West Cary Middle School in Durham, North Carolina

“Being a student at West Cary, I would know about the lack of support and care we recieve from our faculty and staff! I have to say that some teachers are supportive and helpful! But for the most part, teachers are on the verge on insanity! I do enjoy all of the students attending. Overall the school is mediocre and the students are great! We do enjoy the boys attending, being teenage girls! LOL!”
This review was posted by a student.

“I love West Cary because the kids there are amazing, but unfortunately don't have a lot and the school is very run down. It would make such a difference if they could win the 20,000.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I love West Cary because the kids there are amazing, but unfortunately don't have a lot and the school is very run down. It would make such a difference if they could win the 20,000.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter attended West Cary Middle for her seventh and eighth grade years. I was appalled at the condition of the building when I first entered it, I admit. But don't judge the book by it's cover. My daughter had excellent teachers (especially for math) and had the opportunity to excel in sports as well as academics. For those who believe in diversity in Wake County Schools, this is a fine example of how well it can work. Despite the drawbacks of the facility, my daughter received an excellent education at West Cary Middle.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I think that every thing that people have been saying in here is very true! The staff does everything from the book, parents don't know about anything that's happening in the school.There are very few clubs you can participate in! My friend goes to Lufkin middle school and there are a bunch of clubs and extracurricular activities in their school. If you want to get ahead of the crowed by going to a higher math class, even if you have straight 'A's' like me and a-lot of people they just won't accept you and I'm not just talking about them not accepting you,they don't even listen to your opinion in that school! lets not even talk about the principle she is just a nightmare, I think we were much better with Mr.Thilman but now that he is the principle of Cary high I think this school isn't going to last.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Very understanding teachers, the school principal takes great pride in her school”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I think the school is awful! You can only pick 1 elective. Plus I made a 99 on my EOG (over a hundred actually-hand graded by a teacher because i got field test questions right) and made straight A's which were around a 96-102 average. Yet when I applied for Algebra in 7th grade they refused! Yet a kid who did worse then me, was allowed to take a test and skip! I was given no oppertunity to take a test. so here I am getting higher marks on tests, like mathcounts and AMC8, then the Algebra students and still stuck in a Pre-Algebra class. I strongly dislike this school!”
This review was posted by a student.

“My son ais a sixth grader at this school. The principal does not care about the students' academic development. I have met with her many times concerning issues with the school and staff. My comments fell on deaf ears and were unwelcome. Some teachers really care about the children though. My son will not be attending this school next year.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Oh I forgot to say the online access to grades is excellent. They also post all assignments online. It is nice to know where you child stands and you can always email the teachers if you have any questions or concerns. I agree that the classes are appropriately challenging. Overall a good school but I do think they need to recognize students efforts more at the end of the year.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“They have no recognition for students who have straight A's for the 4th quarter or the whole year through. No honors classes but the students do learn a lot in all of their subjects. It is not too difficult but not too easy either. Bullying can be an issue, especially with the girls. Other than that, I feel it is a good school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We are very happy with WCMS. We recently came here from another state and are amazed at the differentiation that is done with our gifted child by the teachers, because of these excellent classroom teachers the education level is appropriately challenging. For those that complain about class size, it was 36 per class in our last state. Here my child has 23-26, small in my opinion! The new principal is great, very proactive. The numbers are good and the teachers fantastic! I love the new online access to student grades, makes keeping up with students progress easy on parents, students, and teachers! Considering that Cary is a transplant area with high turn over of children, the staff is like a well-oiled machine and makes the family adjustment seamless.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“West Cary MS continues to disappoint me time and time again. My child has not science teacher for an entire quarter, only substitutes. The administrative and teaching staff is disorganized. The principals are usually busy attending to the many 'discipline problems'. They seem to have a 'punish the whole for the actions of a few' policy at this school. The building is falling apart. Overcrowding interferes with student fulfillment, compromises student safety and diminishes parent satisfaction.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I disagree with the previously posted negative reviews and find them to be unobjective. The teachers and staff work hard to keep me updated my son's progress and display a genuinely sincere interest in his development. Much of the instruction does appear to 'come straight from the book', but there are good reasons for that. The criteria for rating the school should be how well the educational material is delivered. And it's delivered very well. Parts of the building are quite old but are well maintained. My son has had no complaints about West Cary Middle School.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter has started 6th grade at WCMS three weeks ago. It is a huge transition for anyone coming from Elementary to Middle School. This school is doing its absolute best. I believe in the principal and the staff. My concern is the size of the classes. The teachers have no choice but to adhere to ridgid unimaginative standards just to get the core curriculum out. There is not enough time for every kid to participate in class. Parent involvement is critical in any childs education, but you essentially have to re-teach a lot of the material because there are so many distractions in class. Shame on the Wake County School Board for not anticipating the high growth of this area.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son is in west cary for the first time this year. Most of the teaching staff could care less about the students progress. No updates are given on problems with class work until the progress reports come home unless it is initiated by a parent. The amount of time sub's are used is enormous. The curriculum assistance course is a joke. It is difficult that living in such a wealthy town that our middle school is so substandard.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am a student at West Cary Middle School and the school is not the best. The education level is not what other schools around us get. We Learn straight from the book, like the parent before said. Now that there is a new principal, things are really changing. I'm not sure if it's for the good yet, but only time can tell that. It seems to me that the parents have no say in anything at West Cary Middle School. You'd think the school would listen to parents remarks about the school, but they don't. You can go into any class room or hallway and you can see just how 'well' west cary is kept. The place is horrible and I think I would have gotten a better education at another middle school.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Dear Parents, West Cary Middle School has poor academic progrmas. At West Cary everything is by the book. Creativity is definitley not used in teaching. Parents really have no say in education.”
This review was posted by a student.

“My son has attended this school since 6th grade and I can just tell you that it is a school that actually cares for its students. I volunteer my time tutoring & have done so now for 3 yrs. I can not tell you in words how wonderful the music department is, because I would not have enough space. Both our son and ourselves have been please with the education our son has received. Their advance courses are great.”
This review was posted by a parent.