Ridgeway Middle School

Ridgeway Middle Optional International Baccalaureate Candidate School is a great school! I am a third year parent at the school and I am happy with the changes that the new administration has brought to the school. My child loves to come to school and loves the new staff that have been hired under the administration. This school has stepped up and is after one year, one of two middle schools not on the low performing list in the Southeast region and moved to a level 5 school after one year of the new administration. My child is a part of the optional program and he is not only performing well in school academically but he is finding other interests in the many clubs and opportunities that are offered, that were not available before. As a parent, member of the Roadrunner 100 club, and cheerleader for the school, I want to commend Principal Corey Williams, Mrs. Turner and staff for what they are doing to make Ridgeway Middle School the best school it can be. http://www.mcsk12.net/schools/ridgeway.ms/site/index.shtml
—Submitted by a parent

This school has been nothing but a headache since day one. The supply lists demand materials for the entire class rather than for my child. I don't mind donating, but supply whole classes is too much. They couldn't figure out their own registration lists. The administration was rude and condescending when I brought attention to a topic taught in class that was inappropriate and not factual. The same teacher wore unprofessional attire to open house. Then one day we happen to be a minute, maybe 2 late (definitely less than 5min). My child was told to call me as I must sign him in. For a simple tardy? I had to turn around, go back to the school, and when I went into the attendance office, there was a room full of kids getting tardy slips and NONE of their parents were there. Every since I complained about the course content, the staff and administration have been rude and it feels as if they are singling my child out. Schools like this are why Memphis cannot garner good teachers and retain them.
—Submitted by a parent

Ridgeway Middle is a joke and a place of bullying from teachers and administration to students. I've never seen educators so disrespectful to students like those in Ridgeway Middle. I had to pull out my son, two months after school started. How can these educators demand respect from students? They should be a good example and be good roll models of respects, ethics and integrity.
—Submitted by a parent

Ridgeway Middle School is one of the very best if not the nest public school left in the city of Memphis: Every school be it public or private has it's good and bad points but over all. Ridgeway has more to offer in a public school facility & academic. The location is awsomne!, the academics are on point & the extra curricular activities. As far as teachers & administrative staff goes! it's all the same Globally in the city or County or private; a person's educational portfolio cannot make up for what is lacked in character & common sense.
—Submitted by a parent

The only thing that I like about this school is the CLUE teacher Mrs. Causey. The principal, the administrative staff, and the majority of all teachers that I have come into contact with at this school are rude, speak to you in an undignified manner, and single out children that stand up for themselves when they are wronged. Ridgeway Middle has lost my child leaving me to spend 2 hours looking for her, a teacher snatched her and threw her into a wall, and I am currently looking for another learning environment all together for my child. This school has caused stress and durest for my entire family. It was the same for my little brother when he attended this atrocious facade of a learning facility. In my opinion, Ridgeway Middle is one of the worst schools in the entire city, and should be closed!
—Submitted by a parent

I love Ridgeway Middle School because my teacher Ms. Collins is the most patient teacher I have ever had. I am in Honors Algebra I and it is very hard. Ms. Collins is willing to stay after school or whatever it takes until I understand the problems. My other teachers are nice also. The Principle and Asst. Principle are tuff but fair. Don't get me wrong, every school has some bad teachers and some bad students; but overall Ridgeway Middle is a G-R-E-A-T SCHOOL!
—Submitted by a parent

Iam not just a parent but I was a teacher at Ridgeway for the past year as well. My child loves everything about Ridgeway and never wants to come home. She literally goes to sleep and wakes up with Ridgeway on her mind. Academically, I was impressed, she did very well and I credit the wonderful teachers, who are so inspirational, motivational, and teaches so enthusiatically duing hands-on self-created lessons at times. They are awesome. The PTA meetings are more like a game. The parents are so supportive and involved. The administrators were on top of their jobs everyday on the halls making sure teachers were inspiring young minds. I have never seen a school so on top of their game or gain. Ridgeway is one of the best schools in the USA not just Memphis.
—Submitted by a parent

