Masterman Julia R Secondary School

We came from a highly academic prestigious Quaker school. My son is eceptionally happy and intellectually stimulated at Masterman, and much prefers his current school to his previous one. There is no substitute for the real life lessons to be found in a truly diverse community of bright kids.
--Submitted by a parent

Masterman definitely needs a new building;however, the district does not have financial means to do this. However, my daughter interview @ Penn Charter one of the most selective Private school in Philadelphia Area, guess what they were not far academically compare to Masterman Students. The teacher really teach the subject so not having science book may be a problem for student who teacher does not teach. Phillip Exeter one of the premier top academic program Private education does not use a text book for math, guess what the student still learn. I absolutely hate elitist; stop bashing Masterman. Masterman sends public school children to some of the best university and a lot of private school kids come to Masterman in the 5th and they absolutely love thrive academically at this school. World Class facilitate, no ? World Class students and teachers, yes.
--Submitted by a parent

Corrected review ....After extensive research my husband and I chose to submit an application to Masterman Middle School for our 5th grader. Coming from a private school we were a bit overwhelmed by the class sizes - 33 students per class, the deteriorating condition of the school building and the lack of resources and extracurricular activities offered to the students. Coming from a regular public school and being accepted at Masterman would be a great accomplishment but coming from a blue ribbon private school , I am not impressed. I believe the school is doing the best it can within it's financial constraints but the school is not the best fit for my son . I was quite surprised the students are not provided science textbooks nor does the school have a science lab. I was not impressed with the rooftop play area , I was not impressed with the cafeteria but what has impressed me is the dedication of the staff. The school staff truly cares about the students, so much so many teachers volunteer their time for extracurricular activities and tutoring. Although the school wasn't a good fit for my son, it really provides a good education for an above average self motivated
--Submitted by a parent

I came to this school expecting it to be good. The teachers vary from absolutely amazing to awful. There are more awful teachers than good teachers. It makes me wonder how they got to teach at this school in the first place. I am in 8th grade and have been here since 5th grade. I got into the high school, but I'm not going. Traumatizing experience over-all

Hey so, i go here at masterman and i've been here since 5th grade. It's honestly a great school and i love it here, and i love my friends but sometimes it gets a little over whelming. 5th grade was a big adjustment from my other school to masterman, 6th grade was smooth sailing, 7th grade was honestly the worst for me. They put so much pressure on you saying that it's what matters for high school, and even though it is, i lost so much sleep from it. 8th grade is the best year of all and i feel like i've got everything together. Grades, Boyfriend, Friends, but the thing is, i didn't get accepted. I cried because i feel like it's my second home. I'm going to Saul, and I'm excited for that, but i really wish i was able to get in. Time to start a new chapter ... and so it begins ...

I love this school for is wonderful reputation and I am pleased to have a son there in 7th grade whose first report card was all A's and one B!
--Submitted by a parent

I'm in 6th grade at Masterman, and it's a good school, but it lives on its reputation. All year, especially in fifth and seventh grades, there is constant reminder of the PSSAs, that part is terrible. The fifth grade teachers are definetely not superior to any others, but there are some wonderful teachers in the other grades. I have learned a lot. Also, I am being challenged a lot more than if I had been back at my old school. Oh, and the homework is not all what it is worked up to be. We don't get a humongous amount, though there are a few nights a year when you are working from the minute you get home to bedtime. We have many extracurricular activities, and a wonderful arts program (the play each year). I do agree on the point of the lunchroom. It is not completely repulsive, as I have read, but it is not better in any way than any other school cafeteria, no matter what you hear about a cold/hot line. All in all, if you excell in anything acedemic, you would fit right in here at J.R. Masterman Labratory and Demonstration School.......whatever that means. -one happy camper at masterman

National Blue Ribbon School and President Obama gives his Back to School address from this school. Highest SAT scores in Pennsylvania.
--Submitted by a parent

I am an 8th grade student at Masterman School. I'll be honest to you. There is indeed alot of homework we receive each day, including projects and other things. But I feel at home in Masterman. I know everyne and everyone knows me. You have your variety of students and teachers so you'll never be bored, basically. You have that math teacher from last year who believes math is groovy (and it is). Then you have your science teacher who gives the best experiments. You have students in the hall waving hellos to you, and you have teachers from 5th, 6th, and 7th grade who ask you if you plan to stay in Masterman for high school. I just received my application for high school, and with no doubt, Masterman will be my first choice. I've developed a family in Masterman, and I guarantee you will too. :)

My child is an 8th grade student at Masterman. Next year she joins the elite 100 as a 9th grader. Masterman is a school that virtually runs itself academically because of the students. The majority of the students are gifted and thanks to their own initiative or that of their parents they will always do well. My child has been fortunate because every year she has had at least one superior teacher. The teachers in the middle school do not appear to be as invested as the high school teachers but those that were invested were excellent. We are looking forward to our next four years at Masterman. The administration is very approachable and easy to work with. The building itself due to its age could use some updating. The School District needs to pay better attention to the needs of their gifted students too much emphasis lately on empowerment.
--Submitted by a parent