Bernardo Heights Middle School

Posted: January 1, 2024

Fantastic learning experience at this school. The curriculum is very advanced and developed for ultimate learning.

Posted: December 25, 2023

My son loved this school. He liked the curriculum and the learning standards. He said the teachers very supportive also

Posted: December 25, 2023

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Posted: December 9, 2023

Too many fights. Teachers not the best in keeping kids grades accurate and up to date.

Posted: December 9, 2023

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Posted: November 9, 2023

As a parent I am truly happy with BHMS. My son started at Mesa Verde but struggled with the teachers. I actually couldn’t relate with the teachers ether, they were rude and not supportive. There was zero delay versify so we decided to move schools. My son has flourished here, made last of friends, joined clubs and loves his teachers. Overall, his grades are up and his attitude is very focused. His teachers seem patient and understanding. Most if all, my son struggled in Math ALWAYS. This school offered additional Math support/class and now he loves Math. It’s incredible the growth he has had in Math. We are blessed to be here.

Posted: November 9, 2023

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Posted: March 30, 2023

It's a large school which seems to be focused on discipline, rules and regulations. Students are searched - including lifting up shirts / blouses based on false "tip-offs" from other students. Bathrooms are locked outside of break time. Teachers and principals band together to protect each other rather than being open to constructive feedback. The student is very much secondary. Based on comments from High School teachers from high school on the same campus, the school does not adequately prepare the students for high school entry. They are left to pick up the gap (and often the pieces of demoralized and demotivated students).

People spend thousands of dollars extra on housing to get into this school district and these schools. It's worth it for the Rancho Bernardo High School, but for many you have to hope to get your student through the BHMS in a repairable state to reconstruct them in High School.

Posted: March 30, 2023

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Posted: March 13, 2023

Overall, good experience with responsive/supportive teachers and staff. The size of the school is a bit large. There are after-school activities and access to counselors.

Posted: March 13, 2023

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Posted: March 10, 2023

BHMS seems to be a well-organized, well-run institution. I can always suggest ways to improve, though. It seems there are multiple IT tools that teachers use to manage their assignments, I wish there was one way that all teachers followed. I think there are probably too many opportunities for the kids to leverage their school-provided Chromebooks for video games and entertainment instead of strategic boredom or book reading. The infrastructure (common area) seems to be run-down and in need of an upgrade. AC didn't work at the beginning of the year and heat didn't work at another part of the year. The teachers are dedicated and my kid seems to be learning a lot, with assignments that stretch his knowledge, but doesn't overwhelm his abilities. He is figuring out which kids are troublemakers and which kids care intently about their grades. Luckily, there are a lot of kids in the latter category. The extracurriculars are very nice, with a wide variety - sports (volleyball, flag football, cross country, soccer, golf), to music classes, to drama, to student leadership opportunities, to student-led clubs.

Posted: March 10, 2023

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Posted: December 10, 2022

No care for child welfare. Repeated physical incidents where the student attacked and injured is punished for being involved in the incident.

No follow through by staff. Extremely limited activities for girls. Excessive "try outs" for everything. This inhibits the idea of being the first place for a child to experience various extra curriculum activities for exposure.

Exposure to excessive foul language on daily basis.

Student are given text books they are fiscally responsible for, but teachers do not use them and inside student to leave them home.

No lookers so kids have to carry around everything all day resulting in backpacks over 20 lbs.

Posted: December 10, 2022

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Posted: September 5, 2022

Posted: September 5, 2022

Posted: September 5, 2022

I am a student here and, there might have been bad reviews a few years ago, but it has change a lot over the years the teachers are great and, I love it here.

Posted: September 5, 2022

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Posted: February 28, 2022

My younger child is studying 6th grade and so far he had a great experience with both the teachers and students. His grades improved a lot as I can definitely say that it's an Excellent school with very dedicated teachers and a wonderful community.

Posted: February 28, 2022

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Posted: August 14, 2019

Bullying, bullying nothing done to guarantee students safety.

Posted: August 14, 2019

Horrible do not want to send more of my kids there.

