Tolt Middle School

'Wonderful place. My student has really enjoyed all the classes and support. The age group is a tough one but the entire staff there really cares. I've been impressed by how willing everyone is to help out.
--Submitted by a parent

2 of our kids have gone through TMS and we have 2 more to go. I would say, it's a good, 'average' or 'typical' middle school. The good qualities are the kids - relatively safe environment (rural area) with parent envolvement - when allowed by the admin. Overall, the level of creativity and programs at this school, with the exception of the one Multiage Program, is very limited. The admin. seems afraid to do anything outside the box. For example, your child basically only has 2 choices in 3 years of school for electives, band for 3 years or 'Strand' - which has now been watered down to 3 lame 'leadership/study skills/life skills' classes - which in my opinion are a waste of time. Very little arts and creativity offered! Disappointing since the kids get some much of this (arts) in the elementary level. Leadership - rarely see the principals.
--Submitted by a parent

This is our first year at Tolt MS. So far both my daughter and I are really enjoying it. She does say some of the teachers are 'strict', but I'm ok with that. Any thing that I felt was inappropriate has een dealt with immeadiatley. I am ahppy to be there so far!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

My student started there recently and I have to give the office staff rave reviews. They have consistently been available, proactive, kind and sensitive. As a new family I have a very good impression of the adults who will be responsible for my child when they are not in class. The other adults/parents have also been very open and greeted us with, 'You must be new here?'. Generally a friendly greeting and lots of dads around. Parents showed up all over the place to help out on the first day of school too. My student was adopted by a group of returning students and had someplace to sit the first day at lunch. What a relief. Things are going very well so far. My student is excited about the classes and what the teachers had to say about what they would be learning. Well begun is half done.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is entering 7th grade at Tolt this fall. I'm hoping this year will be better. My daughter had hours of homework every night, most of it mindless worksheets and crossword puzzles. She is a gifted student and she was so frustrated - there is no gifted classes available (aside from appropriate level Math) until 8th grade; they do offer 'honors' LA but it's just more homework done outside of class, with no help from a teacher. The so-called electives (one period of 4 rotating options) are only available to students not in band. All in all, very disappointing, especially after the wonderful experience my daughter had at Carnation Elementary.
--Submitted by a parent

As a former student of Tolt Middle School, I have to say for all the parents, students,and faculty reading this that there are better schools out there. You would think will with all the security cameras they paid for the school would be any safer? As for the teachers, there is a couple great teachers there. The rest of the teachers act like they don't care, or they just don't want to be there. The curriculum there at the school isn't that great either.
--Submitted by a former student

My biggest concern about sending my child to Tolt Middle School was the other children and the cruellness that often accompanies this age group. I was proven wrong because I should have been focusing my worries on the teachers instead! During my first teachers' conference I was in shock to hear his 'team' of teachers, all three of them, complain to me how my son asked too many questions. They infact inferred to me that perhaps he had a 'problem' and was seeking out attention by his questions. This was the fist conference I had ever attended where the teachers did not appauld my childs curiousity and questions!
--Submitted by a parent

No program for accelerated learners, just additional homework and some after school instruction.
--Submitted by a parent