Charles F Patton Middle School

This is our 3rd year of experience with CF Patton. The teachers here are truly outstanding. They have made their subjects interesting to my children and they look for different ways to make sure the students can relate the material to everyday life. They also evaluated my children for their learning styles to teach them how to best utilize different strategies for studying and completing projects. They have a greenhouse where the students learn hands on about life science, tending to, harvesting and using the crops. The overage of food is donated to the food bank. What an amazing school this is! I love that the teachers post assignments on the website and that I can check on my child's progress at any time. I have not met the principal yet.
--Submitted by a parent

I don't know where did you move from Virginia, but I moved from Langley school district in Virgina 4 years ago. It is not even comparable. I would not recommend these schools. They are kind of discrimminating people from out of area even in sports teams, URA.
--Submitted by a parent

We moved here a year ago from a highly rated school in Virginia. The teachers here are excellent and respond quickly to concerns. Assignments are posted so you can keep track of your child's progress. The students are taught organization skills. There is a good variety of electives offered. The parents are involved and the PTO schedules many fun activities for the families that are a great way to get to know the community and support the school. The teachers really care and pay attention to getting to know a student's needs. There are many opportunities to visit the school to see what your child is learning. My child has had a very positive experience here!
--Submitted by a parent

I'm shocked that in one of the most affluent school districts in the area, that the middle and high school in our district are such a dump! The "renovations" to the high school look terrible and are only a bandaid. Look at Rustin and the thought that went into the design of that school- beautiful. Unionville high school and middle school need a serious face lift. All that horrible fake brick. I can't believe we moved into this school district for substandard, outdated schools. I guess we only looked at the elementary schools because we didn't have children at the time. Also, I agree with the poster that mentioned bullying. the teachers seem out of touch on this issue.
--Submitted by a parent

My child loved the school, especially all the social activities, the sports, the clubs and the affluence and had a ball for four years....but was totally unprepared for all the work of college! The "honors" classes are just for show- the work is no more advanced in honors than in regular classes. There was no communication or parental involvement regarding my child's academic level placement and ability, the guidance for college was non existent, the schoolwoefully inadequate with getting transcripts out on time. Big mistake staying in this high school.....
--Submitted by a parent

UCFSD is all about sports, the appearance of affluence and test scores. Patton Middle School is a dump that needs all kinds of maintenance (sinks don't work, handles broken off cabinets, wall coverings peeling off, etc.) and there is no money to fix anything because all the money is going to build the big addition to the high school (twice turned down by voters). Teachers grade according to rubriks that are full of spelling mistakes, typos and then they don't follow them when the thing is really graded. However, should your child deviate from the rubrik then it is counted against his or her grade. Teachers seem to have little understanding of what they are really teaching. The Administration is unsupportive and weak. If a parent does anything to try to fix the situation, they are labeled a troublemaker. Yes, it is a beautiful location in Chester County and the houses stay up in value because of the good reputation based on the test scores. Don't send you kid here if you have a choice!
--Submitted by a parent

Overall this seems to be a successful district. The school has a broad choice of classes and they seem to be well taught. There do seem to be some issues with groups of mean kids, as well as bullying. It seems to go unnoticed completely by staff. Along the same lines, we have also found this school to have more of an issue with cliques than any other school he's attended. Very strong academically, but I think the school could benefit from some classes that focus on building good character in the students. With a some improvement in the social atmosphere, this would be an incredible school.
--Submitted by a parent

this is the best school in the world when i moved this past year ... it just felt like this school and town is heaven on earth... i feel at home everytime i walk into school, and the ares is great a small town, but plenty of ameneties and places to go.. i love it
--Submitted by a student

The school has a high academic standard, however the affluent area effects the childs well being in keeping up with the 'jones'. I have had several friends including myself that are transferring schools due to the 'mean girls' syndrome. Very difficult enviroment for children and very little support from the administration.
--Submitted by a parent

Not as good as the other schools in the district. The leadership is poor.
--Submitted by a parent