Madison Middle School

My son is in his third year at Madison and overall, I am very disappointed. In 7th grade, I spoke with one of his teachers and mentioned my son is easily influenced by the opinions of adults and others. I asked him to give him some subtle encouragement and it would go a long way to improve his study habits and focus on school. He told me it wasn't his job to motivate the students and then chastised me for my son not completing an assignment so he was giving him zero points because it was incomplete. In 8th grade, my son had a teacher who instructed students to give others a "shameful look" if they hadn't finished homework (i.e., condoning/promoting bullying) and proceeded to tell them how they weren't going to make anything with their life. After 5 weeks of calls and emails to the teacher, principal and counselor, I finally had my son transferred out of her class. TERRIBLE! My son has had some fabulous teachers that he liked very much but he has had more than his fair share who I do not believe enjoy teaching anymore and it shows.
--Submitted by a parent

I loved going to madison. Everything was great. I felt well-invited, The teachers are fonaminal, and I had fun. Unfortunatley i moved to north seattle and can no longer attend but if i could, i would. If i had a kid, Madison would be the place they would be.
--Submitted by a student

I am a 6th grader at this school and I am on apollo. I love how the teachers teach. they relate to the students a lot
--Submitted by a student

in 6wks we're finally getting bus service....he's so far behind in classes and the teachers and princepal refuse to even write me the parent...this is the saddist example of school i have ever encounter after raising an award winning daughter....no my sons so far behind....i can't see him doing 6th grade in one yr under their tutoring....its Oct and i feel regardless of the time.....its time to choose a different school....even if it means moving...this is a sad sad school
--Submitted by a parent

Don't put your child in this school if they have special needs. Not much support on that end and general ed teachers make it worse for them. Same with adminstration-not very knowledgable in this department either.
--Submitted by a parent

i love it here there is so many great teachers and great students. i would definetly recemind this school
--Submitted by a student

I went to madison for 6th,7th,and 8th grade. Now I am a freshman at west seatlle and I would like to thank madison for preparing me for highschool so well. Madison has outstanding teachers,staff,and ptsa!! Everyone is so involved that it gives off a very friendly, comfortable , and safe vibe to students,visitors,and family.All the staff is eagarly awaiting to help any student with anything at any time. If your child is struggling with anything they will notice it within a week and help your student. Madison has exellent afterchool prrograms and sports programs. All the afterschool programs are free and the included snacks are also free. They provide bus transportation after every afrter school program and even after detention. They have a supervised play area for early arriving students that has foosball and other games. I highly reccomend madison for your child.
--Submitted by a student

We are disappointed in Madison MS, except for its afterschool programs. Its challenge program is just more of the same -- not particularly challenging or intellectually stimulating. The administrators of the school seem to have very low standards and expectations, both for academics and behavior. There is an authoritarian feel to the school - a sort of lack of faith in the kids - and many of the kids are disrespectful, foul-mouthed, and inappropriate. There are a few teachers who try hard, but what are they going to do with a bunch of kids who are ungrateful, disrespectful, and don't do their homework? Teacher-parent communication is also sadly lacking. The 'good' kids suffer because, as another parent said, the school tends to teach to the lowest common denominator and does not provide an emotionally safe environment.
--Submitted by a parent

Madison Middle School is an Okay School but it is lacking. Some teachers need to learn how to control their class, and some need to learn how to teach. Depending on teacher and grade you get a fair amount of homework. The discipline can be strict depending on the teacher. Unfortunately there must be a more creative way of teaching! It's losing student interest.
--Submitted by a student

I have had the chance to work at this school in a long term substitute postion during the 05/06 school year. I was very impressed with the staff, students and particularly with the principal, Dr. Hudson. They are really dedicated to the kids, and work with all the kids to make school a positive experience. As in many urban public schools the staff is asked to be all things to many people and meet a vast array of needs among their students. In this case I think the staff does a great job helping students with emotional, developmental and educational needs. I especially liked that students who were highly capable were challenged appropriately rather than left bored without proper enrichement.
--Submitted by a teacher