Willowcreek Middle School

If I could give this school no stars I would. This school ranks lowest in the district in a lot of departments. And if you meet some of the faculty you will understand why. (There are few good teachers there). They take a direct instruction approach and frequently yell at their students for not understanding the material. I am a parent aide so I've witnessed the horrible teaching techniques myself. It is very political there and I think they have gone through 2 principles just in the past year. It is a nice school but what goes on inside the nice walls is really sad to witness. Students don't learn, they are just herded through like cattle. There are very few teachers who care about their students more than their own jobs and who are willing to take the time to help. Really sad really sad sad school. I am transferring my child into another school next year.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids has been to several school so I have a lot to compare to,and this school is hands down the worst school my kids has ever attended.Last year I had two kids in this school,this year I have one. I have problems with teachers being unorganized at loosing assigments that my kids did,one teacher was so inappropriate that I had to switch my daughter out of his class.A high percentage of the teacher there are just there to collect a paycheck they do not care about the students.We have a new principal this year,maybe that will help I don't know.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been through 2 public schools, 1 charter school and 3 private schools. I have never heard of him actually gushing about Willow Creek Middle School. Of course, when my son went to different schools he was younger and a little bit more immature back then. Part of his dislike of other schools was also partly because he was the problem as well. He likes the principal at Willow Creek and the staff are extremely helpful and professional. He loves the kids around him. And although he does not like all the teachers, he understands that different teachers have different styles.This school really wants to set up the student for success and they try everything and anything for the student to do better. He loves this school so much that when we were about to move the only condition was that he would still be able to go to this school and I have never heard my son like a school so much that it was one of the factors of our home choice. Usually he does not care.
—Submitted by a parent

For those who posted reviews that Willow Creek is not a good school because the student/reviwer hears inappropriate language from kids. This is what I can say: Any teacher or school for that matter that hears a student say inappropriate language is bound to be reprimanded or told to stop. However, a teacher or staff can not always hear what students are saying every time and at every particular moment, unless all they do all day is follow each and every one of the 800+ students from morning until afternoon and try to eavesdrop what they are saying each and every time. If you hear kids saying inappropriate language, the problem is not in the school (unless staff hear it and don't be anything and it is pervasive in all corners of the school). The problem is at the home of those kids. The school can not always be blamed for how a child is raised within the four walls of his/her home.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a school always working for the betterment of the student. That is a rare thing for a public school. Willowcreek is always trying to find the best methods to help the most kids. There is a stable out reach program to involve parents in the process. The administration works with the teachers to improve. The walkaway program is designed to prepare students for the state testing, and also for higher education. For those not agreeing with thus system, you must also have a problem with college. Finals and midterms usually make up the bulk of the grade there, so to do walkaway testing evaluate the students at this school.

This is my second child finishing this school. We moved here a little over 5 years ago when my first daughter went there it was really different then Nebo district. Now that my second daughter is in 9th grade there I have found it to be great. the senior staff there is fantastic if your child is trying. Thank you willow creek. ( keep up the great work ). Bud Jolley
—Submitted by a parent

The walkaway tests are horrible. It isn't fair to the kids to have one test count as their entire grade. And if one or two students aren't passing the walkaway, the teacher spends more time with them, while the rest of the class is learning nothing!

My student started new this year. We have found the staff to be helpful and courteous. The counselors had another student show my daughter around the school before she started classes. The teachers have, for the most part, been helpful towards my daughter. She likes her classes. The administrators are busy but have been helped my daughter to find her bus. I'm not sure how I feel about the Walkaways but my daughter loves them. I think the advisory program is a good way to help students who need it and give students with good grades a chance to have a break from school.
—Submitted by a parent

I moved halfway through the year in 8th grade (2 years ago) into this school. I went from homeschool to this HUGE school. The staff doesn't really care about you; you are just another burden and another score to add into the computer. You are a number; I used my student number more in the 4 months I was there than my name. The people there are unfriendly unless you conform and become just like every other girl there. I was never noticed; the whole 4 months I can count on one hand the number of people who talked to me (4.). The walkaways are ridiculous. Here! Have an easy test! You can take it as many times, and I will never change the questions, so you can just memorize it! The principal was amazing, but he was overwhelmed. I would find an alternative for your child, I wish I had.

There are far too many kids even though this school is huge, I wouldn't recommend coming here if you have bullying problems its far worse here, students tend to discriminate blacks, bigger kids & a bunch of other stuff, if your not popular you will feel worthless. However the walkaway program is a very unique kind of idea it gives students a chance to pass a class easily. As far as bullying goes they really don't care at all. I wouldn't recommend it at all.
—Submitted by a student

I would not recommend sending my child to this school especially if they require any extra help in learning. My son has struggled with reading since 1st grade and the system has muddled him through. Now we are in 9th grade and he is having severe issues looking for trouble. We have voiced our concerns as parents and never find out about issues until it is too lte. We have tried to stay up on homework, but can't ever accurately find out what the homework really is. The admin only wants to ignore issues and push them on the parents when we have been doing everything we know how to help him be successful. If you child requires any additional help in any area, I would not recommend this school. Too many students for them to really care about the issues.
—Submitted by a parent

This was a really good school when I went to it. It was really easy to get an A because Walkaways were a huge part of your grade. The counselors were amazing and the teachers really cared, but the one teacher I didn't like was totally right about the school. They onlt teach you what you need to know for the core test so it's way more relaxed than Highschool. It was so hard going into highschool because I had never taken an actual test and I hadn't done homework for three years. It never affected my grade. This school is great for in the moment but it does nothing to help you get ready for highschool at all.
—Submitted by a student

I found the staff to be engaging and informed with regards to the educational well being of my student. It has a large student body that seems to be organized and well disciplined. The teachers and counselors let us tour the school before we enrolled and answered all my many questions with ease. I told my daughter that they seamed professional and still able to be nice and compassionate.
—Submitted by a parent

WIllow Creek Middle School is a JOKE. There are far too many students in that school. advisory and the walkaway program is ridiculous. Taking class time to help very few students pass in not fair to the rest of the class. Five people will work on walkaways while the rest of the class just sits there talking and doing nothing. Also i do not feel safe about what the other students talk about. There is always very inappropriate language.I would not recommend sending any students to a school like this one.
—Submitted by a student

I really have mixed feelings about Willowcreek. 'Walkaways' are really weird. I mean, it takes the chance away from a student to excel. When 24% of the class has not passed the walkaway-- the 76% is coloring, talking, or watching a movie. There's nothing you're doing there you're kind of just sitting and staring.
—Submitted by a student

I think that Willowcreek is awesome! It is my favorite schoool! lots of people, but that just means you have more oppurtunities to meet new people.
—Submitted by a student

I think this is a great school. The focus they have on mastery of the concepts is right in line with the state core. The teachers work hard and care about all the students. I
—Submitted by a parent

This school has a horrible resource program. No help from teachers or administration. The counselors are useless. Far too many students. My daughter has a learning disablity and has been pushed futher and futher behind and no one seems to care. If I could afford to do something different I would.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a big disappointment. There is not enough tables for all students at lunch time. No homeworks have been given so far. About 50 students in each class. Very relaxed behaviour during classes (use of MP3, game consoles, etc...) My daughter is in 7th grade and she thinks this school is a huge mess!! She has been an excellent student so far but I'm afraid of the negative impact this school might have on her. I'll see if I can move her to another school.
—Submitted by a parent