Nichols Junior High School

Nichols teachers and staff have always had a committment to excel. This year is no different. There are some new teachers, but both old and new share the desire to see the students improve and succeed. Nearly every classroom utilizes technology to help keep kids interested, and they all are using newer teaching strategies to reach more students. On the no homework comment, as a former teacher myself, I feel homework is overrated. Students should be able to get most instruction and work done in the classroom. Homework should be reserved for projects and studying for tests. Home time should be for family and extra activities to help the students stay well-rounded.
—Submitted by a parent

I was astonished now to have 2 teachers (one in 7th and one in 8th grade) tell me they don't assign homework because the STUDENTS won't "PARTICIPATE". My God, what is wrong??? FAIL THEM if they won't participate!!!! Don't lower the bar to the lowest common denominator. This blows my mind that the administration forces the teachers to lower the standards to this pitiful level. Teachers have been kind, available, and cooperative, but demand very little - and get just that.
—Submitted by a parent

this school i give a 4 out of 5 yes i am a student here at NJH i love there staff welll teachers <3 they are very helpful u get the kind of teacher u need. thanks

It hasn't been two complete weeks of school and I've had to meet with a teacher and assistant principal concerning the mistreatment of my son. His advance math teacher displays a selfish, careless attitude towards him. I was told by the assistant principal that she is a good teacher, but teaching a subject is only part of the job. We entrust our kids to schools and teacher in belief that they will receive a quality education that benefits the "whole" child, strong positive leadership and a staff that is willing to go above and beyond for the success of our kids. I'm not a parent who chooses sides before hearing the complete story. I am a parent who believes in fair treatment and respect for all students. My 7th grade son came from Ellis Elementary where he earned all "A's" the entire year, he earned the Principal Award for citizenship and behavior, and won an art scholarship from his art teacher. I have never had to address any negative issues concerning my son while he attended Ellis. I was forewarned about this school and some of its teachers. All teachers are not in the profession for our kids.
—Submitted by a parent

This school's teachers are trying hard. The administration however needs to be a strict disciplinarian and REQUIRE full compliance with the highest standards. The ghetto gangs, the fights, the dirty dishelved attire of the students encourages laziness in student attitudes. I sincerely hope the administration has the spine to build a strong group of citizens - we'd like to be proud of Nichols someday!
—Submitted by a parent

I just finished the eighth grade at Nichols and it was awesome. The extracurriculars are great and so is the honors program. People complain about fights but what they need to remember is that when there are 900 teenagers in one building, aggression is bound to build up. What I'm trying to say is that there are going to be fights anywhere you go. Don't try to transfer to Shack-it's not any better.

I am going to Lamar now but I did go to Nichols. It is not that bad of a school, Yes we had our behavior promblems but doesnt every school? We have really AMAZING teachers. They are strict on us because they ant the best for us. My science teacher Mrs. Muniz just won an award for her teahing skills. People complain about the dress but its only becasue they want us to look equal. Nichols is very diverse. As in some students live in huge houses and other in Apts and some even in hotels. When wearing a uniform, it makes it harder for you to tell who is the rich one and who is barley getting by. Ive also read that Shack is better then Nichols. THATS NOT TRUE! Shack didnt get TEA reconized! and If your child likes sports then Nichols is better for your child. So If you are wondering If Nichols is a good school then trust me.. Stuco President.. That yes Nichols is a good school. Thanks.

It's an pretty okay school, but they worry too much about behavior and following the dress code, I've heard teachers tell students that they were going to get detention just for not having their shirts tucked in. And some of the teachers always seem to expect that all kids taking advanced classes should always act perfect, which really bothered me.

There are a lot of discipline problems at this school. Far too many of the kids simply do not respect any kind of authority. From what I can see, the problem is the parents, not the teachers or the admin. With this student body, only extremely good teachers can manage to run smooth, well-behaved classes, and God bless them that they do, but the urge to go to a school where the job isn't as tough is too enticing for many teachers there. There are so many unruly students that the school has to devote far too much time to just keeping order.

I can see the people who said how horrible to treating kids from Single Parent homes as outcasts were right along. School uniforms are still used to this day and it has failed. Students are still getting made funed andof and bullied because they didn't wear tennis shoes and not low socks. This is not a great school and the parents are better off moving out of Arlington untill the kids reach high school and move back where uniforms aren't mandated in Junior High. You're just better off moving out of the district temporary at least. School Uniforms aren't meant for Public Schools anyways.

Is really bad. The teachers are mean and i tried my best in my 7grade year, i got low grades. i change to shack and it was great!

This school is alright, but there are so many rules and it stresses the kids out.
—Submitted by a parent

Horrrible school they are way to focused on disicpline, they say thigns to children I wouldn't say to my own. Teacher bring up inapropriate opinions for school. My 8th grader has Ms. Collins as a vice principle, this woman does not do her job well...if she does her job at all. She is bias.
—Submitted by a parent

at this school i made alot of aquatinces but 1 REAL friend, i can not focus because teachers are too worried about behavior instead of getting on with the lesson, this school does not provide a salad bar, wich is not good for health. Teachers are disrespectful to certain students even when the students have not misbehaved, and they are given misconduct slips for 'complaining' when they were simply asking for help, i never get in trouble, im qiuet, but i have seen a number of issues 'out of line' at this school, Education is secondary here.
—Submitted by a student

i go 2 nichols now and all i can tell u is dat u gotta be strong there. if u cry over everthing u wont last long. it just all depends who you hang out with.if you dont stand up for ure self and dont fight back you will have a horrible school year,but if u do its not that bad. me myself i love the school its fun!!!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a student

nope other people got it wrong nichols is a great school for extra curricular activities and the teachers want to help you as much as they can
—Submitted by a parent

When I attended Nicholas Junior that school never made me safe. If a student was from a Single Family home like me then you were a outcast. If a student didn't wear tennis shoe and had socks that weren't too low then they called you names. When I attended Nicholas I was given disrespect and one of the Vice Principals never did anything to stop to make me feel safe at Nicholas and all he wanted to do was kick me out of school.

They worry about too much Discipline and not enough Academics
—Submitted by a parent

The recent TAKS failure and the increase in gang activity make this school an embarrassment to North Arlington. Too much police & discipline action to have any focus on academics. Really hope it improves soon!
—Submitted by a parent

The 8th grade teachers really cared about my son. Thanks he is doing much better now because of her understanding.
—Submitted by a parent