Christa Mcauliffe Middle School

6500 Le Chalet Boulevard

School District

Palm Beach
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
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 February 01, 2025

Special ed students are made fun of by staff and other students. Teachers do not follow IEPs. Teachers do not teach, they just assign homework on computers. Guidance has absolutely no confidentiality.
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2024

I really like this school, my son is having a nice time in his first choice class and always comes home with a smile. I believe the overall atmosphere of the school is good enough, however there are fights that brake out constantly as if it was a fashion, and no harsh enough punishment is set to cut the bullying and pre-teen misery out, this should be so much more addressed.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2022

School counselors are not helpful at all, despite leaving numerous messages. IEP's are not followed effectively which is highly concerning. Covid protocol needs to be reevaluated, as my children both had Covid and had zero's in their classes especially PE. The teachers are amazing teachers, that care, Mr. Norman (band), Mr. D (PE-getting kids in shape), and Mr. L, there are many others but these teachers Stand out. There is bullying that goes on especially in the cafeteria however this probably happens at all schools.
Submitted by student on May 19, 2022

(I had to write this twice because it doesn't save)Reasons why I gave this review a 1.1, Haven't you heard "school is the safest place"? Yeah, this school is on the not-so-safe side. I always hear cursing and teachers don't take care of it. Why? Because they're tired of it they hear it 24/7 and they also do it too. (not most of them) There are things like fights that happen at this school and sometimes no one does anything about it.2. I gave a 1 in Learning because it looks like no one likes to learn at this school which is kinda obvious, I don't either but I still do it.3. I don't know if they have special education because I don't pay attention to that, but I gave a three because they sorta specialize in that.4. I gave a 1 in teaching because teachers aren't perfect, but they kinda have the same rules as the students. Some kids say their teacher doesn't teach very well. Some teachers are amazing and they are great teachers. Others should have got fired already.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2022

Worst principal ever. Do not want to submit my name, but my family member was already attacked twice by a student. Principal does nothing. I worry about the safety of the other children. Hard to focus on her work because she's in fear of getting attacked. Horrible environment.
Submitted by student on February 27, 2022

I'm a 7th grader at this school, and I'm having the time of my life here. There are nice teachers, especially Mrs. Cierpik. The principal is nice but strict. This is the perfect definition of a principal. Some students are weird, but I'm in advanced classes. Some students are smart and are developing their careers. One kid I know sells snacks in my 3rd period as a quick way to make money. The bus drivers are nice, and the teachers ACTUALLY teach, sometimes in interesting ways (Mr Wright, my ELA teacher). Parents in the zone area, send your kids here. My elementary speech teacher said that this is an excellent school, and she sees me in Suncoast High school, 2nd in the county and 128th in national ranking.
Submitted by student on November 05, 2021

This is my second review lol. But I wanted to add that this school can be amazing if you can adapt to it. The environment there is not great around the students but most of the teachers are good.
Submitted by other on June 01, 2021

This used to be a great school when my youngest went here years ago but it's really nothing special anymore. The principal and administrators pretend to act nice but if your child has a problem that you need resolved then they will show their true colors and not want anything to do with it and start showing an attitude. Basically I found the administration lacks empathy and is more concerned about portraying a good image than actually doing the right thing and helping. I send my child to a private school the next year and that is recommended over going to a public school in the area if you have the choice. This school is only "good" relative to the other schools in the area because they are so poorly rated and out of control in comparison but the truth is this school is starting to head in the same direction as the other public schools in the Boynton area. It's the best option in the area compared to the other schools but it's still not a good option.
Submitted by student on June 01, 2019

As a former 8th grade Student i really enjoyed this school,i made so many happy memories here,it all started when me and my mom were at student services and a lady said i was not in the zone for this school,we were about to leave when,another lady came and greeted me happily and sweetly,and i was invited to this school,and that was the former ESE cooridinator Ms.Feldman,coming to this school was worth it because of the motivation,and a bonus some teachers will tell stories about their personal lives in order to encourage the students,in which inspires me,i used to go to Odyssey MS,i can say that out of all three years this school really motivated me,even though some teachers were strict,the teachers eventually warmed up,and there are even Paras meaning that assistant teachers who are one on one with a student,this school has more than enough teachers to accomodate the students,but there could be more,however i loved that the school helped in many ways to get as many events in this school as possible,and the staff is very friendly,actullay many students including the principal and assistant principal are very polite,and that is because of the amazing inspiration that this school gives them,this school also does announcements in which help many students stay on track with what they need and want to do,this school in my opinion is best at ESE,teaching many students,events,and many more out of the blue things,two words to summarize this entire school year incredibily Insightful! By: A Former 8th grade Student,but one thing is that i would most definitley like to visit this school,very emotional at the last day of 8th grade. Thank you to Ms.Feldman! and the whole entire school, this school was worth it,and i really loved going to the school! God Bless this school!
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2018

