High Desert Middle School

61000 Diamondback Lane

School District

Bend-La Pine Schools
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:24
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 other on September 18, 2024

I went here a couple years ago, and I have to say the best part about it was the teachers there. Or at least, a handful of them. However, the way that the school handles bullying and racially motivated harassment is absolutely terrible. It is a school's job to make everyone feel welcomed, safe, and ready to learn. That was not the case for me or my brother. We are both biracial, and we both were picked on for it. My brother's harassment was more severe than mine, with students calling him the "n-word" in multiple instances. The students were reported but nothing happened to them. It just continued to the point of him having to leave the school and get his education elsewhere. Additionally, HDMS, even when I was there, had issues with students using drugs in the bathroom. Of course, a school can't constantly monitor students, but there were times where I think things could have been handled more efficiently. I'm sure the issues with student vaping or whatever is even worse now, so I can't even imagine what it's like. In short, this school is not recommended. The ONLY saving grace it has is the aforementioned handful of amazing teachers.
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2022

Middle school is hard. Bend LaPine School District have focused a lot of attention to resolve the issues the school has had in its past. I really believe the new team will shake things up. This is from a recent news article about the principal who was appointed July 22,2022. Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook announced Monday that Summit High School Assistant Principal Mary Thomas has been selected to serve as interim principal at High Desert Middle School. “Mary Thomas is an excellent communicator, who is very student-oriented. She is known as a great listener who cares deeply about developing relationships and supporting students,” said Cook. “High Desert families and staff will be well-served by Mary, an inclusive, strong leader who is ready and excited to step into this role.”Thomas is currently serving as an Assistant Principal at Summit High School, where she has worked as an administrator for the past four years. Prior to that, she served as a classroom teacher for middle and high school students for 17 years in Bend, Sisters, Indonesia and the Portland area. Thomas also has 10 years of experience as an educator for outdoor schools in the Portland area. “My philosophy is to lead with grace and kindness and to make sure everyone feels heard and supported. I am excited to join an incredible team of educators, who are known for putting students first,” said Thomas. “I look forward to collaborating with staff, families and students to support a safe, welcoming and inviting environment for learning.” Thomas says she’s looking forward to serving middle school students, as she has many years of experience with this age group, starting from when she served as an educator at outdoor school. I have asked GS to remove references to the prior administration to give the school a clean start. They declined.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2022

My oldest daughter is about to complete her 3rd year as an 8th grader and 2nd daughter will complete her 1st year as a 6th grader. They are average students, one having high anxiety with high expectations of herself and others the other shall I say an under achiever of sorts and has difficultly focusing. There have been typical struggles for both my kids through out their school years at HDMS, academically and socially but through each one they have come out a stronger person thanks to their willingness to be honest with themselves and the support of the staff. From these difficult experiences my kids have built a great relationship with the staff, feeling comfortable that they can trust them to share their concerns, be heard, and confident they will receive answers. They are diligent in making sure when they struggled in class they work with their teachers during lunches or communicate through email. Teachers consistently send out emails updating me regarding class assignments, tests, and events. Very happy with office staff as well in alerting me when kids needed my attention and other various announcements. Over all great school and looking forward to working with them the next two years!
Submitted by student on May 18, 2022

This school is incredibly bad for neurodivergent And lgbtqia people, you will get constantly harrased by the middle school boys and the teachers wont care, this is happening to me currently and im so glad im moving schools next year, this school has been a living hell for me for 2 years because of the students and teachers, nobody will listen to you at this school, the opinion of the students do not apply to most teachers and its unfair, do not go to this school.
Submitted by student on February 28, 2022

this school sucks i hate it its bad
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2020

If you are looking for an evidence based, high quality unbiased education- don’t send your child here.
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2017

My daughter's last year at HDMS (2015-2016), when Brian Crook took over as principal, was an absolutely terrible year. She went from a straight A student, engaged in sports and school life, loving every day, to begging not to have to go. Crook turned that school into a jail, and treated kids like mini felons. He had absolutely no idea how to interact with or discipline tweens and young teens. He showed obvious favoritism toward "popular" kids and was exceedingly difficult to get ahold of with any parental concerns. My daughter is now a sophomore and is still picking up the pieces from her 8th grade experience. Good luck, Jefferson County... I hear you got him this year. HDMS, may you regain and reclaim the amazing atmosphere you had before Crook ruined it.
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2017

