Palo Alto Middle School

Posted: May 9, 2023

I DO NOT RECOMEND THIS SCHOOL FOR ANYONE PLUS THEY ARE RATED HAVING "F" AVERAGES FOR STUDENTS!!!This school is the worse school ever! The BULLING is ridiculous! The staff doesn't take any actions for the child's safety they just talk to kids thinking it's all done since they so and the bulling continues. I have had my daughter continuously going to office explaining the situation and nothing I have had many stupid blue forms they give you for explanation like that shit is going to do anything. So I decided to go to Administration and even when I did they to administration that I was going to be able to speak to PRINCIPAL mind you this would of been the first time EVER I would of been able to since either staff is on duty and they can't assist you the principals secretary is off but Principal is THERE but you can't speak to her unless the secretary is there. what kind of thing is that it shouldn't matter is the secretary is not there. well back to the subject I went to my appointment to see the principal and guess what the principal referred the VP to speak to me instead because they go as they see fit the situation requires! I DO NOT RECOMEND THIS SCHOOL FOR ANYONE PLUS THEY ARE RATED HAVING "F" AVERAGES FOR STUDENTS!!! I TOOK MY DAUGHTER OUT OF THAT SCHOOL THAT SAME DAY! REGARDLES OF. i DONT EVEN GIVE ONE STAR IT DOESNT DESERVE IT!!

Posted: May 9, 2023

Posted: May 9, 2023

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Posted: November 8, 2016

This school is terrible. It has many flaws. It has a lack of organization.Bullying is a game to the students here. The children need lots of discipline, the teachers don't do anything to discipline those children. Several students brought weapons,drugs,condoms,etc to school. I'm a student so my perspective will be way more different than a parent. If you are a parent reading this I'd advise you not to send your child here. They will have a hard time. The amount of disrespect from the students is awful. Teachers have intervened in fights and were beat up. Overall don't send your child here.

Posted: November 8, 2016

Posted: November 8, 2016

Posted: November 8, 2016

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Posted: November 8, 2016

Posted: August 21, 2015

My favorite teacher from 8th grade is still there and there are stories of his "tough rules" going around the school (student gossip) to this day!! I love it!! And it makes me proud to think my daughter will learn under his instruction BECAUSE he is so effective. And that is just a sample from the excellent staff on hand! Most of them are just very supportive and fair in all that they do. They want our kids to be educated and they do a great job trying to do that.

Posted: August 21, 2015

My child was in all the advanced classes in 6th grade and I truly worried she would struggle. Afterall, there is a lot more work in 5th grade than 6th grade. She handled it all and still had plenty of time to socialize, complete her chores, and end up well-rested each day.

Posted: August 21, 2015

First of all, I am a former student of Palo Alto, attending the first year it opened as an 8th grader. So I have sense of pride in developing the initial atmosphere of the school. Second, my daughter has completed her sixth grade year and is now going into 7th grade for the 2015-2016 school year. I can tell you that she has grown a huge sense of pride in attending Palo Alto! She loves her teachers and a majority of her classmates. She loves the programs they offer (like I cannot believe they have a gardening club!!) . And she is looking forward to being in Art this year, which Palo Alto is well known for having the largest art department in the district. Parent to Parent, this school is great! Oh and for anyone who is unhappy about the uniform, they do have a program that allows kids to were free dress. They have to get straight As (and yes my daughter worked very hard in her 3rd semester to have free dress for her final 9 weeks.

Posted: July 9, 2015

Teachers work with the student in the daily situation, also they contact the parent if they see you child show issues with their learning. They don't wait until he report date.

Posted: July 9, 2015

Posted: July 9, 2015

Teachers are very fairness with the student situation, they don't set them apart from their peers.

Posted: July 9, 2015

The teachers are very involved with the student. They loved when the parents work with the child. Excellent for military kids, school provide counseling one by one to work the child problems.

Posted: June 1, 2015

Posted: June 1, 2015

Posted: June 1, 2015

Based upon my own personal experience with my children I believe this to be true. All my children are of good character.

Posted: June 1, 2015

My experience with Palo Alto has been a very positive one. I've had my 3 children attend there. I have no complaints. All 3 of my children have received a good quality education. My eldest left there an honor roll student and went on to receive her IB diploma from HS. My middle child, also an honor student who loves to participate in any and every after school activity like NJHS, chess club, tennis, swim, and football, had multiple clubs to choose from and he will be attending Early College High School in the fall. This was my youngest son's first year there, he is also an honor student. All 3 of my kiddos always received advance performance/commended on STARR which is proof positive that for the students who want to receive it the opportunity for a great education is definitely there. The staff is always very courteous and demonstrate genuine concern for each and every student who attends their school.

Posted: May 29, 2015

Excellent teachers, the teachers really care about their students and their education. My daughter has gone to Palo Alto for the past three years and I am very happy with the education she has received here. I would recommend this school to anyone.

Posted: May 28, 2015

Posted: May 28, 2015

Posted: May 28, 2015

Posted: May 28, 2015

Every teacher is clear and concise and focused on the students' success in everything they do. Neither I nor my daughter has had a bad experience in classroom or personal interactions.

Posted: May 28, 2015

I had more homework as a student, but my daughter is overwhelmed sometimes. This is due to her own poor time management skills and provides another lesson to learn as she grows. The current trend to reduce homework loads for students is misguided and misrepresented at best. So far, her teachers have gotten it right.

Posted: May 28, 2015

Although I don't see specific programs similar to what our Elementary Schools focus on, I do see the personal interaction between the teachers and students and the emphasis on being a 'good Patriot'. Between great examples and individual recognition, this school provides a constructive atmosphere to learn those traits.

