Centennial Middle School

I am appalled that there are so many great reviews of this school. Have we let our standards drop that low? I have a step child that is going into 8th grade this year at CMS. This year, they made wellness an elective! They choose between wellness, choir, or band. Since when did learning about how to take care of one's body become an option?! They have no classes for theatre or foreign languages and PE is taken every other month at best! Last year, my step-daughter was asked to give a presentation on a career, particularly one she would like to pursue. She reported that some of the other teachers, not her's, limited the children's options because they didn't feel those careers were attainable (singer, actress, astronaut, etc.). How dare a teacher tell students to lower there standards! I think as parents we need to set the standard higher, even if the teaches won't.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent in the district, I couldn't be happier, and my child has been happy with her experience. Although the teachers have a large amount of students per team to manage, they seem to know all about them. I also have seen, from previously working in Centennial, that the teachers and administrators in general work very hard to teach students coming from different backgrounds, academic abilities, and budget issues. They don't complain, they make it work. Centennial stands out, from my experience, in highly qualified teachers, and people who love their job. My husband and I had the choice of placing our children in a private school years ago and chose public instead after doing a walkthrough. We have been highly satisfied.
—Submitted by a parent

I have nothing but good to say about CMS. The teachers have done way more than what we pay them for..My child has built self esteem, confidence and intelligence from her years of attending schools in this district. To comment on the negative posts, I feel that you get what you give. I have volunteered every field trip my daughter went on, in class and kept in touch with teachers. I don't think we give the people who teach are children enough credit. THANKS SO MUCH FOR DOING WHAT YOU TEACHERS DO! CENTENNIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT IS WONDERFUL!
—Submitted by a parent

Fun school, Teacher cares about us and remind us to turn in our work. Very Helpful. GO CENTENIALL!!! :D
—Submitted by a student

The staff were on top of their game during my 7th and 8th grade years. However I was lucky, and managed to move onto high school right before the overcrowding started to happen. The school building is ages old, and is due for a hefty remodeling.

this school is awesome i have not had any complaints from my child its a wondorful school.
—Submitted by a parent

From the Superintendent down to the Vice Principal the attitude and behavior consist of lies, non-uniform application of the student handbook and policies, discrimination and enforcing laws that don't exist. You will be forced to keep records to keep up with the lies. Find a good researcher to find the facts for you, their version is not the truth
—Submitted by a parent

Centennial Middle School teachers don't do a quality job of making sure your child does their own work. Which in turns makes the children slide by in school. Their standards need to come up if we want our children to do well in High School or College. The principal needs to vist the teachers rooms and keep them accountable to do a quality job.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had a daughter go through the experience at CMS and appreciated the effort both the Faculty and Administration gave her while there. I currently have a son at CMS and again find he is sharing in a positive growth and development he will need when he goes into high school and beyond. I have seen him develop teamwork, a better work ethic and a sense of loyalty for CMS. These are all qualities I appreciate seeing in my child. I clearly understand that I need to be involved and my son(as my daughter had found out)needs to learn, you only get from something when you contribute. I would like to thank the staff for the very high standards set and have no reservations stating that Doug Cook and his staff have done an excellent job preparing my children for what they need to know at this stage of life.
—Submitted by David Carter, a parent

As the parent of a disabled teen, my access as guaranteed by NClb has been restricted to the entire process. Parents are not welcome in the building except by invitation.
—Submitted by a parent

i love this place it is very edectional i've learned so much thank you
—Submitted by a student

I am a student here and so far I dont like it. The food is horriable. And I dont learn much because classes are over crowed. Being at cms is a nigth mare. We get new kids at least 3 times a month
—Submitted by a student

I have to agree with the other poster on this board, at least about the middle school. It was one of the most difficult assignments in my long career. Teaching there seemed more about personalities and who you knew or didn't know, who you pleased or didn't, and God help you if you were too popular or not popular enough. It was tough for me to see good people, new young teachers, submitted to this kind of treatment. I never knew what hit me, and in the end, was glad I moved on. Collegiality and mutual support are essential for creating a learning evironment for kids. I hope the school's changed for the better today.
—Submitted by a teacher

I am a former student of this school and was not a very happy child here. The teachers hardly payed attention to their students, most classes were crowded. This school is all about the popularity and contests between teams. A lot of people i knew weren't very pleased either, I was told by a few teachers ' I don't care if you learn as long as I get payed'. To me these teachers can make a positive difference in a child's life but yet they are ruining them! I hope most parents get involved with their children's education and help them because they are going to need it!
—Submitted by a former student