Hilton Head Island Middle School

Posted: December 9, 2025

Posted: December 9, 2025

Posted: December 9, 2025

Posted: December 9, 2025

Posted: December 9, 2025

Posted: December 9, 2025

Posted: December 9, 2025

Posted: December 9, 2025

Coming into this school, my first impression was very positive. Everyone seemed kind and respectful, and it appeared that they cared about accommodating your needs—at least the ones they chose to acknowledge.
I worked there from August to December, which was the original plan with the school system. However, during the second week of school, I was told they wanted me there “full time” because they enjoyed having me and had received great feedback about my work. Despite this, I later received a sudden call informing me that they had found other staff to replace my position—after already asking me to commit full-time and expecting full-time responsibilities.
Within just three weeks of working there, I experienced bullying from another staff member who is still employed at the school. She was consistently rude, disrespectful, and dismissive, treating her assistants poorly and creating a toxic work environment.
There were several moments where I genuinely felt unsafe, and despite bringing these concerns to administration multiple times, nothing changed. Each time, I was told the situation had been “handled,” yet the issues continued. In the end, without warning, I received a call on a random Monday informing me that I no longer had a job—leaving the problem unresolved and my concerns ignored.
My experience with the staff and overall environment was extremely disappointing. I would not recommend this school for anyone seeking a supportive or truly educational experience. The staff seem far more concerned with enforcing dress code than prioritizing the actual needs and growth of their students, which is incredibly concerning.

Posted: September 18, 2024

Posted: September 18, 2024

Posted: September 18, 2024

Posted: September 18, 2024

Posted: September 18, 2024

Posted: September 18, 2024

Posted: September 18, 2024

Posted: September 18, 2024

Our daughters transitioned into Hilton Head Island Middle school as 7th and 8th Graders. Our first contact was with admin, who were all extremely helpful and gracious (and continue to be so), followed by our girls’ guidance supervisors, who showed exemplary due diligence and professionalism in assessing transcripts from their previous school, communicating with us, and ensuring the girls progressed into their correct classes.
The girls’ Advisory teachers are patient and caring. My one daughter can be nervous and likes to do the right thing - on the first day of school, she was quite anxious, and her advisory teacher spotted this characteristic and took time to appreciate her help and compliment her. A small thing, but it meant a lot to my daughter, and resulted in her happily looking forward to school the following day. My other daughter is more gregarious, and was utterly wow-ed by her fabulous and wonderfully enthusiastic Advisor. Their subject teachers, in all their different ways, are excellent, motivating and engaging. Overnight, my daughter switched from being a student learning Spanish, to a student loving Spanish. My science-loving kid adores her teacher and rushes home every day to tell me of a new thing she has learned. The English curriculum is comprehensive; the hard copy text-book, combined with the digital reading platform, complement each other excellently. Their math teachers kindly offer extra help in the morning before school (if they need it). All teachers are clear and helpful in their communications.
I am really incredibly grateful. Every day, I am watching my girls happily excel and grow at this school.
They have made friends quickly. They are studying enthusiastically, learning to capacity, and, most importantly, they look forward to school every day.
The IB program is a bonus to us - an easily recognised international qualification - as both of the girls would like to attend university in Europe.
We are beyond delighted to have found a positive and rigorous learning environment in which our girls can successfully and cheerfully see out their school years.

