Western Middle School

Our experience has been extremely poor. Strong impression that children are just 'coralled' here; not taught. Teaching is just to pass a test. Kids are allowed to fall behind, then suddenly coached through the test and 'passed', ill prepared for the next grade, still less for high school. Leadership is abysmal; parental concerns go unanswered; 'too busy' to return our calls; parents are not welcome and are not kept adequately informed. Children are not treated as individuals, nor are they challenged. Really radical changes are needed.
--Submitted by a parent

The quality of teaching her is overall: fair to good. The really good teachers are tempered with those who are uninspired and simply going through the teaching motions. In some classes there is overkill on the homework; homework reaches a point of dimininishing returns as you pile it on, and some teachers don't get that. We have run into a roadblock in dealing with the administrative things as well. I hear that excessive talking goes on, often unabated in some of the classrooms.
--Submitted by a parent

Fortunately, there are a few good teachers at Western Middle. The several bad teachers will not be replaced due to the lack of fair, unbiased and capable leadership. The entire administrative staff needs replacing with solid educated leaders who know how to lead both adults and pre-teens.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a good school, one with a supportivve and caring community around it and some very special people on its staff. Sadly, it would be an even greater school if it had some leadership in the front office. It doesn't.
--Submitted by a teacher

Overall, the quality is good. My child was supposed to be in an accelerated class and there was a mix up. The principal refused to make changes because it was too much trouble. It should have been done (as she is AIG). I think it's time for the principal to retire. Otherwise, the teachers are good and we love the band.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a current 6th grader at Western...GO BRAVES!!! Anyway, I LOVE this school. I was going to go to Turrentine Middle, but instead, my parents bought a house in the Western Zone (western Middle and Western High). WMS (Western Middle School) has many great educational and extra-curricular opportunities. Plus, the teachers are wonderful here at WMS!
--Submitted by a student