Culpeper Middle School

As a student at Culpeper I think that this school does very well at what it does.

The faculty and staff are unprofessional and they don't follow a lot of their own rules but expect the children to. I feel that they stereotype certain parents and assume they can handle things in an unorthodox manner assuming some of us don't know any better because of race, nationality or simply being new to the area. I have had to speak up on many occasions where the staff at this school have been very unprofessional. A lot of favoritism is shown to some students as well. They make it seem like bullying is not tolerated making the children go to anti bullying assemblies but when bullying of a student by numerous other students is brought to their attention by the parent it seems nothing is done except soothing words. There's only a problem when the student being bullied has had enough and actually defends himself physically or snaps. I will bring this school so much litigation if I have any more dealings with them. If you have the option I would choose to send your child to another school.

Please update CMS data. Principal is now Mrs. Southard who tends to imagine her school just as an extended elementary school. Poor grouping in social studies and science classes, so the classes usually just serve the worst elements (be those children with attention disorders, learning disabilities etc.). Leadership is not focused on moving the top half of the school through the system faster or with more complete challenges in regular classes. Like another reviewer noted: limited foreign languange = Spanish 1 only. Some very good teachers and staff find ways of overcoming and compensating for the principal. Best department by personnel is probably social studies, however parents should realize that an above average child will likely be held back by some other child's behavioral or academic issues. Notably, a number of children in our neighborhood are being homeschooled to avoid CMS and its issues. Both Emerald Hill and the Culpeper High School have tended to be better.

I transferred to CMS in 7th grade and all I can say is that the problem here is overcrowding. Most other things are good, especially the advanced classes, but there are about 30 kids per class, average, and the teachers have a hard time controlling the sheer number of kids in my grade, and blame for rule-breaking is spread over about 1200 kids if the culprit isn't caught. However, the classes are in good variety and teachers are okay.