Woodmont Middle School

I can't say enough POSITIVE things about Woodmont Middle. I will admit when my child started 6th grade here....I was apprehensive myself. After speaking with the staff and receiving a warm welcome, we are extremely pleased here at WMS. My child is more than ready to move on to high school. And I THANK the staff for preparing him. EVERY year Mr. Scott strives to be better than the last. To see the accomplishments and the changes that have been made year after year are impressive. I now have all of my children here and am proud to say so. Many parents think once their child leaves elementary school that the parent participation at school needs to end or decrease. It is the EXACT opposite. There is a BIGGER need to be involved at this age more than ever!! I try to do whatever whenever they need help. Not only does the school appreciate you - you get to learn the names and faces and both the staff and the students, If are are considering sending your child to WMS- please call and take a tour, speak with the staff. The reviews on here are harsh and OLD. It is a SAFE, SOLID LEARNING ENVIRONMENT and gets better year after year.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has seen some rough times, and certainly had it's fair share of drama. But my daughter has done very well academically as well as athletically there; she is extremely prepared for her 9th grade year in high school. As with any school, student success is not entirely based on the teachers and/or staff - it takes parent involvement (or grandparents, aunts, uncles - any family member that is a part of the child's rearing). Even at the middle school level, the more involved parents are the more successful their students will be; when children see that their parents' value their education, it truly makes a difference in their attitude and abilities! Believe it or not, the staff and teachers at WMS truly do care about the students education as well as their safety. That is not a job one chooses to do for the 'big money' so if they didn't love what they do and how they can positively impact a child's life, trust me, they wouldn't be in that profession!
—Submitted by a parent

Two of my oldest five children attended WMS to continue the IB program they began at Fork Shoals Elem. My experience was not good. My oldest had trouble adjusting to middle school, but because I didn't have the Parent Portal in her 6th grade year, I found out AFTER report cards were issued that she was missing assignments, not turning them in, etc. After demanding a meeting with her teachers, we were able to get her on track. My son, the second child, had a horrific experience. He experienced bullying, in the 8th grade, at such a level that I had to instruct him how to physically defend himself. He received all manner of suspensions while being harassed daily. The teachers made him feel like he was a liar and a wussy for doing the right thing by speaking up for himself. After several months of telling teachers, meeting with them and members of the administration, the principal finally took the bullying seriously. As the father of an African-American male, my son's treatment by his teachers was deplorable. WMS systematically attempted to crush my son's self-esteem. None of my other children will attend this school. I warn everyone to attend Ralph Chandler MS instead.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a mistake along with the teachers and principals! My child attended and there was a huge bullying issue that i reported numerous times to Tiffany "the assistant principal" and noting was ever done. My child became sucidal from all of the bullying that had taken place and as well as was knocked unconscious by another student. The principal told me that it was my childs fault that he was being bullied! The staff at this school needs to be gone and all new brought in that actually care about our children!!
—Submitted by a parent

i am a regular everyday student at this school some teachers give us all the attetion we need and some just kindof slack off and dont care. some the students arevery nice and caring while most are rude and there is atleast one fight a week compared to my old school that had maybe one a year...

This school is one of the most unprofessional schools that I've ever had the misfortune to deal with. The emphasis on the Childs education is minimal. Waiting for correspondence from a teacher is relative to waiting in an ER to see a doctor; however in an ER you actually get seen within 24 hours. I have 3 children and this is the only child to have gone through this Middle School. He can't spell, his grammar is horrendous, he can't write in cursive, he reads on a 4th grade level but I have never received any concerns from the teachers, or the administration. His grades are average or above average, how is this possible? The administration is rude and they have no control over the students. There is bullying on a daily basis. They say they don't tolerate bullying but nothing seems to change. I heard bad reviews of this school but I went in with an open mind. My opinion is formed & it's not a Great School. If you want to have lunch with your child be prepared to eat cafeteria food. Outside food is forbidden. Why is this? Ludicrous I say!! There is no wonder that this school received such a low rating.
—Submitted by a parent

As I am reading on this site the criteria for a great school, why is it that they are to busy with the self admiration and patting each other on the backs and not focusing on the child? If the administration does not do some real self searching, in a few short years there will be no need for public schools, just overpaid babysitters, which is much of the believe that the schools are no more than that now. I remember when the teachers would be at school at 7 am and stay till 5 or 6 pm if the job demanded it, many people work these hours without the perks! Maybe they should stop hiding behind the unions, and earn respect the old fashion way and you wouldn't have to depend on the unions to keep your jobs for you, your students and parents would fight for you!
—Submitted by a teacher

