Mandarin Middle School

Posted: August 9, 2026

The school with the most disrespectful children I know, they are terrible at resolving conflicts and are always fighting. Some of the administrators only solve these problems of "teenagers and children" when the situation gets worse, protect your children from this place

Posted: August 9, 2026

Posted: August 9, 2026

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Posted: August 9, 2026

Posted: August 9, 2026

Posted: September 8, 2025

I subbed here and it was by far the worst school I have ever encountered. Students made inappropriate comments about me and were not respectful toward me, others and themselves. Many students cursed each other out, hit each other and were on their phones despite the no phone law. Some students talked about how they were in a gang and others talked about how they were planning to fight someone. Some also spoke about engaging in inappropriate, underage activities. I would never come back to this school.

Posted: September 8, 2025

Posted: September 8, 2025

Posted: August 27, 2025

3rd week in at this school and I'm already dreading it. Another kid took something from my son at the beginning of class. He spent the entire class asking for his item back, trying to get the teachers attention, and asking the kid, but the teacher just kept telling him to put his hand down. He finally got so fed up that he took a notebook off the kids desk which the teacher immediately noticed and demanded he give back. He told her no, trying to explain that he's trying to get his item back from the kid. The teacher wouldn't listen so my son got frustrated and threw the item back at the kid.

Now he's suspended - at home not learning a thing. The Dean doesn't listen or care. The teacher didn't listen or care. It's just a job and they want to get through their day. Do not recommend.

Posted: August 27, 2025

Posted: August 27, 2025

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Posted: January 17, 2024

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Posted: January 17, 2024

Posted: January 17, 2024

This is the absolute worst middle school I have ever seen!

Posted: August 22, 2023

For the most part this school is good but some teachers don’t really seem to care abt us like during a code red the teacher didn’t cover the window on the door or turn off the lights and there is some teachers that actually care abt our well being but most the time it’s really chaotic and crazy in the school there’s always fight either in the bathroom in the hallway basically everywhere and it sometimes causes kids to be late and the teacher don’t let us to our class dismissing from breakfast sometime like today it happened to me and I had to start running so I wasn’t late

Posted: August 22, 2023

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Posted: March 23, 2023

The teachers and admin are fantastic! I would recommend this school!

Posted: March 23, 2023

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Posted: February 13, 2023

This school is the worst I have ever been to by far. School staff openly ignore complaints, refuse to accommodate 504 plans, and only do the bare minimum to not get sued. The people in charge of implanting 504 plans are incompetent, and practically fight against it. They will devalue accommodations to the bare minimum, even if a doctor is telling them. Racism, homophobia, sexism, ableism, really any “ism” run openly among the school, with teachers & staff refusing to do anything. There is nearly constant fighting in the halls or common areas. If your child is a minority in anyway, shape, or form, stay as far away from this school as you can. Harassment often happens, even from teachers.

Posted: February 13, 2023

Posted: January 28, 2022

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Posted: January 28, 2022

Posted: January 28, 2022

My child is a 6th grade gifted student at mandarin middle. He is thoroughly enjoying school. His teachers and the admin are all fantastic and he is being challenged with the work. He has made a bunch of great friends and he participates in extra curricular activities. He had been accepted to Julia Landon but decided to attend MM, as it’s his home school. No regrets.

Posted: August 13, 2019

It's been great for both of my kids

Posted: August 13, 2019

The honors academy has a website where all the core teachers list the homework and the students check it daily. Great way of keeping the kids informed.

Posted: August 13, 2019

Posted: August 13, 2019

Posted: August 13, 2019

We have a great admin team especially since mr. Williams has become principal.

