89 W Boulder St
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

I feel like North Middle School is the poster child of what not to do in a school. First, the school is old. It's been around for over 70 years at this point. Along with age comes lack of certain things, like decent ventilation. The school was shut down once in the 22-23 school year because of an "unexplained" smell. I'm still not sure we have gotten the truth about it. At least once a week, my child texts me, or tells me after school, that the school has a certain smell again and is starting to feel sick from it. Nothing is ever done. Pick up and drop off is just stupid at this school. There is no real parking area for parents to wait, so the road around the school is just littered with cars as parents park in the middle of the road to wait or in a cross walk. Students dare in between cars to get to their parents, but half the time you are lucky to see them. It's only a matter of time before a student is struck by a car at this school. Complaining to the school principal did nothing. Oh sure, she sent out one email about it and added a small snippet to the weekly emails, but no teachers, principal, security, or whatever is out there dealing with the matter (even after the principal promised it would be looked into.) I walk my child to and from the car because it's just that bad. Teachers don't really "teach" from what I have been told by my child. Her ELA teacher just hands her a packet of worksheets and tells her to figure it out. I could do that at home... couldn't I?Apparently kids can skip class here easily too and parents aren't told about it until 1-2 hours after school is out for the day. How can my child go to 6 classes in a row, but by the 7th class they just don't realize they are not in class? Do they not monitor the halls or bathrooms to make sure students are where they are meant to be? What happens if a child just decides to say "I don't want to be here" and walks out a door? Parents wouldn't know until after school when they pick the kid up! I'm so glad my student will not be attending this school next year. Between what I have listed and a bunch of other things (bullying, for example) I feel like my kid is going to need a lot of therapy over the summer because this school has done a number of them.

Great school. They have a lot of programs that other schools don't offer. Culturally diverse and a lot of school pride. The teachers and staff at this school are incredible.

This school has been in steady decline over the past 4 years and the current Principal is a huge part of that equation. Lack of connection to families; only interested in those who can provide financial support to the school; complete lack of follow through and no interest at all in addressing anything other than a positive experience. This school used to be THE school to go to and had a waiting list to get into - now so many families have left there is no issue in getting in. Total lack of diversity makes the school a great place if you want your kids to think that homogeneous culture is the best culture.