Briscoe Middle School

502 Cabot Street

Beverly, MA 01915

School District

Beverly
Grade

5-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
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 16, 2022

The teachers have bullied and targeted my son. They have removed him from his classes and kept him in a room alone, they have told and set up plans and then gone back and refused, they have lied and accused him of using his phone when he wasn't I know he wasn't and when other kids have blatantly used their phones and they just them, but single him out every single time, they have told him to his face that he will not pass and have said other rude things to his face, they gave him detention when he went to the counselors office even though they told him he could do. They singled him out all the time and did all this and more knowing he has sever anxiety. Because of this he does not feel safe there. We are working with a Children's Advocate now because that is how bad this has gotten.
Submitted by parent on December 08, 2021

I get that the teachers have a hard time teaching but they are horrible. They will care only about the kids that do well already and for the other kids, they act like they don't exist. If you try and get help they will always respond with: "It's not my fault you didn't study." and for the teaching part it is even worse. The teachers at this school don't teach you, they make you teach yourself. Every day in school when class starts the teacher would just give us a bunch of work to do and think we would learn by doing it ourselves. Either go to a private school, or go to a different public school.
Submitted by other on June 19, 2021

The food gave me smallpox, Ebola, Marburg fever, Cholera, Guinea Worms, and septicemic plague. That’s a slight exaggeration, but the food is horrible though.
Submitted by parent on June 24, 2020

Awful. 2 kids in Beverly schools. Wish I could afford private school because the education is terrible
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2017

Classrooms are overpacked, sometimes 28-30 students per classroom. Teachers are suppose to adapt for special ed, but some do and some don’t. No one seems to be looking. Teachers do offer tutoring, but there are so many students lining up it can be hard to get attention, especially when it comes to math. The math curriculum is very fast paced, with new concepts being presented each week, and kids who didn’t get it the first time are out of luck, very little built-in review. Detention instead of interesting after school activities, principal supports discipline but does not look at alternative inspiration, such as innovative activities after school, like parent volunteer tutors, neighborhood outreach, a garden, dance, music combos. Only 3 counselors for 1,000+ students? A few teachers are wonderfully creative, but overall, you can do better. Very few minority teachers.
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2016

My daughter has an IEP at the school for 6th grade and the academic support and attention is top notch. I can't say enough about the caring and attention the teachers and assistants give. Communication is excellent between teachers, TAs, and the guidance counselor. She has gone from struggling in elementary to making the honor roll her first quarter. Very pleased with the administration even though classes can be large and an old facility.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2016

Both of my daughters are currently attending Briscoe, one in the 7th and one in the 6th. There was an issue with bullying at first with my oldest daughter but after talking with the guidance counselor it was quickly stomped down. Beautiful building and my kids love their teachers.
Submitted by other on April 14, 2015

Be very wary about sending your child to this school. The administration has no clue what they are doing, nursing is lacking, special ed needs help and has no idea how to run a meeting. The superintendent is by far clueless as to whats happening in his schools!!! If you want your child to have an education find somewhere else to send them. Not sure how they get an 8/10 rating
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2014

The Briscoe Middle School is unsatisfactory as are most of the schools in the Beverly Public School district. While this may seem to be a blanket statement, just google "Special Education in Beverly, MA School District" and read the 47 page report prepared by an independent group. The Special Education is horrific and the general education population suffers as a result. The report cites the fact that Spec Ed expenses take up a hugely disproportionate "chunk" out of the town's general school expense. 50% of the Spec Ed funds go to paying for out-of-district placement for special education kids whose parents have successfully won in litigation cases because their kids special needs are not being met. This eats into the services for the general population. It's a lose-lose situation for either group (Special Needs and General Ed). The report was prepared in 2011 after years of complaints and none of the suggestions have been implemented. It's inexcusable because it's absolutely avoidable-not enough room to write where the problems lie.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2013

Briscoe is a fantastic middle school in every which way you want to look at it! The teachers are completely devoted to their students and go out of their way to make sure they are learning and happy. The academic course offerings are quite vast for a middle school--heck, there is even a "Tech Ed" elective course where the kids are hands on in learn engineering, manufacturing, and marketing! I've spoken to many Briscoe parents and all our kids are different whether it's their gender, academic level, grade, outgoing-to-shy personalities, etc. and Briscoe seems to accommodate every type of student, and does it well. Parents and students are all happy with the school. Extracurricular activities are great, the field trips are fun and educational, and the principals are friendly and very student-oriented yet still run a strict, disciplined school. I feel confident that my children are getting everything plus more from their middle school experience here and will succeed at any high school we choose later on due to their attending Briscoe Middle School.