Shirley C. Heim Middle School

A sixth grader who had a superior SOL score at the end of 5th grade, would be placed in 6th grade extended Math, not 7th grade extended Math. Alot of military families who relocate from other states to Virginia, simply request that their child take the Virginia SOL's so that their child is appropriately placed in the right class.
--Submitted by a parent

I was very pleased with my son's group of teachers as well as the staff, kudos to the miracles they perform with the limited resources they are allocated. My issue lies with class placement. I am aware of three students who were placed in the basic classes after parents stressed that they participated in gifted programs in previous schools. This leads me to suspect that their transcripts were never consulted. I was able to have my son's classes changed after learning from a teacher in another school that he would be unchallenged if he remained in his current classes. Unfortunately it was too late in the year to place him in the appropriate math; as a sixth grader he should have been placed in Math 7 Extended but this was never presented as an option to us. I had to learn from another parent (well into the school year) that this was possible. This entire year wound up being a review of his fifth grade math curriculum and he was understandably quite bored and frustrated. As an involved parent I rely on our educational professionals to place my son where he will be challenged and receive the best education possible; I feel that this district has failed in that capacity.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has only been in operation for 3 years! It is amazing the progress that the teachers, administrators and students have made in such a short time. The courses are rigorous and challenging, students SOL scores has improved sustantially since the opening in 2008. I believe within in the next 2 years, they will have a 5 star rating because they continue to make big strides in the education of our children. The students who are truly successful are the students who take full advantage of what the school has to offer.
--Submitted by a teacher

Shirley Heim is a great school. The teachers are great and so is the administration. It's what you as a parents make it. I'm there (at the school) to advocate for for my kids (which they are open to) and to work with the teachers. Though nothing is perfect, I wouldn't have my kids go anyplace else in Stafford. County.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is completing sixth grade at Shirley Heim, and his experience has been wonderful! The teachers are wonderful, engaging and responsive. Bullying is not tolerated. The 6th graders are separated from the older kids, which is nice. It is a large school with a small school feel.
--Submitted by a parent

this school is one of the worst schools in stafford county . shirley heim middle school seems to focus on the negative than more the positive. they suspend student for hugging and do a bunch of unessassary punishing maybe if the principles start having the kids focus on more positive things rather than what they will be getting punished for then we would have such a negative enviroment . the staff is overall a 4 out 5 but the priciples and vice principles have got to go they have positive values or goals whats so ever for this school .this so sucks.

this was the worst school ever the teachers were unorganized and rude. i do like school i usally gets A's and B's so i am not just saying this because i dont like school believe me...!

One particular person on the staff has too much power for the way he treats us. Not very nice. At all. Other than that little issue the school if very clean and nice and new. Classes are great and challenging.
--Submitted by a student

Great school! Great teachers! Everything runs very smoothly for the most part, there are so many intelligent students.
--Submitted by a parent

Shirley Heim is new this year yet the staff is very structured and organized. The one thing I do not like is that there is a problem with bullies and it seems like the school does not do anything about it. The VP is not the friendliest person but if you push hard enough you can get results. Overall, the staff are great (a few should be let go, but that is normal anywhere) and the building is beautiful, clean and easy for children to navigate.
--Submitted by a parent