Community House Middle School

Given the choice of schools in the area, I suppose this one would be the lesser of two evils and the greater of another. My children came from an elementary school in which the kids would potentially go to one of three different middle schools. We chose this one, because my oldest child had an IEP and most of the kids who knew him from Elementary were going here so we felt that the transition would be a bit easier. While we NEVER encountered a bullying issue - even with a child with special needs - we did find more than our fair share of teachers who are ill-equipped to do the job, and those who are well- equipped are being drowned by so many hands clutching for them to help them stay afloat. The IEP resources are a "joke." Most Resource personnel think that it is their job to just tell the kids what they're supposed to do to get a singular answer right, instead of showing them the methodologies required to get them ALL right (IOW they seem to fee it's easier to do their work for them instead of showing them how to do it). If you have a choice, choose somewhere else. Otherwise pray for a TOTAL Administrative change.
—Submitted by a parent

We relocated to CLT in late July, and this is our first year at CHMS, and last. My children have had the privilege to attend schools in two separates states in the USA and oversees, and my expectations of CHMS fell way short for my kids and I. The principal and front staff do not have a sense of service, but instead of incredible arrogance. Please serve others well all the time or get out. My kids are tired of the numerous wiki pages each individual teacher has. The work is not loaded most of the time. Most of the teachers are nice and well prepared, but we feel kids are squashed under unrelenting school procedures with no play time or socializing. I operate a company with 500+ employees I just relocated to Charlotte, and if any of my associates do not have a heart for service, an understanding that customers have needs, and need to be treated with decency with no exception are terminated on the spot.
—Submitted by a parent

8:30 am - 5:00 pm / M-F - that is child's school week. After 45 hours you would think there was some serious learning and teaching going on, to the contrary. 80 minute blocks with no talking, no moving, no socializing and then they assign homework. Forget after school sports or activities, there is at least an hour of homework every day. After being successful at every endeavor in his life, my son is failing to "learn how to do Community House". Orientation was a joke and instead of preparing our family for the transition, we were subjected to two hours of the incredibly arrogant principal to tell us what we were not going to do at "her school". Assignments are delivered to the kids in a collegiate format where we have to check each individual teacher's "wiki" pages nightly. Half the work or assignments are not uploaded, each wiki is in a different format, and it is a part time job managing my 6th graders school work. Our child is bright, well spoken, and popular and everything that makes him special is squashed under the unrelenting thumb of the procedures. We are pulling him out after this year and have nothing positive to say about our experience at CHMS.
—Submitted by a parent

We just moved here from the midwest and like many of the other reviews, feel the same way about the school being run like a prison. The children are given assigned seats for lunch and they can't socialize with anyone in the cafeteria unless they are at their specific table. There is ZERO socializing in the hallways before or after school, and no recess. The students are given 5 minutes to switch between classes and use the restroom. One teacher that my child has for math requires that at least one warm up problem is started during this 5 minute transition time. It makes it very hard for my child to get to the classroom, use the restroom, and have the work started. I wished we would have gone to Union county. I do like my child's teachers, I just don't care for the military style running of the building. If your child is new to the school, it will be EXTREMELY hard to meet new friends do to the lack of of time to just be a kid.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved here from upstate NY and could not believe the difference in schools. The front office staff at Community House MS was the most unfriendly, unhelpful staff I have ever encountered. I go to the office frequently and they definitely need some special training on how to treat parents and students. They all appear to hate their jobs. I worked in a school for 10 years while living in NY and in my experience front office staff members are usually very friendly and helpful. My child was bullied on facebook and on her phone. I called the school and they said there was nothing they could do about it if it did not occur at school. There were a couple of amazing teachers but for the most part the teachers were terrible. Wished we had a better experience.
—Submitted by a parent

I have read the last several reviews and I agree the school is run with an iron hand but with 1600 kids it has to be. In a perfect world we would have another middle school built but we don't have that so we have a school with a lot of kids. My daughter has had a pretty good experience. Her counselor was great and has taken the time to talk to me when I needed to I think south Charlotte schools take a very strong stance on bullying. And I can tell you my daughter hasn't seen half of what I saw and experienced in middle school which I am thankful for. I think its a good school. I feel that she is safe. I will say I have heard the high school we feed into is like a prison and I do think high schoolers need some freedom. But in middle school I think the structure is good.
—Submitted by a parent

There are so many problems with the previous post. First of all the bullying. I know it's hard to admit, but parents aren't as aware of what is going on in their child's life either because they're too busy, or b/c technology has made it easier for students to bully one another and keep things private. Tell your granddaughter's parents to do their parenting job and stop blaming the school. I know first hand that the school does everything they legally can to stop bullying. Tests on this site are state tests which are very high because the students are taught the curriculum which is what the test is based on. Parents of this school can be very demanding and if they don't get their way, they think the school is bad. As a former teacher, you should help your children be more supportive of the school. Be part of the solution - not a problem. Teachers and administration here hold students to high standards, but that's only truly effective with supportive parents.
—Submitted by a parent

My granddaughter attended CHMS last year and I sincerely hope her parents are able to find a better solution for her for the future. There is no leadership, no accountability, and little close supervision of the students. When a problem is brought to the attention of the administration, it is effectively swept under the carpet. Bullying is a huge problem at this school and virtually nothing is done to curtail it. Find another school, don't believe the hype! Test scores are high because students are allowed to retake the test when they fail something. "Teaching the test" is the order of the day! "Great Schools" uses tests as the basis for their rating, which explains their score of 10. Just for your information, I am a former teacher and have taught in four states. NEVER have I known of a poorer environment for students, nor have I seen a more lax administration. I would avoid this school at all costs if you value your student's self-esteem.

no wonder, children act the way they do, because of parents having their schildren under their skirts and spoiling all of their bad behaviors.

