James Martin Middle School

Out of 30 years of teaching, this school has been the worst experience of my career. A previous review states that "over the past two years bad teachers are no longer a part of this school". That is totally untrue. Most of the teachers left this school because of the principal. And the teachers that left were among the best. Nothing improved, not behavior nor test scores while the principal was in charge. Moral sank to the very bottom.
—Submitted by a teacher

We will see how they'll fare with the new principal...My daughter graduates in June 2013...
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a sixth grader at this school and she absolutely hates it. This will be my childs last year at this school. In all honesty, it's not the teachers, it's the students. My daughter has had many problems with the students but the teachers have been very helpful.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been trying to get my child transferred out of this school since before it started. The reason is because of all the bad reviews. I don't think,so far, it's as bad as I read, but there are definately problems. My child hates this school for many reasons...its crazy that they cant wear jackets or coats or carry their backpacks. My child has heard a certain teacher threaten a student several times just because the student was talking.This school isn't even the closest to my home.I'm hoping the school board will approve my request for transfer soon.From things I've read and things I've experienced so far this year, the school still needs lots of improvement.
—Submitted by a parent

OK so eveyone is saying that JM is a bad school and teachers dont do anything, and those are all LIES! The school isnt whats bad, its the students who come to school to play, touch people, use profanity, anddo all but learn which makes JM look bad. The teachers at JM work just as hard as the leading teachers in CMS. Then CMS decides to start paying teachers based upon how well their students do on EOGs,which was absurd becasue certain students decide to do what they want when the want and how they want. I attended JM in the 2010-2011 school year and because of all the bad reviews i read i was a little optimistic as to if i should stick the year out or not. But when i saw these teachers in action, believe it or not they work harder than teachers at Smith Academy and they should really be reconized for that. Rigt now i am attending CrestdleMiddle because i moved and i hate it there. Eveeryone is quick to say how good of a school Crestdale is but really all Crestdale has is their ability to rob you of all your money and a couple good reviews. I would much rather attend JMMS than Crestdale anyday. Right nw im tryying to get back in Jm . Its OK go aheAd and send you child to JM!

Over the past two years the school has underwent major changes. Teachers who have behaved in an unbecoming way, are no longer a part of the staff. In fact most of the staff is completely new, in all 23 new teachers this year alone. This does not include the turnover in the administrative / support staff. There is now a deeper focus on customer service and developing students emotionally and educationally. The principal pulled his students out of their home school to demonstrate his faith in the school. He is demanding but fair, and expects all to engage in their child's education. The school requires that teachers provide tutoring hours every week, they stay late for three parent teacher conferences (and hand out report cards on the same night). They do parent university courses and have offered students more options to grow. While the reviews of the school are not stellar, you cannot judge this school, or its staff by previous experiences. The school did not get this way overnight, and it has taken almost 2 years to return to form that people can be proud of; which is evident by the UNCC partnership as well as the TIAA-CREF partnership. Stop by an see the new JMMS.
—Submitted by a teacher

THIS IS A HORRIBLE SCHOOL, THE TEACHERS CURSE AT THE STUDENTS, THEY CHANGE THEIR CLASSES AND REMOVE THEM FROM HONORS CLASSES WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT, THE PRINCIPAL DOESNT HELP WITH ANYTHING... I AM TAKING MY CHILD OUT OF THIS SCHOOL. THEY SENT MY CHILD HOME IN 35 DEGREE WEATHER WITH NO COAT. THEY DONT LET THE KIDS USE LOCKERS BUT THEY DONT ALLOW COATS IN CLASS. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS AND MY CHILD IS GOING TO THE 8TH GRADE LAST YEAR WAS HER FIRST YEAR!!! I READ THESE REVIEWS AND DIDNT TAKE HEED BUT TRUST ME THIS IS A HORRIBLE SCHOOL!!!!! I RATE THIS SCHOOL A ZERO!!! IT'S USELESS AND WE CAN BUILD SOMETHING ELSE IN ITS PLACE...
—Submitted by a parent

As a student at jm i feel that the school is unsafe in many wasy. thir standards are degrading. i was the victim of the manjy violents acts that took place. i was in a stituation where three students jumped me and security did nothing to intervene. The teachers and staff at james martin are rude and obnoxious an care nothing about student academics and success.

I do not recommend any parent enrolling their children in this school even if it is the last option. I have not had a lot of dealings with the principal however, the teachers do the best they can with what they have to work with. We are not from NC and did not know any better than to place our children among this poorly rated school. There is a lot of issues with this school that need to be addressed and handled immediately. The children practically run the school and the teachers are the students. Nothing good can come from allowing your child to attend this school. Please seek other options first.
—Submitted by a parent

In my honest opinion, I would not recommend anyone to enroll their child into this school. My child has only attended this year and so far there are only ongoing issues verses resolutions. The principal is the poorest excuse for a principal that I have seen in seven years. He does not respond to parents, or problems. My child is in honors courses. The children with behavior problems seem to have more power than the actual teachers or principals. As a result this environment is unsafe. The student's best interest is not at heart at this middle school. I volunteered to help get the PTA started and have not heard a word from anyone. If you have the option to place your child at another school, do it!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a former student of James Martin Middle but currently attend Piedmont IB Middle. As someone stated before, I was in the honors courses and made great grades. Parents complain about how James Martin Middle is a school where teachers just yeall and dont teach, students are wild,and the parent involment is poor. Some of the opinons stated are true but James Martin is being changed in greater ways every day. The new prinicipal, Mr. Ayinde Rudolph, i making James Martin a better and safer place for the childrens' education. Every school has there great points and baad points. Piedmont IB isnt the best school in dicipline but the best school in academics. James Martin is in progress for better education and if parents dont think James Martin isnt for there child, then so be it, but James Martin Middle school is a place of excellence and children appreciate that.
—Submitted by a student

I used to attend to jmms and i think that every school has there problems as well as this one. But there i learn how to share with people from different cultures. Even thought theres good people and bad people everywhere.
—Submitted by a student

I am a former student of jmms. This school had its ups and downs in the past 3 years. But to be honest this school has major issues in dealing with disipline. Some of the people at this school take it to racial actions but this is just me telling the truth
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers aren't very friendly & willing to help when parents are concerned about their child. Transferred my child here & grades slipped significantly.
—Submitted by a parent

I love working with the students. They enjoy learning and are excited about learning new and interesting things. The staff is great!!!! We collaborate together, sharing ideas, suggestions and innovative ways to teach.
—Submitted by a parent

I hate James martin middle school. They pay more attention to the punishments then the academic part. The some of the staff is rude and careless. Some teachers dont need to be there at all, cause they cant teach. I failed the 8th grade because of this school. Please do not go to this school i recommended it.
—Submitted by a student

Do not blame the teachers for this. Im a student at JMMS and I'm in the honors class. I've learned many things in the honors classes. Maybe it's that parents that let their children run loose in the schools.
—Submitted by a student

My family just transfered here in FEB. This my son's first year of Middle School, and at this point, I am not too happy with this school. I am a very active parent however, it took me to go talk to the principal to get the teachers to respond to me. I am considering tansfering him to another school for the second half of the year.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a terrible school and I would say, Parents beware! The teachers and administration are so overly concerned with punitive measures that the academic emphasis is missing. My son relearned everything he learned previously in CA in the sixth grade in James Martin's 7th and 8th grades.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school! I used to be a 6th grader here! its was so cool! My teachers Really cared about me and, even though there was alot of drama its was still a good school! I loved it! Now i go to JM Alexander.
—Submitted by a student