Posted: August 29, 2024

Posted: August 29, 2024

Posted: August 29, 2024

Posted: August 29, 2024

Posted: August 29, 2024

Posted: August 29, 2024

Posted: August 29, 2024

Posted: August 29, 2024

The only thing I can review on are the experiences my kids have had at this school. I have had three kids attend HHIMS. Two are grown and one is currently attending. Nothing is perfect and certainly no middle school is perfect. You have hundreds of pre-teens and teens crammed in one building for 8 hours, but what I will say is my kids have all excelled and done well attending this school. This school represents the community we live in. There is diversity and that has benefitted my children greatly. Over the tenure of three children whenever we have had an issue it has been addressed. It has everything to do with how you approach people. When you come at people in a combative manner you better expect to get that back. We have always approached in a calm and respectful manner and have always reached an acceptable resolution. We have loved most of our teachers and my oldest even went back to substitute at this school when she had a break before entering law school. I am so thankful for the new principal and all of the teachers at HHIMS. My recommendations for parents at any middle school is get involved where you can, support the teachers your children have, make sure your children are doing their work and make sure your children are respectful and behaving when they go to school. If you are upset with how something is going at your kids school be part of the solution not part of the problem. I have worked, been a mom and been involved in my kids’ schools for 20 years. Everyone can do a little bit. Overall I am thankful for HHIMS and BCSD.

Posted: January 31, 2023

Posted: January 31, 2023

Posted: January 31, 2023

Posted: January 31, 2023

Posted: January 31, 2023

Posted: January 31, 2023

Posted: January 31, 2023

Posted: January 31, 2023

My child has had an overall positive experience at this school. Middle school is a hard age and I believe with the new principal, who the kids really respect, it's getting even better. It's sad that sometimes the only people who write reviews on here are parents who are mad or upset with a certain circumstance. People who cannot say one nice thing about the school and give 1 star on every question are obviously not ever at the school to see not only what these teachers have to deal with every day, but how caring and helpful many of them are.
I am an involved parent and guess what? Some teachers are better than others, just like some bosses are better than others and some parents are better than others. This is life and I am grateful that my kid has to learn how to get along with different kinds of students and faculty...it will only serve him better in his life. Our school is filled with staff that cares about your child's education and that's all we can ask for. Oh yeah...even while getting paid practically nothing to deal with all these children...God bless them!
I have friends with kids in both private and public schools here and don't think for a second that by sending your kid to private schools here, all your problems are solved. Many of our friends who go private ultimately come back to our public schools at some point.
So, with that, I'm giving our school all 5 stars in hopes to offset all the negative nellies out there who love to complain. Sure our school could be better, and if you think so too, get involved in making it better. Your kids will appreciate it too :)

Posted: July 18, 2021

Posted: July 18, 2021

Posted: July 18, 2021

Posted: July 18, 2021

Posted: July 18, 2021

Posted: July 18, 2021

Unfortunately I will have to say all the negative about this school is true. We will never send one of our kids here again no matter what they say they have done to improve things. It was that bad. I would urge new people to the area to avoid sending their kids here as it will make your transition to the area much more difficult.

Posted: July 18, 2021

Posted: July 18, 2021

Posted: April 22, 2021

Posted: April 22, 2021

Posted: April 22, 2021

Posted: April 22, 2021

Posted: April 22, 2021

Posted: April 22, 2021

The last 3 years been a total nightmare in my middle schoole and our life.
I can't waith for her to get out of that getto !!!

Posted: April 22, 2021

Posted: April 22, 2021

Posted: January 27, 2021

Posted: January 27, 2021

Posted: January 27, 2021

Posted: January 27, 2021

Posted: January 27, 2021

Our daughter attends this middle school and has enjoyed her teachers and peers. She has been able to make friends easily, and been giving many opportunities to excel. The teachers care and work with their students closely. During the pandemic the school has excelled in creating a safe environment for our children. The community as a whole supports the school systems greatly. Hilton Head has been our new home in the last 4 years, and would never even think of moving away! Just an absolute great school system in a great supportive community!!!

Posted: January 27, 2021

Posted: January 27, 2021

Posted: January 27, 2021

Posted: January 12, 2021

Posted: January 12, 2021

Posted: January 12, 2021

Posted: January 12, 2021

Posted: January 12, 2021

So ive gone to this school. Its not as great. They only care about your uniform or dress code. I see the principle like everyday looking at people and seeing if they are in dress code. I rarely see her in the office. The staff is good. They help us if we need help. Teachers ok. a lot of the teachers are really nice, and funny and they know when to get strict. The teachers who are strict are like lay back guys and don't really care what happens. My teacher who is math makes Math really fun. Ima talk about my choices. Home work: Its effective but not to effective. Some of the teachers don't even give us home work which is nice. Teachers: Amazing, Leadership: I don't see a lot Character: all they care is about our Uniforms well the principle mostly. And when we have meetings in the auditorium its about C L O T H E S. Learning differences: Eh not as much. Bullying: I've been bullied and they is a lot of bully's here.

