Churchland Middle School

This is my daughters first year at Churchland Middle School. The school seems o.k, but there are a few areas where I feel that CMS can improve. We moved to Portsmouth this year from Norfolk. It seems like Portsmouth Public Schools as a whole are still in the stone ages. In Norfolk I was able to get online and was able to look up my daughters homework assignments, and I was able to e-mail all of her teachers if I had any questions. I, also noticed that when my daughter had problems with her school work, there was help readily available. Portsmouth is the total opposite. Portsmouth does not have any online resources for the parents. When my daughter was having problems in Math, the counselor said they were in the process of getting tutors. My daughters math teacher said she had other things to do, so she wasn't able to tutor. I'm still waiting on the school to get back to me about tutoring. The school should be more proactive instead of reactive. I hope they get their act together.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter came from an advanced program in our old hometown to this school. They didn't even bother looking at her transcript before putting her in all regular classes. I noticed right away and asked if they had any classes for her that were comparable. The guidance counselor said all they had was an honors math. My main complaint though was the lack of appropriate reaction when a boy full on grabbed my daughters behind in a hallway while walking to class. After getting to the classroom my daughter told the teacher and her reaction? She told her to fill out a paper citing what happened and turn it in when she got a chance! My daughter started feeling physically nauseous because of what happened and asked if she could go to the restroom. The teacher got upset with her for asking and after getting into an argument with her, she finally allowed her to go. After asking another teacher, apparently, the boy is KNOWN TO STAFF to do things like that. It's one thing to worry about her education but I never thought I would have to worry about the TEACHERS keeping her safe.
—Submitted by a parent

Churchland Middle School is great. If it was a horrible school my mother would not allow me to attend it. At Chms we learn a lot, we also have a great amount of students who pass classes with flying colors. We also have a new prinicipal who cares about the percentage rate of passing. The teachers try hard to make sure everyone has a full understanding. They make the school work challenging. The percentage of fights has decreased. Also in order for any students at Chms, to play sports with the school, they must be doing well in class. Students had to have a weekly progress report to play last year. At Chms, the staff members try their best to make learning productive and enjoyable. Teachers stay after school to tutor students. The guidance counslers try to help students to build their character. Chms also has many acdemic programs as well!

Churchland middle school is amasing! the only thing that people cant get over that it is in portsmouth. I've had amasing teachers and they pushed me to the point to be a strong student. Things have changed a lot and were now number 1! All of the preveious reviews were from the principles who were horrible we have a new one and he brings decipline we have higher test scores better books more activities nicer teachers more security. We have more learning oppertunities and the teachers dont take any crap so its one of the best schools in tidewater

I caution all parents who read these reviews to understand that the testing data used for the ratings does not show the full picture. Several of the Standards of Learning scores which were above average were excluded from the data used for rating purposes. Churchland Middle has several new administrators since the posted reviews were submitted. These are hard working, dedicated administrators who must spend a great deal of time on discipline because many of the students simply are not taught character building skills before they reach ChMS. These same administrators are actively promoting and creating a school culture where academic success is expected, celebrated and publicly recognized for the importance of achievement. Our teachers work hard and are dedicated to bringing quality education to each student. These teachers stay late, tutor, and come in on weekends. These are teachers I would like for my own child. Involved parents are the missing link.

I came to the Churchland in 3rd grade. Now I'm an 8th grader at Churchland MIddle School and I am really disapointed with it. When you imagine going to middle you think of having more privalages and choices. That is not the case. The principle is horrible and she does nothing about the real problems at school. All she cares about is getting a new sign for the school. There are better things she could spend her money on such as text books and things. There are food fights and fights between students at least twice a week. Our principal (I won't say a name you can find out for yourself) doesnt even do anything about it except take our snacks away which does nothing. The only thing good about this school is your friends. I could go on and on but I wont. I definitely would never recommend CHMS.
—Submitted by a student

When we go back i will be a 8th grader at CMS and i love this school its fun,and i learn a lot of helpful information as a Voyager.I would so recommend people to CMS.
—Submitted by a student

I'm an 8th grader at CHMS and I think the teachers are overworked and don't get much pay.There isnt alot of security in the school.There are not enough textbooks and the ones we have are old and out of date. There are alot of fights (at least 3 everyday) and the priciples don't do anything but take some of our privilages away and tell us that if we do something wroung we will get expelled or suspended or I.S.S. for the whole day which takes us out of school so there for we do not get an education. Sometimes the students are sent to I.S.S. or 'written up' because of stupid stuff.
—Submitted by a student

Recommend private school versus putting them into Churchland Middle School (CHS). Never enough books for each child therefore the students shared book and no books were allowed to go home for study; special request to sign textbooks out or purchase yourself. Many of the textbooks were old and not updated. PTA was not active. Teachers as usual were under paid and overwhelmed and therefore there was a mix of some who cared and some who were looking for only a paycheck and or retirement.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a 7th grade student at Churchland Middle School. Almost all the teachers I had is good but one is little bit lazy and they need to put more dicspline in and be harder to students. These days CMS is not the best school but is it really is an okay school.
—Submitted by a student

I disagree with this school because the teachers act like they don't care about the students and or their grades. That is how I feel about the school also I think it should be tore down and made bigger for all of the students and staff.
—Submitted by a parent