De Forest Middle School

Terrible experience for minority students. Teachers have biases against black & brown students if they can't "conform" to their white standards which rubs off on the students.

No discipline. Many kids are out of control and make learning very challenging for the rest of the students. Apathetic teachers.

My family relocated to the DeForest area from Western Wisconsin two years ago. We have two children attending this school, and we have found it to be very inclusive and welcoming from our first tour of the school. The office staff are always attentive and friendly. This school welcomes all students to join Student Council (our last schools held elections where only popular kids were voted on) and you can run for an officer position. The layout of the school serves the students very well - there is a grade 5/6 side and a 7/8 side. Each side has its own library and gym and share a cafeteria. There are several computer labs. Overall, we've found the teachers to be very good with good communication between home and school. DeForest takes its sports programs very seriously, and the programs are very successful. There is a great variety of sports, clubs and extracurriculars to choose from. One of the best things about the District is that it plans ahead for the student population so the facilities are safe and meet the needs of the students. One of the things we love best is the wonderful Guidance Counselor and administration at this school. They treat every child as an individual and help them succeed. I am very happy with the education that my children are receiving in this District and the wonderful "small-town feel" of DeForest.

Seems to be rather disorganized especially the front office. My child loved going to Windsor before attending here last Fall & now no longer enjoys school. I asked her yesterday what did she like best about school this week and she said nothing. There appears to be no accountability and a general lack of awareness in the administration of this school. Whenever I have gone into the school office area I end up waiting for the office staff to quit socializing and then are treated with a what do you want attitude . Other parents have indicated the same. Drop payments off in the office for a sales contest and the teachers indicated it was never turned in and the office staff later indicate they have no record of it. Thus my child doesn't qualify for any awards but yet the check clears fine. Overall experience the first year is that it is poorly run and lacks leadership. There is no transition from elementary to middle school. My experience with one teacher during the first day of school open house was her handing some papers for everyone to read with their child and her texting on her cellphone until it was time to go to the next classroom. Red flags all around.