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We are moving from NJ. I am looking for schools that are comparable. Please give me advice on which is better. Score wise looks like riverwood, but then read several really bad reviews. Clayton seemed to have lower ratings but better reviews. Please give me your opinion. I am really nervous about picking a school. Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Overall, I would choose Riverwood Middle over Clayton Middle. There are always some bad teachers at every school; you can't go off a few bad reviews (complainers tend to be louder than those who praise...)
Well, I have one at Riverwood middle and one that is now in high school that was there.
I'll give you my take:
Few problems as far as violence and that type of problem some middle schools have
But, my one child was picked on continually last year and I contacted the teacher and principal and neither did anything. My kid is quiet one and was being hit, pushed down, dragged down the hall, lunch stolen continually, and nothing was done. BUT, when i contacted the assistant principal, who is NOW the principal, she did do something about it. It didnt come to a stop immediately, but did taper off and she stayed on top of it.
That was the only behavior issue we've had, but it was considerable for a while.
The instruction in lacking compared to where we came from.
My kids watch a LOT of movies, youtube videos, etc and are allowed to play on their phones in class if the teacher has no work for them. There doesnt appear to be a serious focus on education. My repeated calls and emails last year were ignored. Two teachers left midyear, but then you get subs and even more inconsistent education.
I think the real problem is JoCo is a lower paid district and many (not all) teachers are either new and leave when they get a higher paying job (2 left last year for another district but both came back) or because they have it easier here?
I dont need to be called a complainer. I taught for 15 years and know the signs of a good education. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Id move in a heartbeat if my one child wasnt such an emotional basketcase-switching schools is too hard for her and I just cant do it to her again.
Now mind you, we left one of the top districts in our previous state and new the schools were not comparable, but were still shocked by the lack of education in some of the classes. 7th grader watched magic school bus again last week!
Just quoting myself here. I suppose I should have paid more attention to the title of the thread being about the middle schools!
Anyway. I don't really know anything about Clayton Middle. My kiddo attended Riverwood Middle for 8th grade. Out of all of her teachers, I thought only 2 of them were excellent, a couple were so/so and one I had to complain about more than 3 times follow my child's IEP correctly, then again this was some time ago as my kiddo is now in 12th grade, others on this thread will have more current opinions and views than myself.
It may be early but you also may want to think about high schools too. Time really flies.
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