James L. Capps Middle School

I have had three children go through this school. As with anything in life - you get out of something what you put into it. We've put blood, sweat, and tears into their education and we've gotten excellent results for all three. The counselor Mr. Horn is excellent, the extracurricular programs are awesome and more than you'd expect from any public school anywhere, much less in Oklahoma, and some of the teachers are incredible like Mrs. Thompson, the FCCLA teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has failed to meet Oklahoma Standarized Testing for 2 years in a row. My child has been attending this school for 2 years and we are very disappointed in the quality of education. There is never any homework assigned by any of the teachers and when we questioned the teachers at the parent teacher conferences the answer we get is the students don't do the homework, so why should we assign it. REALLY, who are the adults in this situation and what lesson's are we teaching our kids. No wonder they fail to meet the standarized testing. The 7th grade girls soccer coach is terrible. Our daughter was on the team for the season and they lost every game, but yet the coach would be on her cell phone during the game. Behavorial problems run rampant in this school. There appears to be a disconnect between faculty and administration. It seems that this school hires from the bottom of the barrel when it comes to teachers. We consistently email and call our daughters teachers to find out out about progress and we never can get anyone to return our calls or emails.
—Submitted by a parent

my daughter has had so many issues at this school.the teachers are good,but the principal's are another story! they don't follow through at all,there not equal! my daughter got in a fight this year,and while she was defending herself,another girl sprayed her with pepper spray,and she was suspended!!! that just this year...last year was even worst,death threats,being jumped,nothing ever happen.this is one of the worst schools ever,i don't think the principals care,and they never will.but i bet if one of there kids were jumped or fought with all the time,and pepper sprayed..it would be a different story.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attends Capps & loves it! She's involved in 2 clubs in addition to Orchestra, & has gone on at least 5 field trips this yr. I can check her grades online, & her teachers have been very helpful w/any question I've had. She's made great friends & says she feels like her teachers truly care about her. Any problems she's mentioned are problems any school has (some disruptive students, SOME kids not behaving for substitutes, etc).
—Submitted by a parent

my children are attending Capps Middle School Right now. The teachers on the Lynx team are excellent Teachers. If my child is behind or needs help or is having Behavior issues they call and let me know that. THey stay after school and they help your child with the stuff they're having problems with. I havent had any problems.
—Submitted by a parent

I know students treat substitutes badly, but today I only stayed at capps middle school half the day because they were that bad. I let the office know I was leaving because i was being disrespected (after multiple teachers coming in to help me) and the principal just made excuses for the students. I don't care how much your teacher has been gone, this amount of disrespect is inexcusable. This makes me disappointed in our youth and the authority figures at cms.

The past Central Middle School which is now James L. Capps Middle School has been a school of outstanding after-school curriculums, test scores, education, teachers, everything you could think of. You could let your child attend this school. Don't be too tight about the safety. Officer White the Police Man that takes his time off of work to come and make sure our school is safe and sound. Capps Middle School(the shortened version) has Spirit Week which involves the students participating by wearing crazy hats, bringing their MP3 Players and iPods, having crazy hair, or dressing up in the way the teachers have chosen them to for that day, but for a price. But we always start that Spirit Week with a Nice 'Wear A School T-Shirt Day' for free! This school is a 3 year chance to have fun! Enroll now! :)
—Submitted by a parent

Central is one of the most unique schools I had ever gone to! The principal and staff were supportive and very helpful. And as for sports and extra activities, Central is well equipped. Central has so many options to choose from, your child won't know were to begin. It has excellent guidance and discipline is well kept. I, for example, was one of the students that didn't quite learn as fast as the rest. And when I came to Central, I thought it would be the same there as well. But I was wrong, the teachers actually EXPLAIN the lessons, and if you don't understand something they will TAKE THE TIME to help you. when most teachers wont. that shows good character in my eyes, it shows me that they actually care about the student not just the paycheck. All and all, Central is an excellent school to attend.
—Submitted by Jaycee Russell, a former student

I have two children who attend CMS. They enjoy most of their classes, but we have had some trouble as far as administrative support goes. I get the idea that some of the administrators are just 'playing everything by ear'. We get told one thing by administration and something else goes on at school. They have arbitrary rules that do not apply to every student. My son has been told not to wear a certain hairstyle because it 'is a distraction to others'; while there are some students who are allowed to wear the same hairstyle. Academically, my kids enjoy school and are challenged by their teachers. Teachers are able to recognize when a students needs to be moved to the next level and they are willing to do that. I appreciate the teachers, but some housecleaning should be done in the office.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended central for 2 years!! as for central, for the dont really seem to care!! some of the teachers dont even seem to have control over the class!! it is true that there are hand on project, but this happens not very often!!! so if i were to make the decsion of whether or not to send my child to central, i would have to say no!!!!
—Submitted by a student

I go to Central Middle School right now. I'm into sports and such alot but, there arne't very many for girls so, it's hard sometimes. I'm a very good student reading at a college level and yet I did fail English...The teachers look the other way unless it'll cost them their job or in calling a parent.
—Submitted by Brittany Cartmell, a student

Cms has its positives and negatives. The kids are aren't very smart as in how to act. I enjoy being there with all of my friends and teachers. I wish the students had more respect for each other,themselves, as well as the school and it's staff. The sports are great but the coaches probably need to make sure they're setting an example. I think the art could be a little bit better as contests and hands on things go. The music program is great! I play the cello in Mrs.Doughty's class and it's a blast! I think the parents could pay attention more and be involved. They're one of the reasons for the choices that we, students make. Involved parents have more responsible and determined kids, than the ones who don't care. Other than that the school is pretty great.
—Submitted by TORI COX, a student

I am an eighth grade student at CMS. The teachers make learning much more interesting by creating hands-on projects. This school is a fun, interesting school that has something for everyone. I can't play sports, but there are other electives that have after-school activities. The teachers love doing what they do, and will answer any question if you're not afraid to ask it. I would recommend CMS to any transferring 5th grader, or any 5th grader in the Putnam City district. It truly is a great school.
—Submitted by Kerri, a student

Curriculum and academic programs at CMS are excellent, particularly for gifted children. The open-door policy encourages parent involvement and communication with staff and teachers. Overall, we're very happy with the faculty and teachers, and confident the students will be challenged and encouraged to excel.
—Submitted by a parent

After my son has attended Central for 5 months I have removed him from the school. Teachers do not communicate with parents to let them know what is going on with their child. My phone calls are not returned, and my son has been a victim of violence the entire school year and the staff have looked the other way. My son has fallen through the cracks at this school and the school it seems could care less. Your better off putting your child in private school. My 11 year old son reads at an 11th grade level but failed 6th grade reading. What does that tell you? Your child would be just another number at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I think that CMS is a great school. My kids are challenged in their classes by teachers who care. I have one more child who will attend CMS, and I think she will also get a quality education. As a teacher myself, I know how hard it is to get through to all of the students, and I think the CMS faculty does an astounding job.
—Submitted by a parent