Black Hawk Middle School

1540 Deerwood Drive

School District

Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan 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 student on May 21, 2024

What I have to say is, In all my time anywhere, I have never met so many people who disrespect others because of race.
Submitted by student on April 17, 2024

Teachers are not very nice would not recommend
Submitted by student on January 23, 2024

I’m a current student here and this school could definitely be better. There is a lot of racial tension or talk around race such as people saying and calling other students slurs. The teachers do absolutely nothing about this. Kids will blatantly swear in class and no one says anything. There have been so many fights as of late. The teachers also aren’t the best with coordination of projects in different classes. This week we started a project in science and social studies with harsh deadlines. The social studies teacher in particular is very disliked among students. Lots of times she gives us random deadlines and says we wasted all our time doing something else. Most of the time people are trying to catch up and with comprehension or map tests. I would evaluate on this more but it’s hard to explain unless you actually have a relation to this school. The food isn’t the greatest most of the time too. And the homophobia and sexual jokes. One of my friends is bullied terribly because of his sexuality IN FRONT OF TEACHERS. I know full well people and teachers can hear them. They just choose to do nothing about it. I would like to talk about a fight that happened yesterday even though I did not witness it for myself. Yesterday at lunch two boys were trying to pull off a Muslim girl’s hijab. If anyone doesn’t know why Muslim girls wear hijabs it’s because of their religion. They’re not allowed to show their hair. I don’t know much on this so look it up if you like. So this girl fought back in self defense and got in trouble. One of the boys who was harassing her said “At least when I had hair I actually showed it.” He is bald btw. He doesn’t have cancer just a condition where he can’t grow hair. Again this girl can’t show her hair because of her religion. The boys did not get detention (to my knowledge) or suspended. If that girls ever sees this she should know YOU CAN SUE THEM FOR ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF YOUR HIJAB!
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2023

I had two students go through Black Hawk Middle School and both had positive experiences.
Submitted by parent on November 27, 2022

So far so good. The principal, Anne Kusch, is very contentious and is building a healthy student community at this school. She is still new in her position, I think this is her third year, but under her leadership the school is making strides. The teachers my child has had this are mostly interested in helping students learn. There are a few “veteran” teachers who aren’t interested in teaching and get upset when parents voice their concerns.
Submitted by other on July 26, 2021

Black Hawk Middle School is a pretty good school. The homework was doable, and it helped a lot when learning stuff. Most of the teachers are very good, but some of them are bad. The 7th and 8th grade science teachers are below average. I was among the smartest kids at school during my time at Black Hawk, so there wasn’t much challenge for me. If your child is above average, consider sending them to Dakota Hills or Falcon Ridge rather than Black Hawk as there is much more competition, but if your child is average, Black Hawk is a very good school. The teachers encourage students to ask them questions, and there didn’t seem to be too much bullying. Sports at Black Hawk are average. I don’t have any experience with learning disabilities. Most of Black Hawk’s students do math one grade above average. In conclusion, Black is among the best school in ISD 196 for average students, but if your kid is above average, send them to Dakota Hills or Falcon Ridge.
Submitted by other on July 11, 2018

I was a student (back in 2004-2007) who had been severely effected by teachers who weren't really held accountable for their actions, because they'd be disingenuous and sexist toward me and others, who didn't know much better (i.e. Children). These teachers are luckily no longer at this school, from what I am aware of, but one had became an administrator for awhile before leaving. While the school as a whole isn't rotten, there are times where students might face sexism from teachers and not effectively be able to understand or combat it. Biggest example would be: girls who cannot swim during gym because of their period (or other reasons) and getting poor grades because they are not participating,which isn't something entirely in their control. The school, at the time, offered no alternative activity for these kids. And they were blamed and punished for something out of their control.I hope that students have spoken up about this by now, because it's clear that other teachers or administration doesn't know and or don't care.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2018

This school is appalling. Parents spend a fortune to get inside the ISD 196 district and should expect more from the schools in it. Do yourself a favor and send your child to Dakota Hills Middle School. Their foreign language teacher is much better and students are better equipped heading into high school.
Submitted by parent on March 21, 2018

