Sussman Middle School

12500 Birchdale Avenue

School District

Downey Unified
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:21
Type

public

School Map for Downey 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 September 23, 2022

Terrible unprofessional traffic. They don't know how to direct traffic
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2022

My son likes Sussman better than his old school. His old school was really toxic and careless.
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2015

A very poorly managed school. How do you suspend a special ed kid who is using school technology when the school IT fails to install a firewall to block adult material. It's irresponsible for a school to pass the blame to a child who is spcial ed of all things! Not happy at all! Thank God we are not prone to lawsuits!
Submitted by other on September 03, 2014

I was a 6th grader (almost 7th grader) who went to this school. I will agree that the teachers are great and try to help you. When it comes to the learning part I overall had a fun time and for the most part liked my teachers. However, lots of kids talk about drugs freely and I don't feel safe in this school. I was also in Honors classes and a majority of the kids in these classes didn't deserve to be in these classes. I did enjoy the classes but the students that shouldn't have been there were putting a strain on how much learning the whole class could actually learn. What with every 5 minutes one of them had to be yelled at. I have a friend who is really smart and she got put in a class with kids that "need help" even though her CST scores were better than lots of kids who barely made it into above average. Those kids also were failing Honors classes due to laziness and slacking off. The new school year starts tomorrow and I hope this won't become a problem again. The only reason I'm going to this school is because of how close it is to my house. Parents who are reading this, I would highly recommend that you don't send your kids to this school if you care for their well being.
Submitted by parent on April 06, 2014

I'm a parent who believes it all starts at home not at school!!!! so to all the parents who are negative maybe you were not involve in your school or did anything to help out you child. the teachers and staff go above and beyond for their students. i can tell you that my son has been very happy with Sussman. his teachers have always been their to help him if he is having any difficulty with a subject. the principal and other staff are always around to protect and watch the kids when they get out of school. i will be sending my straight A daughter to this school. this is a hidden gem in Downey.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2014

SUSSMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL IS THE BEST SCHOOL IN DOWNEY. THE ADMINISTRATION, COUNSELORS, TEACHERS AND STAFF GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO HELP STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. THEY STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT EVERY STUDENT CAN AND WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. PRINCIPAL WEBSTER AND VICE PRINCIPAL BROWNING ARE PROACTIVE, CARING AND THEY HOLD STUDENTS ACCOUNTABLE TO HIGHER STANDARDS THAT DEFINE WHAT GOOD CHARACTER LOOKS LIKE. SUSSMAN IS AN OUTSTANDING SCHOOL. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND GO SPEAK TO THE ADMINISTRATION ABOUT WHAT MAKES THIS SCHOOL SO SPECIAL. YOU WILL BE GLAD THAT YOU DID!!
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2013

I have no complaints about this school the 1st day of class for my son he was bully by a 8th grader my son informed me the 1st day of school and I report it right away to the counselor and took action right away. The kid was suspended and ever since my son had no problems. All parents need to be involved in their kids education you can expect the teacher do everything for you my son will attend his second year and he loves it. My daughter will attend her 1st year my oldest son attended Sussman and graduated Downey High School he did not have any problems teachers give you lots of options to communicate with them dont just sit at home and wait for the teachers to do everything for you. Be part of your kids education I am a parent and my kids educations is very important. I really appreciate all the teachers in Downey district for all your good work.
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2010

Let me start by saying I would NOT recommend this school to any parent who values their kids receiving a good education while learning in a safe & productive environment. My son has attended this school for the last 2 years and they have failed him miserably. There is no communication with the parents and they don't believe in retention even if a child is failing 4 out of 6 classes. They just simply keep moving them up until they rid them of their campus, so much for the "no child left behind" campaign when it comes to Sussman. We have since taken our kids out of the dreadful Downey School District and got them into a charter school where they actually care about a child's overall educational growth. PARENTS DON'T LET YOUR KIDS ATTEND THIS SCHOOL!!
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2010

It's been a rough 2 years for my child at this school. I would not recommend it to parents with children who are "white" or caucasian. My child has experienced so much racism, it's ridiculous, and very stressful. There is a lot of animosity towards white kids at this school. I'm sure the parents have a lot to do with that. Also, the kids at this school have bad behavior as it is. They are very disrespectful to their teachers and their peers. Kids at this school are very cruel to each other. They're also into partying and drugs and talk about it freely. This school has a bad reputation for a reason. Luckily my child is in honors or gate classes and that helps a bit. The only reason why my child goes to this school is because of the convenience of its location to our home.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2010

my child is also"white" and in honors classes and has received some racial comments from certain students. i think it could happen anywhere. when i became aware of the problem i contacted the counselor. the counselor then let the teachers know and one of the teachers actually caught the student who was being disrespectful to my child. i think parents need to be more involved as a whole at this school. i feel my child is receiving an acceptable education. things could be better, but my child is also learning good life skills. i worry sometimes, but trust that my involvement and direction will help my child make the right decisions.
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2010

The teachers at the school are great. They stay after school and help out any students looking for the help. My son was in the band program and he loved it. The band director was amazing and is one of the best in southern California.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2008

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Submitted by student on January 07, 2008

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Submitted by other on December 19, 2007

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Submitted by parent on October 07, 2007

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