Ooltewah Middle School

We have been very pleased with OMS as a whole. I think the teachers are there for the students and we need to support the teachers. I do receive emails and notes from the staff as appropriate. They seem to plan a lot to keep the kids involved.
--Submitted by a parent

I have to agree with prior comments. There is no communication between teachers, and/or the administration with parents. I have written e- mails, left voice mails for the principal, assistant principal and other staff, nothing. Not even an acknowledgement that the messages were received. I guess I have to go to the school board and let them know , that teachers are under the impression, that they can do whatever they want to do to students. That includes demeaning and unprofessional behavior.
--Submitted by a parent

Post before me must be from someone who works/worked at OMS or has some other tie to this school. I agree that parents need to be involved in their child's learning but when it boils down to it, they are sent to school for a reason and that reason is so the person with the degree can teach them. I'm not sure how OMS ends up with high scores because my child is an honor roll student there (consistently) and yet she has never heard of many things I knew when I was her age or grade in school! If this school was so great she would know these things and MUCH more. She is a smart child but even if she wasn't I think at this school she would still be making the honor roll. If you want your child to get a great education, pass on this school!
--Submitted by a parent

It seems to me that if a parent has a problem with their children learning it is extremely easy to blame the school or the teacher. From my experience with 6 children and 100+ foster kids in more than 20 years it is in fact not schools and teachers but often parents. Most kids today are NOT engaged and feel no need to be before they ever walk out of their front door. If you are plugged in to OMS, and involved with teachers, afterall you are partners in your child's education, you will see success. OMS is an excellent school with outstanding teachers. The teachers care and are concerned about all kids. OMS consistently scores in the top percentile for academic success. Teachers are professional and continue to earn high marks in their state evaluations and local recognition. You want your child to do well, get involved and see.
--Submitted by a parent

As a student I did not like it, but that had to do with other students...mostly. Atheletes seemed to get special treatment and bullying was everywhere. I had a son attend this school for over 2 years, hated to see not much had changed. The bullying is still there strong as ever. I made a tough decision to let my son stay with his father during school years to avoid having to send him to this school. My other children will surely be attending private schools by middle school age! The teachers here for the most part are helpful and caring. Most of the parents dont want to admit when their child is dishing out the bullying and pretty much turning a blind eye to their behavior.
--Submitted by a parent

Agree with parent who says that the administration avoids parents. I actually left notes on the principal's door to call me about a serious matter at school, left several messages, and was ignored. I had to go to the school to find all of the principals yakking outside the day that my student was physically attacked by another student at school. The teachers don't communicate, there is no online grade or assignment checking system, and I haven't seen that my child has learned very much in this school except to not try to achieve. In addition, they take the children on extremely expensive field trips. Don't sign your child up if they might not can make the trip later! If you do, the teacher will threaten that you will 'pay now or pay later' and that they will hold the child's report card until you do.
--Submitted by a parent

This is the worst school that my children have ever attended. The lack of communication among the administration is horrible. I have had two sons go there and I am working a second job to make sure that my daughter doesnt go. The principals and vice principals will avoid you at all costs. When a parent makes actually 14 phone calls and leaves messages each time and does not get a call back there is something wrong.
--Submitted by a parent

I go to Ooltewah Midle School, and I think the administration is great. And their teachers are awesome! Keep up the good work Ooltewah Middle School .
--Submitted by a student

My daughter went to Big Ridge Elementary School in Hixon and had wonderful teachers and an amazing Principal. We moved and she went and currently goes to OMS, what a change! I am disgusted with the lack of Safety that OMS provides. Principal Abernathy hasn't got a clue! Only a handful of kids actually follow the 'strict' dress code, just make a trip up to school and watch the kids walk down the halls and see for your self. Pants hanging down low which is not supposed to be happening, Bullying, Harrassment you name it, you will find it at OMS!
--Submitted by a parent

My oldest kid loves going to this school.The teachers help you when to need it.
--Submitted by a parent