Thomas C. Cario Middle School

We have just relocated here from the Northeast, and I will not hesitate to say that this school is outstanding. From the Administration to the individual teachers, we have been very satisfied with the daily operations. The teachers really care about the kids in a genuine way. They go out of their way to have 'out of the box' lessons and activities to make learning fun! My sons LOVE school here! I couldn't ask for anything more!
—Submitted by a parent

The Fine Arts programs at Cario are excellent. Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Art and Theatre programs far exceed any other middle school in the area in quality, as well as student and parent involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

The school touts it's status as the "best middle school in South Carolina" (based on state test scoring.. It is, in fact, because of the local demographics: if you are white, affluent, and have no Special Education needs, the school is one of the safer buildings in the District. Academically, it is in fact quite average on the national level. It is incredibly overcrowded because it is "safe". Teachers are overworked, under-appreciated, and receive little support from ambitious administrators, who utilize an oppressive, threatening management style. Do not send your child to this school if they have any type of disability...they are looked upon by administration as a liability to the school's performance (and the impact on the administrators's careers), despite the incredible dedication of the very overworked and dedicated Exceptional Education teaching staff. Teachers stay at Cario because it is the safest place to work in the District...or they leave the District . New teachers...be aware of this! Consider the great private schools in the area before you choose Cario.
—Submitted by a teacher

This schools biggest problem is the size. The large classes and pods make classroom management a huge problem. A lot of the students there have no respect for other students' property. Theft is a big problem but the biggest is the lack of respect for fellow students and teachers. If the school was smaller, it would be easier to manage and have less problems. The administration does little to curtail that behavior.
—Submitted by a parent

We are having a horrible experience with bullying - my daughter comes home in tears and begs to transfer to another school. While the principal tries to implement change, he can't control the day to day actions of all of the students.
—Submitted by a parent

Cario has a new "fix it" principal. Since the beginning of the year, he's made some great changes. If you've heard bad things, stay tuned.
—Submitted by a parent

Cario has a big problem with discrimination and lack of tolerence of differences. The teachers lack knoweledge and enthusiasm for their subjects and the Principal has shows room for improvement. We actually had a student tell our child that grades do not matter! This is after we have been in their faces all year long about how to help our son improve his grades. Very frusterating, bullying and peer pressure are out of control with no improvment in the last two years despite numerous complaints. if you can, choose to send your child elsewhere.
—Submitted by a parent

Hello everyone, Cario is a great school in a great location. Please don t judge this school. It is a great place to learn. The Cario does prepare the child for the next grade but like any public school it needs the parents support. Teacher can only do so much, parents must demand more. If anyone has seen the schools orchestra (called the ECO) they would see how hard the teachers and the kids work together. These children work hard on their grades and instruments and the orchestra has won many awards. The school does need help with general support, but this support needs to come from parents. Remember this is a Charleston County school, and the district in general is having problems. Peer pressure and teacher accountability is tied hand in hand. The schools need more parent involvement, the more parents the less problems and the less bulling. Most schools in the south have a black and white issue. This stems from the family and how families see each other. Cario is located in a white area of Mt. Pleasant, in an upper middle class community. So many kids see for the first time how the other side lives.
—Submitted by a parent

There is a lot of disrespect and peer pressure, I also think that the teachers don't really care all to much unless your really outgoing. I never even knew who the principle was until the middle of my second year here. also they have to many rules that dont really prepare you for high school, like lining up for lunch, sitting in your pod in the morning until the bell rings, and having to sit in assigned tables at lunch. I don't really like the curriculum either. There is also a slight drug problem going on, mainly with pot/weed. Also I noticed a lot of racism from both sides (white and black) which I think is not okay at all. There is some major race issues but I don't think its one race I think its how they all communicate together.
—Submitted by a student

Cario Middle has great teachers who care so much about the kids!! This school also offers the most unbelievable clubs and groups. There is something for everyone!!
—Submitted by a parent

I agree we never had problems with our son until he started this school now he has a smart mouth and disrepects us like never before. The peer pressure is a serious problem as well. Teachers do not keep in touch by email as they say they will.
—Submitted by a parent

A lot of parents who never get a notification that their child is failing should blame the student, not the teachers. They send home regular printout with grades on them. The problem isn't the teachers, it's the things that Charleston County makes them teach.
—Submitted by a student

This school has serious problems and it needs a lot of work, but the teachers try hard
—Submitted by a parent

the teachers are perfect because of the way they help we students learn the curriculum is also challenging so it's not too easy

Teacher parent communication is really bad. These teachers do not talk to each other or seem to know what a phone is used for. Twice this year I requested conferences if needed and was called the last day of school to tell me by Two teachers that my child was failing.
—Submitted by a parent

We are very disappointed in this school. Maybe it's the age of the students and maybe it's universal in middle schools, but Cario has a problem with bullying! There seems to be no punishment for cruel remarks and behaviors by students. The administration may have an anti-bullying program in place but seem to do nothing about the actions of its students. Plus, the busses are horribly overcrowded and the bus drivers may be good at driving but are lousy with children.
—Submitted by a parent

The student/teacher ratio listed is not accurate. There are 25+ students in most classes. The majority of teachers are excellent, but discipline is a problem. the administration will often give in to the parents that whine/complain the most. They are not supportive of the teachers. Also, they started an accelerated math program for high ability students. The students were allowed to start Algebra 1 for high school credit in 7th grade. Then, the decided that they could not get credit for the class towards the end of the third quarter. Now, in 8th grade, the students are taking the same class over again. Students are repeateing lessons or making them up themselves and teaching the class. There is not a true curriculum. However, my son has a fabulous ELA teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

Many of the teachers at Cario do not care about a student's success. There are few and treasured teachers who make a difference. The few teachers that made a difference in my middle school years were: Mr. Scott Brunson, Mrs. Albrect, and Mr.Stallings. These teachers should be more regognized for their hard work and dedication to the academic success of their students. Also, many of the minority students treated the white kids with disrespect, and were not repremended. But when the situation was the other way around, white kids were blamed for rascism when they were only trying to stand up for themselves. The administration should understand that not all conflicts that occur between different races involve rascism. They are usually merely conflicts between students with different opinions and should be handeled as so.
—Submitted by a former student