Posted: August 13, 2019

Posted: August 13, 2019

Posted: January 27, 2018

Posted: January 27, 2018

Posted: January 27, 2018

Posted: January 27, 2018

Posted: January 27, 2018

Posted: January 27, 2018

Posted: January 27, 2018

I was a student at MMS. The programs for learning disabilities, ESE and IEP, are very effective. My ESE teacher always checked in with me and made sure I wasn't overwhelmed with homework. The teachers are very caring and supportive. If you hear any reviews complaining about teachers 90% of the time it's due to students' behavior. I won't deny there are a few teachers who are beyond strict but they definitely don't bully or look down on their students. The school is constantly evolving, over the last 2 years there have been 2 new principals. Rules are always changing which can be a little overwhelming to new students but they'll feel right at home. If I had any complaints it would be the way they manage student behavior. My 7th grade civics teacher told his students who don't pay attention or want to learn can fail but just do it quietly. This resulted in poor test scores. 12 out of 26 student's failed that class. This was only the class I was in. I'm not sure how many overall failed. As you can tell, teachers don't have patience for students who won't participate. This could be due to how big MMS is, being one of the largest public schools in Jacksonville. If your kid is alright with a big school, this includes loud noises and crowded hallways, then I highly recommend! As far as more high assistance kids, autism and down syndrome, they have a wonderful colorful classroom with teachers who are specialized in this care. I had a free period in 6th grade where I helped this class and it was outstanding. They have a physical therapist, and speech therapist, a cognitive therapist. You get the picture. Even if your child needs more specialty care you can trust MMS. I rate MMS 10/10.

Posted: January 24, 2017

I am in 110% agreement with one of the many truthful reviews:
I've had lunch with my child in Mandarin Middle School. I couldn't even sit in the lunch room when I saw the caked on food from who knows how many hours or days it's sat not to mention you can't even talk, I said talk to your child, LOUD is an understatement. Walking out in the hallways from lunch and seeing FIRST HAND what's allowed with the "officer " standing around and staff, wow! You MUST experience this yourself. Set a day to have lunch with your child, you will see first hand.
The lack of communication with "staff" is frustrating! Still waiting for a positive conversation.
A very rude experience I had. It was a one way phone call with a teacher and she had no concerns on my suggestions to help my child achieve. This is only one of my very unprofessional experiences of the staff I've encountered. (Not all) My child's 8th grade math teacher left me very unsettled on the way she talks to her students. This prompt me to reach out to other parents. She teaches advanced classes, I'm just disturbed in how very few care. It took me 31 days to get her into her advanced classes from day one of entering her new school. I'll leave you with a staff member comment after my 4th week of asking why my child is not in her advanced classes here in Duval County. I was told, wait for it! "Just cuz someone come from another country don't mean they get put in advance classes! It don't work like that! " WAIT, WHAT, did I just hear I thought to myself!
Just contact you Duval County School Board it was my only option and about to be again. When I have a positive experience with either of my children's school, I will leave one. Full regret leaving Clay County, they care.

Posted: May 31, 2015

Posted: May 31, 2015

Posted: May 31, 2015

Posted: February 19, 2015

Be the change. I am a PTSA volunteer. My daughter has had positive experiences at Mandarin Middle. Moving from Texas, we were hesitant about enrolling our daughter in to Duval schools. As an educator I know many factors play into a school's rating and reputation. Do your own homework and know YOUR child. I believe parents make the difference. I have enjoyed meeting like- minded parents who have seek academic excellence and diversity as part of their child's learning environment.

Posted: August 16, 2014

The July 4th posting "obviously" did not have a positive experience. That's fine. This school can't be that bad considering this year's enrollment (2014-2015) boasts a 400 student body increase (i.e. total 1500) as well as new "additional" teachers; " In Spite Of" the new charter school opening a couple blocks away. "Obviously" this person assumes previous positive postings are by administrators. Don't assume unless you have the "FACTS". Parents "Do" support the positive and post as well as those parents who unfortunately experienced the otherwise. Here's a thought....could you be a disgruntled employee posting as a parent ? Mandarin Middle is an "A" school for several years running.

Posted: July 3, 2014

Last few reviews obviously written by administrators worried about losing more than the usual 100 students per year to charters. A charter is opening a block away next year.

Posted: May 27, 2014

This is top notch education. Cambridge and honors program is a stellar. Staff is on top of their students and safety. Many students here excell in sports and academics. This school is at the top of Duval county public schools. Wide range of diversity which is needed in our society. FCAT is a priority slong with college prep. Proud of this school.

