I am just about to start my fourth year as a teacher at Davidson. I am so excited for this Wednesday when I can open up my room to welcome the kids I love to be with. As I look through the list of comments here I notice that each year the comments were more positive. That in itself is very exciting.
... Read more Speaking as a staff member, I come to school each day with the thrill of seeing these middle school kids. I love what I teach (9 years in all) and I too have seen very positive changes happening at Davidson. We are forced to evolve. We must. Teachers at schools that score high on the CST because the student population has financial advantages, don't need to evolve. Teaching at Davidson is challenging work, but so well worth it! The kids rock! Read less
Posted by a teacher on 08/24/09
Davidson has a new Principal, AP and Dean this fall. Dr. MacLean, the Principal, and Ms. Centrella, the Assistant Principal, bring tangible experience in both the theory and practicality of educating middle schoolers, and this is already evident in the school climate. Mr. Richardson, Dean of Students,
... Read more was a beloved Math teacher so he brings an enthusiasm and knowledge of DMS. Based on parent, faculty and student surveys last spring, the school is focused on 3 key areas this year - behavior/discipline, homework and parent involvement. Behavior/discipline and homework policies with clear standards for students and faculty have been created and consistent implementation school-wide is being monitored by the Principal. The approach for greater parent involvement inside the classroom is being developed this first semester; parents are already heavily involved outside the classroom. The school is the most vibrant it's been in the 4 years I've been a DMS parent. Read less
Davidson has made amazing progress in the past few years, and now is among the top in Marin County. It has new facilities, new leadership, improved and expanded academics and activities. Award winning spelling bee champs, Mathaletes, chorus, orchestra, steel pans, band and others testify to the excellence
... Read more of the students and faculty. Committed community of parents and others has coalesced to provide great support to this amazing school. Read less
Posted by a parent on 03/30/08
Even though it remains in Program Improvement (an unfortunate label for too many fine schools in California with minority or special needs subgroups), Davidson has several key strengths and has improved significantly in just this year. Davidson s rise is due to three important developments: 1) the
... Read more District has hired a new principal, John Berry, who is a breath of fresh air; 2) the District is getting serious about providing resources and oversight, despite budget constraints, to help Davidson emerge from P.I.; and 3) there is a new emphasis on parent involvement at the school (the DMS Dads Club alone has doubled the parent volunteerism and energy at the school!). Although Davidson can t escape the low test scores of certain student subgroups, it s important to remember that it s primarily the test results of a small number of students that keeps Davidson in P.I. The majority of students are academically motivated. Read less
Posted by a parent on 03/28/08
My child's eighth grade trip to Washington DC, coordinated annually by a dedicated history teacher at Davidson Middle School, has been one of the high points of her life. There were tears when it was time to come home. The school's annual Spring Spectacular is an awesome achievement. It is a labor
... Read more of love, and a shrewd bonding tool between the different racial groups. The school is challenged by very diverse academic needs, and I think it's handled well. The honors classes prepared my children well for high school. I witnessed a few substandard teachers in the nine years that I'd been a parent there, but noticed that each was not invited back....so someone is certainly accessing them. The new campus is cheerful and inviting. I have no regrets about having sent my kids to Davidson. Read less
Posted by a parent on 09/12/07
great school the teachers love the students and do a lot of fun projects for them to learn,also the principle always wants the students to get A's and B's.
... Read moreRead less
Posted by a student on 08/06/07
I have two eighth graders at Davidson and two older children, previous graduates. Each of my children has his/her own unique personality and abilities, and we have been involved in intramural sports, 'Spring Spectacular', music program, Mathletes, and Honors classes. The level of student participation
... Read more in the Spring Spectacular alone is, well . . spectacular. We believe Davidson does an excellent job of meeing the needs of its diverse student population. All parent flyers are provided in both English and Spanish, and a translator is utilized at most, if not all, school functions we have attended. Parental involvement varies from year to year, but is usually high. The opportunity is available at Davidson for every child wanting to take advantage of it and interested in working to their potential. With few exceptions, over an extended nine-year involvement, I have found the Davidson teachers and staff to be very motivated. Read less
Posted by a parent on 11/08/06
The best thing about Davidson is the music program. Mr. Trillo is doing a wonderful job. Beyond the music, there are immense problems. My two kids are on different tracks. One is advanced, the other in regular classes. The regular classes are not good. The teachers are challenged because most
... Read more of the students are roudy and cannot respect the rule of authority. There are many, many racial issues at this school. Don't let anyone deny this because it is a fact. The administration does everything it can to whitewash this issue, but it is true. Try spending some hours on campus to see for yourself. There is very little interaction between the two primary races. While there is no real fighting (and no real gangs), the atmosphere does not encourage integration between economic and racial classes. If you have to send your kid to Davidson, make sure to get advanced classes! Read less
Posted by a parent on 08/25/06
Don't move to San Rafael if you want your child to have a good education in the public school system K-12. Davidson is the only stand alone middle school and it becomes worse by the year. Counseling office is hostile to the parents. The admin., especially the Principal, is often unfriendly. Principal
... Read more manages autocratically. It is a culture in which doing well in school is uncool. Homes are cheaper in San Rafael . Davidson is one reason why. Read less
*The resources listed are programs that the institution is staffed to support. Staffing for a program does not guarantee that it will be offered. This content is provided by the institution and may be incomplete. The institution may offer programs not listed here. Please contact the school directly for additional details.
Advanced Placement
AP classes are college-level classes offered at the high school level. Once a student completes an AP class and passes a final comprehensive examination conducted by the College Board, the student earns college credit for the course. AP classes are specific and not to be confused with other higher-level classes such as honors classes.
Before/After School
"Extended day" programs where the school day is extended before and after school to accommodate working parents. These programs should not be confused with common after school clubs or athletic activities.
Gifted and Talented
A school system may identify 10% to 15% or more of its student population as gifted and talented. A brief description of each area of giftedness or talent as defined by the Office of Gifted and Talented:
general intellectual ability or talent - high intelligence test score (usually two standard deviations above the mean), and high levels of vocabulary, memory, abstract work knowledge and abstract reasoning;
specific academic aptitude or talent in one area such as mathematics or language arts;
creative and productive thinking, the ability to produce new ideas;
leadership ability, the ability to direct individuals or groups to a common decision or action;
visual and performing arts, special talents in visual art, music, dance, drama, or other related studies;
psychomotor ability, such as practical, spatial, mechanical, and physical skills.
Vocation/Technical Curriculum
Vocational and/or technical courses offered within a comprehensive school, usually a senior high school.
Special Education Classes
A school or program within a school that provides services and training to students with moderate to severe mental and/or physical disabilities.
Adult Education Classes
Programs offering GED or equivalent courses for adults within regular schools, whether classes are held during evening or daytime schedules.
English as Second Language
English language classes for students whose first language is not English.
San Rafael schools — J B Davidson Middle School is located at 280 Woodland Ave, San Rafael CA 94901. 280 Woodland Ave is in the 94901 ZIP code in San Rafael, CA The school district for J B Davidson Middle School is the San Rafael Elementary School District. J B Davidson Middle School is a Public school that serves grade levels 6 - 8.
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