Cooper Middle School

Posted: June 15, 2026

Our experiences with Cooper Middle School were very good. The newly renovated facilities are outstanding. The quality of the teachers was very good. The "competitive" academic clubs -- Science Olympiad, QuizBowl, and Model UN -- were top-notch. The AAP program is filled with kids who, for the most part, are extremely intelligent and driven. Great band program too. Only complaint would be the quality of the after-school activities is spotty. If your child is academically motivated, this should be an excellent public school for them.

Posted: June 15, 2026

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Posted: April 20, 2026

The schools is over good. Most of the other reviews are from months ago when the schools was getting newly renovated. Currently all the hall ways are fine and they have student ark work at almost every corner. They have a great library and most of the teachers are nice and are excited to teach students, and I saw most because there are some exceptions. First the Algebra 1 teachers, I will not name any names but they primary teach the 7th grade. They are rude and seem to work against students. One actually teaches but never gives helpful tricks, the other one is a disaster. Many of my peers have made remarks about how he doesn't teach, locks the door, and regularly yells at students. He also once didn't let a close friend retake a test because he didn't staple papers. I find this apalling and quite incorrect. Next the principle is quite rude and snarky. She doesn't honestly seem like she cares and wont do anything about the constant rasicm, the sexist teachers. and the constant school fights. In return she will lock bathrooms during class changes and frequently forgets to unlock the and the school admins only have the keys but usually walk away. Also many of the teachers also don't seem to care. Many are seen using phones and not helping students and these two action usually result in students having bad grades. Overall I believe Cooper Middle School is a generally ok school but, it quite flawed in many places.

Posted: April 20, 2026

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Posted: December 8, 2025

Cooper has been a really good school for my daughter. Her teachers were supportive, kind, and truly dedicated to helping students grow. They taught responsibility and independence in a way that really made a difference for her. The front office staff was always welcoming and helpful, and we consistently felt cared for by the school community.

The only area that fell short for us was PE. If a student isn’t naturally athletic, the PE teachers don’t seem to offer the same level of respect, encouragement, or kindness. This was disappointing, especially compared to the wonderful experience we had with the rest of the staff.

Overall, Cooper provided a strong, supportive environment for my daughter, and we are grateful for the many positive experiences she had there.

Posted: December 8, 2025

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Posted: August 25, 2025

The environment at Cooper is great, and my teachers are all so focused on student engagement!

Posted: August 25, 2025

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Posted: May 23, 2025

Student found a tooth on his lunch, teachers are sexist against boys, I don't learn anything, AVOID!!!!

Posted: May 23, 2025

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Posted: December 17, 2024

If I could I wish I could rate this school a 0. Principal McLaughlin is a LAUGH. It is the most egotistic, arrogant, and rude principal you will ever meet! I pray for all the students at the school currently, last time I was a student there, the walls and ceiling were literally empty...

Posted: December 17, 2024

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Posted: November 24, 2024

Terrible school. The principle and staff treat the students terribly. Also, half the ceiling is missing and there were rats scurrying the hallway.

Posted: November 24, 2024

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Posted: February 15, 2024

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Posted: February 15, 2024

Posted: February 15, 2024

Great education opportunities, nice staff members, and the absolute best place I know for your young and impressionable child to learn the largest assortment of absolutely foul racial slurs, red pilled ideals and insanely closeminded ideals about individuality and to always conform to majority and to ostracize all who still try to maintain logical and personal identity, here your child will have great experiences with close friends( that's if they are even able to make them) no offense to your child I bet they are wonderful individuals(that's probably the reason your trying to send them to this school) but here at cooper, the social environments bolsters tight knitted cliques and groups of judgmental children who usually outcast any one new or anyone that rivals their society-tailored ideals. when your child does find those whose they can grow close to, they will have someone to comfort them throughout the days of constant mental onslaught directed towards them by Their peers and upperclassmen, whether it is the aforementioned racial slurs or the social excommunication of others. Overall the best place for extroverted students with a very strong will and lack of need for affirmation of their peers.( and if not, kids with VERY supportive parents and the number to a good therapist)

