I'm a recent MHS grad, and I can honestly say that I would never have thought to go anywhere else but Middletown High School. The amount of pride we have as Middies is unlike any other school. Putting on my purple and white always made me smile. Being a student at Middletown High School was a unforgettable experience. I had so many teachers who really cared about me and got involved in my life. I feel very prepared coming into college and I know that Middletown has given me a strong knowledge base. Not to mention the diversity present at MHS. The real world isn't pearly white, and it is nice to get used to that while you're growing up. I am blessed to have been a part of the Middie tradition. Once a Middie, Always a Middie!
—Submitted by a student

I am an alumni of MHS. I graduated 2007. As a facility, the building is older and in need of updating. As for collage prep, there was none until i enrolled in Butler Tech. I always felt like an outsider. Always getting bullyed around with little teacher involvement. As compared to the teachers of butler tech, Middletowns teachers are not effective at teaching their subject with few exceptions. As an aspiring parent, I will not have my children endore the lack of education that i recived. Since MHS, I was an honor student at Butler Tech. Became an Eagle Scout. And now in collage i have a Perfect 4.0. There are much higher quality schools in the district. I was the hard worker that was held back by the system. There are no morals in the students.
—Submitted by a student

Like so many people, we, too, moved away from friends and family in Middletown because of the failure of the schools. We felt it was irresponsible of us to continue to send our children through this system. When we arrived at our new home and school district, our kids were very far behind their new friends and they had to work very hard with some terrific teachers to get caught up. Please note, these kids were "honors" and "gifted" kids in Middletown. They are doing fine now, but they now know how to study. My one child recently said, "Wow. I could never figure out why you didn't like Middletown schools. Now I get it. NOW, I go to a REAL school." 'nuff said. I don't know what the solution is. Perhaps A LOT of discipline might be a good beginning. Cleaning the place might also help. It smells.
—Submitted by a parent

Middletown is the kind of school that will give back what you put in. I am a recent graduate and feel that Middletown prepared me for college about a well as any other school in the area because I was a motivated student while there. Though many of the students of Middletown are not motivated and they don't do anything but give MHS a bad reputation.
—Submitted by a student

I am the parent of 2 Middletown graduates. One child was an honor student that had to work hard to obtain that status. She attended college and was on the Deans List through most of her college career. My other child maintained a B average only because he chose not to work hard enough to obtain A's. The education is there you just have to want it. Middletown has it's problems but overall is a good school with great leadership and staff.
—Submitted by a parent

If your child is an honor student in AP and honors classes they will receive a very basic education. For the most part, they won't encounter the majority of the school. The general education is very sub-standard due to the complete lack of disipline. It is a very rough crowd and seems to be getting worse every day. I feel most sorry for the poor kids who aren't in honors classes but are nice kids - they have very long, tiring days there. Often graduates who were top of their class at MHS struggle at college - they weren't properly prepared. Not many parents are involved which is not surprising. The top students come from the families whose parents are involved and it always the same faces at all the different events be it sports, music or academics.
—Submitted by a parent

I attend Middletown High School (2004-2008) and in overall quality I believe a fair/good would be a adaquate rating. The school has it's flaws such as: Poor leadership, lack of teacher involvement, lack of parent involvement, and many teachers at this school could simply care a less whether you pass or fail. I highly dislike going here as often as I must. I have many friends, adore many teachers, and make outstanding grades. However, seeing such pupils everyday...many are...complete and utter failures.
—Submitted by a student

Middletown High is a great school but they do not tolerate any kind of violence what so ever. If your student gets attacked at school and they defend themselves they are in just as much trouble as the attacker. I do not think this is right I believe you have a right to defend yourself when attacked. Other than this Middletown High School is a great learning environment.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent you must be involved or your child will be left behind in this school district
—Submitted by a parent

A public school experience is what you make it. I have a student at Vail and can tell you things are not perfect, but I have to wonder what some parents expect? To have a good student and/or a good citizen, it must start at home. Have you ever asked yourself what kind of parent you are? My child knows if he gets into trouble at school he will get in trouble at home. The people in this city sent their children to school with no training or instruction and want to protect them when they break the rules. Welcome to society. Your same little Johnny or Suzy will spend time in jail, then who will you blame? It is time for lazy parents to get off their butts, claim their insubordinate children as a product of their home environment and take the responsibility to straighten them out!
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent staff, enforcing the 'bully' rules,
—Submitted by a parent