My son was a student at High Desert middle school. He'd been having trouble with several students. He encountered everything from verbal to physical abuse from fellow students, harassment for quitting the football team (which he actually quit due to a medical condition) and theft from his locker. The principal was mildly helpful in these situations, in the beginning but then there was always an excuse about a meeting to get to, referring us only to the campus officer, and not returning a single one of our phone calls since at least December.Mr. Crook is not proactive in addressing these problems. When our son had gone to his office to talk about an issue he simply stated he'd "deal with it" but there is never a resolution. Our son has been slapped, shoved down the stairs, had a billiard ball thrown at his face, been harassed, threatened at school and walking home from the bus stop, been physically attacked on school property, and has had his crutches taken, and narrowly avoided falling when a boy tried to kick his crutches out from under him.We have never encountered a school with such a lack of adult supervision or discipline. They brag about having a no-tolerance policy for bullying but in the end there are kids getting attacked or harassed every day. We just pulled our son out of school at High Desert this week, and he will certainly not be returning.Students should be able to enjoy an environment of learning and friendship not social hierarchy or violence. I have seen at least one kid in the office with broken glasses from getting punched in the head and know of another who has been starving herself because kids were calling her fat. This behavior is absolutely ridiculous and should not be acceptable. The only help we got from the school was with our son's counselor. We even wrote to the school board district representative and the director or middle schools. Everyone promises to correct these issues but it's hard to know if anything is being done. Mr. Crook is a poor excuse for a principal and was just as poor a coach. All he is interested in is what LOOKS good but he is NOT there for the kids. If you have the choice to send your kids anywhere in Central Oregon, go with RPA. It's the only school that doesn't have favorites and isn't unbelievably corrupt with negligent staff and entitled students.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2016

Principle Brian Crook is a very disrespectful man towards my daughter. He is an adult bully, and we are pulling her out as soon as possible. A group of bullies set up my daughter to get expelled, and he actually expelled her. I can't believe him, he is incredibly mean spirited and power hungry. Worst school experience my kids have EVER had, and I am livid. He is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Can't pull her out soon enough, I'm taking this to the top in Oregon. Good luck if your child is bullied, they do NOTHING about it. Anti bullying policies are not practiced. If this school is your only choice, home school. They do NOTHING about bullies. Brian Crook is a HORRIBLE principle, and should have stuck to coaching. I can't say enough BRIAN CROOK IS AN ADULT BULLY, AND BULLIES CHILDREN.
Submitted by other on February 23, 2015

Great school. Teachers are kind, helpful and seem to really love teaching. You will love this school.
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2014

Great school, great teachers - excellent! We are very happy with the education that our child is receiving. The house system is a great way to make a big school seem smaller. A+
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2014

This school is really bad. That is all I have to say. My son will be pulled as soon as possible.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2014

My daughter has spent two years at this school, and due to the constant bullying and lack of teachers and staff doing anything about it even after numerous complaints about the issues I have decided to enroll my daughter into the online k-12 program. The bullying has gotten so bad that my daughters grades are suffering for it. The bullying starts from the moment she gets on the bus in the morning until after she gets off the bus after school. Teachers there can be rude as well and often snap at my daughter when she complains about being bullied by kids during her classes etc..
Submitted by other on September 01, 2014

Most of the time I am afraid to go to school, some teachers can be rude and stereo type each student to have bad behavior. One of they things this school explains, is that it is a bully "free" zone. Yet I was bullied numerous times. Counseling is available, it seems as though know one cares. During class time Most teachers do not offer fun learning experience, Although, this school has done an "ok" job of introducing me to high school... I am still disappointed as most subjects are dull and not even remotely interesting to students.
Submitted by other on November 05, 2013

I am in my 8th grade year at HDMS and i LOVE it. i switched from PBMS last year and automatically my grades went up, i felt more accepted, and made a lot of new friends! HDMS has an excellent learning program and the teachers are amazing! I'm also in 8th grade jazz choir and it offers a lot of new learning experiences! Best school ever!
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2013

My daughter has gone here all three years of middle school and is a straight A student. She has been continually challenged and almost all of the teachers I have encountered here are of high caliber. But the best thing about this school is there really doesn't seem to be any bullying, and they have a special program to welcome and support teach class of incoming 6th graders. This school is fabulous!