Mountain Middle School

108 West 31st Street

School District

Charter School Institute
Grade

4-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:21
Type

charter

School Map for Charter School Institute 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 February 01, 2024

This school is shiny on the outside but sadly is rotting on the inside. A school is only as strong as its leadership and teachers and the turnover of teachers during our time at Mountain has been shocking. We've seen long time teachers leave the school, several teachers leave mid-year, and some teachers not return from the holiday break with no communication to parents. Because of this there is inconsistent quality in the teaching, lack of support for who have IEPs and ALPs, and no acknowledgement from school leadership. It's sad to see Mountain Middle School get accolades in the paper based on test scores that are principally due to the selection bias of those who choose to enter the lottery system and send their kids to MMS. Perhaps the Durango Herald should do some actual reporting on MMS and talk to former teachers, parents, and students. Possible story ideas include: terrible teacher turnover and retention, governance issues that might contribute to a lack of accountability for school leadership, such as there currently only being four members on the board of directors, which is very small for a non-profit. Most boards of non-profits have upwards of 10 members or more. A final story should be about financial accountability. As a non-profit MMS is legally required to fill out IRS Form-990 and report on compensation for board members, key personnel, and highest compensated employees. MMS has not filled out this required information in any 990 forms. Other non-profit schools that are members of the Colorado Charter School Institute do report compensation for their heads of school. So my final word on MMS - it looks good from the outside but please do your research. Hope this review helps you.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2023

Unfortunately Mountain Middle School is unable to retain competent teachers. Due to poor school leadership, qualified teachers are racing to the door to exit the school, and are replaced by less experienced less qualified educators each time. As an example, the school has had 4 art teachers over the past three years, and virtually 100% turnover in their 6-8 teachers in the same timeframe. What was once a high performing desirable school has become a joke.
Submitted by other on October 23, 2023

This Fall, our newspaper highlighted Mountain Middle School's high achieving state test scores. I think these need to be taken with a grain of salt. Reports on Mountain are not available on the Dept of Ed website. Using info available on Mountain’s website and comparing it to Dept of Ed info on other schools in our district, Mountain has a very small homogenous student body (235 students spread over 6 grades). It has very few non-white students or low income students compared with other districts schools, and it has a much higher rate of students identified as GT. There is no info on Mountain’s number of students with IEP's but based on how few special ed teachers are on staff it would not be a far stretch to conclude that Mountain has fewer IEP students than other schools. This school has student demographics more in line with a predominantly white, middle to upper income private school and taxpayers are paying for it. The test scores are less a result of the teachers excelling over other public school teachers and more a reflection of student demographics. The students are not necessarily getting a better education just swimmimg in a much smaller pool with fewer special needs children, minorities, English as a second language students and low income students. In other words, less diversity. Mountain comes with perks, but are these things taxpayers should be paying for or that these students deserve over other public school kids. Mountain doesn’t have a sports program so kids that want to play middle school sports go to Miller, potentially taking team spots from Miller students. Mountain does not invest in a food program. Instead, local restaurants provide meals. They ride on cool vans instead of buses. They take a week vacation every year. Other schools in the district have to budget for food programs, special ed programs, sports programs. Teaching our children about equity, exposing them to diversity, showing them that a little struggle is okay are not negatives. If you are okay knowing that Mountain functions like a privileged private school funded with tax dollars but there is no guarantee your individual child will get a better education, the test results just skew that way because of the demographics.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2022

They do not take bullying seriously. My child has complained and I have also complained. The Dean was rude and disregarded my complaint. The staff at this school only care about the kids that are wealthy .
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2019

Very poor. They want my daughter to stay enrolled until October 15 so they can get state funding, then send her back to Escalante. I ‘m considering legal action to get her out of there before then.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2019

Worst expirence ever. Shame on me for forcing my child to do two years there.
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2018

tearable the school has a good intended model but is getting further and further from it and there math system does not work for at all for advanced students their solution for anyone more than 1 grade ahead is to shove them into a corner by themselves with no support and a tearable online course and tell them to learn it on there own
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2018

Worst middle school in Durango by far
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2017

We have a 5th and 8th grader at MMS. Sending our kids to this school has been the best decision we have made related to their schooling. MMS staff has reignited our 5th grader's love of learning and we are so grateful.
Submitted by parent on April 05, 2017

I have a 7th grade son at MMS and our experience has been spectacular. His critical thinking and communication skills have improved tremendously, as has his self confidence. I would recommend MMS to anyone looking for a challenging academic experience in a socially supportive environment.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2016

If you are the parent of a girl, or a boy who just loves school ( rare!) then this is the place for you. We have issues with teen suicide in Durango, so an atmosphere like this one that puts down boys for their god-given energy is a crime in my view. Thankful my son got out of there before the denigration went too far. He was pretty depressed his 8th grade year at MMS. Parents are looked at as the problem at this school, so be aware. If you don't mind being judged by leadership that refuses to listen to parents, then this is your school.
Submitted by parent on July 30, 2014

I've got two children here, and we - parents and kids - are extremely pleased.