I wholeheartedly agree with the previous post. CHMS is not what it is hyped to be. The principal is completely data driven, with no regard for what is in the best interest of your child. The teachers, while some are terrific, the majority are mediocre at best, making it a luck of the draw depending on who your student ends up with. I have had 2 students go through that school and the first 3 years was quite a different experience from the last 3 years. It would be in the best interest of our wonderful neighborhood if this principal were to be transferred to another school in the district where her militaristic ways would serve those incorrigible kids and not those in Ballantyne who don't need that! CMS should oust her.
—Submitted by a parent

If you're moving to the Ballantyne area, looking for a middle school for your child & have a choice, then I strongly recommend sending your love one(s) somewhere else. The principle runs the school like a prison and appears more like a warden. Kids aren't allowed to be kids & experience recess, instead the time to make it between classes & allowing them to chew gum is her answer to excersice, REALLY. No wonder obesity is on the rise in South Charlotte. Kids are definitely second rated citizens and some of the teachers shouldn't be allowed to teach w/ their military No Talking, No Moving, No breathing mentality. I know this reads quite harsh but I assure you this is true, just ask kids that attend. Teachers seem grumpy & pleading your case to the Asst Principle will get you no where, he only appeases you and nothing gets resolved. I never intended having my child attend a Military School but even a Military School allows their cadets to be youthful & have breaks from their tough regimine. Avoid this school like the plague if you can, if you love your child you will. I speak on behalf of many fearful parents afraid of retaliation on their children. VERY DISSAPOINTED PARENT
—Submitted by a parent

My child has had problems with his schoolwork and the his school coounselor along with all the teachers have been more than supportive.
—Submitted by a parent

Community House is FANTASTIC! We recently withdrew from the private school world (Charlotte Latin) and have surprisingly found the academics at CHMS to be more rigorous than at Latin! The school is well-run, the teachers give individualized attention, and my child loves the environment. We are so glad we made the switch!
—Submitted by a parent

I am an 8th grd student at CHM. The classes are fine as are the teachers. There are a couple of teachers who are not so great but thy hve been warned and some have been removed. What I would like to explain is the bullying problem. I see what happens firsthand and heres a suprise. I dont find it to be too much of a problem. Some comments that should not be said are said but it's clear that they are not something tht depresses a student. The prob is that there are certain kids that go alert teachers the second they hear the a mean comment. Its usually just a joke. Thas wat makes kids bully. When they get in trouble for somthing that nobody honestly cares about. When i say nobody i mean that the person who recieved the comment doesn't really care wat was said about them. The reason there are probs are because some kids r fighting wars that don't need to be fought. i may have sounded mean or like a bully with this review, but i promise i am not. Im one of those kids who can just observe what is actually the situation. The school is fine though. By the way teachers and staff are taking actions. We have seminars and lessons about bullying. This is almost too much action being taken.

I have a 6th & 7th grader at this school. The teachers are excellent & very caring; however, there are serious bullying problems at this school. I have spoken with both teachers & administration about this problem, but they don't do anything. It seems to be getting worse. I am now looking for a private school to send my kids to next year.
—Submitted by a parent

I didnt like the school they dont wory about disapline or even other students.The academics is very owmy dauoughter is in 8th grade and is learning things she had already leraaned in 5th gerade when we moved from VA to NC
—Submitted by a parent

My son is an 8th grader at CHM and as a parent I couldn't ask for more when it comes to how caring his teachers are. They really go above and beyond to help my son succeed!
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attended the full three years at Community House Middle. The 6th grade staff was Incredible, very supportive and committed and dedicated. Since then, my child is now in the 8th grad, I have to say there are a couple wonerful teachers who really care, who take the time to keep in close contact with informing me of the class grade progress. The only thing I would say is that I feel my child isn't being challenged enough is the lack of homework being sent home.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter and son have been at CHMS since it opened. My daughter who is now a freshman in high school, was not prepared academically for high school. Even though she is a straight A student, that came from 3 classes (core subjects) who were 'taught' by substitute teachers throughout the last semester. The leadership was a joke, and we will see how well the new administration works. There is a HUGE bullying problem at the school that my son faces everyday. He has also had teachers that yell, leave mid-semester, are hugely unqualified for the subject they were teaching, etc. He has had a nightmare of a middle school experience there. He started in 5th grade and is now in 7th. We are looking into private schools for him now so that he won't have to waste his remaining year and a half there.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not sure about the other comments posted here but my child is nearing the end of 8th grade and is more than ready for 8th grade. She has done numerous research papers. Maybe we just got lucky and had good teachers. They even read 3 High School listed books this year. She has never seen any bullying and her EOG's are extremely high so i am not sure where the bullying and pulling grades down is coming from. We have had no problem contacting teachers and the Principal. Obviously no school is perfect and I am sad to read that some people have not had good experiences at CHMS.
—Submitted by Amanda, a parent