Swanson Middle School

The school and teachers are overall fantastic. The school superintendent Patrick Murphy is bad. He is trying to change to block scheduling - 90 minute classes - for children. It's not proven to work. It has been tried and failed in high school. He did it in Fairfax schools. When he left Fairfax they dropped block scheduling. It didn't work. We have a successful school with achieving children. He is trying to narrow the learning gap by lowering the achieving children to close that gap. He should leave the school and school district alone. Murphy will make this school and others NOT Great Schools.
--Submitted by a parent

My child attends Swanson. She got sick with a strep infection that attacked her brain resulting in many challenges. The Swanson staff were unbelievably responsive and compassionate. This was a very high-performing child, that overnight had to deal with very complex symptoms. The school teaching staff, Administrators and support staff have worked with us to adjust her schedule and accomodate her needs. Swanson is awesome!
--Submitted by a parent

I am a new resident of Arlington County, My grandson attends Swanson Middle School. The teachers, staff, and all members of the school are doing an excellent work with him. I have notice improvement is a short time. Keep Up The Good Work.
--Submitted by a parent

I've had one child attend Swanson for 6-8th grades and now another is in 7th grade. We are very, very pleased with the school. The teachers care and take teaching seriously. The principal, Chris Forrester, is very wise and understands Middle Schoolers. The counseling staff are top rate. I could go on and on.......
--Submitted by a parent

This is a fantastic school. The teachers are truly dedicated and the staff is extremely helpful. The students were very welcoming to our kids when we moved here last year. What an incredible opportunity for our kids to attend this amazing school.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is one of the most positive, helping schools i have ever attended.And that says something. The teachers are always kind and helping and the quality of the education they offer is equally impressive. They also have programs that talk about how bad drugs and alcohol is and talk about bullying with the kids as well. There are not many problems we have here. The students are acheivers that reach for the stars, and with the help from the teachers skills and knowledge most of them are honor role with great, deserved grades. I highly recommend this school for any student.
--Submitted by a student

This school has a tendency to make students who have a history as slackers and turn them into a strong willed student. This year 75% students in the 6th grade got honor role which include either b's or a's. It is a positive environment with great supportive staff. The teachers have been to colleges such as harvard, yale ect. Im a student that attends this school and i will say it is amazing and i couldnt of gone to a better middle school!
--Submitted by a student

Swanson is a great school. Teachers are helpful and make sure no one is left behind. Extended day is also a great place for your child to spend the after school hours, with many activities, homework time, and great friends, peace of mind for busy parents!
--Submitted by a parent

Swanson is a great school with awesome teachers administrators. When you are there for only three years it is hard to get juiced about a school but Swanson has many programs to help get kids involved. One addition i would suggest: I would create an initaitive to get kids ready for the Block schedule they will face in High school. Some klids especially boys have issues related to attention span and longer classes. Doing home work the savme day it is assigned, and problems when they are absent one day from the compressed classes that cove[r] so much material. These are all challeges that can be met if addressed early.
--Submitted by a parent

Swanson creates a wonderful learning environment. It is both supportive and challenging while offering a variety of academic experiences to a diverse student body. I would agree that most of the teachers are more than competent but none has yet struck me as extraordinary.
--Submitted by a parent