C. W. Ruckel Middle School

Posted: April 8, 2026

School restrooms are consistently dirty and unhygienic. The situation has become so severe that my son has even asked to wear a diaper to avoid using the restroom at school.
It appears that student restrooms are not being maintained, while teacher restrooms remain clean. No one seems to be monitoring or addressing the conditions for the students, which is causing distress and health concerns.

Posted: June 21, 2018

Posted: June 21, 2018

Posted: June 21, 2018

We are a military family who moved here from New York, I have 2 children one who is in the 7th grade the other in the 8th grade. Our experience in this school and the area (Niceville) in general has been such a positive one. The school offers basic, advanced and honors classes, they have a STEM program, my kids are in advanced and honors classes. They have homework every night, and are challenged academically daily. The teachers are some of the best educators you could ask for. My kids have had nothing but positive things to say about all of their teachers. Both of my kids finished this past school year with straight A's. The school continuously recognizes excellence from the kids. Their are a multitude of extra curricular actives to include, clubs, sports, music, sports etc. My kids are in honors band and both play sports. If you want your children to be challenged in a safe, positive and rewarding environment Ruckel Middle School is for you. I would be naïve to think that this school is perfect, and I would be dishonest to tell you the same. From my observations I can contest that this school has a hard time dealing with kids who aren't at a superior educational level. Meaning that a lot of the intelligent an self driven kids don't require much from their teachers. Children who need additional academic assistance and mentoring are more than likely going to be disappointed, as the teachers tend to apply maximum effort on educating the intelligent students. Neither of my children have experienced bullying personally but they have witnessed it on several occasions. The administration tends to turn a blind eye, unless the perpetrator is a bad student. The dress code is no different then what you would find anywhere else, unfortunately not one of the school administrators do anything to enforce it. In layman terms, if your children are talented and intelligent they will fit in. If your child(ren), are going to need additional educational assistance don't set you expectations too high. I tried to offer the most non bias review possible, I offered information about my children for the context of the review. Again, for my family this school has served us well, but I just wanted to offer an alternative side as well.

Posted: June 21, 2018

Posted: June 21, 2018

Posted: June 21, 2018

Posted: June 21, 2018

Posted: November 6, 2017

Posted: November 6, 2017

Posted: November 6, 2017

Posted: November 6, 2017

Posted: November 6, 2017

Posted: November 6, 2017

Posted: November 6, 2017

They turn a blind eye to any issues that might tarnish their rosy reputation. They just don't want to deal with messy situations that some kids get into; sex, drugs, etc.. So, they sweep it under a rug, candy coat it, whatever they feel they have to do. This creates an atmosphere of enabling and denial, which will only create bigger problems for the child and/or parents. Middle School age kids need structure, boundaries and sometimes a good kick in the pants! Their passive; "ignore the problem and maybe it will go away" approach just isn't practical and, in fact, nearly ruined our child's life.

Posted: August 27, 2017

Posted: August 27, 2017

Posted: August 27, 2017

With every school you have the good , the bad, and the ugly. This school overall is extremely effective in challenging their students. They're winners in their curriculum as well as their athletics department. Well done Ruckel. I do agree that they need better conflict resolution.

Posted: August 27, 2017

Posted: August 27, 2017

Posted: August 27, 2017

Posted: August 27, 2017

Posted: May 10, 2017

Honest review:
The school academically and athletically speaking is great. Their programs are equally great, I.e., media center after school help and teachers that open their classroom doors early morning and evening to help struggling students. My son played in quite a few sports where he has been challenged to be better through work harder. I admire those coaches. That's the good.

The bad. The administration lacks conflict solution training, the teachers whine about every little thing - and I mean EVERYTHING, , suspension for minor situations - maybe their making up for pasts mistakes, no real lesson on consequences... and my child was once told an eye for an eye when he was hit by another student bcuz earlier in the year when he and a group of boys were horse-playing he fell to the floor with another student. Yes, fell on another boy! Thus ok that he was punched in the face later on. My only hope is that this is not a racial problem seeing as my son is OBVIOUSLY mixed race.

If you have a perfect child that's extremely self-motivated and athletic this is the school for you. 3 stars are based on the good they have to offer. 0 stars on their ability to manage students from an administrative stand point.

Posted: January 24, 2016

Nice staff. Teachers seem to care about students. The grade portal is way off at times showing things as missing that really are things not yet graded. Takes a while to get things back. This school is good for the self motivated child.

Posted: January 24, 2016

Just wish the math teachers were more available to help before and after school. Wish they'd get rid of common core! Don't like how long it takes to see our child's test

Posted: August 29, 2015

Posted: August 29, 2015

I didn't give this school a "great" because my child isn't challenged at this school compared with another 10 rated school in FL that he moved from. He rarely ever has homework and got straight A's with little effort. I don't have a specific problem with any teacher. I just feel they teach to the state test only. My child dealt with some bullying, but I think its average for a middle school. The principal and staff love their school and students.

Posted: March 26, 2015

Unfortunately, race is an issue at this school as well as others in the School District. My daughter has experienced issues at the two schools she has attended in the area. I have/do speak with the Principals when issues arise because there is a difference in being aware of the school's culture and being hypersensitive. If the parents making the posts regarding their children who are bi-racial are not a "person of color" themselves, they will not understand (that is just reality.) I have grown up in this community and nothing has changed.

Posted: October 21, 2014

The school is not culpable for demographic disparities. My children are bi-racial and have had zero issues at Ruckel. The sense of community is profound by faculty and parents alike. At every type of activity from band to athletics the stands are always full with generations of families supporting the community. Literally every student I have met, I hear them address adults as sir and ma'am.....even my children who prior to moving to this area had not. A strong sense of morals, community, and family is what you will experience at this school and in this area. The negative remarks must have been isolated cases and are surely not the norm.

Posted: March 30, 2014

My daughter is a "person of color" and had no problem making the team. The amount of kids vying for a position in the different sports programs can be very competitive - 100 kids may try out for 25 slots on the team. My daughter is very shy and has blossomed while attending RMS. She's in the Gifted and Talented Program, has performed exceptionally on the FCATs, has learned responsibility, and her teachers know they can expect a lot of hard work from her. We love the school and only wish her younger sister would be able to attend next year, but the military is moving us.

Posted: January 23, 2014

Do not send your child there is they are a person of color or you hold a high value to intersectionality and diversity. This school is very uncultured.

Posted: October 30, 2013

Thankfully principal retired and no longer subjected to her off-key Broadway routines. I agree they look the other way regarding bullying or maybe too afraid to respond. Cell phone use is rampant making less work for the teachers to do their job.

Posted: February 6, 2005

My child came to Ruckel from 2 previous private schools. I have to say, I have been impressed. The teachers have made learning interesting and fun while challenging students at the same time. The teachers seem glad to be there, which makes the students more enthusiastic. We really like Ruckel Middle School!