Owen Intermediate School

45201 Owen Street

School District

Van Buren Public Schools
Grade

4-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

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 parent on May 15, 2024

I have never had a more traumatic experience with my children in school. I have 3 adult children and we have attended a few different districts and this has been the worst experience. My child has been emotionally drained by the bias and discrimination he has had to face. He had 1 excellent teacher in 5th grade and the environment ran her out after 3 months. This school year has made me realize I put my child in an environment that does not care about teaching him and his well-being. They are the most unorganized, yet want the students to be. No presence of diversity with staff. There is no comunication about academic progress. I went against prior advice not to send him here, and now I feel guilty that I let my son attend here!
Submitted by teacher on April 24, 2024

Owen has cycled through 4 teachers in one classroom. There have been 2 teachers that have walked out, 2 building subs quit, numerous subs not return. This is all due to administration. The superintendent bases his choices for administration on opinion that good teaching = good administration. A teaching certificate is NOT required by the state to be an administrator. Also, the school board is failing the students as the administration does not support teachers. There are at least 4 administration positions that are opening, numerous teacher positions, and there will be faculty open. After interviewing teachers at this school, they are NOT happy with administration or the school setting.
Submitted by other on December 30, 2023

1i come home crying every day because of the 5th grade ela teacher please fire her!!!!
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2018

I would rate my experience in this school very highly. The school is orderly and the children have a lot to do after school and are challenged in their classes. The teachers really care and do a lot ot communicate with parents. The principal really helped with an issue my child was having and handled it swiftly and with compassion. They need more computers but I am told they are working on that. Nice big playground (they have recess!) and they work on values for students, too. Great place for kids to be!
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2016

This is my daughters first year at Owen and I have nothing negative to say. She was transferred to the GT program pretty early in the year and the teachers have been great. They are always willing to help when needed. I can email a concern to the teacher and she is right on top of it. The curriculum definitely challenges my daughter without completely overwhelming her. I think parents don't give the teachers enough credit and want to point fingers at the staff when things aren't going well with their child. Sometimes we need to look at the effort we are putting in as a parent and how involved we are before we start pointing fingers in the other direction.
Submitted by teacher on December 11, 2015

The staff and administrators at Owen Intermediate go above and beyond every day to teach and mold the whole child.
Submitted by teacher on December 09, 2015

Everyone is caring and helpful at Owen. They are like family already and in such short time. I am really glad I made the change to come work here.
Submitted by parent on March 16, 2014

My son has been going here for a couple years and he loves the school. He likes it better than his old school & so do I. The teachers are great as well as other staff. Im very happy with the school overall.
Submitted by other on September 22, 2013

I have volunteered at Owen for years and have seen caring staff. Some children do not follow direction and make it difficult for others to learn.I would like to share a thought, remember we will raise these childen to become the next adults. We must do the very best that we ALL can. Submitted by a concerned grandparent Parents have the final say on whether a child is passed to the next grade, not the teacher, as it should be.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2013

My nephew went to school here. SMS challrnged him and put forth a great effort for him to succeed and excel his learning abilities. With that, as the changes occurred, this school now is an Intermediate school only has 5th and 6th grade. I am sending my daughter there this year and proudly. She attended the local elementary school Rawsonville and showed excessive improvement from her regular district school. I attended SMS years ago and turned out very well!
Submitted by parent on August 06, 2013

Owen..former South Middle school is a joke for preparing kids for the future. Many teachers write on chalkboards! There is NO technology! How are we preparing students for 21st century jobs without technology. I'm personal friends with a few teachers and they have had it! No technolgy, a horrible superintentent, and the kids get pass no matter what. Our neighbor showed me all E's on his report card and is still going into 7th grade. I want my son to have skills that will put him above the others. Writing on a chalkboard, dealing with bad kids in the class, and fed up teachers isn't giving him the drive he needs. He will be pulled and attending school of choice next year.
Submitted by other on July 01, 2013

I am going into 6th grade next year at this school. I have never attended this school, but from what I know from older siblings, This school is great. Teachers go the extra mile just to help kids. Although, some of the kids there are disrespectful. Overall, this school is great and I think you should attend.
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2013

Owen Middle School, formerly known as South Middle School, is a poorly maintained building where the emphasis seems to be more on the cirriculum the school offers rather than its ability to teach to it. Beware: they admit they are leaving out an entire year's worth of math education in order to switch cirriculums, and they have no intention of doing anything to ensure the students they are leaving out get caught up. So if you want your A student to turn into a D student, this is the school to "leave your child behind" in; otherwise you may want to weigh your alternative options. Safety is also not a priority for this school. School bus bullying and drug use issues are only addressed by the transportation department stating that it is not a parent's concern if thier kid wasnt the one causing the trouble; but isn't my child's safety my biggest concern?! Oh how we miss the former superintendent and Tyler Elementary... the good old days when the educators cared about educating in a positive environment.