West Sylvan Middle School

I was a student here at West Sylvan 6-8th grade 2008-2012. My teachers were always supportive and constantly offered help FOR FREE before and after school. I did not take this help and still passed with flying colors due to the great teaching. My parents didn't intervene in my homework and I had no tutor and still did very well. The teachers all cared about you, not just about in school troubles or difficulties, but with personal matters that inhibited your learning abilities, and gave due leniency where needed. When students miss school they are expected to make up work; only when kids procrastinate and don't try do they get lower grades. Strong, lifelong morals were taught to us every year by the principle and staff. 70% of students were in the advanced math group, 20% in the most advanced math class, while only 10% are in the STANDARD math group (Math 7th/8th)! The sense of community at West is phenomenal; there are very few mean kids, and an EXTREMELY low rate of bullying. The other negative comments about this school are from not too bright kids WHO CLEARLY GAVE UP; this is the main way to gain a disliking of/from the teachers, who still try to make you try your best.

This was a horrible school. Horrible "teachers" that pile on the worksheet homework every day my daughter had hours of this meaningless busy work every night. The staff does not care about students at all, they say to keep your child home if they are sick, yet when your child is sick they punish them by failing them and treating them bad in class. Please avoid this school, my daughter is so much happier since leaving this school!
—Submitted by a parent

I went to this school in 6th and it was OK. The kids were definitely rude at some points and the teachers can be a bit harsh on failing students. There was no parent involvement an a lot of cliques. I did make a best friend but it was slowly demolished after I left. Rumors started, online harassment, ect. Don't send your son/daughter here.

i rate this school as a zero not even one star they dont help kids they push them even if they are failing
—Submitted by a parent

My son attends 7th grade. I have been very disappointed overall in the quality of education, lack of teacher involvement, and large class sizes. There is a veneer of caring, without resources for students who fail to achieve their potential. The success of the school is largely driven by the parents behind the students: it is not unusual for parents to provide a huge amount of input into their own child's education either personally or with tutors.
—Submitted by a parent

Terrible, the buses are very crowded. The buses are probably over capacity.
—Submitted by a student

Excellent school. Great teachers who can get the kids under control pretty well, a principal full of leadership, and many fun extracurricular activities such as lacrosse, cross country, basketball, track, etc. for the kids to do. The girls are sort of cliquey, but as long as you are nice to them, they'll want to be friends with you. I definetly made the right choice to let my kids go to this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I totally agree from the student from June 30, 2009. This was an awesome school. Lots of great education by excellent teachers and has fun electives and athletics. Although, some girls are a little cliquey, but it's pretty easy to make friends with everyone else. I totally recommend this middle school to anybody!
—Submitted by a student

Best middle school ever!!! I've been a student from East-West Sylvan from 6th-8th grade, and I absolutely loved it. The education process was great; the teachers are very intelligent and they know what they are doing and teaching, and they do a great job at it. Many of the teachers are also nice and fun, which makes the learning environment better. Some of the teachers may be strict, but they just really want to help you learn. There are many fun electives at this school, including a woodshop kind-of class ('Tech Ed'), filming ('Media Arts'), work-out class ('Ripped & Fit'), dance, spanish, french, mandarin chinese, art, environment science, band, choir, and a violin class. This was one of the things that makes this school fantastic. Students at West Sylvan is very kind and are happy to be friends with you. This was a very fun school, and I'll treasure its memories forever.
—Submitted by a student

Really isn't a good school. curriculum is just text-book... Not really much hands on. Teacher are too strict and it is very cliquey.
—Submitted by a student

I agree with the student from 2004. It is mostly a white, rich community. Most teachers genuinely like teaching you, but you can tell that there is a few that don't. The girls are very cliquey. It helps to have a strong group of friends around you. The school itself is quite good, but a lot of the students in it aren't.
—Submitted by a student

Ahh!! This shcool is so absutly amazing! i love it with all me heart!
—Submitted by a student

West Sylvan has helped my daughter grow into a young adult. Yes, it is much different then her other schools but I think it is better. She has made so many new friends that will last her a long time. West Sylvan's academics are best in sate for public schooling. Their after school activities are great they have basketball, football, track, soccer, dance team and more. Most of the teachers are strict but they all want the best for their students and are very open minded. West Sylvan is a fabulous school and if you are looking for a new middle school be sure to see this one.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended West Sylvan for seventh grade a few years ago, and we quickly took her out. She had a much better time at another public middle school. The girls were cliquey and gossipy, and she had a hard time making friends. The education is only average, because of the size of the school. Unless the school as changed durastically, I, as a parent, would look into other education options.
—Submitted by a parent

Students have alot of freedom at West Sylvan. No diversity at all- mainly rich, white kids.
—Submitted by a student