Posted: February 15, 2024

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Posted: March 17, 2020

A great school for middle schoolers. We love this school

Posted: March 17, 2020

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Posted: October 18, 2017

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Posted: October 18, 2017

We just started, but our experience has been good so far. The environment is challenging enough for my child to be studying harder. The self-advocacy thing works over time, I just wish the school would have more gradual approach. Some teachers will refuse help, but that teaches a child (given the correct guidance from a parent) to be a bit more persistent. It's still a big leap from the experience we've had at Churchill Road ES (terrible!). I'll update more as we progress through the academic year.

Posted: January 22, 2015

Agree with 2010 review: Cooper School is not always the best choice for your kids - particularly if they are boys. Despite the AAP program across town being considered more demanding, Cooper MS is VERY demanding. Cooper's goal is to make the students self-advocate since they need this skill in high school and beyond. They encourage students to help themselves." It does not matter if it is considered age appropriate. Children can struggle and not know what help to ask for and help is not offered until the student is really struggling. When children do speak up, they are frequently denied the request. Don't bother speaking up for your child or asking for help, Cooper does not allow it. Teachers are not required to respond. A good amount of the boys shut down from this. The myth is that all kids in this pyramid go on to College. Langley calls it taking a gap year. Often, it is a nice way to say that the student did get into a decent college because of poor grades. Soon, we will expect self advocacy from Elementary students, as well. The argument will be that they will need this in middle school.

Posted: June 18, 2014

There are some good administrators and teachers at this school but overall the standards are very low. Subjects like Science, History and Music are taught by caring and engaged teachers. The Art teacher is self absorbed, petty, and simply should not be a teacher. English grammar is not focused on in the English "Department", and that is very clear by the quality of the student presentations. Math, like English, is poorly taught and expectations are very low. Even the Librarian clearly does not want to be around children. My child transferred from a poorly performing school district and my expectations were very high, we could have stayed where we were and received, in many ways, a better education. Academically the school is a great disappointment. On the plus side the kids are generally nice, I feel that my child is safe and will not be bullied.

Posted: March 27, 2012

My daughter has had a great experience at Cooper. The students, teachers and administrators create a supportive environment in which a child can thrive. The curriculum is challenging and engaging - and the teachers are highly motivated to teach and support the students. Thank you to the Cooper community - -keep up the great work!

Posted: June 15, 2011

I found this review dated Feb 2005 and could not agree more with this parent. Our child just completed 8th grade and so glad to be out of this school. There are some excellent teachers at the school, its just not the majority of the teachers. This school is filled with bureaucrats who dislike children, they are rude, immature, and irresponsible administrators. This school should be audited and the staff relieved of further responsibility. They intimidate students and parents utilizing dictatorial beureaucratic policy and proceedural arguements. They are skilled at deflating the confidence of children and are intollerate of parental rights. They do not respond to emails or parental concerns except to dictate their own position. They are non-negotiable and non-cooperative and most unpleasant.

Posted: June 13, 2011

Things I like about Cooper Middle School: 1) if you reach out to the teachers with a concern, they are very responsive. 2) The frequent emailed progress reports. It makes it much easier to keep track of how your daughter/son is doing at school. 3) The curriculum is challenging, whether you are an advanced student or not. 4) The band program is comprehensive and successful. Things I don't like about Cooper Middle School: 1) "My house is bigger than your house." I know it's endemic in schools with a lot of rich kids, but since when have we quit teaching our kids that it is in poor taste to brag about how much money you have? 2) Like most bigger schools, you must be ever-vigilant and an advocate for your child if they are struggling. 3) No school sports. 4) The crazy-long bus ride down Georgetown Pike if you don't live in McLean.

Posted: April 3, 2011

I'm currently a student at Cooper and it is a grat school with amazing after school activities.

Posted: December 28, 2010

Teachers are great and the school provides lot of opportunities for both academic and extra-curricular activities. Their focus in theater, PE is very good.