As a parent it's been great and my son has never once complained.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2018

Kids from the Canyon and EQUUS are being transferred to a far away lake worth school. The population is building and its getting overcrowded and polluted. These new communities on Lyons road were formerly onion farms, pending a threat to the residents from the pesticides,and mosquito attacks, and snakes. Homes are not that easy to sell bc of the the overgrowth yet the developers are building attractive, new ones, thus creating more problems for people trying to sell a 7-14 year old home. Go to an established neighborhood with better schools, such as in Wellington or Boca Raton. West Boynton is becoming a haven for snowbirds and 55++++ Valencians who need to find some humid weather outside of the Northeast.
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2018

We were not given a proper introduction or chance to even know the school, told we were not zoned for them and the person began to walk away while I was still trying to speak, she looked agitated. With what I have seen upon walking into the school, saw in Parent Services with the SCREENSHOTS of "threats" to the girl student, and the unhospitable attitude at Main Office, I am beginning to understand the poor reiews from before and looking elsewhere for a challenging program for my children.
Submitted by other on June 25, 2017

Leadership is lacking. Too much bullying and school says it's an "A" school. Seriously ??
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2016

My son is about to graduate 8th Grade. When he enrolled in 2014, we weren’t sure as there were so many 'stories' about Christa. In reality, all Middle Schools have incidences. Christa has its own fair share but nothing more than the regular kid fights you hear about now and again. Mr Silverman is a very hands-on principal and I definitely credit him to turning Christa around.I also have my daughter at Don Estridge for 6th Grade this year so I can state the comparisons between the 2 experiences.Academically, Christa has been really awesome. Some of the best AP & Gifted teachers there – very dedicated, caring and responsive teachers. Communication is through edline and I have always had quick responses. Very helpful with their insight & guidance through all 3 years @ Christa. Christa really gives the kids that have potential that extra push. My son is definitely a reluctant academic - he is smart but lazy. He was put into High School Algebra in 7th Grade. We were a little worried, but it turned out well. I credit this to Mrs Worrall, the best Algebra/Geometry teacher there. He was actually in a different class & struggling, but by luck, had to switch to Mrs Worrall due to schedule changes. She definitely turned it around for him. She is definitely a great asset to Christa.They have a great Technology Academy. Kids are taught touch typing/keyboarding skills, learn MS Office and can take an industry standard IBA certification. Our experience at Christa has been really outstanding. Middle School is definitely a growing up experience for any kid but I feel like they have prepared him for stepping into High School.Don Estridge has better funding, the kids aren't as 'tough' but they also have their fair share of fights, so it’s really no different. Academically - Christa definitely challenges the kids more. The course work seems more in depth and rigorous. (Daughter is in Gifted@Don vs. son in AP@Christa). Definitely see difference in workload and content covered. Both schools terrific, but teachers are so much more responsive @Christa. Christa reaches for their communication, while Don posts info on their site, so you just have to go there to get it.
Submitted by student on November 03, 2015

Im a 8th grader here and I've never seen any bullying. Kid's will gossip about each other like every other school sure, but nothing severe. I've only seen 4 fights out of the 3 years I've been here and none of them were aloud to last longer than 20 seconds. All though there are some teachers who can annoy me they're all good at what they do. as far as the principle goes i always complain about him annoying me , but none of us pre-teens or teens will admit to liking an adult who's in charge of us. all the teachers though really seem to like and respect him and even though we don't want to admit it, all the students here low-key love the school and think the principle's does a good job.
Submitted by other on July 14, 2014

I am currently a 7th grader here and it is a fantastic school. It has the best ESE program in the area. A lot of the other reviews complain about the principal. We do not have Mr. Myers or Ms. Cheek anymore. The new principal is great and any reviews before 2013 are when the old principal was around. The teachers are phenomenal and it does have an aftercare program, along with a lot of great clubs and electives. The band teacher is strict and the reason we have an amazing band. Art is not suggested and I do not know one person who enjoyed this elective due to the teacher. School hours are from 9:00 to 3:50
Submitted by other on September 09, 2013

I love christa. i am a current eight grader in the gifted program. i have amazing teachers. especially ms. worrall every one is so great i never had any issues and really recomend it
Submitted by parent on August 06, 2013

I want my daughter to go to this school. But since her zoned school is Congress and Odyssey middle, she can't. So she is going to Odyssey because I don't like Congress. Anyway they said if we still haven't moved after a year of going to Odyssey, that if she wanted to change schools the district would let her pick a magnet school. So i just wanted to know if this is a magnet school because she really wants to go here. Thank you
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2013

The bullying is out of control. The weird thing is it's a lot of boys bullying girls.The school really needs to have more cameras and monitor them.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2013

Hello, Just wondering how parents/students would rate this school (Currently). I am considering moving into these school boundaries, and I have an Autistic daughter. How is the ESE program? Any advice? Thanks