Neelsville Middle School

This school has been a blessing for my kids ! Their grades improved so much in just 2 months ! My first son graduated form SKR and my second son is happy to go to school here. The principal Mrs. Burgess is the best ! You will find her outside every morning bringing the kids in and in the afternoon making sure the kids go home safely. She even stays with the kids for after-school club. She goes on field trips with the grades and spends time with the students at lunch. This principal is involved in eveything! The teachers have been here a long time they know how to teach and they stay year after year . The teachers and paraeducators are experianced and care for the students well being . The teacher contacted me because she noticed my son couldn't see from far, he needed glasses . They always welcome parents to volunteer.

This is our second year at FCES, and we truly love this school. The sense of family and inclusion is wonderful, and the family engagement and PTA do an amazing job bringing the community together. Communication from the school is excellent, which helps parents stay informed and involved. My daughter has loved her teacher, and there are many parent volunteer opportunities that make it easy to be actively involved in your child’s education.

I absolutely love this school! All 4 of my children go to this school. Soon will be 5 when my youngest is able to start Kindergarten!!The staff is beyond helpful and nice. My sons case manager is such a beautiful soul. Never have I had so much help and compassion from a group of "strangers". They truly put the kids needs first. My children are always looking forward to going to school, which gives me a sense of calmness and relief.

From the administration and the children at this school. I wouldn’t recommend this school to an enemy. I have witnessed staff speak to children in a demeaning manor, tell students they are going to get them in trouble with their parents and that they are a bad kid. If they do that in front of other adults, can you imagine what they do when alone with your child? Children at this school aren’t held accountable and it’s always an excuse. Child here anre bullies, use physical contact first, very little is done by staff, student get away with murder, student are forced to have restorative conversations even when someone gets physical and both are forced to apologize. Continuing a cycle of violence and abuse with zero consequences and then wonder why the cycle continues. Although I haven’t come across a lot of amazing teachers I will say there are a few. Both of my children have expressed that a lot of the specials teachers are mean (media, music), shout a lot and are not liked. I have heard students at the park across the street say all their teachers do is yell and shout etc. I hear parents asking other kids about being picked on and bullying. That is what this school enables and cultivates. The fish rots from the head and both the principal and asst principal cover for each other, full of excuses and after several interactions are untrustworthy.

This school was once a wonderful environment under Mrs. Prater’s leadership. She was approachable, listened to families, and took meaningful action when concerns were raised. Those qualities built a strong sense of trust and community that many families deeply valued.There are still several teachers I hold in high regard. They are caring, live out their Christian values, and clearly love what they do. However, I have growing concerns regarding student safety and bullying, particularly in how these issues are currently handled.While concerns may be acknowledged, they are not always addressed with the level of transparency, consistency, and honesty that parents should reasonably expect. At times, communication from administration has not fully aligned with the facts, raising serious concerns about trust and accountability.Additionally, when families seek clarification or advocate for their children, responses can feel dismissive or defensive rather than collaborative. This makes it difficult for parents to feel confident that concerns are being handled appropriately and in good faith.Most concerning is when children’s experiences appear minimized or not fully believed. Every student deserves to feel safe, heard, and protected. Students cannot properly focus or learn in an environment where they do not feel safe.I share these concerns in the hope that they will lead to meaningful reflection, accountability, and improvement — because every child deserves a safe and supportive school environment.