Thomas C. Cario Middle School

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