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GreatSchools Rating

Benjamin Syms Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 1049 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
Based on 1 rating

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15 reviews of this school


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Posted June 4, 2010

The history professor said the students won't take the time to complete textbook- higher level assignments so he recommended simple word searches and crossword puzzles for homework each night.


Posted November 4, 2009

Syms MS is a very clean and fair school. There is no bullying. Everyone seems to get along. The teachers are great. They definitely teach the children. If you don't understand someone, they are more than willing to further explain and take their valuable time to help the students. The programs are exceptional. Go Hampton!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 7, 2009

Benjamin Syms is a wonderful middle school. The lockers are a LITTLE small but i guess thats to assure that no one gets jamed in one. Lol! The teachers are as nice as they can be and the principal is wonderful! I havent had or witnessed any problems with bullies, but by reading these reviews apparently others have. Overall, I love this school.
—Submitted by a student


Posted May 12, 2009

it's a great fun filled school
—Submitted by a student


Posted May 8, 2009

I am a parent of a 7th grader at Syms, Ive had three other children in Syms and had no problems, but my youngest has had nothing but problems, the school needs to get a handle on the BULLIES, there should be a ZERO Tolerence policy for this behavior, over all I think this problem could be solved, but the staff needs to stop ignoring issues and deal with them head on.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 24, 2009

For Special Education this school needs assistance.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 3, 2008

syms middle shool is an amazing school for my child to grow and learn in a healthy enviroment.
—Submitted by a student


Posted August 1, 2008

i am a student at syms and i am disgusted with everything that happens and goes on. i have witnessed way to many students being punished because of other peoples' mistakes. the students and teachers are rude and disrespectful. it is not fair for students like me to have to be around this behavior when all i want to do is learn. i would not recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a student


Posted May 27, 2008

My daughter has been at Syms for a year and I have found the teachers excellent. The parents are kept informed with what grades and any problems their student is having. Safety is a priority in the school and on the bus. The principal makes calls home with important information regularly. I look forward to my child returning to Syms next year.looklooklokchireturning to Syms for the next year. to my child attending
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 2, 2008

It is an awesome school and the teachers have a wide varity of skills
—Submitted by a student


Posted September 19, 2007

syms is awesome.i love my teachers and the lockers are a decent size.the lunches are okay,but sometimes they just gross me out.
—Submitted by Simonne Calhoun, a student


Posted September 9, 2007

My twins grils love Syms they are new 6th graders and they love school so far.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 21, 2005

I am happy to say that my daughter and I have had a wonderful experience at Syms. We came from private schools and were worried about the transition of moving into a public school, and I have to say it has been a great experience. the teacher she has had have been terrific to work with and have been very helpful whenever either of us have had a question. I am surprised at the star ratings on Syms, wouls expect them to be higher- A school is made up of not only the teachers and staff but of the parents too- get involved and it makes it better for everyone.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 20, 2004

My son (12yrs old/6th grader) suffers from Asperger Syndrome (AS). The 1st/2nd semesters at Syms have been outstanding thanks to his teachers/assistant principal who have taken the time to work with my son in order for him to adjust to middle school. However, since the 3rd semester, I feel that some students, teachers & guidance counselors are not aware of what 'AS' is and/or how to approach & work with a student who suffers from AS. Social skills with children & adults are very difficult for my son. My son observes every situation that affects him serious & significant; whereas (some) individuals at the school look upon him lame or inadequate. Twice, he has been approached by bullies (which the school has taken legal action). The school staff & students need to be educated because through the eyes of an 'AS' pre-teen, middle school is a cruel, hostile, environment.
—Submitted by Charese Johnson, a parent


Posted April 8, 2004

Let me tell you about this school or at least one teacher..Last night my sons math teacher called we spoke about the kids in my sons class picking on him.. When I mentioned that I wanted my son out of the class with the kids that were picking on him she told me that kids would be kids.. This is the same teacher that when a boy sprayed a perfume on him all she did was take it away from him and throw it away.. All the teachers have seen the harasment my son has gone through but not one of them has put a stop to it. I rate this school a 0.....
—Submitted by Anita Weirich, a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
English: Reading

The state average for English: Reading was 89% in 2012.

344 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
86%

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
84%

2008

 
 
86%
History and Social Science

The state average for History and Social Science was 86% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 74% in 2012.

242 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
58%

2011

 
 
54%

2010

 
 
70%

2009

 
 
63%

2008

 
 
70%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

The state average for English: Reading was 88% in 2012.