My children go to this fantastic middle school called Stephen Vail Middle School. It's absolutley magnificent. They learn about the 'real world' there, and not other non-sense. It's a good life lesson for them. Go bulldog's!
—Submitted by a parent

The school does offer a variety of academic programs. The school does offer extracurricular activities as well the after school programs are limited from what I understand due to the neighborhood that the school is located in. And there is a very bad lack of parent involvement. But the staff and principles are AWESOME!
—Submitted by a parent

Very fun extracurricular activities for my child.
—Submitted by a parent

We found Vail to be a wonderful school! The teachers my daughter had were professional, cared about her specific needs, and went the extra mile to make that very large school feel like a small close community. I do think that there is work to be done to increase parental involvement. Many parents have voiced a concern about not feeling welcome to participate in the school. I encourage you to get involved and not wait for the welcome mat to be rolled out for you. It won't be. But if you are ernest in wanting to help improve the quality of education for your child and all the children, you will jump in and do your part! Vail has a lot to offer!
—Submitted by a parent

I do believe that many of the teachers at Vail have a preconceived idea about their minority students.Many of these troubled youth have been pushed through the system up to this point and they figure that it is too late to help them.Vail is run too much like boot camp than a positive learning environment.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel that for an inner-city school, Vail does an excellent job with their students. They have several programs and teachers that apply to children of all levels of intelligence. The discipline policies could use work, but with the new laws from the state, all schools struggle with this. The special education teacher my child had was excellent. She worked with him and be was able to have an excellent year and I feel confident him going to the high school next year and that was my biggest fear.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the previous review. I recently learned that personnel (principal in particular) is quick to judge and is not interested in trying to help a trouble student but is very eager to get them out of the school. A troubled child needs a counselor (some one to confide in) not a drill sargeant who intentionally tries to provoke the student behind closed doors. Belittling a student is not the solution. I hope this school will take the initiative to help their students not deter them!
—Submitted by a parent

I could not be happier with Miller Ridge Elementary. We moved into the district with the intention of sending our children to private schools. Our plans went a bit awry when my youngest son was diagnosed with speech and occupational therapy needs, and was not accepted into the private school of our choice. As a result he and my oldest son which attended John XXIII (K-2) began attending Miller Ridge. I believed my older son would be ahead of the other students based on his attendace at the private school, but results provided on Fall reading assessments indicated he was behind and tested below average on the third grade state reading assessment. I am happy to report that on the test given in the Spring he scored above average in reading and math. My youngest son receives speech and occupational therapy on an IEP at Miller Ridge, and the administration is wonderful with him. I could not be happier with this school, and based on the most up to date test scores, believe they should be rated higher than a 6 out of 10 on this web site. The principal of the school is wonderful and welcoming. If you live in this district think twice about wasting your money on a private school!
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school with a wonderful group of experienced teachers. My daughter received a great education in the 5 years she was there.(first-fifth) This school has the nickname of being 'little Harvard', so if you send your child there be prepared for lots of homework and involvement in your child's education! Mrs. Gallagher, the principal is also a very experienced educator and caring individual. Mrs. Auvil, the secretary is also wonderful to all the parents and students. I would highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Back in the day, this school was 'the' school. Now, not so much. Dr. Suiter couldn't lead her way out of a wet paper bag. They have combined grades k and 1st, 2nd and 3rd, etc. So basically every other year your child is repeating a grade. There is no such thing as competition in this school. There is no parent involvement. They can't even get volunteers for the PTO. No one will help with anything. Also, be warned they only cater to underpriveledged kids, if you're not on assistance, drive your kid somewhere else. Unfortunately, I have sent my child here for two years, BUT we will be leaving. As far as education in this town goes....you get what you pay for. This is one BROKE school. They do nothing extra. Art class is drawing on cheap paper that is it! If your looking for the best...this is not it.
—Submitted by a parent

The mannerism of the teaching methods, for the faculty, staff, students and curriculum, of this school rate 5 stars all the way; which is a brag from a grandmother of a student that attends there.