I also agree that this school is ran like a prison. Students are not allowed to have opinions according to the admistrator. Rules are absolutely rediculous, the kids can't even get up from their tables at lunch without getting after school detention. Teachers don't seem to care about the students progress and never contact the parents over academic issues. If you send your child here, you better stay on top of their academics and make sure your child behaves like they are in boot camp or prison.
—Submitted by a parent

I am both a parent of a child at the school and an educator at anothe school, as well. I think Woodmont Middle has high expectations for both the students and the staff. To all of the parents and grandparents complaining, how much time do you volunteer at school? I think you should volunteer at school and see how things have changed from when we were students. Students have to have rules and expectations in order to be productive citizens of society. Students' behavior is no longer as it was in the past. So, unless you volunteer on a daily basis to see how students really are, then you should have no opinion or criticism of the teachers or staff at any school. Keep up the good work WMS staff.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the parents.I am a grandmother of a student there.I pick my grandchild up in the evening and one teacher especially treats the children like they are in a prison.i've heard her talk to them very hateful. And the thing that upsets me is, that she fussing at the child about having her cell phone out.When every day i go up there approxmently 5-6 kids are playing with their cell phones.And they say nothing to them.Are they picking on kids they dont like , or is it a rule. they need to get their act together.If i see it happen again i may have to step out of my car.This particular teacher needs a new job,maybe out of south carolina.

I completely disagee with the prior parent's review of the school. I'm a teacher at WMS and have been there for close to 10 years. Over that period of time I have seen wonderful changes in the behavior of the students, staff morale, and overall schoo culture. Middle school students need structure and therefore they need rules. It is our job as educators to not only educate the students but to also teach them how the real world works. The new principal at the school has a very clear vision of where he wants the school to be and I know for a fact that the staff is behind him. This staff is 100% committed to improving student achievment. Are there problems? Yes of course there are. Teaching in a high poverty school has a different set of issues than teaching in a higher income school. Lets all work together!
—Submitted by a teacher

I agree with alot of the parents that this school is like a prison!! Most of the teachers treat the children like they are trash. They complain about everything. Your child is expected to be a robot and never be a child. They have more rules instead of more qualified teachers with patience and respect. I know that their job is very tough, but don't take the job if you can't deal with kids being kids. I do think the newest principal is trying really hard to do a great job. I hope it works out for him and the children of Woodmont Middle. At this time I would not recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a student at Woodmont Middle School, and I want to give you a student's perspective on the school. Personally, I hate it. I just enrolled here at the beginning of this year, and I have been to many schools before. Of all the schools I have been to, Woodmont has the absolute worst behaved kids I have ever seen. As for the teachers, they do whatever possible to discipline these kids. Not only are the people inappropriate, so are the rules.
—Submitted by a student

My child has had nothing but trouble everyday at the school.I suggest to any parent thinking of sending their child here to find another school to send them to.I cant get a response from the new principal and the run around from the teachers and staff!I am looking for an alternative school.My child is a special needs child and gets poor treatment here!Please parents make sure before you send your child here that you are certain you have made the right choice.It seems after school started i wasnt welcome to come to the school at any time without an appointment.To me thats a red flag to wonder what are they trying to hide?
—Submitted by a parent

I do not agree with the comments from the parent concerning the staff welcoming the parents to the school. I found the school to be very welcoming and I was able to take a 1 hour tour of the school. I am an educator and my husband has his masters in engineering. I found the school to be well organized and the principal to be informative and friendly. I was disapointed with the building, but understand that there are plans in the works to improve the situation.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the first parent. This school is acting like a prison. They have rules where the kids can only go to the restroom twice a day. Now where else do they tell you when you can go to the restroom besides prison? And they do not welcome you. I went inside to wait on my child and was asked to wait outside and it was raining. The nerves of these people.
—Submitted by a parent

Woodmont MIddle well all I can say it it is a a control freak of a school.They have rules and guidelines no other Greenville County School has.I can not get a straight answer from anyone there except to say they are trying to make this school the best in Greenville County...They need to worry more about what the kids are learning and less about what they wear and who they talk to and what their religion is and stop being so judgemental of people who believe other than what they feel is right. Is it a school or a prison? And since when do parents get to get involved with the school Woodmont Middle does not want parents in the school.
—Submitted by a parent