Posted: May 21, 2014

Rasism is defended at this school. Many kids are bullied and gang beatings occur. Very bad school

Posted: May 21, 2014

This school is fantastic! Issues will come up in any school, and I'm sorry for the bad publicity right now. There are two sides to every story. I gave this school 5 stars in everything but parental involvement. Parents don't want to be involved with the school or help out with volunteering, and then they complain about every little incident. For those of us going to the school to help out once in awhile, we can see that the teachers care. They are there because they love teaching, and they care about the students. I realize that the students are not going to like every single teacher, just like in life they are not going to like every single boss or manager that they will have. Some personalities just don't mesh. I would recommend the school to anyone who is considering a charter school. It has not been an "A" for 13 straight years for nothing. Go Mandarin Middle!

Posted: May 21, 2014

Great school! My son had a good first year. Easy transition from elementary. Helpful staff. Super teachers!

Posted: May 21, 2014

In my experience as a 7th and 8th grader at Mandarin Middle, I found it to be a great school. The teachers were very caring about the students and their educations. I am currently attending Mandarin High, and find that I miss many of my middle school teachers. The educational system at the school was great in my opinion, and I actually learned and retained much of what was taught, especially in the English program. My 8th grade English teacher Mrs. Bishop was one of my favorite teachers, someone who really impacted my life by being very understanding and helpful, and was always there for students who needed her academically and emotionally. I was also a member of the swim team for both of my years at the school. I thoroughly enjoyed my practices and meets, and really felt a sense of team unity and bonding. Overall, I found MMS to be a excellent school, and never felt threatened by anyone or anything. The security was not overwhelming and very friendly, but were not afraid to take action if necessary. I enjoyed my time there, and I believe upcoming students of the school will, too.

Posted: May 20, 2014

The staff is only there for the paychecks not the kids. They allow fights and act as if they don't see it. This school is perfect if you don't mind if your kid fails and gets into serious fights.

Posted: May 20, 2014

I am horrified at the lack of interest in the bullying and brutality that happens daily at this school! There is no follow up and the child being bullied is punished as well as the abuser. What kind of policy is that?! As if the child has not suffered enough...! Not a safe place!

Posted: September 26, 2013

This school definitely accompanies the lowest common denominator. From my time there as a 6th, 7th, and 8th grader this school rates far below par. There are terrible students (disrespectful), teachers move due dates back further and further to accommodate the majority of the class who didn't do the assignment, and there is a lack of enthusiasm and teaching mechanics. The only teacher who inspired me was my 6th grade history teacher Mr. Mingledorff, any other was mediocre and the school is just uninspiring I got straight age from MY KNOWLEGE and needed no help from those "instructors." I applied to Stanton College Prep. and I am succeeding there no help from Mandarin but I can humbly say to look elsewhere.

Posted: May 29, 2013

Seems to be well thought of, I have a child that attends,, and he is doing very well

Posted: July 26, 2012

I wouldn't listen to the parents, they have no idea how great the school actually is. I was in the top classes, on a sports team, and in several clubs and I had an amazing few years at this school.I have NO idea what parents talk about 'bullying' there was NO bullying at this school. There were fights, but they were broken up winthin a minute and both student were fighting. I havn't seen any bullyng at the school and I won't. It's a great school and perple who say it isn't are just listening to their whiny kids complain.

Posted: July 17, 2012

My son was there for 3 years. My son has ADHD and a short term learning disability with an IEP. He is main streamed and has a high IQ. He was in advanced classes and doing pretty well. The home page was always up to date. They were also always there if we need to ask something or get verification, emails usually returned within the day. That was a huge PLUS! However with that being said... His spelling is actually atrocious! We work with him at home but got no help at school. I was told that this is what spell check is for. That the FCAT is what they have time to teach and unfortunately do not have time to spend on that.

Posted: June 25, 2012

Bullying is rampant in the school and no one recognizes it. The so called "good" kids are the worst but they are too smart to get caught. Teachers are so-so with some teachers that are biased towards certain students. P.E contains no actual physical education just the students sitting in lines waiting. The food is excellent though. I dislike the higher up staff (principal,vice principal) for being unhelpful and uncaring. Certain kids are picked out by their peers for bullying and some have been forced to drop out and become home schooled. I disliked my experience there and I will remember it as one of the worst times of my life.