South Middle School

The overall moral of this school is awful. Every year so many kids leave because their kids are depressed, discouraged and hate school. Despite an ongoing “positivity project” the students and teachers continue to bully, gaslight and generally just don’t seem to care. The gym teacher can’t even get the kids to enjoy a game of tag they are all just walking around the gym ignoring him while he’s on his phone. There is no meaningful art or music curriculum, they have a wonderful library and yet the kids read books off a white board. It’s sad that is is the elementary school experience for these kids they deserve better.

Wonderful experience here. My daughter has thrived in this school, the teachers from other grades even seem to know her, they go out of their way to challenge her and foster a love of learning, and have kept me updated regularly on both social and academic issues.

Dr. Buon is probably the best administrator in this district. Balmville School is a great school. The school was given special ed classes to save money and the issues come from not having staff to service the kids the district moved in there. Our child went K-5 there. If you know what education is and care about the learning part, this is the school for you. It is not the school for special ed, but this is a special ed problem across the district.

HORRIBLE SCHOOL. If you have a choice in placement do not send them here. They don’t communicate well. The principal and vice principal are incompetent and have done nothing to secure the safety of my child. HORRIBLE. I would give zero stars if I could.

Since 2020 the school has been a nightmare. They continue to overpromise and under deliver. There were disruptive children in my child's class and despite numerous meetings and conversations about all the issues, nothing was done. The other review is 10000% correct that the principal WILL NOT confront other parents about issues going on. Other teachers would enter the classrooms due to the disruption. Their mission statement and policies are bold face lies. There are no consequences taken to protect other children, nothing is upheld. My child was subjected to vulgar language daily, physical attacks, objects being thrown, sexual harassment, horrific profanity in the bathrooms, loss of lesson time due to disruption on several occasions... the list goes on & on. My child would come home every day and say guess what happened today, or would say we learned how to be mean to one another today. And instead of dealing with the issues and getting children the help they deserve, they will push you out instead of dealing with confrontation. Hands down the worst decision we have ever made!