James Martin Middle School

All I can say is that it leaves a lot to be desired......I'm trying to get my daughter into a different school for 8th grade.
--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