Bellevue Middle School

I'm an 8th grader at this school, and since my year is drawing to a close, I'm going to share my experience with you all. As some have said, the school has a new Principal, Michelle Springer. She's not really the best, I miss Dr. Hargis. Dr. Springer has changed the school quite a bit, but I feel like it's a bit of a worse change. She has made incentives for the students, but I think that makes discipline kind of drop. There are a lot of problems with this school, namely that some of the teachers don't care, the cafeteria is a mess, there's not any discipline, and Phys. Ed is kind of broken now. However, the new Art program is AMAZING! I'm an advanced art student and I LOVE Mrs. Dourghty. I used to be in Bellevue's band, but I think Mr. Waters is a bit too harsh on the newcomers. I think next year they should enforce discipline and make amends to the bullying issues going on. I do not think the Guidance counselors are really looking out for the students, and they should enable the students to have a voice. I also think they need to hire better staff.

Phenomenal band program and there are some wonderful teachers. Unfortunately, there is a serious administration problem. Bullying is ignored. I've watched teachers and staff scream at kids. The new principal has said she can't control all of those kids - well, then, don't be the principal.
—Submitted by a parent

BMS has advanced this year to a better than ever public academy. Test scores has improved, programs have been added to improve the education of each individual child. And look at the STAR rating. Once a three now a four! My daughter is an excellent student and her teachers have gone above and beyond to help us with any questions about her education. With their community involvement (visits from the mayors office) and amazing GARDEN, I congratulate BMS! You are moving in the right direction! An added bonus is the band and strings orchestra programs! The children are continuing spanish and excited about the new play this week. Parent involvement is essential and another reason this school is performing better than ever!
—Submitted by a parent

I rate this school as average because unfortunately it is a roller coaster ride from one year to the next. We've had two kids go here and the years have varied greatly depending upon the teachers you get and whomever is the current principal. I'd say about half of the teachers are really good and truly a treasure. They're involved with your kid, respond to your emails/calls, and are genuinely interested in helping you get the most out of your child. They're what make this school worthwhile. However, there are also some bad teachers who don't show a lot of ability and don't respond to parent inquiries. Recently a new principal has taken over and the school has changed for the worse. Students are complaining of inequalities and parents are grumbling about increased teacher absenteeism and an overall change in culture and attitudes. This will probably change again as Metro shifts administration around, but for now it's definitely on a downward trend.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a current junior at Hume-Fogg and feel like I have enough retrospect to accurately describe BMS. I consistently found amazing teachers in my years there. Mr. Hedges and Mr. Waters come to mind most prominently, but were certainly not the only ones. Unfortunately, a lot of the positive experiences I had with those teachers were marred by absolute DISASTERS who I can honestly say never taught me a thing. One science teacher only showed up half of the time, leaving our teaching to subs. One geography teacher's class consisted of the same three students reading the textbook out loud in front of the class for the entire year while she texted. 50% of the teachers were wonderful and impacted my education positively, 30% were okay, but that last 20% frustrated me beyond belief. Band requires its own paragraph. While I did end up dropping it not long into high school, my band experience at Bellevue was the first time I was ever truly challenged by a teacher and made to feel like I was doing something of worth. It's a roller coaster ride, but it's worth it in the end if you give it your all. Despite its flaws, I'd take a Bellevue education over a private one any day.

Such a wondrous school!When I first came to Nashville,I first attended here 5th grade.I had to transfer mid year and that was the worst thing ever.The staff are very,VERY polite,and they have bent over backwards for me.My mother didn't have a car and I had a dentist appointment during school,and I lived across the street from the school,and they let me go and watched me walk home.I love and miss this school.I was in the band,and my band teacher couldn't be better.He taught me how to play 2 instruments.If ever you are coming to Nashville,the best cluster of public schools are the ones in the Bellevue area definitely!Very diverse.

