95 Rutledge Lane
Pinehurst, NC 28374

Everything here is good, I will not fight that fact. But it's the actual administration that makes no sense. The teachers teach well, and everything there makes sense. Let's give an example. The councilors. They aren't there to help us. They are here so that if something goes wrong, no one could blame it on the school. I was bullied here, abused here, and when I brought it up with the administration, not only did they do nothing with it, in one, I was the one that got in trouble. I could tell the teachers things. I trust them very well. Except for some. One or two, I won't call out names, has fully ignored the anxiety attacks of a person multiple times, and never went to recognize she could get those. Others I would trust with my life. The students though. Blatant disregard of everything here. They are constantly attempting to break the rules, The character of the school is down the drain. The only class there is any respect is ROTC.

In an effort to provide an open and honest review, I'll start with the good... The school is safe and clean, the new building opening next school year is massive and state-of-the-art, the majority of the teachers are great, and Principal communication is good (robocalls daily). Now the not-so-good... Our children spent several years at this school, made many friends and great memories. As the years progressed, we noticed changes in regards to the education and discipline approaches. Discipline issues ruled the classrooms each year (with little/no consequences for bad behavior). Kids who are middle or high performing are left completely unchallenged. The teachers are overwhelmed with nonstop digital assessments and teaching just to meet the EOG testing requirements to pass the students at the end of the year. As we started to pay more attention to what our children were (not) learning, we realized they weren't being challenged at all and decided to move to a local charter school. Many of the teachers are amazing and loving, but they are not empowered with the ability to effectively discipline or provide any structured curriculum to help the students advance beyond the status quo, or even get to grade level in many cases. Additionally, the school focuses heavily on social-emotional learning in order to guide student emotions in a certain way psychologically. It's nonstop... What color of emotion are you feeling today? Take an emotion survey today that will go to a 3rd party for analysis. Tell the school counselor how you feel today. It started to seem like assessing and documenting student feelings was more important than student academics/learning.MCS needs an overhaul, because it's not just PES but other district schools too. Perhaps MCS should get back to focusing on academic excellence, or more children will leave the traditional public school system and go to charter or private.

I've had two children attend West Pine Middle School from 6th grade to 8th grade, both children flourished at West Pine Middle School. There has been a change is administration while my youngest was in 6th grade 3 years ago, and it improved an already great school. Teachers are happy to be at the school, students are greeted with smiles and "good morning" as they are being dropped off. The office staff is helpful and encouraging. Every teacher I have encountered have wanted the best for each student and are vested in every student's success. There are great band, orchestra, chorus, art and musical theatre programs as well as strong stem and language arts classes. Parents are encouraged to meet with teachers about any concerns and there are opportunities to be involved if you are interested through Principal Advisory Council and School Improvement Team. Middle school years are tough, but I found West Pine Middle School to be a great school and experience for my children.