Posted: August 14, 2019

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Posted: December 6, 2018

See test scores for minorities, English learners and disabled.

Posted: December 6, 2018

Not aware of bullying. Not aware of anti-bullying efforts.

Posted: December 6, 2018

Fair, the school exceeds standards but doesn’t challenge students to excel beyond minimums.

Posted: December 6, 2018

Posted: December 6, 2018

Lack of intellectual bonding with students to truly encourage deeper thinking and processing. Just memorize and move on.

Posted: December 6, 2018

7 pillars of character repeated through all grades.

Posted: December 6, 2018

School seems to neglect diversity within social, academic and athletic clubs. Recruiting challenging or passive personalities non existent.

Posted: June 19, 2018

Posted: June 19, 2018

Posted: June 19, 2018

Posted: June 19, 2018

Posted: June 19, 2018

I have had three children go through this school. One was bullied incredibly badly her first year, it was chronic all year, and was even physical - pushing, knocking her to the ground, tripping her, etc. Another daughter was on suicide watch during her second year there because the kids were so mean and nasty to her, and several PARENTS were equally as mean to her as well during extra-curriculars. My other student has several learning problems, including severe anxiety, and has a 504. I was told repeatedly by several teachers that they refused to abide by the 504, that he should "suck it up and get over it," and that it (the diagnosis and 504 accommodations) was ridiculous. Three teachers showed up 40 minutes late to a 504 meeting once, then complained the entire time they were there that they needed to get ready for class. Each of those three kids spent an average of 4 hours a night on homework - often times doing ridiculous assignments like coloring and making puppets. Why does any 11 year old need 4 hours worth of homework? In the time that those three kids have been there, we have had positive experiences with just a handful of teachers. It is sad that most of the teachers don't care about the kids personally - just get them in and out. Unfortunately, the apples don't fall far from the trees - many of the kids and parents are entitled and selfish. The parents argue about only what's right for THEIR kid, not the group as a whole, and only look out for theirs, to the point of not caring that it's detrimental to other kids. In addition, their child's happiness ranks far above their character, their kindness, and their responsibility to society. Their kids follow their example and are entitled and mean. I would NOT send my child to this school if given a choice.

Posted: June 19, 2018

Posted: May 10, 2017

Posted: May 10, 2017

Best Buddies is a thing they offer for people with learning differences or autism

Posted: May 10, 2017

Posted: May 10, 2017

Posted: May 10, 2017

Posted: May 10, 2017

Posted: May 10, 2017

I'm in 7th grade and I do best buddies and avid. YOU NEED TO DO BEST BUDDIES IT IS SO MUCH FUN. I like the amount of homework so teachers like Moeser are very good with amounts of homework.

Posted: March 16, 2017

We moved to San Diego 5 years ago and find out that Rancho Bernardo is one of the best schools in San Diego. This school has 5 stars, is in pricy neighborhoods... sound like a good place, right?
Please read my message and think twice before you make the same mistake we did.
Bernardo Heights Middle School terrible. Yes, academics good and important; but for children, what is most important is a healthy learning environment and atmosphere. Respect, caring and love, so that when they leave school, they will learn to be kind and respectful to each other. Kids deserve to be treated nicely, have a good place to eat and clean water to drink. Now, let me show you how all of these are all flawed.
First off, the bathroom break policy. Kids are NOT ALLOWED to use bathrooms during classes, and only 8-minute and the large official break (12 PM) are when kids are allowed to go. Most kids don't even try during breaks anyways; the lines are long and if their class is at the opposite end of the school they will not make it. In the beginning of the semesters, they receive 4-5 (!) passes total per quarter, so they have a chance to use bathrooms 5 times during class totally (once a month). My child developed chronic UTI issues due to this barbaric policy. Generally, only one bathroom is open and line is ridiculous. There are very large gaps in the stalls, and the toilets are low to the ground. There is graffiti, no toilet seat covers, carvings on the stalls and little to no soap.
The length of the usual class period is 90 min. Then- 8 min. break. And another 90 min... Lower back pain for 13-year old kids pretty normal these days...
No lockers. Heavy backpacks. (I had a hard time to pick my daughter's up another day).
Drinking water. Just check water fountains before you decide to enroll your child to this school. Rusty, dirty, kids complaining that after drinking this water they taste iron and chemicals.
Lunch area is horrible. Tables outside in the, wind, cold, mist-doesn't matter. Kids eat outside and then get sick. (Last school year my kid had 6 colds (!) (this never happens in elementary school).
And last. Bulling. There is LOTS of aggression between kids. Yes. I admit-this is normal. But "nobody cares". Teachers pretend that nothing happens.
Please, find another school. I with I knew 3 years ago about this issues, otherwise I would never have made this mistake.