Posted: May 28, 2015

I see daily the efforts that Principal Widacki and his faculty take to make this middle school a fantastic place. Despite a horrible reputation in the community (including when my wife went there soon after the school was opened), it is one of the best schools in the area. That reputation is wrong. The surrounding area is quite nice and the school itself takes great pride in preparing students and working with them personally on a great number of subjects. Most importantly, they offer plenty of opportunities for my kid, including Science Club, Swimming (I didn't know they had a pool!), and varsity sports and activities (volleyball and choir are my kid's choices). Palo Alto is a great school and run by a Principal and Faculty that truly care.

Posted: May 27, 2015

My child attented Palo Alto all three years. She had a wonderful experience. She had many teachers that taught her so much more than just basic knowledge. She has walked away with many life lessons. This school has been great for my child. School is about students, parents, and teachers all working together. We each have a part to do to give our children the best opportunity they can have and this schools does their part.

Posted: May 27, 2015

Posted: May 27, 2015

Posted: May 27, 2015

Posted: May 27, 2015

My brother and my sister attend this school! Great help from councilors and the principal. Both my siblings are in honor rolls

Posted: September 9, 2014

This is the WORST school I have ever been to. The principal is very unprofessional, just like his front office secretaries, guidance counselors, and head school nurse. All of the staff needs to be fired. The teachers don't care about their students, only their little paychecks, and the administration doesn't care about the students well-being. Bullying is at an all time high at Palo Alto and no one does anything about it. I would never have another child of mine attend this school.

Posted: September 4, 2014

This school is amazing. The administration and teachers truly care about helping all their students do their best to reach their full potential.

Posted: August 12, 2014

This school gets a bad rap because of the location. Now that Mrs. Erskine has retired, I expect discipline will be handled in a more positive manner. If you have concerns, go to the administration. I find them to be very open and willing to help. The staff is hard working and really seem to care for the students.

Posted: May 13, 2014

Hate this school with a passion! THE worst school my daughter has ever attended. Bullying is absolutely out of control and administration acts like they are dumb, deaf and blind. I would suggest moving around the corner so your child could go to Live Oak or petition to go to live oak. Palo Alto will ruin your child! They are great at killing their drive, confidence and work ethic. They never assign homework so most of their grades weigh heavily on tests that you never know they have. Most of the teachers don't know how to communicate and act offended when you require them to and they still don't do it. You constantly have to go above administrations head to resolve issues. This school is garbage! A disgrace!

Posted: May 12, 2014

There are a lot of fights at this school. My advise would be to tell your child to lay low and just try to get through. If you can afford to move, move.

Posted: February 27, 2014

I have grown to appreciate most of the staff at this school. As a parent of 3 my oldest 2 have graduated from this school and gone on to high school taking what they've learned from PA to do great things. As with all schools you will find some that are more passionate and committed to helping kids succeed. Mr. Ivey Mr. Wadacki Ms Allen Ms. Sutton Coach Maxi Coach Bell just to name a few that have made an impact on my girls. I appreciate all that u do!

Posted: February 18, 2014

This school is TERRIBLE!!! The assistant principle, Ms. Erskine does not work with the kids, she seems to be a bully herself. This school would rather focus on punishment for small issues (shirt not being tucked in) and make kids sit in the in school suspension all day rather than give them an extra shirt and let them go to class. My daughter has been bullied the entire 4 months we have lived here - therefore we are forced to move to another school district completely. I would NOT recommend letting your child attend this school unless you want to be called on a regular basis about issues the school should handle and have your child call you crying because she is being threatened to be jumped while the teachers sit back and do nothing. The teachers don't abide by 504 guidelines for ADHD children yet will call about failing grades. My daughter's math teacher was caught telling her studetns that she gets paid whether or not they pass, this is a paycheck for her. This school and it's staff is a disgrace to teachers and schools and should be SHUT DOWN!! I wish I could give it negative stars!

Posted: November 22, 2013

I currently go to Palo Alto Middle School. It is a great school! I Get help with all of the things I don't understand, and they always have tutoring open. The sports teams are amazing as well. THE ADMINISTARTION HERE IS JUST FINE COUGH COUGH People writing comments bout it. There is almost no bullying at this school, and if there is it's taken care of very quickly. -Angela Baker Palo Alto Middle School

Posted: August 4, 2013

This school is okay besides some of the teachers and administraters. When I am getting bullied or someone is trying to fight me, I go to the a.p's office and Ms.Erskine never does anything to help, she makes It worse. She'll say something like just ignore or If they hit you come to the A.P's office like they're not going to keep hitting me. I once literally got bullied and forced into a fight and I'm the one who gets suspended, while the others get a day of ISS. The way this school handles problems Is not okay. I definitely would not take my child here any time soon. The teachers don't help either, they just send you to the A.P's office. Mr. Wadacki says If your getting jumped crawl to the A.P's office. Another thing Is that Instead of having Police around in the A.P's office, they chose to have one on the last day of school.

Posted: May 15, 2013

I really would like to give this school a 2.5, I know that sounds silly. My son was homeschooled until his 6th grade year. He was given the standardized test in 2011, 2 weeks prior to school starting. Never having been standardized tested before. He scored on the 10th and 8th grade level. He rarely comes home with homework or study material. I have asked if I could know when test are coming up so I can make sure he gets regular studying in a few nights before. The communication is NOT very good at this school. I do not feel that he has been challenged. In Feb 2012 one of his teachers told me what a disruptive student he had been for months, yet I had to come to her and ask her why he was given after school detention (days prior) while at a ceremony. Which was our first means of contact. The same thing happened with his history teacher this year. My son is not an angel all the time, but overall he is normally well behaved and mature for his age. I am that parent who will correct and address when I am INFORMED! My boys have played travel sports which maintained a high level of discipline. My son's 7th grade sports season lacked disciple during football and basketball.