Northern Middle School

I'm sure its a higher ranking school for the area and for being in Maryland, however I was not impressed. Staff was friendly enough when we talked to them and teachers communicated well. Like another reviewer said, my child watched countless movies and online videos while in class that teachers put on (5th grade). I might give them the benefit of the doubt that it was because of the whole COVID-19, but why were they not doing real educational classwork or knocking out stuff so they didn't always come home with homework? Or watching movies that were at least educational? My student struggled with homework via the computer that I couldn't help with because it is so different than what I learned. I was frustrated when I tried some workbooks with my student that I purchased at a bookstore to try a different approach because my student just was not getting it, and the teacher told me not to. She also once told me my child needed consequences when my child started to show signs of sruggling with work in the classroom; mighty presumptuous, innacurate and absolutely out of line. They spend a lot of the year focusing on that stupid MAPS testing and I think my students class went on one field trip the entire year. My student's teacher always used no recess as a punishment, the cafeteria food is dreadful, and if your students bus is 30 or 45 minutes late picking up or dropping off your kid, don't bother calling the school; they apparently have no clue or communication with the busses. Lastly, when my child was bullied and we talked to the principal, he made sure to mention to me that the other student was on the student council. I guess that means either it's all okay and the bullying doesn't matter or that we must be wrong and mistaken because ya know, kid's on student council and all. Ditch the common core, figure out the busses, quit watching movies all the time and completely demolish and restructure the dang parking lot.

The staff & teachers go above & beyond to support students. Teachers communicate with parents and address concerns quickly efficiently. There are several opportunities throughout the year for parents to come to the classroom. There are awesome events for families to attend throughout the year. Everyone is friendly supportive & beyond helpful. The teachers truly care about each student and want to see them succeed.

My 2 children are now young adults. CHA prepared them for high school and college. Now both working in corporate positions.