Very poor at helping students with learning differences. Principals have failed. Some good teachers - some very poor ones. Been ineffective at helping child on IEP. No faith in administration. Use of Schoology extremely inconsistent, making it very difficult to help your child. Homework load for 7th grade is excessive.
Submitted by student on February 14, 2018

It’s good, the teachers are very nice and supportive. They could improve by not playing CNN 10 videos in all the social studies classes cause its fake news.
Submitted by other on May 29, 2017

I was a student at black hawk for sixth through eighth grade. I would never go back and change that. Black Hawk is an excellent school. Despite what people say, the teachers are not only competent but successful. Teachers personally care for each student they have in class, and will take the time to seek out and assist any student they see struggling. The bonds I created with my teachers are so strong that I continue to visit the ones I had in class. Another thing to consider is that middle school is a prep for high school. As you grow up, you actually have to study and do homework. The teachers prepare you to make that transition. As for the students, it is unpredictable what young teens and preteens will do. To base your judgement off the students and not the bonds and education experiences is unfair. In my days there, I saw few instances of bullying, all of which can be expected at any middle school in any district in any state, as middle schoolers tend to do. I experienced literally no personal issues at black hawk, except maybe the food which is consistent throughout the district. I had so much fun in middle school, and can't relate to stories about how rough middle school was. I went to black hawk for three years, and I would never change that,
Submitted by student on September 28, 2016

Student here giving an honest and civil review of this school. It's okay, that's it. There are some great teachers who could easily pick up jobs solely based on student's voices. Yet a lot of teachers sadly aren't okay and do not care enough to teach their class. This is personal but during my years of schooling here (2013-2016, now in High School) there has been 7 fights that I can remember and I'm sure there's been a few I've missed, yet the administration hasn't expelled a single one of those students. Once I made a poll about the likeness of the Spanish and French teacher (the same teacher) and I was called into the office not to talk about how the majority of kids I polled weren't liked, but to stop creating polls because "it's against school policy" it was classified as cyber-bullying to staff and I was verbally shunned because of it. They have little electives for Computer Science classes which are quickly becoming a very big market for jobs for students who are coming out of high school, which angered me and my parents but there wasn't much we could do. Bottom line if you can get a good teacher such as Mr. Douglas Oase, Or Mr. John Rosten, prepare for a fun and academic year. other wise prepare for a terrible learning environment and an even worse curriculum!
Submitted by parent on November 22, 2014

There is something very wrong with the structure of this school. The vice principle is difficult to communicate with. It is nearly impossible to speak directly with a teacher. There is no push for A students to be placed in AP classes. This school does not have the student's best interests at heart.
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2014

We open enrolled from another district this year into Black Hawk and we are so glad we did. The teachers are caring and openly communicate and address concerns. The teaching is fantastic and they really seem to have a grip on methods that prove successful for kids of this age. The only complaint I have is I wish there were more after-school activities offered.
Submitted by other on February 05, 2014

Most of the kids don't want to go to school in the first place, but we have to give them a motivation to come. After all America is the one that will strive from their success. The discontinuation of Panther time activities such as soccer,flag football and kickball has created an unsuccessful learning environment. Without such activities we are depriving the children of America, a healthy lifestyle, social interaction and the motivation to continue the energy to continue the rest of the day. Michelle Obama has fought for a healthy America and I clearly demonstrated the importance of staying active. Why do we still drown our own country with such bad beliefs?
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2013

I chose to move back to district and purposely chose a house in the enrollment area in order to send my kids to this school. Our second child is now attending and we are very happy with BHMS. There seems to be a good amount of parent involvement and the teachers are extremely engaged. Weekly I get emails from them. They seem genuinely invested in their students. The school seems to be doing a great job of transitioning from elementary to HS as well, with just the right amount of homework, and they did a great job with orientation as well; easing the scary move from elementary to middle school. I'm glad I made the choice to move back to the area, and specifically choosing this school.
Submitted by teacher on March 12, 2013

Worked at this school. Very very sad how the administration lets the students run the school. There is not discipline and some of the students are very agressive. The administratioin acts afraid of certain minorities so they make sure that they do not offend them. Even if they are mean and reunion the classroom. So sad! I do not recomend this school. You are better off Home Schooling! Your child would be at risk!