Bull Run Middle School

Bull Run is a decent school in a nice area of Northern Virginia. We've been here for one year and I purposely waited until near the end of school to submit a review. The teachers and administrators are in many respects doing good work with the students but they're really limited in what they can do by the extreme overcrowding. While the opening of a new facility may help (Fall 2012) I strongly recommend that any prospective parent obtain real numbers from the Prince William county school board prior to enrolling here. I expect that overcrowding at other schools may be addressed by shifting boundaries, resulting in Bull Run remaining oversubscribed. The extreme class sizes - 32 students per teacher- result in a lack of individualized attention and other adverse impacts on the learning environment. There is a lack of opportunity to participate in sport due to the huge numbers trying out, and the "try outs" go on for three or four days before final cuts. My wife volunteers at the school and we both have witnessed the "controlled chaos" of the hallways. Your child needs to be prepared for that type of challenge if you choose Bull Run.
—Submitted by a parent

Biggest Middle School in the state of Virginia. The school is over capacity by 700 kids. The building is so packed kids are in portable classrooms outside. the teachers are good but have way to many students to properly teach. Because of the large population the teachers have to be very rigid and strict. The hallways often have "traffic jams" and the cafeteria is packed. Because of the population it is difficult to get on teams for sports or in extra curricular clubs. This will change next year when the new Middle School down the road opens and takes 500 students. But if you are planning to move to the area, be careful in which district you move. The new school (Ronald Reagan) has yet to pick staff and Bull Run will change dramatically next year.
—Submitted by a parent

Much too rigid in administration of discipline. Like many schools facing the political pressures of helicopter parents, the administration is too quick to punish or ostracize students with behavior and learning problems. The school appears to be striving to be an "exam school" rather than the neighborhood public school that educates all comers.

Wonderful front office staff and caring teachers! We are a military family and move frequently. The staff made us feel very welcome and made it easy for me to volunteer at the school. My son's teachers have been very involved with his learning (advanced math especially) and the technology at the school is very good. The 3 star rating for parent involvement surprises me - the staff welcomes parents and loves having us up there!
—Submitted by a parent

My child has received an excellent education at this school. The teachers, administrators and staff all put the student's education and welfare first. Many after school activities for students and a wonderful teaching staff are always available to students. Thanks for all you do!
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent new principal, Excellent Front Office Staff and Excellent Teachers! Like all schools there are challenges but this school unlike others in the area rises to meet them. The staff are very involved and caring. They are excellent communicators and creative educators! They are very teen friendly and are open and available to communicate with parents. They want to see your child succeed as much as you do. They think outside the box and do an excellent job managing the school environment despite overcrowding. The only bad part is that we only have one year left here. BRMS ROCKS! Lovely convenient location and safe!
—Submitted by a parent

I think its a great way to share your way of learning and just being a teen not a child nor an adult but a teen that means teachers understand us more. =)
—Submitted by a student

Our daughter has some learning deficits and we initially had her attending another school in the county where she was accepted and we were thrilled. However, after two months at this school we pulled her out and put her in Bull Run Middle School. The reason we did this was because of the complete lack of attention our daughter was receiving at Pennington compared to our neighbors who had children at BRMS. She was not excelling at all and one of the reassons we sent her there was for the smaller class environment, which is a total joke! She has smaller classes at BRMS and began to excel after only a week. The staff at BRMS are very very accommodating and have been nothing short of wonderful. My only regret is not putting her at BRMS in the first place.
—Submitted by a parent

im now in 8th grade and have loved all 3 years at bull run. the sports programs are great and the teachers are friendly and know what they're talking about. bull run chorus is great as well
—Submitted by a student

this school is awsome in every way. all the teachers are teen cool and have all the right stuff. im an 8th grader and know what im talking about
—Submitted by a student

I am a student at bull run middle school going into seventh grade. So far bull run rocks and even thogh it was my first year in middle school last year the teachers made it feel as if I had been there for years.The teachers try there hardest to prevent bullying ,so if you are really looking for a protected environment for your kids you should really check out this school.
—Submitted by a student

Bull Run has a very strong and respected principal with a gift for instilling a need to study and succeed across the student body. Classes are scheduled so that only strudent in a particular grade are in the halls at any one time. Signet programs challenge gifted students and introduce them to more advanced curicula. There is a strong school spirit that helps to unite the students and an even stronger parent involvement. Bullying is not allowed and mutual respect is nurtured thorughout the year. Wear inappropriate clothes to school and you hace to put on the ugliest gym clothes I have ever seen. Need help and you are paired with students or tutors to help. It is far better than the private school I brought my dauther from in New Jerset (Gill St. Bernards). I could not be happierwith the school and highly recommend it.
—Submitted by Chuck Shelton, a parent

My namis Andrew Young and I was a student that attended in my 7th and 8th grade years (7th-2002-2003;8th-2003-2004). The teachers are great as are the classes. The extra curricular classes are great too. The coachs and sports teams are the best you can find anywhere. If Bull Run is one of your choices for your child i would highly recomend choicing Bull Run Middle School.
—Submitted by Andrew Young, a former student

Great School! We moved out here to find a better atmosphere for our girls and Bull Run has turned out to be a fabulous choice. The kids are great here; the faculty wonderful; and the staff is amazing. Faculty and staff alike give outstanding support to the kids and parents. Good PTO and other parent support, too. There sports program is of the highest calibre and all the spring 2004 sports teams went undefeated! Highly recommend it.
—Submitted by b norkus, a parent