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GreatSchools Rating

Wantagh Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 859 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 1 rating
2012:
Based on 2 ratings
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
No new ratings

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9 reviews of this school


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Posted January 25, 2013

I have had 2 children at WMS, one an honors student and one who needed extra help. Both students were well served by the school for their widely differing needs. Also, when one child reported being bullied, the administration had the entire school attend an anti-bullying program in the gym within days of the report. Kids being kids, there will always be some degree of this and the cliques and all the other things I see people complaining about on this site, but it's no different from when we were kids - or how adults behave these days. It's human nature. Perhaps some of the parents need to teach their children that they aren't the center of the universe anymore. And the parents need to realize that these are the years of great development both educationally and psychologically for their kids. Time to start growing up.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 24, 2012

Our child started WMS this year and had almost exactly the opposite experience to the last review. The teachers have been very committed to helping him adjust to middle school. For the first few weeks they had teachers in the hallways to help children find their way. Extra help is offered and encouraged by all his teachers. So far I am very happy. His guidance counselor is very dedicated and responsive. The board does need to find and keep a permanent high quality superintendent.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 20, 2012

this school has way too many issues.The food is HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!! When my son went here on his first day he came home crying.Telling me that the teachers were yelling at him for being lost, they had no one showing them where to go ,he said a teacher yelled at him for asking.He told me that when he asked children they pouposely led them to a diffrent place.He never wanted to go back!!This school needs to change on desperate measures111


Posted August 8, 2011

Dear parents and others alike The discipline in wantagh middle school is scarce and is really nothing at all the new principle is not to be trusted she is to believe that if a person is to defend themselves from getting hit there to get punished she also beleives that if the kid that should get in trouble is nice to the teachers an her self that the kid that told on them is the one to be blamed in stead of th E troublemaker and cause of her relation ship with some and barley any children in the school doesn't let most speak there mind and if they do they get in trouble as you can see there needs to be big changes in the school including principle and some staff that are concerningly harsh and cruel to some kids that are different from the pretty clones at this school Thank you


Posted January 4, 2009

WMS is what the citizens make it. The kids are taught well by caring, superior teachers. If sports is emphasized, it reflects what the parents and board want. If you want a better science program, ask for it and pay for it. As it is, WMS has one of the most superior student support programs, their advisories, on Long Island.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 23, 2008

Most of these reviews are written by parents who only think they know about this school. They, however don't have to attend the school regularly. I honestly don't care if they're in the PTA or not, because they will never know the school as well as us kids. Now, after an openning paragraph like that, you would think that I would rip this school to shreds. However, it is not all that bad. The food is fine, we have a good balance of homework for classes, and for the most part, the teachers are nice. However, some teachers don't care, or are unnecessaraly cruel, and let me make it abundantly clear that I am not just saying that because they yell at me for doing poor in class. I do think the school is way too sports focused. Also, punishment is usually too light.
—Submitted by a student


Posted March 3, 2008

I am increasingly concerned about our children's experience in WMS. There is almost no more room for a child to have a balanced childhood; class time, homework/study time and playtime. The tensions are rampant throughout the halls, from admin to staff to children, all pressured to teach to the test. Children only memorize the volume of material they are faced with; resulting in low retention levels. They aren't learning well. My child is bright and he is being turned off. His healthy curiosity is being damaged. I'm sad to say all this. WMS was way better before NCLB. Parent who agree should write their congressman and get rid of yearly testing. It won't happen unless we do this. It's up to us. Our kids can't get back their childhood. Sad times, indeed.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 27, 2007

WMS experience has been wonderful so far. They have been very good with helping our children with their independence and their accountability. All of the supportive services have been key as well. Dr.Stern is #1 , she really cares about the students.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 23, 2005

Wantagh Middle school is excellent on their focus of integrating new kids to middle school. They do this by slowly letting them learn to switch classes and they use older kids to help the younger. One problem I encountered was the teachers attitude towards parents. They do not appear to care if parents work as 'they only work til 5' and they let parent pressure guide their judgements. This is a minor problem though.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 56% in 2012.

263 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
79%

2011

 
 
75%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

263 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
89%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New York used the New York State Assessments to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English language arts and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The results for English language arts and math are displayed on GreatSchools profiles and the science results will be added when they are released in the Fall of 2013. The tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New York. The goal is for 90% of students to meet or exceed grade-level standards on the tests.

See New York's state standards

Source: New York State Education Department

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 52% in 2012.

302 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
68%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

302 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
89%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New York used the New York State Assessments to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English language arts and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The results for English language arts and math are displayed on GreatSchools profiles and the science results will be added when they are released in the Fall of 2013. The tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New York. The goal is for 90% of students to meet or exceed grade-level standards on the tests.

See New York's state standards

Source: New York State Education Department

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 50% in 2012.

291 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
72%

2011

 
 
70%
Math

The state average for Math was 61% in 2012.

292 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
86%

2011

 
 
91%
Science

The state average for Science was 69% in 2011.

244 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
91%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New York used the New York State Assessments to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English language arts and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The results for English language arts and math are displayed on GreatSchools profiles and the science results will be added when they are released in the Fall of 2013. The tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New York. The goal is for 90% of students to meet or exceed grade-level standards on the tests.

See New York's state standards

Source: New York State Education Department

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 96% 51%
Asian/Pacific Islander 2% 8%
Hispanic 2% 21%
American Indian/Alaska Native N/A 0%
Black 0% 19%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 2%N/A44%
Limited English proficient 0%N/A7%
Source: NYSED, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 13N/A13
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Fewer than 3 years experience 8%N/A10%
Source: NYSED, 2007-2008

Teacher education levels

  This school District averageState average
Master's degree and above 66%N/A33%
Source: NYSED, 2007-2008

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Teachers with no valid teaching certificate 1%N/A5%
Source: NYSED, 2007-2008
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

3299 Beltagh Ave
Wantagh, NY 11793
Phone: (516) 679-6350

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