Butler Middle School

Horrible school. Class sizes are huge, kids bully each other, teachers are burnt out, and tons of kids doing drugs. Substandard technology, hardly any science equipment. Counselors just shuffle kids through. They may be getting a new building but if it's going to be good they need an entirely new staff.
—Submitted by a parent

If you child is lucky enough to qualify for the honors program, than this school is mediocre at best. I have had children in both the honors program and not. Unfortunately the worst teachers are the ones who teach the non honors classes. This I can never understand. The kids who need it the most are getting the worst teachers. Mrs. Rogerson is a nightmare for health. Mr. Tominaga for math was even a wise nightmare for 2 of my children. My children had math scores fall dramatically after having math at Butler. One of my children went from loving math to dreading walking into his math class. Shame on Butler for not cleaning this problem up. Lots of parent complaints but no action on both teachers. On the flip side, if your child is lucky enough to get Mrs. Van Haften for English, count your blessings. A few teachers are good, including Mrs. Lay for math. We also had problems with bullying at this school. It took almost 3 years before our problems were addressed and a stop was put to the bullying. By then, the permanent damage had been done. The counseling office was not any help at all when we tried to get help with the math situation. They told me there was nothing they could do.
—Submitted by a parent

The Honors Program at Butler is excellent. There are great Teachers and insightful Counselors and Coaches that really care about the kids at the school who want to learn and achieve academic excellence. Also, Butler Middle School is the only middle school I have seen that has a world class community recreation center and vast well groomed athletic fields next to the school. Having a lot of physical activity is an essential element for all children's education, but for Junior High kids it makes all the difference. Kids at that age need a lot of physical activity and benefit greatly from feeling the impact of daily working outs. There is an olympic sized ice rink. A diving pool, several lap pools, racket ball, basketball, weight room, etc. Combining academic excellence with physical fitness excellence is the key to helping kids feel great about themselves & achieving their full potential. My older boys are now in Medical School, just finished a top MBA program & works for a leading medical device firm and a third accepted into a top doctoral program. Our younger children are all on their way thanks to Butler. With the current remodeling - It will be Even Better!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a nineth grader at Butler Middle School right now, and quite a bit of the info is incorrect. there are some pretty bad teachers, but you can transfer out or take different classes. The work is challenging especially the honors program, if you are up to the challenge. we have good GPAs because we work for them. Yes, the cafeteria's food isnt good, but what school lunch is? yes, there are groups of kids who arent exactly non judgemental or nice. there is a program against bullying and I dont see any at all. There is a new program that requires turning assignments in on time that is working. We are not allowed to make up work that much at all. If you are put in the same math class, its cause you didnt learn the curriculum. The office is great, so is academics dont know about minorities.

Butler has some very good teachers and it has some of the worst teachers that I have encountered. The school may boast about its GPA, some of that may be due to the work not being challenging enough, therefore, it doesn't take much. The lunchroom quality is dismal. If you have a child with certain food restrictions,(Vegetarians and religious guidelines) they will be hard pressed to find a lunch here that is suitable. I am on this site to read other reviews so we can transfer!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I was worried about my daughter starting the 7th grade, understanding how the middle school years can be some of the hardest for a girl. Now she is almost done with 8th grade and BMS has fostered a environment of strong support and learning. She has excelled in her classes, and when she hits bumps, any one of her teachers take the time to help her. She is in good hands. Open communication is key in any school. Get involved. Ask questions. I am very happy with BMS.
—Submitted by a parent

uplifting and positive environment, supportive teachers, supports arts and creative opportunities, best middle school our kids have gone to thus far
—Submitted by a parent

This school has great teachers and staff. However, it is still like any middle school. There are always problems with students, and I have to say, if you don't fit the 'popular' profile, life is just that much harder. So, if you want amazing education, where most 9th graders take geometry or algebra 2, come here! But if you don't like dealing with (sorry) judgmental students, this isn't the most accepting place.
—Submitted by a student

The Absolute best school i have ever been at, the Teachers are world class! and the Students could never be better. What an amazing school. I have talked with the Principle and 80% of the students have A's average.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children, twins, who went to BMS and are now Sophomores at Brighton. I've taught as a substitute at Albion, Evergreen, Churchill, just to name a few. My best experience was at BMS. As for the person who complained that their child took the same math two years in a row. If they can't pass math they should take the class over, you need a strong foundation. On the other hand, if they're excelling beyond the classes available, BMS will work with you. The school will work with you. As a parent and substitute I've always been treated very well by the staff.
—Submitted by Marti Tominaga, a teacher

I have had three children attend BMS. The counseling office has been very involved with my family and our issues and helped my children through many difficult times, and helped them stay on the right track. The school staff has been very supportive to our family. I feel they care about the children at their school. Dress code is strict. There are some amazing teachers and there are a few that I struggled with. The kids at the school are typical pre-teens and teens. There is more diversity than in previous years which is awesome. The Cottonwood Heights Rec Center is next door and is utilized by the school in physical ed. It's a great school. I believe when there has been a problem at school with a child that the parents need to start taking some responsibility in teaching their kids respect and kindness from home.
—Submitted by Lori Ivory, a parent

Our experience at BMS has been a nightmare. There is so much bullying going on. When you try to address the issue, they ask you for proof. They encourage you to talk to them, but then push you away and tell you to move schools be cause there is nothing they can do. My daughter is constantly being verball harrassed in the halls. Academics are awful. They do not hold the kids responsible to get their HW in and they are allowed to make up test after test and HW assignment until they are correct. My child has been doing the same math for two years. Never have I ever experienced this.
—Submitted by a parent

All four of my children have attended BMS and have had no complaints whatsoever. The teachers and staff are very supportive and encouraging in all that the students do. The classes are small with fun, effective teachers. The music program is incredible, with amazing band and choir teachers. This school is the best, in a central location and i would encourage anyone to come to this great school.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had 2 children at BMS and it has been a miserable experience from day 1. It was made significantly worse when Kim Baker left this year as she was the only person at that school who treated parents and teachers with any respect. The office staff are extremely rude and demeaning to all who walk in the door, parent and student alike. Academic programs are marginal at best and I have been very disappointed with this school. I would not recommend it for anyone, especially a child who is considered a racial minority.
—Submitted by a parent

Butler Middle is a great school for students in an accelerated program. The teachers are caring and kind and do put forth great strides toward student success. Counseling office is not very helpful, and seem to discourage desire for academic challenges when making future plans. They seem to encourage sameness in everyone, even though they strongly express in words the importance of independent thinking and diversity. They don't seem to put that into action. They are very strict in enforcing dress code, but often it is a select group that is targeted for this violation. When enforcing dress code, they are extremely rude and will label students with demoralizing words. However, this behavior is discouraged in peer groups. This applies only to counseling office. The teachers are great.
—Submitted by a parent