I absolutely love this school! It reminds me of the time when teachers cared about the students back in the day. I attended the Parent Meeting tonight and could not believe the parent involvement and the enthusiasm of the entire faculty. My son went to Kirby Middle for one semester, and Ridgeway Middle is so different. At Kirby, when my husband and I went to the PTA meeting, there was a handful of parents and only the principal. That is so sad! Tonight at Ridgeway, there was so many parents, teachers, and students there. Amazing!! This is the way a school should be.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school!!! My son loves it!! My husband and I love it too. It reminds me of when we were in junior high. Good quality leadership and teachers. Ridgeway, keep it up!!!
—Submitted by a parent

its just a great school for students to go it has lots of activities and more!
—Submitted by a student

Ridgewayis okay i guess.Some teachers can be really annoying sometimes.Thay don't have sanitary bathrooms either.But the best thing there is band.I really enjoy it.Mr.Kennedy is the best.
—Submitted by a student

This school is the best ever, I've been going to it for a whole year and it been awesome!
—Submitted by a student

Ridgeway is not the best school because the teacher do not care about the students they jest want their money. The parents are not involved. I do not think you should let child or children should go here.
—Submitted by lakira smith, a student

I am highly disappointed in this school. many of them do not want to teach and are just there to collect a paycheck. The homework assignments that are supposed to be posted on the school website are rarely up to date. The children are kept busy with take home projects instead of quality homework assignments. School of the year? That's a joke.
—Submitted by a parent

Ridgeway is an excellent schoool! I believe it is one of the top schools in the state! Dr. Richmond is a wonderful leader an role model, and keeps the school safe, organized, and focused on the goal of teaching and learning. I beleive he DOES want the kids there to succeed and cares about them. Most of the teachers are friendly and enthusiastic about learning. The school is beautiful on the inside, out! Students are given many optional programs and extra-curricular activities in order to expand on their knowledge on various subjects and studies. RIDGEWAY---A++++!!!
—Submitted by a student

I attend Ridgeway Middle School and I am not too fond of it. Most of the teachers are careless. The restrooms are horrible, the administration and falcuty is horrible. I would advise you to choose another school for your child.
—Submitted by v. T, a student

I am very happy with Ridgeway Middle School. Dr. Richmond leadership skills are to be commended. His concept of a fight free school is awesome. It is because of this concept and the structure of the fight free program, that I allow my child to attend this school. Ridgeway Middle also offers diverse extra cirricular activities. There is something for everyone to be apart of regardless of skill, gifts, ethnic background, or talent. Ridgeway Middle School students exempliy confidence, pride, and respect of authority and others. Ridgeway Middle is 'The very, very, very best school'.
—Submitted by M. Hubbard, a parent

I think Dr. Richmond is a great principal.I'm not satisfied with the communication with parent/teacher.The teachers my son had last year where not reponsive to my calls or notes sent to them concerning my son.It took one teacher 6 days to call me back after several atempts to contact.The school has great activites to keep the students active.I like that Dr. Richmond make the boys put their short tails in.That makes them look presentable.
—Submitted by d ward, a parent

My grandchild attends Ridgeway Middle School after moving to Memphis from another northeastern state. He has progressed beyond the norm per standardized tests results.Discussions with others about our 'wonderful grandchildren'at Ridgeway has not warranted much fault,substantive fault anyway. Ridgeway Middle School concert band wentin Atlanta this month and in a National Concert Band competition that included middle school bands AND high school bands...Ridgeway Middle School Concert Band was 1st in the nation against 33 of the top bands. The discipline and academic level required to participate in extracurricular activities including more than 50+ students is commendable... and it is expensive HOWEVER...the parents came up with the resources. The principal IS NOT the band director yet it is apparent he is director of the staff to warrant such accomplishments.
—Submitted by a parent

I had a child who attended Ridgeway Middle School and I have been nothing but disappointed and disillusioned. The outside of Ridgeway is beautiful and sleek The students are dressed well and move about orderly. But beneath the gleaming facade lies a multitude of problems. Teachers seem more worried about security than teaching. The school is more like a prison than an instition of higher learning. Standards are so low only the most uneducated fail.I dont know how they are able to juggle and hide the fact that so many students are little more than functionally illiterate. My child made Honor Roll evey six weeks but when I compared his work to the work of a child from an out of state you would have thought he was at least 5 years younger. Shame on You Dr. Richmond. Shame on You Ridgeway. Your grade is F.
—Submitted by E. Kearns, a parent