MM J Gardenia Ct
Suffolk, VA 23435

Our child loves attending this school. When asked how his day was, he always says he had a great day. The YMCA after school program is great for working parents.

I have 3 students that attended this school, although great students they all struggled with teachers that treated them poorly and did not assist when asked; the principal was absolutely awful and students AND Staff were not friendly to newcomers. Students bullied and threatened my children's lives regularly and administration did nothing. Many of the teachers, coaches and administrators have lived here and grown up together, and in my experience I learned quickly will cover up for each other. My students were offered or witnessed drug use on campus regularly and when they reported it circled back to the students from the staff and they were threatened. Were were told there was nothing they could do. The police officer at the school even shared that it is so bad that he is pursuing another line of work. Additionally, my senior with straight A's who has played baseball his entire life AND excelled AND had already been playing Varsity baseball was encourage to not try out for the team, when he did he was the ONLY senior to tryout and was told by the coach and player that if you aren't from here you will not make the team - and he didn't! Academically, his class were so poorly taught that he began pointing out that it was as if her we taking middle school classes over again.

Just like the Western branch High I recommend this school with high regards! I personally as a parent felt my kids were safe and received the proper attention and guidance to preform at the best of their abilities. I am grateful to have them be able to attend. Honestly this school zone kept me and my family in the area and I have not been disappointed whatsoever.

My experience with this school is that they are not attuned with the "social /emotional well-being" of their students, and DO NOT seem to be implementing or following through with "Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies." There is a vast amount of "bullying" at this school, and there is very little being done to address it. Students are parading and having "Meltdowns" in the classrom, and during this display, throwing objects that land on other students causing them to be hurt. The school's cafeteria is a "disaster" where "bullying" is taking place, and the "Lunch Monitor" seems unconcerned when students approach her. She displays the same attitude in the classroom environment. Lower-level grade students are unable to prove their case, and it's often the teacher and /or teacher's aide who defends their own lapses or ill-mannered treatment toward these students. My heart goes out to the students, and hope they can overcome the cruel treatment that they are experiencing at this school, at the hands of personnel of seem less phased about their well-being and their education. Administration seems helpless and pretty much have her staff running the conference, with her having very little verbal inteaction with the person who requested the conference."Bullying" is REAL, and I encourage you to contact the school board if you feel that your are not being heard. Be an advocate for your child, and do it quickly.