1510 Meadowbrook Dr
Garner, NC 27529

If you are in IB, GMHS might be worthwhile. If not, good luck. The principal was largely unknown to the students and has not created a positive climate at all. The morale was terrible among the teachers. The administration repeatedly set policies, just to ignore them and then create another one. Understandably, no one took them seriously. Graded work was supposed to be returned within two weeks, but it rarely was. The response? Give them THREE weeks! And the teachers still didn't make that deadline. The teachers seem totally defeated because of all the behavior problems and disrespect. In turn, there was little respect shown to well-behaved kids - all my kids listened to day in and day out was criticism. It's a battle everyday just to get kids to pay attention, but when administration won't take quick and consistent action, it will never get better. If the kids just want to play on their phones and be disruptive, find another place for them and let the rest of the students actually learn something in peace. GMHS staff acts hopeless and dispirited.In attempting to get kids to pass, much of the work is dumbed down. Tests are almost always multiple choice and can be re-taken. Honors teachers assigned lots of projects and papers, most of which contributed zero to learning and mastery of content. It seemed almost like the teachers competed to out-project each other with something they found on the internet. Then, most of the teachers didn't even read the lengthy reports they required. They would be handed back eventually with no notes - just a grade. How does that help? Because the teachers didn't want to have to make new tests, often the kids would just be told their grades. There was no "going over the test" to make sure the students understood. We were told that anyone could sign up for honors classes - that the school could not control this - which is why they were such a circus. Even with IB, we were told, wcpss didn't want to exclude anyone, so kids who weren't strong enough academically to do the work plagued the program. Maybe 5 of 25 would read an assigned novel. There was no rigor in any of the classes other than IB and AP classes. The IB teachers were much better teachers but even they were hypercritical of students. It was completely counterproductive. Beautiful new building but halls and stairwells are SO undersized, they are DANGEROUS. God forbid there's an emergency! We couldn't wait for our kids to graduate. So disappointing.

I have two children at Middle Creek. We have been there for three years now, even having to work through the challenges of Covid and remote learning. All of our children's teachers have been fantastic. Mrs. Winkler, Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Hoover, Mrs. Yoder, and many of the "specials" teachers have all been wonderful. Our children have flourished, love going to school, have made a lot of friends, have become vigorous readers, and are doing well in all of their subjects. The only critique we have is that they could be better at challenging students that are perhaps already familiar with some of the base lessons. Especially returning to in-person learning after Covid, 1st grade was a repeat of many of the things that were learned in Kindergarten... 2nd grade was a repeat of things that were learned in 1st grade, etc. It is a shame that AIG is not offered until 3rd grade (I started "gifted" in 1st grade, for example), but that appears to be an odd Wake County policy instead of something that is specific to Middle Creek.

We have been so happy here at Holly Ridge Middle School. Teacher and Administration look for ways to teach students independent, there is excellent communication from the staff here. I've read some of the other reviews, and middle schools have the same issues all over. We have not had any negative experiences and have loved out time here at HRMS There are volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved here if parents have the time.