Longfellow Arts And Technology Middle School

1500 Derby Street

School District

Berkeley Unified
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Berkeley Unified School District

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 July 25, 2023

I went there last year and people would call other people slurs and other disrespectful things. You kind of had to be a mean person or at least act like one in order to fit in and not be bullied. That school is full of micro aggressions and some not so micro- aggressions. There are at least 2-3 fights each moth as well. On the good side though, the school has discrete ways of reaching out for help from a staff member. Just not many people use it. The staff mean well and the mental health resources are good but scarce, so many people are left waiting a long time without what they need or just not getting what they need. This school does have good teachers and Ways of teaching though. There are some great extra Curricular activities at the aftercare program and I feel that if you can send your kid to aftercare at Longfellow you should. There are fun parties, study rooms, art clubs, skateboarding clubs and so much more.
Submitted by student on February 21, 2022

I go to longfellow and there’s so much bullying and harassment. As a queer & trans student, im called slurs and a ridiculous amount of things. One of the teachers says racist comments & uses micro-aggressions all the time and as a white person even i realize it. People do drugs all the time but welcome to america pretty much. We’ve gotten bomb & shooting threats but its chill.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2019

My daughter has thrived at Longfellow! It is a caring community where teachers really get to know the students. She has been challenged academically and has been thriving socially. She feels safe and that is really important to me. The parent community is fabulous! There are definitely issues at Longfellow regarding the achievement gap between students from different socio-economic backgrounds. But that is unfortunately the same among all Berkeley schools. We really love Longfellow, the teachers, the students and the families.
Submitted by parent on February 21, 2018

My daughter recently started at Longfellow in January. We moved here from TN, so this was a big change. My daughter was having problems back in TN reintegrating back into public school after being homeschooled for a few years. I am amazed by the teachers and counselors kindness and compassion. They really seem to “care”, and not just about academics, but the student as a whole. My daughter raves about her teachers, and how their instruction methods are better than those in TN, and talks about the counselors as if they were friends and how easy they are to talk to. I am glad I made the decision to request this school, since we were zoned for another.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2017

I'll never forget what one teacher told us on our first parents' night: "This may be the only middle school in the United States that is actually a kind place: Lucky you!" And that's exactly how we feel: lucky. Longfellow has wonderful, dedicated teachers; an ace counseling staff of all races, ethnicities and backgrounds; a strong anti-bullying program; and a special school for incoming 6th graders so they have their own building and comfort zone. My son just came back from a 3-day hiking trip to Yosemite with his class, and the school made sure every student had the equipment to go. King Middle has a more beautiful building and grounds, but we chose Longfellow for its smaller size, individual attention and overall wonderful, calm atmosphere. Kudos to the teachers and staff! Berkeley public schools are the best!
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2015

My son has been attending Longfellow this year and I have been impressed by the level of care and commitment by teachers as well by their TWI and music program. The facilities need some uplifting.
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2012

I have been teaching for 27 years, and Longfellow is by far the best school I have ever worked at. My children went to Longfellow as well. The teachers are excellent, the support staff is excellent and they work very hard to create a school climate that is welcoming to everyone. They have a staff of counselors who provide individual and group support to those in need. Tons of enrichment activities including great music programs, sports and dance. The school is small enough that the staff really knows the students and watches out for everyone. This school combines academic rigor, scaffolded support for struggling students and enrichment activities. 5 stars for sure.