Rippon Middle School

We New to the school and only have bin there for 4 weeks .to the teachers I have to say ,they all very friendly and helpful ,to the front desk ,I agree to some people here ,that they not very nice ,they do what they have to do, but not in a very friendly way.the school building it self ,could use some updates and remodeling.overall I think the school is ok.
—Submitted by a parent

I think Prince William County need to evaluate this school with great attention. We are parents with kids in the schoool. I no longer sleep at night as i think something is happening to my child at this school. VERY TERRIFIE PARENT
—Submitted by a parent

Very disappointed in this year's math & science program. My son placed 1st in his category at the science fair and placed 1st in the overall category for his grade level. He was to participate in the county wide science fair. His science teacher did not register him. We didn't find out until we went to set up the evening prior. My son and myself were very upset. We spoke with science fair coordinator/math & science program head, but unfortunately there was nothing he could do. The following Monday, not a word was spoken to my son about the mistake. I spoke with his Gifted Ed. teacher and the principal. The principal apologized and my son was given his apology a day later after I requested one. His science teacher did not own up to her mistake and pushed the blame onto my son. She is the adult and he is the student. He issupposedly in the Math & Science Program and you'd think they'd encourage student growth and want to increase the perception of the school. How does this happen? Very sad. Luckily, this is his last year there and this the only bad apple, but it was a big one.
—Submitted by a parent

I think Rippon Middle School is an excellent school. The teachers are great, and have a great friendship with the students. The way they teach the students is magnificent. The principal is very nice, and obiously knows what shes doing. The school has many assemblies and special occaisions.The band program is excellent, with a great teacher. This school also offers a Math and Science Program, which gives the students chances to really understand and participate with the subject. To be honest, bullying and things as such are happening, but not very often. Every school deals with this. I strongly recommend this school to anyone who is interested.

I went to this school for a year and a half, and I can honestly say it was one of the best experiences of my life. Most of the teacher are great, but there are a few, like in every school, that are kind of below average. I loved all my teachers, the band teacher is my favorite :). The band is a great program, and the other music classes are getting better. I think they got a principal since I was there, and they renovated. It is really a great school.

RMS is by far the most dysfunctional school my son has attended. It appears that the school administration is out of control. There seems to be a heavy focus on punishments and not academics. I have walked in the office several times for various reasons and they are very rude and impatient to parents and students. I would not recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent school with caring teachers who work late daily, so they can focus on teaching. Although there has a been a turnover of principals-- five principals over the last 18 years, teachers work hard at maintaining a sense of continuity for all students. They offer students an opportunity to excel; although it is up to the student to choose how they will participate. Being located in a bedroom community, many parents spend a great deal of time at work or in traffic, thus limiting their involvement. The school offers frequent technological use, but many students do not have access to a computer and/or the internet at home. Also the lack of parental involvement affects being able to take field trips. Teachers spend a great deal of money on supplies such as pencils, paper, etc. Teachers work well with the requirements of system as well as the situations.
—Submitted by a teacher

This school is by far the best school I have been to. I have moved many times in my life and have to say that this school sets high expectations. Some teachers are mean, but they get the job done if you just listen to what they have to say. This school is definitely bully-free and drug-free. It is not really based on the parent to rate, for the children go to this school so they know the most information. And kids exaggerate a lot. I myself am a kid, but show to be very mature. I am an honor roll student. It's up to your kid to do what's right.
—Submitted by a student

Most people who say they don't like this school have kids that are out of control. The truth is, this is a great school with high expectations for kids and their parents.
—Submitted by a parent

this school is the best Middle school in Woodbridge
—Submitted by a parent

Oh My God ! Where do I start! my daughter has been a student at RMS since the 6th grade and it has been a nightmare! The administration spends way to much time trying to accuse students of wrong doing that they have forgotten to praise and motivate and care about their students! my daughter hates going to school at Rippon. I have to say that I have been a mother for 31 years having two grown sons I have had a lot of experiance with dealing with school staff and this staff is the worst by far. I almost can't find the words to explain how bad this school is! If you are moving into this district I hope that you can afford private school! PLEASE DO NOT LET YOUR CHILDREN GO TO THIS SCHOOL!
—Submitted by a parent

i go to rippon middle and i say its not to good. some teachers are just horrible and one gets the job done right.But he's a bit mean.Some cared about us but then stop caring.We've had one field trip and it was to the old country buffet.so the school to me is below average.
—Submitted by a student

It is dirty, we have no field trips. they spend money on plasma screen t.v.'s but not on educational field trips.
—Submitted by a student

I have three boys who attend this school; one in each grade. We have had no problems with bullying, and for the most part we are very happy. It does seem like we have to press the teachers for information/progress reports for the kids. They always refer you to the Intouch website which is rarely up to date. It is hard for us to motivate our children if we do not have up to date information available.
—Submitted by a parent

We are a military family and new to the area our two girted/Talented students are absolutely thriving at Rippon Middle. We love the entire staff!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is absolutly horrible. During my visit the teachers seemed mean, and very rude to the students. my child was being bullyed and when he talked to a teacher, she said that they didn't do anything. I aboserved a classroom and i indeed saw a lot of bullying without the teacher doing a single thing about it.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the worst school my child ever attended. We pulled him out and sent him to a private school. The principle and teachers are horrible. They need to have some sort of understanding of how kids are today and deal with there so called no bullying. My child was harrassed not only by students one teacher was so rude and disrespectful that when my child came home he was so stressed out and asked me how he can drop out of school. That's when we made the move and let me tell you that was the best thing we ever did.
—Submitted by a parent

Funny how school zoning and test scores go hand in hand. Equally ironic is how the Math/Science enrichment program happens to be at this school: attract smarter students, and test scores rise, thus getting the accreditation Virginia schools greatly desire. This program has not lived up to its promise. It is great if you'd like your child to be separated from the rif-raf, but I haven't seen great things from this program except class size. The school does the minimum-no extra: (seems to take bullying/fighting seriously, but halls are full of foul language and disrepect. Very few extra-activities, very little communication, and literally no parental involvement. Some teachers are good, many are mediocre. Most teachers don't return assignments, but do record grades on a web-site for parents.
—Submitted by a parent

The academic programs at this school are second rate at best. There is no structure that parents can follow outside of begging teachers for information. There is no communication with parents outside of a newsletter that arrives every other month (sporatic). If a parent asks a question they are met with a defensive attitude that leaves you dismayed and disgruntled. During my visit children were swearing at one another, playing rudely with a teacher and showed a very unorganized class change. This school deserves a major overhaul with measured growth in extracurricular activities and teacher involvment with students on a personal level. The administrative staff was very nice and well organized but you are left with a feeling of a neat house with dirty items shoved in the closet.
—Submitted by a parent

Rippon has undergone many changes through the years. The staff now reflects our wide demographic population. Teachers are highly trained, qualified and dedicated to work with a diverse student population. Unfortunately, few parents are able to volunteer due to work schedules. Teachers sacrifice to make a difference in their students lives -- doing daily lunch duty, covering classes when no subs are available, sponsoring clubs, coaching sports, selling tickets, after school monitoring of crowds for all events, giving up planning periods to tutor during the day and afterschool, manning scoreboards, donating money, supplies, etc. --all free of charge because they care. The administration rewards good behavior and offers incentives for academic excellence. A few parents think they can do a better job, without realizing that site based management is directed by county rules that often determine how the school is managed. This is a great school that is achieving success.
—Submitted by a teacher