Research Durham Middle School public Schools in Acworth, Georgia

“My daughter attended 6th grade for part of the year. While her teachers were excellent, the other girls were down right brutal. When I brought it to the attention of the admin, it was never resolved to my knowledge. I agree that the kids jusdge others by the clothes they wear and accessories. I think Mrs. Young is trying to do a good job but perhaps does not have the administrative staff to back her up. I sunsequently pulled my straight A daughter out before the end of the 3rd nine weeks to homeschool. She will not attend Durham again if I can help it.”

“I attended this school my 6th and part of 7th grade years 2003-04 (?) It had been a fairly new school and it was very hard to get accepted anywhere. It was the most clique-ish school I have ever attended. The teachers get frustrated easily, the class sizes are enormous (my first day some people had to stand until they could get more desks for all the students). The school was divided into sectors like '6-A' etc making it very difficult to make multiple friends. The students mostly come from upper class white families and have a very snobby side. In fact, I can remember at least one time I went home crying because a girl was making fun of my glasses because they weren't a main stream brand (like Calvin Klein). The students are cruel and they are aware of it. I would not send my child there for anything.”

“Parents at this school are snobs, and it reflects in the kids. We moved into this area in the last year and our kids have had great difficulty becoming accepted. The teachers seem nice, there's a new principle who's competent, the kids can be downright mean, and judge others by their clothes, ipods, and cellphones.”

“I'm in eight grade at durham and the school has gotten better since mrs. young became principal”

“I am a 6th grader attending Durham Middle School, it is the best! The amount of HW can be lowered if you just try in school, plus they offer FREE tutoring in the mornings for students who want to catch up. Teachers are way concerned in how the kid is doing both education wise and social wise. The teachers will do anything to make sure that you are just making what you want out of the class. I will admit that some kids choose to speak in curse words and make horrible choices.”

“I am a sixth-grader that is currently attending durham. I am pleased with the good education, but there are some factors that lowered this school's star rating in my opinion. 1. THe homework level is overwhelming and I am slowly losing my bond between me and my parents because of the little time I have to spend with them 2. Teachers mostly show videos and let the computer do the work for them 3. The amount of kids going against the rules is so high that wherever you go a curse word is to follow. Don't get me wrong... I learn alot here but I would prefer another, more sutible school.”

“I am a seventh grader new to the school of Durham this year and I would like to say that with a new principal (Ms.Young) our school is spectacular. we see ms young more times in one day that ms. Clark in a whole year. I am in running club at the school and mr.sinco the teacher in charge is very nice and helpful to students in running club. in my perspective the school is doing very well and although parent involvement could be higher I am not complaining.”

“Overall I have been pleased with DMS, although I think a lot of that is because my son has had some very good teachers. The Advanced Content program is quite rigorous, and my son has learned a lot. The music program is exceptional, and the extra-curricular clubs always seem to do well in regional and state competitions. Class sizes are much more manageable now that McClure MS has opened. With the blogs, parent-teacher communication has definitely improved. My only complaint is that I would like to have more opportunities to volunteer at school.”

“I used to work at durham and let me tell you that we are not allowed to teach the children like we want. Test scores are shoved down our throats at every chance. Classes are too big to do much in (32 plus 8 or more special needs students is allowed per class). Administration is very unsupportive of the teachers and they do not discipline the students at all. Planning time is taken up for meetings three or more days a week. The parents in the community would rather be their child's friend than parent. They do not discipline their students nor teach them right from wrong and the teachers are left powerless. Parents have several forms of communications available to them-on line grades, free student day planner that we write notes in.”

“Presently, I have a son in the 6th grade at Durham. Overall I would give the school an above average rating. I believe the quality of education as well as the overall security is good. I do believe, and this is typical of government education, that there is poor communication or interaction from the teachers / administration to the parents is poor. If they could vastly improve that point, the school would get an overall A grade from me.”

“I am a 6th greder at durham middle finishing up the year. I am verry pleased with the exelent extracurricular activites! I am a very luckey student, for that I am in student council. I am in also in the yearbook club. I really love my pod and my 6-3 teachers. I have never had a behavior or a learning issue with the teachers. My sister is going to be in the school next year, she is thrilled. I really think some parents should talk to their children about what they do, because of some of the rude comments. I do not believe there is anything wrong with the staff of Durham.”

