Benicia Middle School

My daughter attended in late 80's...great school. My grand daughter attended several years ago...vastly changed. No discipline, uninterested teachers, lax dress policy, and generally rude students, on campus and off. Twice in the last six months there have been misspellings on the Southampton Road bulletin board. Really? With the exception of the High School, in which the students are from an earlier era, the current administration has failed us all.

We have had a great experience with the award wining band program, and great education. Our two students were very prepared for high school. Sure this school has a lower rating than before, but they have tried to take in more diverse students, and it will take a while to get up to speed with the new challenges with the student body from areas outside Benicia. I have no doubt they will get there. We still recommend this school, and as the broken down scores show, if you apply yourself, you will do well here. Benicia is a great place to live as we know. Both our students got As and a few Bs and will be going on to college. Thank you.

Overall I would give this school high marks. I have had two students do three years each at this school, and both have benefited from the high quality band program here. Also they are both still on the honor roll going into high school. Part of the issues are that the state has constantly changed the requirements for testing and rating, and I know the school has had trouble keeping up at times. The test scores have been anywhere from 9 to 7 in resent years. I believe once the district recovers the school will get better ratings. Also we do have a very diverse student body, and we do take students from other areas to help serve the community. This is actually one of the best schools around, and that is why people love to live in Benicia.

this school is a joke. the teachers here try to make this a better place but it won't be. the school can be so nice that it can drive you crazy. they promote "no bullying" things. but it never works. some of the teachers are rude and its unacceptable. i will get out of this school with a 3.8 GPA but i will know that i was never happy in this school.