Desert Ridge Middle School

8400 Barstow Street Northeast

School District

Albuquerque Public Schools
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for Albuquerque Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by other on June 09, 2023

I'm currently going to this school and I think it's a really nice place.
Submitted by other on June 08, 2023

If only they cared about the welfare of children as much as they care about test scores and statistics that will bring them more money. If only they refrained from asking students if they are stupid and bullying children in the foster care system. If only the administration showed up to scheduled meetings, returned calls and worked cohesively to create plans for children of ALL backgrounds and abilities. If only disabilities were sought to be understood and navigated with compassion and dignity. If only this school provided counseling services for its staff and teachers to help them understand that bullying children is wrong. Worst school ever attended.
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2021

This used to be a good school but now it’s a giant indoctrination station. I’m actually glad they shut down in school learning and I got to see just what’s being taught here. If you can, homeschool. Public schools are teaching nothing.I bet the teachers just loved staying home so they could teach for 5 min and then tell the class to work on whatever they wanted. My husband literally had to teach our child math because the teacher was never around or able to be reached. Bullying is out of control as well.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2020

Very pleased with our transition this past year. Glad we made the transition.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2020

I wasn't sure what to expect from middle school, but he had an excellent 6th grade year in all aspects of his education.
Submitted by student on October 17, 2019

The community here has a lot of potential. However, they only care about themselves. There are a couple of extremely nice boys and girls, mostly girls. If you can find one of the extremely nice boys or girls, than you should be happy with who you selected. That one nice friend might be your only line of community that you have a positive relationship to besides your family. Odds are that you will get bullied. You need to get very lucky. I met one of the very nice girls, and it payed off.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2019

6th grade in the 18/19 school year was a mess. The school now has new leadership, which was much needed,and things seem to be improving in general. This along with my son’s 7th grade teachers has made a night and day difference from last year. I can gladly say that I am very impressed with what is happening at DRMS this year!
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2018

School hasn't even started yet and our experience has been terrible!!!!!!
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2014

We relocated to ABQ in summer of 2013 from Northern Virginia where we enjoyed living in a very good school district with high demands. We chose Desert Ridge MS for our daughter as we heard many good things about the school. Now after 1/2 year of enrollment, we are very pleased to report that this was and still is a great choice. All of our daughters classes have been great so far with teachers who are going above and beyond. If a student is ready to learn, there are ample opportunities and all doors are open at this school. The principal is doing a great job encouraging his students on a daily basis and the administration is great to work with as well. The only thing the school is missing is LANGUAGES. Starting languages early on is very important, even if this is done as an after school program. Besides academics the school offers great after school programs such as cross country, track, etc.
Submitted by other on April 05, 2013

I went to this school all three years and it was horrible. I had some really bad teachers that didn't teach me anything, the teachers didn't pay much attention, and they didn't pay much attention to the students.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2013

My child has not had the problems with bullying mentioned here. In fact she thinks it is a much friendlier place than the school she went to in a different state. Her gifted classes and advanced classes are challenging and fun. Some of the math teachers we have experienced here are really amazing. I would say that the new principal is not good at answering emails from parents or dealing with teachers who are sub-par. Don't get me wrong, most teachers here are very good, but we have experienced a couple of horrendous teachers, and many, many parents have complained and yet those teachers are still teaching at Desert Ridge. For this I blame an administration that is unwilling to deal properly with these situations.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2011

I could not agree more with the post from March 24, 2011. It is almost like you are living my life and have experienced the exact same things. Like you, we are also moving or I would move my child as well. Thanks for your post and observations, it is nice to know I am not the only parent of DRMS that feels this way. The bullying is the breaker for me and is why this school has been rated unsatisfactory. If a school cannot take a stand against bullies, at the price of my child's safety, then nothing else matters.
Submitted by parent on March 24, 2011

Most teachers are wonderful especially in accelerated courses and gifted; however there are others teaching regular classes that are on auto pilot and are no longer challenging the students.They need to retire and let new fresh teachers take over. They look the other way to kids bullying and when a parent complains they say it is our child's fault. Their no tolerance policy for bullying is not enforced. The regular classes are almost a joke. My child rarely has homework yet the accelerated classes are fun and challenging. The drama, bullying, and dating issues at this school are out of control. We chose this school because of test scores and have been greatly disappointed in the lack of morals of the student body. They are a mean and spiteful bunch who are not getting any direction from home on how to behave and how to treat people. Oh, there is LOTS of parent volunteers but this does not make it a great school. Luckily we are moving or I would be moving my child to private school next year because of the bullying, name calling, and lack of friendliness.