“I must agree with the majority of the posts. I am a 7th grader and I have been at Durham for 2 years. Durham is an amazing school, but it cannot be any better with Dr. Clark as principal. There are barely any extracurricular activities, and virtually no downtime. I think Dr. Clark needs to go but other than that, Durham is an exceptional school.”

“This school needs leadership. The administration is unavailable! If there is an issue, you can never address it. The teachers are wonderful with the exception of subistutes.”

“I am in the eighth grade and this is my first year at Durham. All but one of my teachers have been wonderful, but I am not complaining, because there are bad teachers everywhere. I have learned so much this year, and I feel like my teachers are really concerned about my learning and being prepared for highschool. Before coming to Durham, I was skeptical, having heard bad reviews, but now that I am here I love it. There are several things that I do not agree with, however; it is true that nobody ever sees the principal, Dr. Clark, but the teachers are always commenting about her almost as if they are afraid of her. I also think that the Connections at Durham could improve. Overall, I think it is a good school.”

“I currently am in the 8th grade at durham. I have to agree with the other reviews in their opinion of the principal's involvement in the school and extracurricular activities. In this schools name I have won multiple gold medals in the science olympiad competition. I have never seen the principal much less met her or recieved praise for my accomplishments. Other than this durham is an acceptional school.”

“Durham is a good school, but its effectiveness is hampered by the worst principal I have encountered. She is invisible- I never saw her in three years of band concerts, OM meetings, etc. My daughter did not know, after three years, what the principal looked like! My student was on a team that finished very high in a state competition-without any recognition from the principal. It is a mystery why she is allowed to stay. The school succeeds in spite of her, not because of her.”

“I am a former student of Durham, now in high school in another state. While I was there I felt safe and learned so much while having one of the best years of my life there. I was and still am a band student and loved every minute of it. I didn't know how well the school prepared me for high school until I moved in the middle of my junior high years. My new school had such a weak curriculum, I was repeating stuff I had done in elementary school! I am just now using knowledge from 6th grade in my 9th grade classes. The days spent at Durham were fun and filled with new things to learn and there was always a safe envirnoment in the school. My new middle school was detached from its students, unlike the teachers I had at Durham. Durham is a wonderful school.”

“The teachers at Durham are hard-working and caring professionals. It is unfortunate that they have to work under a principal that is so uncaring about the students in her school. Dr. Clark is never seen by parents, students or interested community leaders. Cobb has a great system and wonderful teachers, it is just too bad that this principal has not been replaced.”

“I do not feel this school nor its' management truly cares about the children and their education and their feelings. Teachers have belittled my child and have not received any discipline action. Teachers don't believe in staying late or coming in early for extra help and they teach the kids to memorize and spit the material back out-NOT TO LEARN. They are too busy worrying about the standardized test scores and covering material for those tests. It has long been my belief that the schools in Cobb and this one included have too wide a curriculum and don't spend enough time on any one thing for the kids to learn it. The classes are too big and too much pressure and homework and nonsense projects are given to the kids. I am not pleased with the educational system at Durham nor the principal and management”

“We have been very UNhappy with Durham Middle. There is no accountability for the teachers and I've never seen the Principal - nor has my son -who has been there for 2 years. My son says he wouldn't know her if she walked up to him. We complained about the lack of communication between the Administration and Parents and were informed that they are trying to make the kids responsible for themselves. Meanwhile, on various occasions with various teachers my sons homework has been 'lost' by irresponsible teachers who can't account for work we know was done - we oversaw the progress. Seems to us they capitalize on parents being too busy to be involved. Good luck getting them to return phone calls and you sure won't get a response from a note to the teachers. You'll have to go over their heads to the Assistant Principal. (Not the Principal).”

“The teachers really show a genuine interest in the kids. My daughter was struggling with lesson and my wife and I were immediately informed. Thus, allowing the parents and the teacher to work together with recovery plan. If, I had to say anything negative it would be around the fact that the school does not embrace diversity and cultural awareness. The world is now global and we must start teaching our kids about other cultures.”

“This school is awsome. My student goes to this school and is in the band class. She is so happy and always comments that the teacher, Ms. Rickard, is great. Since this is her 8th grade year she says that she'll miss the school because she never had to worry about her safety. Teachers keep me up-to-date on her progress and since going there she hasn't failed to be a honor student. I'm really proud of the teachers and Dr. Clark, principal, there really nice and care about my students future.”

“Teachers are very organized and patient. The principal, dr. Clark, is the best out there.”

“This School is ok, but definitly could do better.”