J E Holmes Middle

My child is currently a seventh grade student at Holmes Middle.
Transportation
The bus transports Holmes Middle and Morhead High students at the same time. Along with overhearing extremely vulgar inappropriate conversations, my child has described marihuana being distributed on the bus. If you pick your child up from school, be prepared to make an hour out of it because 1 police officer and at least 2 staff members are needed to direct traffic at the intersection of the two schools.

Supplies and fundraising
My child's math teacher has informed me that their daily worksheets "are their textbooks." Students are also charged $20 for their gym uniform. Chocolate is sold once every 3-4 months to support extra curricular activities. Cookie dough and holiday paper are also sold. In addition to the fundraisers, the school is supported by local chains (McD's, Elizabeth's, Papa Johns...) on select nights. Band, drama, and sports performances are fairly cheap to attend. However, participation required the parent to pay for rentals and travel.

Parent teacher communication
Some teachers are very active about communicating with parents. Unfortunately, most teachers here talk more than they act. They have a wonderful plan for your child at the beginning of the year or week, but the school as a whole does not do a very good job of sticking to their plans. The school has one receptionist, but it is rare that anyone answers the phone at the school...ever. The nurse caters to about 12 or 14 other schools at the same time, so a she is rarely present. She keeps telling me that my child needs daily allergy pills even though our physician says to administer as needed. She also encourages our family to sign a release form for her to give Midol and Advil, but we don't give these otc's to our child.

Stats
On paper, the ratio is about 16 to 1. In the classroom, it's more like 34-38 to one. Many of the students are from Draper and Reidsville, not Eden. A lot of the parents in my community are carpooling their children to Bethany community school in Reidsville to avoid the student conflicts that occur in Holmes.

Advanced placement
Many students are placed in AIG classes for being at the academic level that they should be on for their grade level, while mainstream classes are for those who perform below average. While conflicts go unnoticed in both levels, instances of behavioral disruption in AIG versus mainstream students are night and day. AIG classes are mostly group-based, making it difficult for independent learners to actually pass their AIG courses.

Disabilities
If your child has a stuttering problem or physical handicap, Holmes will legally comply and most students will accept/acknowledge that disability with kindness. However, a family whose student struggles with adhd, asperger syndrome, autism, depression, bipolar disorder...or something otherwise not outwardly visible will most definitely receive multiple behavioral reports per week for quotes such as "defiance" when they shut down "disrespect" when they become frustrated and "being disruptive" when they come anxious. Basically, acknowledging your child's mental disability puts a target on their back because teachers overscrutinize their actions and students are excused from their actions against the disabled child because the disability makes the child more prone to instigate their peers.

Police Activity
Holmes Middle always has one male police officer present in the main office. They also have a very nice female police officer directing traffic twice a day. Do not be fooled into thinking this school is safer simply because it is located next to a police station, which is also a detainment facility.

Summary
If your child is a mainstream to academically advanced student, with no mental disabilities, who enjoys extra curricular activities, can respond appropriately to conflict, and can say no to prescription drugs/weed your family will adore this school. The staff will fulfill their legal obligations to educate your child, but don't expect anything more than that. If your child shows up, shuts up, and sheeps up, they will pass.