Palm Desert Charter Middle School

Posted: June 5, 2024

As a Charter School, my expectations were much higher. My child had been struggling in some areas, but I never received any kind of communication from the teachers. I get constant emails from Band and Color Guard begging parents to volunteer and provide donations, but NEVER from teachers regarding the progress/struggles of my child. In my opinion, they are more concerned with receiving money and the student uniform policy, rather than the student's education. Despite having security guards everywhere, there are still fights happening regularly. On one occasion, my child was pulled from class twice by a security guard for something that was, in my opinion, a misunderstanding. My child was given lunch detention and yet, I never received a note or a call from the school about the incident, or that my child was receiving detention. Of all the schools in the district, this is the only school that doesn't provide scholarships to local Summer camps...even Washington Charter provides a limited number of spots for their students. I had concerns regarding my child having any kind of online access and emailed the teachers about it...I will say that I was happy with how each of them responded to my email and supported me, but I included the Principal in the email and I never received a response from her. I have an older child that has attended other public schools in the district, and I honestly can't say the experience going to PDCMS has been any different.

Posted: June 5, 2024

Posted: June 5, 2024

Posted: June 5, 2024

Posted: June 5, 2024

Posted: June 5, 2024

Posted: June 5, 2024

Posted: February 14, 2020

0/5 Do NOT enroll your kids into this awful school.

Posted: February 14, 2020

The homework is all based on things that we were not taught.

Posted: February 14, 2020

The teachers are mean and not helpful. One even threaten a student in English class. They will not stop bullying or racism.

Posted: February 14, 2020

Most students are extremely rude and prejudice. On Friday, 2/14/2020, a boy in a dark grey sweatshirt with dark brown hair who is walking out of school along with his class in the morning and is mocking residents for no reason. They will make fun of your face and race.

Posted: October 18, 2019

Posted: October 18, 2019

Posted: October 18, 2019

Posted: October 18, 2019

Posted: October 18, 2019

Not enough workload too much candy as rewards for mediocre performance.

Posted: October 18, 2019

Not enough homework, redo are allowed allowing for laziness.

Posted: October 18, 2019

The teachers are too lenient on homework and behavior.

Posted: May 29, 2019

Posted: May 29, 2019

Posted: May 29, 2019

Posted: May 29, 2019

Posted: May 29, 2019

Posted: May 29, 2019

Posted: May 29, 2019

Both our son and daughter went to PDCMS and we were very happy with their education there. We felt they were cared for, taught well and held to high standards. The teachers, staff and admin are all very effective and approachable.

Posted: September 5, 2014

[Attended: 2010 - 2012] The 2010 review claiming common drug busts and fisticuffs is humbug. While on campus, I have never seen or heard of drug use or a drug bust. There are also security guards all around campus, so I always felt secure. I was dorky and a transfer from the midwest, but the students were very welcoming. The academics are great! At rallies, the administrators challenge us to improving our API scores against other schools. Though the honors program is only nominal (you will have the same work as other students), the math program allows achieving students to a leg up in High School. Teachers are fun and memorable. Extra Curriculars are great! Though I was a band guy, I have seen the Robotics program and it's great! There are a variety of bands (Marching, Beginning, Jazz) and are a blast. There also a lot of clubs, and it's easy for a student to start one. The only problem I had isn't exactly the school's fault. It's evident PDCMS had to work around CA's budget cuts. Limited buses (only 2), lack of athletic teams (however extra curricular options are available), etc. are some notable effects of this, but PDCMS overcomes these obstacles through effective fundraisers.

Posted: April 29, 2014

One word "awsome" my 6th grade daughter transferred from another school to PDCMS and she is loving every day. She is doing 100% better and her grades are way up! Thanks PDCMS. GO PANTHERS!

Posted: April 26, 2014

my daughter is finishing up 7th grade and I feel that the school is very safe first and foremost. I think some of the teachers are lazy when it comes to posting assignments into home access. One in particular talks about subject matters that have nothing to do with his class and I feel are inappropriate. He is also one of those teachers who seems to care more about dress code than teaching his class. We had also had to deal with a PE teacher who belittled my daughter in front of the entire class on the quality of her science project. She was so mean in fact that I did go to the principal and the teacher had to apologize to my child. It was quite unbelievable that a teacher would do such a thing to a kid. As a charter school it's a 3 at best. Kids are ok at this school and yes it has it's clicks but what school doesn't.

Posted: July 6, 2013

This school is terrible. Some of the teachers don't even grade the assignments and just leave it there gathering dust for a long time.

Posted: February 5, 2012

We have a 6th grader at PDCMS. We've found the school to be very good in many ways. The teachers are great, most will take extra time during lunch or after school to help. The frustrations with the school have been: 1. Our student had a serious illness that made him miss about two weeks of school. Even though he had a Dr. note we still got a letter home stating that any more missed school will not be excused without a Dr. note every time. It would have been nice to be contacted by the school prior to getting the letter. This brings me to my 2nd complaint. There is not sufficient office staff. Unless you are able to do everything online, you'll have a very hard time communicating with the school.

Posted: May 9, 2011

My child has been at PDCMS for 2 years and I have to say this is the best I could have hoped for in a middle school. The administration is responsive and fair handed. The teachers are involved and most of them are putting in many extra hours before and after school to give the kids extra practice and help. The Band program is under a new director this year and although it is a transition year this program is second to none. Comments from spectators usually include the phrase "This is a middle school band!" The elective band program is not for the faint of heart. It is challenging and not only improves the music talents of the students it also focuses on responsibility and team involvement. My child has learned to be on time and well rehearsed as a result of this program. This affects all aspects of the overall education experience as that translates to my child being more self sufficient in all classes. I have heard some complaints about how difficult some classes are at this school. My experience is that I feel that my child is getting a high quality private school like education in a public charter school. If your child is going to go here be prepared to get involved. Volunteer!

Posted: March 8, 2011

My son just started here in 7th grade in the middle of the school year. He came from a school that was rated as a 10 on GreatSchools. I have to say, though, that both he and I think that PDCMS is a better school. He loves the teachers and says that the kids are really warm and welcoming. On his first day, the principal even came up to say hello to us. Other than the band program, which is way behind his other school's and is somewhat ridiculous (the top level band is a required-marching band, the band concert apparel makes them all look like dorks, the band director springs mandatory extra after-school rehearsals on them with two days' notice), the classes are wonderful!

Posted: November 2, 2010

Well, I think this is a great school. I went to every single one of the Panther Dance Teams' preformances, last year, and I happned to think that the dancers a great! Amazing dance coach! Yes, drug issues have happned, but that stuff happnes at every school. PDCMS has the best test scors, and an amazing dress code! I love the robotics teacher, he is absolutly hilarious, and down to earth. Ms. O'malley, Mr. Harvey, and Ms. Mclaurin great ones too. PE teachers, are doing a great job. I am a very proud parent of an 8th grader at PDCMS. =]