Fred M. Lynn Middle School

My first year at this school was horrible, starting with my interview. The school was dark, no windows, and depressing. When the principals met me they didn't shake my hand because they were too busy eating chips. I love teaching and I love my students, but many of them have told me my class is the only decent one they have and that their teachers don't care about them and are not knowledgeable about their subject matter. What I dislike most about this school is the negative work environment and the way it sets a bad example for the students. Many of the veteran teachers here have never even said "hi" or "how's it going" to me and avert their eyes in the hallway. Many of the teachers are cronies for the principal and report the slightest things to her in order to gain some kind of brownie points. The new teachers are treated like they are worthless and many will not return for a second year. I believe this year the school had to hire about 40 near teachers because so many left last year. Also the current principal is extremely negative. The students are yelled at constantly by the teachers and are not treated with respect. These students deserve better and I hope things change!
—Submitted by a teacher

Look at the students remarks. It is amazing that some actually give that school as high as three stars. Notice their spelling and writing. These are middle school students.
—Submitted by a teacher

for the student whoo says the parents would win i wish they did now we have uniforms and i am in 6th grade so i have 2 more years booooooooooooooo
—Submitted by a student

i am a student at Fred Lynn Middle School.. this school i have to say is an ok place to send your child....not only is it a good learning envirement but its a strict Zero tolerence school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a lot to say about this school. I use to be a student here. It was the worst experience of my life. This school was horrible! It is very strict. You were not allowed to do anything in this school! I was in 8th grade and i was required to meet my teacher in the morning right after i get of the bus so she could escort us to class. It was just horrible! PLEASE NEVER GO HERE! (Unless you like to suffer)
—Submitted by a student

Im a student at fred lynn and i have to say the school tries its best to help us.The teachers can be hard on you but thats only for you to sucessed.The school needs more technolgy such as smarts boards.The school is about to give us uniforms but of course parents are going to win and we wont have them.Fred Lynn rocks!!!!!!!!!!!1
—Submitted by a student

I'm a sixth grader and i have to say this school is great. the teachers are great and actually will stay after school to help you with work. is a awesome school
—Submitted by a student

I think that administration in this school is horrible. There is a great lack of communication from Admin to the parent. In my experience, I had to threaten to contact the supperintendent if someone didn't return my calls or reply to my e-mails. Educational goals arent necessarily a top concern. Fred Lynn is just a horrible school.
—Submitted by a parent

I love everything about this school i never wanted to move
—Submitted by a student

As a student at this school I'll have to say this school is great . Its fun and as a student I'm so happy that the teachers aren't so strict which makes it more fun for us kids to learn .
—Submitted by a student

4 of my 5 sons atteded Fred Lynn.2 did extremely well, advanced classes A,B honor roll etc... the other 2 did not do so well. They were just plain lazy.It all depends on the student. Middle school is tough no matter where you go! My nephew attends a middle schools in Lakeridge. He's an honor roll student and is picked on at his school. Called wierd, bullied etc... fights break out in the lakeridge schools too! I will not be forced to send my 5th son to another school because of rumors. I will send him to Fred Lynn like his brothers, I will be an active member in the PTA and cross my fingers that he makes it through MIDDLE SCHOOL, not Fred Lynn but MIDDLE SCHOOL. Parents need to get involved as much as they can in their childs school & make a difference!
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of a student at Fred Lynn, I must say that the place is a joke. With the exception of one teacher. The place is just plain bad. I have spoken to people that have lived in this area for years. And they say that it was horrid when it was a high school as well. I can't quite figure out if it's because of the teachers and their total disregard for learning or if it is the managment. Something needs to be changed. Instead of kicking students out at the drop of a hat. They should be coming with programs that work. If they can't find quality teachers, then perhaps they should close the school and sent the student elsewhere. Avoid this school at all costs!
—Submitted by Deborah, a parent

