Williston Middle School

This will be my first of many reviews on this as I just moved to area and want to make sure I give the school the credit due. I moved from out of state not knowing much about the area or school district. I will admit if I had known the school boundaries in advance I would have not located to the home I located to. My first impressions of the school was not the best. Not sure about the other schools but this school has a very strong police presence which my child and I are not used to. As I walked into the office I did notice children who had just been in a fight waiting for the principle, normally this would not be included in my review of a school but I have noticed that EVERY time I have been to the school there are student waiting for the principle for fighting. The staff is very friendly and I really enjoyed talking to them. The students at this school seem to be very tough, my daughter has only been at the school for a couple of weeks and we have already had incidents with bullying. I did speak to the principal and counselor and we have decided to have a conference regarding the issue. They did seem sincere when it came to solving this issue and easing my concerns.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a seventh grade son at Williston and our experience has been wonderful. My son's teachers are very dedicated, knowledgeable, and caring. The strong administration, over the last three years, has really created a positive momentum and an atmosphere of tremendous possibility.
—Submitted by a parent

My child WAS a student at Williston until I had to remove him because of the constant bullying situation and the school failing to do anything about it. My son was constantly pushed, shoved, called names....basically harassed on a daily basis and the school did nothing about it. Only AFTER I informed them I would be removing my child from the school and writing a letter to the school board and the superintendent of schools did they say they were going to work on the problem. Not a recommendation if you want your child protected!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Don't let a couple of disgruntled anti-busing Lilly-white neighborhood parents fool you. This is a great school with a great principal. Mrs. B has pulled this school up from the depths of academic despair and first and foremost, has the student's best interest in mind. If you want your kids to go to a phenomenal school with outstanding teachers, faculty, staff and athletics, then you need to choose Williston. Great orchestra and visual art classes too. And as to the so called top notch/long term teachers jumping ship you need to ask them why they are really leaving. Ask them if it has anything to do with the principal making them come in on time and put in full work day or work week. If they say it has nothing to do with renewed accountability then they are misleading you. There is no more coming and going as they please.
—Submitted by a parent

I think Williston is going to be better than ever this year. However, the uniform policy needs to be consistent...I've already observed lax enforcement...it would be a shame to lose the effect this has caused in the atmosphere because the dress code is not enforced across the board.
—Submitted by a parent

Outstanding current leadership with an open door policy. My child is thriving there. Love the uniforms too.Thank you Williston!
—Submitted by a parent

It appears that many of the top notch/long time teachers at this school will be 'jumping ship' this year due to administration conflicts, lack of leadership, lack of communication, and over all low morale for the staff. There are questions about who is truly running the school. Hopefully these problelms will be worked out next year and a new/stong/team player AP will enter the picture. Unfortunately several excellent teachers will not be there (if and when their requests for transfers come through and that is truly a shame on the administration not to consider the loss of these educators)...But consider the new teachers that replace them...they will need strong administrative leadership, collaboration on a facility level, support, and a true head of the school to emerge. No hidden agendas.
—Submitted by a parent

It appears that many of the top notch/long time teachers at this school will be 'jumping ship' this year due to administration conflicts, lack of leadership, lack of communication, and over all low morale for the staff. There are questions about who is truly running the school. Hopefully these problelms will be worked out next year and a new/stong/team player AP will enter the picture. Unfortunately several excellent teachers will not be there (if and when their requests for transfers come through and that is truly a shame on the administration not to consider the loss of these educators)...But consider the new teachers that replace them...they will need strong administrative leadership, collaboration on a facility level, support, and a true head of the school to emerge. No hidden agendas.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is the best school ever. I will hate to leave it in 3 weeks but i'm moving and i will miss this school. Not only the school but the teachers and the students also.
—Submitted by a student

I think that Williston middle school is good for education
—Submitted by a student

Williston school promotes the three R's - responsibility, respect, and reassurance. Every student is expected to succeed and every teacher is expected to go the extra mile to ensure student success. It's a great place to learn, grow, and achieve.
—Submitted by a teacher

After 18+ years at this school, I can never imagine a school I would rather be employed at more than Williston! I love the students, staff, and administration. We are in constant change to meet the ever growing need of our student population. I love working at this school and can't imagine a school having a more caring staff.
—Submitted by a teacher

Williston has one of the most complete and challenging science curriculums I could have hoped for. The Science Olympiad program excels beyond any county and regional expectation each year. I doubt any other middle school, public or private, can offer the science equivalent that Williston does.
—Submitted by a parent