Research Southside Middle School public Schools in Jacksonville, Florida

“I have several children who have attended this school and it has progressively gone down hill. Some students make life a living hell for others yet nothing gets done by administration. They seem more concerned about preserving the schools reputation than they do about the students who are victims of the violence.”

“To much vilolence and the school administrators are not well affecting the students rule breaking not alot is done..”

“I have not been impressed at all with this school. I have not received answers to questions I asked over 2 months ago and I feel that my child and I are being ignored. My child made good grades last year at another school but I feel this year is going to be a struggle and it certainly isn't because he isn't intelligent. The Magnet schools have proven (in my experience) to be FAR superior in terms of parent/teacher involvement and attention given to the child.”

“To many changes in personnel since 2006. This causes the school's climate to be unstable and not be a productive learning community.”

“The turnover rate in faculty and staff during the current administration's time at Southside is astronomical. From the head custodian, to the principal's secretary (4 of them), to numerous teachers, guidance counselors, and other staff members, Southside Middle School has lost valuable assets to, what once was, a wonderful place to teach. There are a great deal of folks who 'bled black & gold' for years, who have opted to move on by early retirement, transfering, or changing careers due to the demolition of the now forgotten, Knight culture.”

“I have been going to this school now for about 2 years me personal I don't think this is a very safe school and also I think that they can do more to make it safe.”

“Faculty turnover rate is insane. No discipline. Administration focuses on only what will improve FCAT scores, not students intellectual development and becoming responsible high schoolers. Also, limited resources for new teachers and some classrooms. Really there is just too much to mention. Administration assigns administrative duties to regular teachers. Too much hear-say, no open communication between principal and staff.”

“this school is great. My child has kearned alot since she has been there, and she loves it. Teachers are friendly and nice.”

“awsome is all i can say my cild loves it there. and im happy as well.”

“I went to southside for 2 1/2 years and I think its one of the best schools in Jacksonville. southside teachers and staff put the all students before themselves and try their best to help them in anything they can. I really believe that school and the academic levels are fair in everyway. the administrators are thoughtful and if I could go back I would... I really miss southside and I think it is a good school”

“I as a student here at southside middle that all teacher do not treat students equally as they should be. Ihave been attending this school for 2 years also there is 2 much violence used at this school(October25.07)”

“Since my son has been at this school, all I hear from my son is how this teacher scares the kids into respeacting him but the kids dont. he has targeted my son & a friend of his and I went and had a conference with that teacher and principal. and no problems have occured since that. He has gone from standard to advanced and grades have come up, but no homework or books brought home. I went through alot of red tape to get him to this school thats out of the district. This school needs help or close it. Get more qualified 'teachers'.”

“I am a 6th Grade Student at Southside Middle School, And this is my 6th week. My Teachers are very friendly, Kind, And understanding. If I do not get something, They are more than happy to help. Vice principle howard and Principle Hasty are also Very kind. And My Coach, Doesnt just have us learn the sport - He Tells us how it evolved Etc. You Can tell that the teachers there are there to teach - Not just to get a paycheck. Overall, I think this school is a Excellent school. Knights rule!”

“This school is great! The teachers are friendly. Overall good experiance.”

“Southside Middle School I think is a joke, my son went to school there and didnt really learn anything. The teachers are trying to get through the day with any trouble from the kids. I think the kids run that school, not the adults. I got involved as much as I could, it was like hitting my head on a brick way sometimes.”

“this school is cool i love it here i feel as though i am part of a little community”

“My daughter and I moved here from Ohio and I feel that the staff here at this school made her feel right at home and they have helped her in so many ways to acheive her goals to improve her grades. I feel good knowing that my daughter is going to such a remarkable school so that she can learn with pride.”

“Southside Middle is a C school with the goal of becoming a B school.”

“Southside is a wonderful school and provides many academic and athletic opportunities for students. Southside Middle provides safety net programs such as morning and afternoon tutoring, a team-up program, grade recovery programs, as well as an Immersion program to help those students who have been retained in the past. Southside Middle also has a very good ESE program and an excellent ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) program. Every opportunity is given for students to learn and achieve. Southside also has an award winning Band program, and provides art, drama, technolgy, a flag corps and student council. Students are involved in an Autistic Buddy Program as positive role models and mentors for emotionally or physically challenged children. Athletically, Southside Middle school provides an excellent program of football, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls basketball, softball, baseball, volleyball, boys and girls track, and boys and girls swimming. What Southside lacks is more parent involvement. Parents need to be more pro-active in using the excellent programs which are already in place to help their students achive and succed.”

“I was told at a parent/teacher conference that they do not assign homework as 80% of the students would not return it. A letter was sent home at the beginning of the 2002/2003 school year stating that the goal for that year would be to achieve a 'C' grade. I believe that striving for mediocrity tells the students to just do what you need to do in order to get by.”

“I beleive that there are some teachers there that are only there to collect a paycheck and not to help the students succeed, one English teacher in paticular, when my son would ask for help he was told if you didn't get it the first time then thats to bad.”

“Southside Middle school has some great teachers but it also employees, verbaly absuive teachers with bad teaching skills. Parent involvement is very Low.”