Posted: March 16, 2017

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Posted: December 3, 2016

All the teachers I had have all been kind. I never really hated anyone or teacher at all. I haven't really seen any physical bullies, or any really terrible ones. Most people are very kind, a few can be a bit jerky. When I look a bit lonely, some people would ask me if I would care to sit with them. Though I feel a bit pitied, it was a kind gesture. I love all my friends, and would hate to not see them anymore. Though, the dress codes are a bit eh. Some rules are just stupid. One that annoys me the most is the 2 people per bench for the square tables. The principle would just tell you to have one friend stand. Even though we could fit 3. It seems a bit jerky to have one person left out and just stand. The dress codes though, you have to be kidding me for the straps. No one is going to be concerned about a simple strap. Someone should really tell people to stop feeling weird about some simple straps. Though most people don't care much for these dress codes. Most just let them slide, and continue on with life with just a simple warning. Though this school isn't really the cleanest, there are plastic bottles everywhere in the bushes. It would be too much to count. I would ask for people to start cleaning, and taking a bit more care into the school. The orchestra doesn't have a proper room, it's placed in the 6th grade hallway, away from the elective hall. The drama room is also away. I would ask for more language classes, there's only Spanish. The library also doesn't allow water? What is this? We can't drink water in the library? Though I guess I can kind of understand, the water may wet the books. There halls are filled with people, it should be a bit more organized. They also uped the price on cafeteria food. The cookies which used to be able to buy 2 for a dollar are now 75 cents for 1 cookie. Then the price for the water costs 25 cents more, which is why I buy it in the pe locker rooms for 1 dollar. They also don't refill the soaps a lot, so I'm stuck scrubbing my hands with just water. The toilet paper is also hard to use, mostly because the thing that holds it is way bigger then the hole for the toilet paper. They also haven't fixed the paper towel dispenser in the girls bathroom next to the library. But even with all these flaws, I still love the school. Even though it's an outdoor school. The teachers

Posted: December 3, 2016

Posted: December 3, 2016

I don't really know, my teacher would call out and have a talk with those who seemed to be hurting someone.

Posted: December 3, 2016

They have special ed for those who need it, like disabilities. The teachers also understand the students effort. Like a PE teacher I had, he understood the limits for his students.

Posted: December 3, 2016

Most teachers will give you time to do your homework

Posted: December 3, 2016

They are all kind, and would try to help you get your grade up

Posted: September 18, 2015

Posted: September 18, 2015

Posted: September 18, 2015

Posted: September 18, 2015

Gather around children and parents as I tell you a story of the injustice that has recently taken place at this school. Personally I had never liked the school; this staff was horrible, most students were rude and excluded other, but i went with it because i knew it was only for 2 years (I came here in 7th grade currently an 8th grader). However today something happened that has pushed me over the top. I have a friend that has been bullied for 3 years now by the same boy who he used to call his best friend. Today I noticed how horrible this boy was being. I then went into the office along with some witnesses to report the problem. As I walked in I was greeted rather rudely and was asked what I was doing there. On a different note, how are students to report things like this if the office staff is soooo rude?!? Now back to the subject. I walked in and we reported our problem along with the kid who was bullied. Me and the other witnesses were told to go to our respective classrooms while the kid who was being bullied and one witness stayed behind. Now I returned home and waited when I received a text from my friend who had been bullied. He explained to me that he had received a 1 week detention while the bully received absolutely NOTHING. How is this supposed to stop bullying?!? If it is doing nothing to stop the students and instead punishing the victims? Now admittedly the victim did try to pick a fight with the bully but quickly calmed down and didn't go through with it. Not to mention the hundreds of verbal and physical fights the bully had picked with him. He had spread rumors, got all of his "popular friends" to hate this boy and beat up on him. I ask you: IS THIS JUSTICE? Not to mention the office staff and regular staff. I am not trying to say that all the staff is bad, in fact i have one teacher in mind that actually has done a whole lot to help but in general it is horrible. The school is not welcoming at all for the first quarter, when i was a new student, not a single student or teacher came up to me to ask me if I wanted to sit with them. Not to mention the dress code problem and profanity issue.

