Washington Middle School

Im going to 9th grade this year garfield and WMS was the best school EVER! I was in the APP program and thanks to them, now i can get a better collage. PE is ok, math, reading, launguage arts, and histoy are really good, but Orchastra was the best! I play cello and i really enjoyed playing with different kids. But science is boring just like my old elementary school.

Washington has an odd dynamic, because it is trifurcated by its general education, spectrum, and APP programs, so it is better evaluated as three different schools sharing the same facilities and non-academic programs. When I was there just a few years ago, sports were very strong. As the poster below has alluded to, the once-outstanding music program has been crippled in the past few years. Half of the school's APP students have been moved to Hamilton, and Robert Knatt, nationally known music director, retired the year after I left. Academically, I can only speak from experience about APP: math is excellent, history is very good, language arts are fine, most of the science program is pathetic, and languages vary in quality. On the whole, Washington is certainly a letdown from Lowell, but the APP community, both of parents and students, remains wonderful - the primary reason I am giving this school a 4/5. This is really a solid school. It's just disappointing that Washington doesn't do more with what it has.

I have attended WMS as an APP student for three years. There are many highlights to the school, as well as many disappointments. As for teachers, I found that they are either excellent and passionate for their work or simply terrible. During the sixth and seventh grade, I had a teacher that was ill-tempered, dishonorable, and favored some over others. My other teachers however encouraged hard work, achievement, and were likable. The music program has declined since I arrived in the sixth grade, but, by normal standards, it would still be considered good. There are many after school opportunities and out-of-school music performances/trips Academically, the science programs are poor. The labs are redundant, and there is little room to make discoveries on ones' own or be creative. The teachers have little scientific knowledge beyond the curriculum. It is likely this way with most public middle schools though. WMS has APP and Spectrum learning programs, both of which are fairly challenging and have high expectations. Ultimately, it is at the student's discretion how much work to put into academics; the school provides an excellent foundation to do so.

I love this school!!! I have only been here for half a year and I absolutely love it! The APP program was a tad easy but it is still challenging at times. I don't know why people don't like the science program since it is awesome! My teachers are all really nice and try hard to improve the student's academic performance. 5/5

My daughter's education in the APP program was uneven to be sure. While some teachers were extremely dedicated, the science program was appalling. The adminstrators, perhaps overworked, need to rethink their approach to interacting with the people they are there to serve. Like any bureaucracy, people get too comfortable in their jobs and forget that they are not doing parents 'favors' when it is their paid work. I know of no other place where people would keep their jobs by acting the way some of the administrators do.
—Submitted by a parent

I rate this because I go to this school this year and I think it will be awesome and I have met the students and teachers and they are all friendly. I has a wonderful music program and Great school clubs.
—Submitted by a student

Great school. Incredible music department, excellent math, good language arts, tough social studies (but that's ok!), and absolutely awful science.
—Submitted by a student

Excellent music program. A school with high expectations.
—Submitted by a parent

WMS is an inner city school that rises to the challenge: meeting the diverse needs, abilities and interests of it's students. Despite overcrowding and a somewhat run down physical facility, the teachers, counselors and administrators work hard to make sure that kids dont fall through the cracks. I ha am extremely impressed with the counselors and the teachers my daughter has had the past two years. They are always ready to give assistance and encouragment while setting the bar high for achievement. The music program is also exceptional - both the orchestra and jazz band are award winners.
—Submitted by a parent

The science department is awful and the non-music electives (especially PE) are laughable. The atmosphere seems tense at times as cranky administrators attempt to enforce some somewhat arbitrary rules. Otherwise, there are many good things at WMS.

I'm a 7th Grader at WMS. I started this year and from the first day I felt like I belonged. There's a variety of teacher capabilities. Some are great all around, some are good at teaching but not necessarily liked, or are just horrid all around. Definately get a good music background before trying out for the music program, especially theory, improv, and sight-reading. Take it from someone who learned it the hard way! The anti-bullying program doesn't work(does it ever?), but if you know how to report bullying, you'll be fine.
—Submitted by a student

This is a great choice for academically challenging environment. There are some inconsistencies in various teachers' abilities. WMS has a great music program (make sure your child gets in in the 6-th grade or even starts taking music in elementary school). Overall, good balance of academics and extracurricular activities!
—Submitted by a parent

Washington Middle School is very diverse and offers fabulous after school activities, clubs, and classes that kids with all intrests can enjoy.
—Submitted by a student

The school is really diverse and it has great teachers and an excellent APP program. The music program is outstanding and represents the school well in national competitions with other middle and high schools. An excellent school for a student with high achieving standards.
—Submitted by a student

I feel washington middle school teachers are one of the best of its kind. I feel there is a lot of stuff to do there.
—Submitted by a student

I go to this school as an 8th grader and WMS is a really great school, even if the 'environment' isn't all that great. The academics are really good and the music program is just fantastic.
—Submitted by Angela Zhang, a student

the Music program at Washington is great. even if you're not very good, if you work hard, you will be rewarded.
—Submitted by a student

I have 6th and 8th graders who go to this school. There are regular, spectrum, and APP program with diversity. The classes are separated by the program. All are mixed together at the gym and music classes. Great music program! High quality Jazz Band with awesome teacher, Mr. Knatt! The difference from the other schools is students can't make up the assignment here. So if your kids have difficulty about organizing the things, it's kind of hard. Some boys have bad experiences getting very low grades. Girls are pretty good at this! The school buses are provided after after-school program. It's nice. As a public school, it's pretty good over all. The teachers' quailty are always depend. Principal is new this year(2005~6th).
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. This school has many activities and after school tutoring for those who need it. The school offers a site for parents to view their childs progress in each class. It shows what their grades are and any missing assignments they need to do. They have a great pta who work on a lot of fundraising to help the school with whatever they might need to support the kids. Great school!
—Submitted by a parent

This is a diverse school in so many ways, from race to personal ability to programs offered. There is a wonderful art program here, and the music program is simply the best in public middle schools in the city. Look into getting your child into Spectrum or APP; APP is truly the best curriculum for the city, and looks great on college applications. This is the ONLY middle school that offers APP. The building itself wants improvement, and not all the teachers are as cooperative as would be nice, but they all are very experienced. The 'block' teachers- Language Arts and Social Studies for the first two years- are wonderful in making their connections with students and making them feel at ease. Also, send your child to Washington, and know that they will get the opportunity to make friends with a wide variety of kids... and they will succeed in life!
—Submitted by a student