Landstown Middle School

This is an awesome middle school. Myson just started the 6th grade this year and so far, we have no complaints! Teachers ARE involved in your child's progress. I have had nothing but the best support from the teachers and administration here when my son had a minor "dip" in his grades. The teachers went over and beyond and do care! He brought all his grades up to A's within weeks of teacher's involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

My son started the 6th grade here in September and I have to say we are very pleased with this school overall. I have heard negative comments about this school prior to my son starting and I have to say, I was very nervous. I have had contact with many of his teachers already and have absolutely no complaints.. My son came from Christopher Farms Elementary which is a relatively a close-knit school and Landstwon is much more populated but he doesn't seem to be bothered by it at all. He is taking advanced classes even though his teachers at CFES didn't recommned it (they said classes would be too rigorous) and is getting mostyly A's and a few B's. Wow!! Parents, go with your gut instinct when you enroll your child in classes for 6th grade. The staff is extremely friendly at front security desk....never any problems, I have grown up here in Va Beach and attended the "Best" schools and there was bullying and fights in those schools as well. It is at EVERY school. My son said he doesn't see any of this and they are seperated from the 7th and 8th graders. Not saying there isn't in this school, but we have been fortunate to not encounter it. Awesome school and excellent faculty!
—Submitted by a parent

Love this school! Some of the other posts are bothersome. Bullying and discipline are issues in ALL schools. Most of the problems do not start in the school, but the school has to deal with it. Our family,with 4 children, has had nothing but great experiences at LMS. They were not perfect kids and had their share of parent/teacher conferences. Get in there. Talk to the teachers. Go to PTA events. Go to sports events. Go to Open House. I am always thanked for my involvement with my children's education by the teachers and principal. They do care. They have a great spirit for their school and students. There are very few schools in VB that offer the clubs, activities, and support that LMS does. Compare notes with parents from other schools, you'll see. Keep up the great work Landstown!
—Submitted by a parent

My child is constantly being bullied. She was bullied her 6th grade year and now her 7th grade year. The administration has done nothing to help. The No-Bully Zone sign on the front door is a joke. They had 4 fights on Friday. This school needs a major overhall with their informing students of the consequences of treating people so disrespectfully! Parents BE WARE!!! This school is a nightmare. I can't wait until she's out of this school, I try to tell her it's not like this at other schools. Please choose a different school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 identified gifted children (one in 6th & one in 8th) that attend this school. This is our third year there and we are very pleased with the teachers and also the staff. We came from Christopher Farms Elem. I do have to admit that it was a parental adjustment with how involved the parents are allowed to be in middle school. But it is probably for the safety of the students. The academics, foreign language programs, and athletics in this school are great.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has got the worst reputation at the beach. I've had two children attended this school will not let my youngest go to school here. The teachers and faculty don't show any interest in the students. Most of the parents in my neighborhood find ways to get their children into PA middle. Overcrowding is another concern.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a 7th grader at LMS, and have to say that we have been very pleased with the academics and extracurricular activities. The only really irritating thing we dealt with is their mindless policy on use of cell phones without regard to circumstances.
—Submitted by a parent

I go to LMS and in the 8th grade I have been their since my 6 th grade yeah...the school as a whole is amazing but its not very diverse and thats the only thing I hate
—Submitted by a student

My son is currently attending LMS and is in the 6th grade. We absolutely love this school. The teachers really care about their students. They communicate well with the parents. We are in the military and unfortunately we are up for orders, if we had the opportunity to stay in Virginia my son would attend this school until he graduates, I am afraid I won't find a public middle school this good when we move. I give LMS 2 thumbs up.
—Submitted by a parent

