James E. Potter Intermediate School

1743 Reche Road

Fallbrook, CA 92028

School District

Fallbrook Union Elementary
Grade

7-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

public

School Map for Fallbrook Union Elementary 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 October 24, 2024

My son thrives at this school. The administration and his teachers genuinely care about his education and wellbeing. The principal is always approachable and willing to listen to parent concerns.
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2024

If you are considering different middle school choices, I encourage you to visit Potter and speak with the new principal and assistant principals. I'm unsure how Great Schools structures its ratings, but I think the school deserves better. The new administration is dynamic and constantly seeking to listen and improve. We are very happy!
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2023

I had mixed feelings about this middle school for my daughter (just based on things I had heard in the community), but I have been very happy with her progress. She is doing well and is thriving. The PE program keeps them moving, which I love. The teachers and administration are super supportive. She actually volunteers to speak at leadership rallies, whereas in elementary school she was more introverted and shy about speaking in public. I can also keep track of her academic progress on Infinite Campus, which is really helpful.
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2023

The reviews on this site made me very nervous to send my 12 year old daughter here but we couldn't be happier with every aspect of Potter Junior High! The administration, in particular the new principal, Dr Gonzalez, is superb: engaged, welcoming, active, communicative. We attended Back To School night this week and the teachers were top notch. We were thrilled! Every one seemed genuinely happy to be a public school teacher (the hardest job in the world, except maybe nurses!) and all of them offered additional academic support (on THEIR time) for the kids that need it. My child is in the Dual Language Immersion program and I am amazed (as a non-Spanish speaker) to hear her speak fluently. She is also taking all the Honors classes offered and they are challenging (and fun, she says!) She just joined the Robotics Club (led by a wonderful veteran teacher there named Mr Floto) and volleyball try-outs are next week. This school has so much to offer and we HIGHLY recommend it. Don't believe the haters. Take a tour. Fallbrook is a wonderful place to live and I am so happy (and relieved) that the public schools are so good.
Submitted by student on July 26, 2022

This school is bad and best but is not horrible. Some of the staff are rude and are not fit to be talking care of students. The 8th grade counselor is disconnected with students and needs to realize kids don’t feel comfortable talking to some like him. There is also not enough counselors for the amount of student this school. They say that they are going to check up on student in a month and they can’t even do that because of how much students there are. The school definitely lives up to its bad reputation
Submitted by other on June 27, 2021

Leadership is toxic at this school. They do not communicate effectively with staff, do not hold themselves accountable, are never available to provide staff support, and are unprofessional. This has been one of the worst leadership team I have worked for. It’s the staff that carries them and need more recognition. How the move on with such ineffective leadership shows how much staff and teachers care about the students. Also, the school nurse needs to learn bedside manner because she has zero compassion towards the students and is very unprofessional. It seems they forget that they have jobs because of these students. Without them they would not have a job. Humility goes a long way!
Submitted by student on January 29, 2021

I do well in this school. Very well. I'm one of the highest scoring kids. I get the good teachers. I hate this school. I've asked my friends what they think about it. They hate it too. The work is either too easy or too hard, no in-between. At one point fights happened at least twice a week. Twice, the fire alarm was triggered by kids smoking and vaping in the bathroom. There was a kid in PE whose vocabulary was at least 30 percent slurs and cuss words. It took a month to get him removed. Nonstop, kids having no regard for consequences and no staff issuing any except in extreme cases like the fights I mentioned. It's just bad. If I get an opportunity to give a speech to the people because of my grades or whatever, I'll try to communicate just how bad of a school this is.
Submitted by other on April 28, 2014

The staff works very well together. They all give 100% and are student focused. All students learn and all students know they can be successful at Potter
Submitted by other on April 05, 2013

I went to Potter exactly two years ago, and I have to say I would do anything to have time reversed and go back. I admit I wasn't the best student, the most popular but I did do well. I had fun with my friends, and I was able to stay away from bullies. I guess what really matters is who you are hanging out with and what you are doing. I had great experiences with teachers and others and I made some great friends all while enjoying and looking forward to go to school. Most of the reviews below are concerned parents, who fear for the children. But I have to say, not everything kids say is true. Being one, I may stretch the truth a little. We all get bored, we all have a few problems. But the school isn't the problem. Sometimes it's the kids themselves. Some teachers and staff... can be a bit mean or strict, but some people need a person with a harsh attitude to understand things that they just won't accept. I loved this school and my teachers. In the two years I was able to witness what the teachers go through I could not believe it. After getting flipped off, being called some horrible things most of my teachers remained calm. I wouldn't have. I truly love Potter, and everyone there
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2013

I've read each review posted so far. My daughter started 7th grade at Potter in 2012 and she was accepted into all honors classes. So far she is excelling and thriving at Potter. She has made many friends and she loves her teachers. My daughter was threatened by a bully, but several other students learned of it and reported it to the school counselor who acted quickly and handled the situation professionally and effectively. My daughter has not had a single negative incident since then and she loves going to school. I've spoken with several staff members throughout the year and each one has always been receptive and helpful. It's unfortunate that students and parents have had less positive experiences and results. Please keep in mind that we went into this school with the same trepidation. My only concern is the lack of parent involvement, both with homework assistance and extra curricular activities.
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2012

Attended parent-teacher conference and walked away feeling depressed. Just about every teacher couldn't remember what class my son was in, and had to look at their notes to refresh their memory. I guess that's what you get when you have a 35:1 teacher ratio. The other problem I have is their acceptance for mediocracy. My son was doing poor in several classes, but when they showed me the class averages, alarms should be going off - but their not. Instead, its all fine and people are accepting of that. This school should lose their accreditation in my opinion, but this is the best they have in Fallbrook. My advice, seek a private or alternative school out side of Fallbrook.
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2012

I've read the reviews, which I agree with, but there's an additional underlying problem with this school. Its teachers and faculty really show no regard or concern for the students, and its lack of involvement in the affairs of the students. With over 900 students in this small town, the school makes students feel isolated, and can get away with what ever they want. My daughter hates going to that school everyday, and for good reasons - the students and staff make you feel unwelcome and especially the teachers show no concern. We plan on moving our child away next month. Its unfortunate that Potter doesn't step up and do more for its kids.