Just like NASHVILLE is finally being recognized for its talents, so is Bellevue Middle School. Did you see their concert at the Nashville Symphony? And the "Strings" Orchestra concert? Rumor has it that the quality of the teachers, principle and parent involvement this year have improved the once badly reviewed middle school. With a large percentage of teachers coming from magnet and private schools in the area, how can it lose? Rumor has it that parent involvement coming from Harpeth Valley Elementary, have also been extremely active in making this past semester a huge success. We give you a 10 BMS! You are on your way to being one of the best middle schools in Nashville.

I am very happy with bellevue middle. the encore program is great, and band is exellent. The teachers are fair, and are great at their job. pros. band, teachers, encore, . cons. lunch, gym, principal ,bathrooms are poor quality.

I love this school. Top quality teachers and school environment. This is the best Middle School in Nashville. All the staff deserve a pay rise.

Bad students= bad school. Most disrespectful group of children I have ever been around. The school needs more discipline to ensure a safe environment for those who actually go there to learn. If you want a babysitter and your kids to advance their street smarts very quickly, send em here! Parens of these children should be ashamed (and imprisoned!).
—Submitted by a parent

Awesome nieighborhood school. Discipline instituted for those who want to detract from hard working students. AP classes are great teachers have a good deal of experience but are not antiquated. No nonsense. Parents who are involved and don't expect the teacher to be babysitter and do their job will find their child will thrive.
—Submitted by a parent

Not such a good place for all students,my experience is different, careless teachers, management. 20 out of 1 that is my rating.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent IB School! Our daughter had a great academic and social 3 year experience at BMS under the leadership of Dr. Kelli Hargis. She has done an amazing job hiring terrific / qualified teachers. Colonel Hedges/ Math!!! Ms Speed/ Spanish, Ms Murphy / Social Studies!! Mr. Siebert/ English!!! Thank you for preparing our daughter well for high school/college prep courses! She is thriving. Good Kids, Good Parents and Good School Culture. Get involved and feel confident that your child can thrive at BMS. Michelle Kacki
—Submitted by a parent

I love bellevue middle school... It's has the most wonderful teachers.. and, you can do anything u want here!..
—Submitted by a student

My son started 5th at BMS this year in the pre-IB class track. We've been pleased with the instruction so far and he LOVES school so much more this year; says he's actually SAD when it's the weekend! We haven't found homework to be heavy, ~1 hr or less a night. No bully problems experienced. Band teacher's great and typing class is challenging. I feel like the teachers/admin CARE about the students. I haven't seen much call for parent involvemt. Complaints: VERY LITTLE PE (it's an 'elective' that he'll take for a semester); it's used to be a HS, so it's got a great theatre, but is letting the tennis courts and baseball fields fall to ruin and not be used for students as they could be; our school system is stuck in post-WWII mode with language instruction -- I'd like to see Indian or Mandarin taught instead of French.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school and i'm happy to go here!!!!!!!!! The teachers are great!! So is the principal!!
—Submitted by a student

I am a student who attends Bellevue Middle School in the 8th grade. I would not recommend this school to anyone who would like to be succesful in life. I have attended this school for one year and they teach very little. The teachers do the very minimum to reach state requirements and they will pass even the laziest students. I would not recommend this school for any parents who want their kids to have a safe and secure learning environment and a good basis in high school.
—Submitted by a student

We have two children in the International Bachelorette Program at BMS. They are thriving in their educational experience. The school not only challenges them academically, but surrounds them a social environment that is helping to promote strong citizenship. We are pleased with their peers and with the parent envolvement at the school. We are convinced that we are getting the quality education in a public school that would come with a large price tag at a private school. The community feel at this location is unique. The quality of the administration shows on a daily basis. Words do not do this school justice!
—Submitted by a parent

As an early childhood professional, I am always involved in the education that my neice and nephew are receiving. The IB program at Bellevue Middle School is supurb. For the second year, I have seen my neice blossom through the opportunities extended her at this school. I set my expectations high, and BMS continues to exceed them.

I pulled my daughter out because they could not meet her gifted needs and now I home school her. Nashville public schools compared to other schools outside of the state are VERY far behind (at least a year). I felt BMS was doing her (and frankly all of our children) an injustice. Just check out where Nashville ranks, even compared to Chicago. We are down low on the totem poll.
—Submitted by a parent