This school is wonderful! I cannot rave about the teachers hard work and dedication to their students success enough. Every surrounding school district needs to learn a lesson about learning and teaching from Central!
—Submitted by a parent

I have 3 children that attended and attend here! They are verry pleased! I am also pleased by their performance!
—Submitted by a parent

Central is a great school. I am very pleased with the untraditional approach taught here.
—Submitted by a parent

I've had 3 children attend this school. My oldest child was in the first kindergarten class when this school opened in 1991 and stayed through the sixth grade. My youngest child is now attending. Over the years I have experienced both good and bad. Initially, the school and staff were welcoming, open, and friendly. The structure of class grouping is wonderful for the development of confidence and reinforcement of learning. What has occurred over the years that troubles me is that so much of everything is now focused on standardized testing and not on the needs of the individual child. Many of the things my older children enjoyed have now been eliminated. (Sixth grade Luau, all students recognized at the year end ceremony with Kindergarten 'graduation') Maybe its that way everywhere now but up until the last two years, I had never considered sending my children to their 'home' school.
—Submitted by a parent

Central is a wonderful alternative to traditional perocial and private schools. This is our second year here(following two years at a local private)and my son has done nothing but flourish. The quarterly reports a far more thourough than a traditional report card. This school is desighned for parent involvement.that being said, you must follow the reading requirement, reinforce the units being taught, and ask questions about the progress reports.(ie 'Why did you get a 2 today? and 'What needs to change so you bring home a 1?') My only wish for this school would be to add foreighn language.However Middletown city school district needs to make this manditory curriculm.
—Submitted by a parent

My child dose not like this school, (central academy) and neither do I! This school has kids see the 20 children everyday, because from 8:00 AM-10:40 AM they see themselves. The for 15 min, thats all they see 20 other students. Then for the rest of the day they see the same kids they have seen all year long. Then when Winter comes, the children do not have recess so they dont get to see that other set of 20 kids that they usually do. So all day they are cooped up in one classroom, with the same kids of 2 different grades. 1st&2nd, 3rd&4th, and 5th&6th and since they dont have grades I really dont know what my childs really capable of. He gets 1's, 2's, or 3's! WOW! That really tells me something!
—Submitted by a former student

This is the third school our daughter attended and we are very pleased. The saying 'The third time's the charm' really works here. They have a zero percent tolerance for bullying, which I like since my daughter has special needs, and the teachers are very concerned about her progress. Her teacher answers my emails quickly. The entire staff is wonderful. I highly recommend this school for anyone thinking of transfering their child or moving to the city.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my children attend this school. They have patience, which children need. The overall goal for these children is to be independent workers...self starters. Their leadership is unlike any of our other public schools. Kids don't just 'get by', they truly learn. My youngest son flourished, my oldest son has confidence, and I'd recommend this school to ANYONE K-6. Your child will get personal attention on things they struggle with and a gentle push on what they are really good at. Check out their state report card. My oldest son has scored avg to above avg on the state proficiencies. Central's staff is magnificent!I love this school! They also keep parents in the loop about EVERYTHING and demand parent involvement. Which makes me appreciate them even more. That seems to get lost in schools the older the children get. I give them 5+ stars!!!
—Submitted by Amanda Lawson, a parent

Excellent School.My child is in the third grade and has attended 5 schools. Central is the best one yet.Great parent-teacher relationships.Warm, open, loving student-teacher relationships. DR Sueter is a great leader. The entire staff is great!For once, I don't worry about my kids safety while they are in school.Keep up the good work Central. Don't ever change.
—Submitted by P. Snow, a parent

As a Realtor and past County School Board president I am confident you will find Madison Local Schools above average through out. My two children graduated from this school and from my perspective there is a high level of parental involvement,both scholastic and sports related. They offer options for slower and advanced students as well as handicaped. The best way to get a feel is to tour the school and talk to the administrators.
—Submitted by Walter Leap, a parent

I think Madison is a great school. Of course I also think that there is a lot of room for improvment. I think some of the teacher need to take more time with the parents instead of rushing them off. I am very interested in how my child it doing and I want to sit and talk about it. Instead there has been a couple of times I was basiclly shoved out the door. I think they need to be more aware of this. Besides that I wouldn't want my child to go to any other school.
—Submitted by a parent

I love the school my child loves it but I think the administrator needs a reality check and remember that its the best interest of the children that comes first!
—Submitted by a parent