730 Knickerbocker Dr
Watertown, NY 13601

As a student in this school, I've always felt very unsafe. Most teachers do not do anything to address the bullying, and mainly ignoring when students make transphobic or ableist remarks. While I think some of the teachers are doing well - particularly I can say my Spanish and English teachers are very kind and helpful, others aren't doing so well. For example, my math class is very unstructured and the math teacher rarely offers help, meaning those who struggle mostly get left in the dust. Also, this school has a lot of problems with transphobia- I've been deadnamed during a meeting with whole school, and many times teachers have fully ignored students making transphobic remarks. They also don't do much for mental health, and seem to mainly focus on looking like a good school rather than being one. Not to mention they apparently can't afford to purchase new locks for our bathroom stalls. Also, the art program is severely underfunded compared to other middle schools in the area. The teachers are doing well with what they can but sadly theor students have less of a chance of winning awards at local art competitions purely because they can't afford any more than cheap colored pencils and crayons, and cheap paint. Also, there's definitely a drug problem which probably relates to the fact that bullying and mental health problems are practically completly ignored, and a fighting problem for the same reason. a few of the teachers are pretty good, but this school needs some major improvements

FYI, the planetarium hasn't been open in the 3 years we've been here. The Teacher that ran the Planetarium program now teaches 3rd grade at Knickerbocker. My son is now here, in 6th grade. It is a decent school, but as I mentioned in my WHS review, I am not happy with the overall quality of the students that live in the Watertown area. My son recently was bullied on his way home from school (physically thrown to the ground and repeatedly punched in the arm), he was unharmed, but very upset. I immediately brought him back to the school to talk with the Principal, I was very happy with her response and how she handled the situation. There are a lot of programs intended to help academically at risk students, which is fantastic, but afterschool sports activities don't begin until 7th grade at Case. Wiley does have a swimming pool and they do have swimming in PE. Band starts here in 5th grade, and it is a great program. My Son really enjoys it. One last tidbit, there isn't a cafeteria kitchen here. The lunches are prepackaged, brought up from the high school and microwaved, resulting in a soggy meal. The nutritional quality is decent, but, my Son prefers a home lunch.

My child was enrolled in this school mid-year after the non-custodial parent retained them following winter break and refused to return them to home. The school permitted enrollment under those circumstances and later submitted a statement supporting the non-custodial parent in the related custody proceedings. My child attended for only half a year and consistently reported that they did not enjoy their experience and found the academic standards below what they had previously received. I believe the school should have exercised far greater diligence in verifying custodial authority and should have remained strictly neutral rather than involving itself in litigation. Based on our experience, I would not recommend this school. The court forced the non-custodial parent to return the child they wrongfully kept in Watertown. My child sees this as the worst school he has ever attended, and I agree.

My Daughter has recently moved up to WHS from Case. We have had the occasional hiccup with a particular Teacher at Case, but so far, at the high school, I am impressed with the Principal, VP's and Teachers. My overall problem with Watertown schools in general is the "quality" of the other kids. We have lived here for over 3 years now and neither of my children has met a single kid with whom they will share lifelong bond. As my children get older (now a 6th grader and a 9th grader), bullying and peer pressure have reared their ugly heads. I have met many people who share our values and morals, but my children have not been so lucky. Teachers cannot teach children to have "good" values and morals, that is a Parents job and unfortunately, many Parents in Watertown are failing at it. The schools do have regular programs that teach the evils of bullying (not peer pressure, that I am aware of) and they do have "no tolerance" policies, but it still happens. That aside, the academics and programs in the Watertown schools are far better than the schools my children attended in Texas, or So. Calif.