As a parent, I worry about middle schools in general. My son has attended Fred Lynn for 2 years now. They had some budget cuts due to declining student body and they lost some excellent teachers who hadn't been there long. We have had teachers call us at home and request that I put my son in more challenging classes, I have had teachers who have sparked my sons desire to learn, who have made him want to write! The extended learning programs are very demanding, and it makes me think my son IS learning. We have talked with the principal, & assistants and they have listened and acted upon my concerns. There is a large black and hispanic population, but there are many other nationalities too. My son will attend another year and we are about to send a 2nd son, we hope he will excell as well.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a disaster. My daughter went there for one year -- 6th grade. Two years later, as she enters ninth, we are STILL paying for that mistake. The teachers are lazy and unmotivated. The expectations are unbelieveably low. The kids are given passing grades just for showing up to class, and they are SO far behind other students when they leave, that it is hard to catch up. My daughter's math teacher told me 'I don't give homework.' and he meant it! One time my daughter told that a boy was kicking/hitting her (right behind the teacher's back) and the teacher said 'Don't be a tattle-tale.' I tried to get missed assignments from her teachers when she was absent. I would make repeated trips and calls to the school and they would just not bother! More-stories-but-no-more-room... Avoid-this-school!
—Submitted by a parent

I think fred lynn is a great school. So many people think it's bad because of the fights. There was only abut three fights this year. The teachers are excellent. They let students stay after school for extra help. Overall its a good school.
—Submitted by Sara, a student

Fredlynn is all talk. Its not really ghetto as you may have heard. I am a student in 7thgr and personally everybody has a lot of respect. If someone bumps into you they quickly say sorry. Its not really how you may have heard. And, nobody threatens anybody unless your own child has provoked them.But you have to remember this is middle school, rumors are started and gossip is spreaded and violence is increased but fred lynn is nothing towards lakeridge or graham park. Just because a lot of foreigners come here a lot of others feel offended and call it oh so ghetto but its truely not. Kids are kids, and you people shouldnt treat them like savages. Its not the staffs fault some kids are bad, its yours.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not a parent, but an actual student of Fred Lynn Middle School. I have been going here since Sixth grade and this is my last year here. I am in Eighth grade, I make Honor Roll, am the Vice-President of the National Junior Honor Society, 1st place winner of the science fair, and does the best and most creative projects in the school. Although, I have made all these achievements, I think this school is an amazing school, but few have poor attitudes and problems, but only make up the sad part in this great school. You can mostly find smiles and hospitality in FRED LYNN MIDDLE!!!
—Submitted by a student

My daughter has attended this school for three years; She is on honor roll; however this status is very misleading to parents.You must check your childs actual progress in work completed and actual skill level. I have found out recenctly several grades are given to students if work is completed; it does not need to be correct answers. This year a new program was started by some of the 8th grage students with no support of the principle until a petition was devised and brought to his attention. The students then has to find a sponsor, and they did (she is great.I have become very disappointed with results from this school they 'Teach to Test' a childs progress in education is not as important as the passing of SOL (passing retains teachers job's for another year)This school gave us a false sence of our childs ability; we were blind.
—Submitted by a parent

Having two son's who went to Fred Lynn I must agree to disagree with you. I found Fred Lynn to be stimulating for learning, I had even taken my youngest out of Beville Middle School and send him to Fred Lynn, Mr. Payne is a wonderful and very involved principal. I found the teachers very helpful and 'if' they see a student who will make a difference they will go all the way with that student. My son from Beville went from failing to A's & B's at Fred Lynn. Truly a school apart from others!
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of a child at Fred Lynn Middle School located in Woodbridge, VA for the past 3 years I have to say that this is the worst institution of so called learning I have ever experienced. My child is constantly being threatened by other students. The teachers are inexperienced and use profanity toward the students. We as parents have gotten no support from the faculty at the school and overall my feelings are that the school is prejudice against some of the student body. I know that these are strong accusations but I believe them to be true based on my personnal experience. I also feel that there is too large a student body to provide an adequate learning environment.