Posted: January 12, 2021

Posted: January 12, 2021

Posted: January 12, 2021

Posted: May 1, 2017

Posted: May 1, 2017

I have no knowledge to speak to this one way or another.

Posted: May 1, 2017

The leadership at this school needs to be replaced!!
currently all thinking and decisions are made from top down and the the teachers are threatened if they speak up.
I know this is a harsh statement but it is true.

Posted: May 1, 2017

If one tells the truth about a mistake they are punished if they lie all is well. the students are treated as prisoners the same mentality that beats down the teachers work on the students.

If you want criminals treat people like one!

Kids learn in a number of different ways...one is through observation. The administration of this school does not deal respectfully or compassionately with their faculty and students.

Posted: May 1, 2017

The school has lost a number of good teachers. There are some good teachers left and there are some bad ones that should have been let go three years ago (be happy to give you the names and their class performance!!!)
However the teachers have very little voice in making improvements...this is an absolute wrong way of running an organization.
in this environment teachers can not be effective no matter how good they are. If I may turn on the light switch for someone...this is why the good ones have left or are thinking about leaving!

Posted: May 1, 2017

it's hit and miss...some homework is assigned to help the student and some is one to satisfy some higher up requirements. either way can not be done on a not working computer! how do the kids who do not have access to the internet at home do their homework?
This does not exhibit "effective approach" to homework.

Posted: May 1, 2017

My child attend this school - on the surface all appears to be good. The principal strives for student discipline which she believes is the fundamental to learning. All students have tablets, the assignments and teacher postings are done electronically. A large number of the teachers are new to the school and have a tenure of two years or less.
Now the reality in my opinion...
- The principle thinks the discipline is the only tool to learning. She spends most of her time in her office and acts as a dictator.
- The computers break down and it takes forever to fix them. My child's computer has been in the media center to be fixed, off and on for over nine weeks in one semester!! And she is required to use the computer to do her work. You think somebody would raise a flag and stay 'Houston we have a problem!" No not in this school.
- Those new teachers, are the replacements for the good ones that left; because they were not going to put up with a dictator of a principle.
The administrations story about them leaving because they were not good , or it cost too much to live in Hilton Head and they wanted to be paid more is not true.
Check out the school grades...they are failing and have been getting worst over the past two years...!
Where is the superintendent? How many exit interviews has he done with the departing teachers? What is the results of the teachers surveys? Since this is a failing school how many surprised visits has he made to a classroom and sat through the whole class?
Lot of questions need to be asked of the administration...
If the administration puts up with mediocrity or is not aware of the problem then it's time for new a principle and a superintendent.

Posted: February 19, 2016

The principal is horrible, all she cares about is uniforms. They have little control over the bad kids, while the good kids continue to suffer- She punishes by grade, not individually. Also, she has no respect to the political beliefs of some students. Democratic posters hang in the hallways, while students who oppose this and have expressed their feelings about having these posters have been ignored.

Posted: January 11, 2016

Little gangsters beat and rob other students. My son has been mugged and beaten at least a half dozen times. School does not allow back packs because some students bring weapons. Teachers sit back and watch.

Posted: September 10, 2014

Kids with learning problems have no hope of succeeding in this school! Teachers too busy trying to earn extra money by coaching or mentoring clubs after school to be available to students who need academic help. Parents must be vigilant and demanding in order to obtain any assistance for their child. I wish I could afford a private school. HHIMS gets an F!

Posted: August 15, 2013

School was filled with energy!!! Excited for a great year. LOTS of good words about our new principal!

Posted: December 21, 2012

I love this school.! I'm a 8th grade student and have been going there since 6th. The teachers there are really helpful and nice. There's awesome programs like Junior Scholars and Duke TIP.! And sure there's cliques but its a anti- bullying school and the teachers take that very serious.!