Ralph B O'maley Middle School

32 Cherry Street

Gloucester, MA 01930

School District

Gloucester
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
Type

public

School Map for Gloucester 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 other on August 11, 2015

The students run the school. There is no discipline, no follow through or consequences. Teachers are not supported and are constantly dis-empowered. They are reprimanded for having high expectations and challenging students, especially in specialists classes and have been told to dumb down lessons. Just last year students were lighting fire in the hallways and carrying weapons to school. The school has dropped to a level 3, on its way to level 4 I'm sure. The "STEAM" element is a joke and just there to get funding. In practice, there is no collaboration between teachers, only "practices" put in place "just in case" evidence is asked for by the state for STEAM practices. If a student is at risk, they will do anything they can to ignore and or push that child's problems under the rug. One guidance counselor is completely useless, the other two try but their hands are tied because the administration would rather ignore student issues. The administration is a complete joke.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2014

My 7th grader is enjoying his experience at O'Maley. His teachers have worked to individualize his experience and challenge him through advance math, additional projects, and even after school explorations such as PhotoShop. This was all done proactively through my son and his teachers' initiatives. The afterschool programs include crosscountry, track, basketball, karate, photography, coding, robotics, knitting, soccer, legos, pottery and more. O'Maley has a great band program with the opportunity of marching as well as jazz band at the high school. The performing arts club creates a spectacular performance each year from set design to stage support to the performing. The quality of the sports offered at O'Maley and in Gloucester for middles schoolers is exceptional. As a parent, I can help to supplement what my kids may need academically. But, I could not offer a better community to my kids then the one I see developing around them as they learn and grow at Gloucester public schools. We moved to Gloucester because we loved its beauty and community. Now our kids are learning in their community, becoming part of that community, and helping that community to grow with them.
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2013

My daughter is a 7th Grade Student. She has loved the place since she started. The teachers have been on the ball and on her case whenever necessary. Her grades have been consistently good, and when they have dipped, we have been the first to know and to be involved (by the teachers) in what is going on with her learning. The stories from the old days about bullying, lack of discipline, or 'bad buildings' are no longer true and certainly not appropriate to a truthful and balanced review. The Drama Club, in particular, is a great organization that embraces and involves every single student that wants to participate. Their annual musicals have a been a great success.
Submitted by other on March 24, 2011

I have been lucky enough to know the school from two perspectives... I was a student there and got a great deal from the personalized care of the teachers. They were instrumental in putting me on a path to success. The mission of the school if to give children opportunities to shine, which has become very prevalent in the attitude they take to support their theater program, the middle school band, and countless other programs such as the MIT robotics program, the middle school track and field team and so many more. It has been a pleasure to see amazing youth developing a wide variety of life skills through their involvement in the school and their outreach into community life.
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2010

My daughter is shy, yet she fit right in at the school. She loves most of her teachers, and especially loves the drama portion.
Submitted by student on March 25, 2010

the o'maley middle school is a very good school the staff is very nice also very supportive. there is very good forms of discipline. the few things that i feel are not good with the school is some of the leaky roofs also the school lunch isn't the best. the other day at lunch part of the tiles fell but besides those 2 minor points O'maley is a very good school
Submitted by parent on December 27, 2009

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