Ruffner Middle School

I attended the old Ruffner back in the 40's. Have no idea what the "academic standing" was, I just remember it as a positive experience. Mr. S. A. MacDonald was the Principal.

FACT: iN 2009-2010, Ruffner Academy was ranked 2nd to last in academic acheivement among all middle schools in the state of Virginia! The principal was fired and there is an improvement team from Johns Hopkins University on site to help bring the school up to standard. This abysmal ranking is a matter of public record. Don't send your child here unless he/she is a part of the Young Scholars program.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a student going to 7th grade in the 2010-2011 school year and participates in the prestigious Young Scholars Program there. We are both equally satisfied with the great education she has been getting at Ruffner and I completely disagree with the poor rating this franchise has stricken upon that school. The list stating things that "A great school has..." is a near perfect match to the quality of Ruffner and that may never go away because of the many "challenging programs", "strong leadership", and "excellent teachers" there.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a Tiderwater Community College Student. I am in several college classes with the Middle College High School students. Many are on the Dean's List, and by the time they grqduate High School, they will have an Associate's Degree. I think it's a wonderful opertunity, and I wish I had the chance to do the same.

I am aunt to a Ruffner Middle School student, and have been most impressed by the faculty and facility as a whole. The Ruffner name was not a positive reference years ago, but I am pleased to say that such association has changed for the better! Every teacher I've met has been an absolute pleasure to deal with. They provided detailed and informative updates on my nephew's progress and behavior, and opened their classrooms and personal schedules to our entire family whenever specific issues had to be addressed. These professional men and women truly believe in each child - regardless of their home environment or background, and that drive and personal committment is evident in their interaction with my nephew and others.
--Submitted by K.G. Steverson, a parent

I think that ruffner middle is an awesome school. The teachers there are just wonderful to the kids. In fact there is a teacher by the name of Ms.Bailey-Scott and she was voted norfolk public schools teacher of the year and was also awarded with an award by Thelma Drake. Ms.Bailey-Scott also has never received a lower than i believe a 97 percent pass rate on the Algebra Sols. There is also A Young Scholars program for gifted students in Norfolk that has also brung the school's rating up. The 2005-2006 basketball team also made it to the championship;the girls one and the boys lost. The school is also very safe even though there may be a couple of rowdy kids.Just because Ruffner may not have had a great past doesn't mean that they can't have a wonderful future.
--Submitted by a student

i think Ruffner middle school is really ghetto. i think the kids there are very violent and the parents just don't care. the teachers really try to help the kids. they have a lot of different extra after school activities and sports. the teachers stay after school to let students make up tests and work and catch up on work they missed.
--Submitted by a student