Posted: July 28, 2015

Its the best school I am glad I am gonna finish my 8th grade here

Posted: July 28, 2015

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Posted: March 26, 2015

In the 3yrs I ve had a student at BHMS there have been MANY meetings to discuss the dress code (addressing things like "cleavage" and shaming 13 y.o. girls for how "distracting" an exposed bra strap can be), however I have not heard of nor has the school invited me to a meeting to address bullying or language at BHMS. There has been continued and intensifying bullying & the school has not shown significant interest in changing the environment. The boys at the school are simply told to "settle down" when they re seen punching or hitting each other. The teachers and volunteers on campus seem slow and reluctant to respond to violence, aggression, and bullying. Teachers turn a deaf ear while an ocean of predominantly Caucasian children regularly use the "N" word & homophobic terms are used on a daily basis (these are not tolerated at the high school level nor at the elementary schools). BHMS has not taken action to create a hate-free environment, instead they tell kids to "toughen up". Students are warned at the elementary school level how rough it will be in middle school.

Posted: November 14, 2013

Office staff seems nice enough..some teachers are okay..but too many kids, too few teachers..I agree about the element here. The bullying does seem to be an issue and most of the teachers seem like drones. They really do not seem to care about the kids who actually need help. Just wanna get through another day.

Posted: November 1, 2013

My child has gone to BHMS for the past three years. The first year there was 3-4 hrs of nightly homework with many projects. In 7th and 8th grade, there has been very little homework. This practice should be reversed, with much less in 6th as students get used to having multiple teachers in a new school, gradually increasing as they finish 8th grade, so they will be prepared for the rigor of High School. We loved the old principal - friendly, professional, student-centered. She was a positive force on campus. The new principal, in my opinion, has been heavy handed in issuing dress code violations. My child and their friends are so worried about getting dress-coded, they can't focus on academics. As a parent and educator, I have found the environment fearful for my child, over the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years. A very sad commentary on a place that we should be secure in the knowledge our children are receiving a quality education without the fear of bullying... by administration, teachers, lunch duties, or students. I feel this administrator is out of touch with his students. The focus is not where it should be at this school, and I have met with him directly about my concerns.

Posted: August 13, 2013

My daughter graduated from BHMS in 2012. She had a wonderful experience. However, my son finished 6th grade at BHMS in 2012, then we moved to another school. His first year was vastly different. He was bullied at BHMS. We also found out he had Aspergers and the school was not able to accommodate his special needs. One teacher worked with us, another teacher would not accommodate my son's learning style. My son's profanity expanded quite a bit while playing Yugioh cards with 8th graders. Too bad its changed so much from being a top notch school.

Posted: May 27, 2013

My 6th and 8th grader started school her in the fall of 2012. I will have to say, not a good experience at all. There is bullying, the school does not practice what it preaches on safety, (my son broke a bone in P.E., it never should have happened and no follow-through on safety measures.) My 6th grader who enjoyed her old school does not like this school at all. She went from a zero tolerance on bullying, traditional middle school with similar A.P. scores to BHMS and wants to be home-schooled now. Front office is great, teachers and staff just so-so, good music program. Overall, what a disappointment!

Posted: April 8, 2013

This school has such a bullying problem we took our daughter out in 6th grade. Teachers are complacent, they do not provide enough challenge for the high level learners they receive.