Eagle Ridge Middle School

In 5th grade, my daughter had a lot of homework to prepare her for Middle school. In middle school, she had close to NO homework. Her grades were good and she took 2 years of French. She is now in high school and she is grossly unprepared for the homework load. Through the parent grapevine, I hear that Stone Hill MS prepares the students much better than Eagle Ridge(ER). My daughter learned close to nothing in French. She never had homework. How can you learn a language with no homework?All of the ER students that I know struggled and even quit French in High School. Stone Hill students were much better prepared. If we could afford to send our other kids elsewhere, we would. If you have an option, go somewhere else other than ER. I also have heard that one of the Spanish teachers at ER is terrible. My daughter had many strange stories about some of her teachers. There were a few that she really liked but overall, our experience there was terrible.
—Submitted by a parent

My issue isn't with any of the academic-related teachers, it is with some of the admin staff. My daughter's lunch funds hadn't posted to her account yet, & I didn't realize it. My daughter, who was new to the school, was embarassed when they wouldn't let her buy lunch due to insufficient funds (my mistake).When my daughter called me from the office, she was crying. I was unable to make it to the school in time to bring her cash, as I am a single parent, and I was working in MD that day. The secretary offered (I didn't ask) to loan my daughter lunch money for that day. She was so nice about it, and I thanked her and told her my daughter would pay her back within the next day or two. The next day I forgot to send my daughter with the $5 (my mistake again). While in class, the grade secretary (who wasn't even the lady who was involved) went to the classroom that my daughter was in and asked her out into the hallway. She then asked my daughter where the money that the secretary loaned her was. My daughter was humiliated.When I emailed the staff to bring up my concern, I was IGNORED. I can't believe this behavior by "teachers" over $5.My daughter is well behaved & in all AP classes.
—Submitted by a parent

This school was in a great pyramid for my elementary and soon to be high schooler. Although there are mixed reviews, as an educator I understood people stand on a soap box, so I was not too concerned. My middle schooler is very well adjusted, as we move frequently. The student has never had a problem getting sraight A's. I figured, how bad could it be, right? The lack of academic support given to the entering students and the over bearing nature of the school is appauling. The kids are not allowed to co-mingle with other grades. Why? I am not sure. It seems that this only teaches the students that seperation and discrimination are tolerated. We had an awful experience trying to get into Spectrum. The Spectrum teacher was no help and the vice principal and the district just kept stating that their hands were tied due to process. We are over half way through the year and although my student qualifies, the student cannot be admitted to the class due to some district hang up. The process was started before school ever started. In my opinion perhaps the process needs to be revisited. I could go on about lack of guidence, leadership and overall professionalism, but I am out of space.
—Submitted by a parent

ERMS has thebest string program in the area. PTA is well involved and very supportive of all the teachers' programs.
—Submitted by a parent

Our experience at Eagle Ridge has been great. We appreciate that the principal is willing to stand up for kids and set some expectations rather than just give in everytime there is a complaint that is based on a sense of entitlement rather than on what is the right thing for kids. The teachers are hard working and top notch and we are very proud to be an Eagle family!
—Submitted by a parent

Eagle Ridge used to be a well-balanced school where decisions were made based on the needs of the students. It was the first middle school in Loudoun County to become a School to Watch. Those days are now gone. The new principal is only interested in "climbing the ladder." She does not have any interest in providing a safe, well-balanced educational environment for the students. They have been reduced to "elementary school" rules and the teachers are treated as if they are children instead of experienced professionals.An insecure principal, as this one is, has tuned the school toxic. It is tragic to see a great school destroyed!

the school has a bullying problem. Reports to adminstration (vice principal) are dismissed. Some very good teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

It's nationally recognized as a SCHOOL TO WATCH !!! It's recognized by the Govenor of Virginia as a School of Excellence!!! According to Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth, ERMS is one of the TOP 10 middle schools in the state of Virginia with students of exceptional achievement.
—Submitted by a teacher

I graduated eagle ridge i have been going there since 6th grade. the principal is great, she is always nice and is really involved in the school. They are very good about orientations and making new kids feel welcome. i liked 6th grade alot, but when 7th grade came it was really bad in my opinion. There are alot of cliques and some of them seem more supieror then others. they try to make others feel bad, and the guidence department isnt that good either. 8th grade the cliques went away except for a couple that still seemed better then everyone else. the discipline is very good, considering alot of events that have happened. So overall is a OK school. Some of the teachers are decent while others are terrible when it comes to learning.
—Submitted by a student

Eagle Ridge Middle School is great, excellent, and the best school. My daughter likes art club very much. I totally satisfied about this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school got schools to watch! I go here. It is the best ever!
—Submitted by a student

Eagle Ridge is the 3rd Middle School environment that we have been exposed to , as parents... WOW! The stellar differential (1 public, 1 private other experiences) is the genuine love that the Principal has for her students,her desire to make this tumultuous time in their adolescent, ever changing lives as stable as possible. The unspoken dedication of posturing herself and support staff for continual learning and outside ideas to integrate. As the position of authority, her 'attitude' permeates her staff and the general environment in the school reflects these same open,nurturing ideals. The team approach to utilizing the resources of the parent body that offers help, keeps the messages that the students receive , consistent and targeted , in order to maximize each young person's potential. 'Can-DO and WILL vs. can not and won't' better balances comradery , all the way around and EVERYONE WINS! Priorities are noticeably in order!
—Submitted by barbara johnson, a former student