347 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
86%

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
90%

2008

 
 
83%
History and Social Science

The state average for History and Social Science was 88% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 58% in 2012.

89 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
20%

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
63%

2009

 
 
66%

2008

 
 
64%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

The state average for English: Reading was 89% in 2012.

393 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
90%

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
84%

2008

 
 
89%
English: Writing

The state average for English: Writing was 88% in 2012.

383 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
82%

2010

 
 
85%

2009

 
 
87%

2008

 
 
87%
History and Social Science

The state average for History and Social Science was 88% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a

2008

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 60% in 2012.

299 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
45%

2011

 
 
69%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
85%

2008

 
 
89%
Science

The state average for Science was 92% in 2012.

396 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
96%

2009

 
 
93%

2008

 
 
96%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

All Students86%
Female students87%
Male students85%
Black students82%
Asian students100%
Hispanic91%
White students91%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged85%
Not economically disadvantaged89%
Students with disabilities49%
Students without disabilities91%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English86%
Not migrant86%

History and Social Science

All Studentsn/a
Male studentsn/a
Black studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Proficient in Englishn/a
Not migrantn/a

Math

All Students58%
Female students54%
Male students62%
Black students51%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic60%
White students69%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged54%
Not economically disadvantaged67%
Students with disabilities13%
Students without disabilities66%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English57%
Not migrant58%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. Data is not reported when there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

All Students86%
Female students88%
Male students84%
Black students81%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic82%
White students90%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged81%
Not economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disabilities46%
Students without disabilities91%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English85%
Not migrant86%

History and Social Science

All Studentsn/a
Male studentsn/a
Black studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Proficient in Englishn/a
Not migrantn/a

Math

All Students20%
Female students19%
Male students21%
Black students11%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanicn/a
White students41%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged15%
Not economically disadvantaged33%
Students with disabilities4%
Students without disabilities27%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English20%
Not migrant20%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. Data is not reported when there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

All Students90%
Female students91%
Male students89%
Black students84%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic96%
White students96%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged87%
Not economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilities58%
Students without disabilities94%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English90%
Not migrant90%

English: Writing

All Students78%
Female students85%
Male students69%
Black students71%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic69%
White students86%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged71%
Not economically disadvantaged86%
Students with disabilities32%
Students without disabilities84%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English78%
Not migrant78%

History and Social Science

All Studentsn/a
Male studentsn/a
Black studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Proficient in Englishn/a
Not migrantn/a

Math

All Students45%
Female students50%
Male students40%
Black students31%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic42%
White students58%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged37%
Not economically disadvantaged58%
Students with disabilities17%
Students without disabilities50%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English44%
Not migrant45%

Science

All Students93%
Female students94%
Male students91%
Black students88%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic100%
White students97%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged88%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Students with disabilities55%
Students without disabilities97%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English93%
Not migrant93%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. Data is not reported when there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

  • In 2009-2010, this school was rated "Fully Accredited".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was rated "Fully Accredited".
  • In 2007-2008, this school was rated "Fully Accredited".

About the tests


Virginia school accreditation ratings reflect student achievement on Standards of Learning (SOL) tests and other assessments in English, history/social science, math and science. The 2009-2010 ratings are based on passing rates on tests taken during the 2008-2009 school year or on overall achievement during the three most recent years. Schools are identified as either Fully Accredited, Accredited with Warning, Conditionally Accredited or Accreditation Denied.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 75% in 2012.

276 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
82%

2011

 
 
98%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
n/a

2008

 
 
100%
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 88% in 2010.

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
n/a

2008

 
 
100%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course tests to assess students in reading, writing, math, science and history/social science subjects at the end of each course, regardless of the student's grade level. The SOL End-of-Course tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. High school students must pass at least six SOL End-of-Course tests to graduate. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

Algebra I

All Students82%
Female students79%
Male students86%
Black students78%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic94%
White students87%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged78%
Not economically disadvantaged87%
Students with disabilities50%
Students without disabilities83%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English82%
Not migrant82%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course tests to assess students in reading, writing, math, science and history/social science subjects at the end of each course, regardless of the student's grade level. The SOL End-of-Course tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. High school students must pass at least six SOL End-of-Course tests to graduate. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 49% 57%
Black 46% 26%
Hispanic 3% 9%
Asian/Pacific Islander 2% 6%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 42%N/A33%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 20N/A17
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

170 Fox Hill Rd
Hampton, VA 23669
Phone: (757) 850-5050

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