Joseph Dr
Clinton, MD 20735

This school is a HOT MESS! My child has an IEP, but there are only TWO teachers in the entire school who are qualified to teach these students. They have several "aides" who are just glorified babysitters and are unable to TEACH the students whenever the teachers are out (which is often because they have to be present at all of these IEP meetings for each individual student). My child was sent home the FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL with 3 different and distinct bruises, one of which was on the forehead. No note. Not seen by the "nurse" (they SAY they have one, but I've never seen or heard of this person even though I am up at the school at least 3 days EVERY WEEK because the teacher calls me non-stop to pick up my child. And I JUST found out that she isn't supposed to be doing that AND that she never notified anyone else that she was requesting that I pick my kid up!! The staff lies daily. I could ask them about the same exact incident on different days of the week and get a different answer every time! No one knows what is going on. Ever. Every question has a cagey and indirect answer. They're HORRIBLY disorganized. No real pickup/drop off process. Safety (aside from the rampant bullying--almost every parent I have spoken to has a story) is a huge issue. I have seen no fewer than 4 children run out of the side doors without anything to stop them. And what's worse is the staff would just WALK to retrieve them! WALK! As if they can't get far away. Oh yeah, there are no REAL gates around this school. It looks like they have gates, but they do not connect to anything and actually do not keep anyone inside. Please do not do it! Run away! Go private if you can because this school and its foolishness is just not worth your child's happiness or future success.

My experience as volunteer parent and my son attending this school. During the covid pandemic. My son missed his first year and half. All of 6 grade year. We were home school which i loved because, I was at home with him. 7th and 8th grade year were challenging not his academic but his social skills. I was worried but my son adjusted very well in Middle school. As a volunteer parent in 7th grade and 8th grade. I knew my son friends and school staff. My son enjoyed his two years at Gwynn Park Middle School. This school has so much potential if they were given the opportunity for more support equipment and staff. I believe there is lack of staff all over the PG county school. I pray the next generation of young adults will want to teach at Gwynn Park Middle School. Or change it to a "Gwynn Park Charter School". I believe the charter school are up and coming...they bring a different education and more support staff and better incentive package.

If you are moving to the area, don't send your kid to PG schools. They are not known for education. Know for terrible bus system. Disconnected teachers and administration that miss more days than the kids. They just care about testing and making sure your kid comes to school and nothing about higher learning. It is so disheartening to see the potential but get below average teachers and schools. They have all this money and no modern schools with engaged teachers. My son went to this school for 1 year. If we keep him here, he will not graduate. They don't care, your kid is just a number. Let's be clear. This school is a clear indication of the ongoing failures in PG county schools but for some reason you pay a premium to live here. Please don't think that just because you paid a lot for your home and you have high taxes that Gywnn Park is a good school. It is old, run down, and full of administrators that don't care. Don't make the mistake we did and waste our child's education and time here. Also, we are very engaged parents, they think parents are the same as the teachers, they don't care.