Donelson Middle School

It takes a village! So glad we found HES. Everyday I pick up my daughter she can’t wait to go back. Love that Art, Music and PE are in rotation even for Kindergarten. The school is using funds appropriately and it shows. Also the PTO makes this schools great as they offer events throughout the year to get involved.

My Experience with this school has been horrible!!!!!! My kid started going in kindergarten and he is in 1st grade now. My son has gotten hurt at school a couple times. This last time was it for me, a kid pushed him so hard his nose was bleeding and couldn't breathe for a couple seconds. When I called the school, the NEW principal did not have one care in the world. She would talk over me and when I tried to explain to her my son was slapped before this incident, she told me Well were not talking about that one we are talking about today. She DIDNT seem like she cared at all, this happened at dismissal, and she told me she would have to call kids parents on that Monday since it was Friday. It should have been taken care of IMMEDIATELY, but I guess she didn't care at ALL as I was REALLY REALLY UPSET!! I WOULD NOT SEND YOUR KIDS TO MCGAVOCK ELEMENTRY!! THE PRINCIPAL had the assistant principal call me back she couldn't do it herself! My kids been pushed and shoved as well. They do not keep eyes on the kids when they are out the classrooms or my child wouldn't be getting hurt or bullied if they did! Also, they had really good plan for dismissal last year and this year it's a mess every single day! nothing is organized or the same since the new principal came!

My daughter has been going to Pennington since Kindergarten and she is now at the end of her 2nd Grade year. Mrs. Kinzer is the Principal and she is amazing! We have had a few incidents, one where my daughter was hurt and one recently where my daughter was the one bullying another child and both times Mrs. KInzer handled the situation with grace and integrity. My daughter has always learned quickly and in December was reading at the level they want all students to be at the end of the year. She feels adequately challenged and does not get bored. I believe another reviewer was correct in stating that the lower test scores are due to a high number of children who speak English as a second language so do not let that deter you! Even though we have had 2 small incidents in the 3 years my daughter has been there, all of the kids get along and there is not really any bullying. It is definitely different than the school I went to, so much so that when my daughter goes to fun company at another school in the summer she has difficulty handling the more rambunctious atmosphere and doesn't understand why some of the kids are a little meaner, it simply isn't that way at Pennington.

My child attended this school for two years. It was an extremely disappointing experience. At best, I would say this school is fine. My child's experience was fine, their learning experience was fine, their support was fine, etc. We searched for alternatives because we knew there were other schools in the area that offered more than just fine. - There is no PTA. Literally, there is none. I don't know if parents are not encouraged to engage or if parents are not willing but there was almost zero "extras" because of this. - Parents are not involved and there is no engagement with parents. The principal calls on Sunday evenings with the same updates -- "submit your paperwork, please be on time, ATTENDANCE, ATTENDANCE, ATTENDANCE". The school uses the Remind app and in my experience it was all parent-driven. If I wanted to speak to the teacher, I messaged them and I'd get a response 12 hours later. I had NO idea what my child was learning -- every day their folder would have something they drew in free time, but never school work. At the end of the quarter a giant pile of work would come home and there would be low scores and bad grades we never knew about. We'd love to help our child learn but how can we when we never saw any coursework? - There are a handful (maybe two?) opportunities for parents to attend the school -- mostly it's an opportunity for parents to come and buy things at the book fair. Our child's teachers are not there, the classrooms are closed and locked, and the only "activity" is buying books and being solicited by vendors in the front lobby. We attended Open House and that was it. Even Parent-Teacher conference was by phone. - It's just SO poorly organized. Our child had swim at the Y - this was great! Except it was on random days, on no set schedule and we'd get a message at 6am the day of to remember to pack our child's swim gear. It was a scramble to get everything together in the morning. We'd have NO information about school drop offs, pickups, etc. "Don't forget that parent help day is Tuesday at 8am!" -- we'd get that message on Sunday night. They'd get a list of spelling words on Tuesday and it would say "Test on Thursday!" No calendars, no planning, no organization.Anyway, I know the teachers are doing the best they can, but the administration seems mediocre. If you want your kid to have a "clock-in, clock-out" experience then this is fine. But I knew there was more for my kid elsewhere

I have two kids enrolled here, each with an IEP/504 - this school is nothing short of phenomenal. They both came from other metro schools where their needs were not properly understood or supported. The teachers and staff here have our kids absolutely clocked, they know their strengths, weaknesses, how to get them engaged, how implement different levels of support at different times, etc. Ive watched them both go from completely unenthusiastic about learning to very happy and content to go to school each day. I never hear 'I don't wanna go' in the mornings during our half hour commute. We take that long drive twice a day and have been for the last four years quite happily. They blend state required curriculum with Montessori style child lead learning so seamlessly. There is structure where needed and freedom where needed. It's a wonderful community and Im very happy we were able to win a lottery seat here. Im sad they are aging out soon, I fear there is no middle school that will come close to the experience we've had here.

when I first came here I was welcomed and not left out. I had a BFF on her first day. I love it and it is so much fun. The school is great with education, and I Started off nervous about my grades , but the school encouraged ME and now I have good grades and I do not stress anymore This is My family Holy Rosary is acting like a family to my family and me.

Very poor communication and it is simply not a nurturing environment. Pure chaos!