I love that this school has so many extra-curricular activities to chose from, my daughter never gets bored. The teachers get an A+ from me as they all seem to love what they do and share that love with their students getting them excited to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is clsoe to the end of her 2nd year @ LMS. As a fmily we have been very pleased with this school. The teachers all have been wonderful and more than willing to help. As far as all of the negative comments about discipline, I think that it is a good thing and am all for 'no tolerance' that is the way school should be. The teachers are not there to be babysitters for our children and as long as our kids know that we will stand behhind the discipline they are handed perhaps that will keep them from misbehaving to begin with. They are there to learn first and foremost. Overall my daughter has been nothing but happy and eager to go to school and her grades reflect that.
—Submitted by a parent

After reading the reviews I felt compelled to write. I have two children at LMS. I appreciate the strict security measures and discipline because I know that my children are safe and are being protected while they are in school. If a student is threatening other students or violating others right to an education they are dealt with swiftly with just consequences. This should be viewed as a positive thing not a negative one since students should know self-control and respect before they get to middle school. The teachers are great and are very accessible. The administration is fair and understanding. LMS is doing a great job of creating a safe neighborhood school in a somewhat rough area. The PTA provides good activities for the kids and is always visible. I've never heard a teacher say a negative thing about their school other than desiring more involvement from all parents.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a daughter in the 7th grade,the school discipline is out of control and one way. Academic the school offers everything. Sports, at least have one sport as track were everyone can make the team even the slow kids sport keep kids out of trouble.
—Submitted by a parent

Warning to parents of special needs kiddos - be READY to advocate in behalf of your child and NEVER back down or give in & KNOW YOUR CHILD'S RIGHTS!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I've been going to this school for almost 3 years, I moved here in the middle of 6th grade. Overall I think that the teachers I have are pretty good, i haven't had one that doesn't care about their students. I've learned a lot and I'm involved in lots of after school activities. However, the school is a little bit too strict on smaller issues like the chewing of gum. That's not worth an ISS. Also, if you are tardy by even 1 minute just once, most teachers will take action and give you detention. I would understand if it was a persistent problem with the student, but not just once. Overall, it's a pretty good school if you know how to behave decently.
—Submitted by a student

As a parent of two students at Landstown, I'm quite concerned by the lack of a functioning PTA, the 'No Parents Allowed' policy, the threatening nature of the Principal (he is Way Too eager to call the cops), and the overall negative tenor of the school in general. I have had several teachers pull me aside to complain of poor working conditions and the 'police state' mentality of the admin. It's the communities school--can't the Principal get that?
—Submitted by a parent

This is my students first year and a half at this school. There were a lot of policies that were not adhered to and I felt some staff abused the rules and does not take the well being of the student in mind. I understand that there is a 'no tolerance' policy however the 'victim' should not be punished. I ended up switching schools and my student went from C's to high B's. My overall satisfaction has been in the median.
—Submitted by a parent

I've been atending this school for a year now, after being in private school. This school is strict. Most of the teachers there are fine, but there are also many (as with any school), who just need to retire. Lunch period is fine, and so are the others. But the other main problem at this school is the population. There are way too many kids packed into that school. The student to teacher raito isn't the porblem, it's the room in the hallways between classes, and on the stairs, which is actually dangerous. The staff try to keep order, but it's not worth it. They really just need to divide the students up between two schools. Even the busses are overcrowded, with people tripling-in with each other. Over all, it's okay.
—Submitted by a student

Landstown Middle is a really great school. I have attended for 3 years now. While doing extracurricular activitys i still stay on the honor roll .This school has very divoted teachers and the best girls track team in virginia beach. i would reacomend attending this school. The staff is strict, but arn't all schools? There are many variaties of people to hang out with so you should'nt feel left out.
—Submitted by a student

I am a student at this Landstown Middle. This is my third year at LMS. Lets just say that the school is pretty good with its education and sports, but that's about it. The teachers are good and are a little scared, it looks, of the students. They are trying to hard to punish us that its getting old. At least everyday, someone is getting in trouble for just chewing gum(we are not allowed to, but getting ISS is to strict). My question with this school is why are we not allowed to eat gum here and if because the school was voted the worst trashed school in VA, that's not our mistake. I do not recommened going to this school. They have to much displane and need to let students live their lives.
—Submitted by a student