educational enrichment for students. The whole district, in my professional and personal opinion needs an overhaul. The state should really come in and close this school district down. It's so bad, that I've been actively trying to relocate in order to get my son out of this school. The Principal is ghetto and the Asst. Principal align with the Teachers, who are at times are lackluster.
—Submitted by a parent

PMS has been an experience for both my child and myself as a parent; however, the school has potential with a lot more work that needs to be done. My child has been on high honor roll ever since she began the school year, fell down to just honor but manage to climb her way back to the top with the help of her teachers and myself. Overall the school needs a lot more structure and discipline. Bullying and fighting is a major problem as well. My child did not get the help that she needed from her 6th grade principal and is now terrified to go back for 7th grade.
—Submitted by a parent

My son just graduated from PMS and I am very proud of his accomplishments. The teachers there are exceptional, they go above and beyond their duties to ensure that the students understand the material. The coordinator for the NJHS is an exceptional lady, my son had her for his sixth grade class and she did a remarkable job with the class. A lot of persons speak negative about PMS and surprisingly these are past students. I have only good things to say about the school because my niece went there and graduated in the top 10 and now my son did the same. Keep up the good work, superintendent, principal, assistant principals, guidance counselors and most of all teachers, without you students would cease to exist.
—Submitted by a parent

Poughkeepsie Middle School gets a bad review from certain people because most people see what they want to see in this school. This may not be the best school in the world, but we're getting better. Ever since our current principle came, the school has been getting better. There are three programs for tutoring now and a lot of sports. There are honors classes too, so some kids get advanced placement. It really isn't that bad. I like this school...I wouldn't ever think about leaving...until graduation.
—Submitted by a student

My child is an eight grader this year, and has attended Poughkeepsie public schools K-8th. There has been great concern over the flux in administration over the past year. There is no doubt that the grade averages are sub standard and in drastic need of improvement.
—Submitted by a parent

Academic programs are excellent if child is in honors track.There is little to no parent involvement in the school .The parents who help out are mostly parent whos child is in honors and care.The avability of extracurriculars is good. Acdmeic programs are not funded well.
—Submitted by a student

I think that Poughkeepsie Middle School is a very good school for children from grades 6-8. There is a descent amount of academic programs. Poughkeepsie Middle School has been heard to be a bad school, but it's not as bad as what some people say about it. I'm a 13 year old student who attends there, and I love it. There are maybe 6 or a little over 6 sports throughout the school year and summer time. For students beginning at the age of 13, there are job openings for the students who are interested. Some teachers even stay hours after school at P.M.S., to tutor students with whichever subject. Yes some of the students at P.M.S. may need some discipline but that has little to do with the school itself. And the staff are working on that.
—Submitted by Jazmin Coleman, a student

The Poughkeepsie Middle School is a very self discipline school because I use to go there but I don't anymore. The teachers in that school need to work on how to help the children more, then togive them tbad grades. I'm not tring to say that the PMS is bad or anything but the school can work on some things. For Example:school spirit week etc. Thanks----Forme4r student
—Submitted by nigeria green, a former student