Ralph Waldo Emerson Junior High School

2121 Calaveras Avenue

School District

Davis Joint Unified
Grade

7-9
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Davis Joint 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 parent on March 01, 2024

I enjoy this school as a parent, the teachers and school environment are inviting and seemlingly caring. The school keeps bulling at a minimum and has a good handle on students behavior in class and outside. There are a good selection of classes and activities to choose from as well as assistance when needed. The campus is clean and decorated with much of the students art. My kids enjoy there time here at Emerson Junior High.
Submitted by student on March 04, 2019

I love this school! I never really felt like I fit in before because I am not good at sports and am more on the academic side of things. I found great people to immerse myself in to help build a better character for myself and grow to be a responsible teenager. Even the P.E. here is fun. You get to do sports that most other schools won't allow, like archery! If you are considering taking your student to this school to improve academic strength and build good study habits for high school and college, I highly recommend this school. However, if your child doesn't take school seriously or is leaning more towards the athletic and sporty type student, you might want to try somewhere else.
Submitted by student on July 18, 2016

Emerson is a good place to go to school ONLY if you are popular. This is a bad school to go to if you have ever been an outcast or if you have any kind of noticeable disability because you will get bullied. I went to school over there for 3 years from 2013-2016 and I was very unimpressed with my experience. I had my group of friends and not a single one of them enjoyed it over there at all either. The bullying can be really bad. Drug usage is a well known problem on the campus. Weed especially. The most common place they do it is in both of the school gym's locker rooms. Fist fights can happen at any moment during passing periods or lunch or in locker rooms. Truancy is also a well known problem. I know that because I was an Office Assistant in the morning in my 9th grade year. Only one staff walks around outside in the school's courtyard all day to keep the entire school safe. Some of the teachers only want to just hand the work out to people and set deadlines. They have absolutely no problem failing students and are never available at lunch or after school. They have no control over the classrooms either. Other teachers are quite good and are willing to help people with academic needs. The building design is terrible. I had PE in 6th period in my 9th grade year. and the air conditioning wasn't working right so it was hot all of the time. It also looks like a layout of a prison. The building is old and classrooms are small. Conditions are terrible. Fire alarms have been activated many times due to faulty wirings. Bathrooms are terrible and lockers are way too small for backpack storage. I do not recommend going to this school but a different school.
Submitted by teacher on September 03, 2014

I have worked as a sub teacher and paraeducator at this school as well as many others in the district. Most of the teaching I have observed here has been quite good. Unfortunately, the layout of this school is really a disaster. There are literally dead ends and it feels like a concrete maze. I am sure the school has a much larger population of students than when it was built, making the enclosed hallways claustrophobic and uncomfortable. It's hard to argue for a remodel with education funding being so limited, but the environment created by the architecture here is truly unpleasant.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2014

My daughter has a great science and history teacher but her math teacher is horrible. Overall, she has a positive experience but the school would be better if they do something about the totally non-engaged teachers.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2014

This school is a terrible place. People are unwelcoming, and seem to be very rude. There are some great teachers that care and teach very well, but on the other hand, there are teachers that do not care at all about their students, and just kind of throw work in student's faces, and don't care to address problems, or help students, even then- only helping them after the fact that thy needed to know it a long time ago for a test or quiz, or web just to progress in the subject. A disgrace!... Overall- this school was a very unpleasant experience for my child and there was very few enjoyable things. I recommend putting your child in a different school. My opinion is point. Blank. Period.
Submitted by parent on December 19, 2013

In this age range, kids often succeed or fail for reasons not directly related to the academic content. Attitudes toward school, social stresses, bullying, study skills, and student community all contribute to an environment that determines whether students can reach their individual potential. This school makes an effort to treat its young students with respect - not something I often see extended toward adolescents - and the students I know have a remarkably positive attitude toward school. I have been pleasantly surprised by how well Emerson seems to be successfully navigating the major issues of the preteen years, and my son is thriving there.
Submitted by other on May 28, 2013

I am a current 7th grader, and I go to Emerson Junior High School, and I think it is a great school with amazing teachers who make sure that your experience is great while you are there! And there is an awesome school councelor named Mr. Leahy, and he is a great person that you can talk to about all problems and even just hang out with him! I think the teachers are very supportive, and the office staff is very friendly. I would really reccomend this school for anybody, anywhere, and overall, Davis is just a good place for people to go to school! :) ~Aimee, 7th grader, Emerson Junior High
Submitted by other on December 31, 2012

I was a student from 1970 -1973. I've always been greatful to have attended this wonderful school, all the teachers were very supportive, science and math were great. It's great to know it's one of the best.