Black Middle School

1575 Chantilly Lane

School District

Houston Independent
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for Houston Independent 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 January 24, 2025

School is pretty dangerous, but there are a few gems of teachers and students
Submitted by student on February 10, 2024

This is a very terrible school, they give expired food, McDonald's garbage hamburgers. And everyone smokes vape, there is not enough security, many students run away from school and fight in El dollar, which is near the school, many students fight in the bathrooms. Then I recommend that you change. The chicken nuggets by Uno mas Buenos That is MY opinion, good afternoon.
Submitted by parent on August 06, 2023

While there are some very strong teachers that truly want to be there, there are many disengaged, angry and resentful teachers. We come from a very strong elementary school and believe in good public education, but have not been happy with most teachers at this school. The vanguard ELAR teachers appear to the exception, as they appear engaged and enjoy what they are doing. There have been several stories from my son of teachers bullying students, while some of these things may be a bit blown out of proportion given it’s a middle schooler telling the story, if any of this is true I have severe concerns. That age range is very difficult and it takes a special type of person to want to deal with that many hormonal teens, but I think that many of these teachers have hit their burnout and have just given up. PTO involvement appears to be increasing, which could help to improve the environment at the school if there is engagement of the families, but that will be a long road and needs to be embraced throughout the school.
Submitted by student on May 03, 2021

This school has some pretty terrible ratings, and all those were true years ago, but Frank Black has been changing for the better. It is an amazing place to learn and grow, very diverse, with fantastic staff. The people are kind and I expect this school to be in the leages of Pin Oak and Lanier in a few years.
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2016

Please do not pass up this school based on the ratings. It had been in transition for several years so the scores and reviews need to catch up. Having 2 kids currently in 2 different middle schools, one being Frank Black, the other a very well regarded HISD school, I can say unequivocally that Frank Black is leaps and bounds better. The teachers are amazing, they push their students, expect responsible behavior and challenge them to be the best they can be. The administration does not put up with rowdy, disrespectful behavior. The PTO has become first class and the amount of enthusiastic parents is growing exponentially every year. Expect this school to be in the leagues of Lanier and Pin Oak in a few short years.
Submitted by other on May 19, 2016

I concur to the recent review that kids are allowed to hold hands, kiss, date, use profanity. There is no discipline in place therefore the kids do what they want to do. The building is very old and dilapidated with mold, dirt, grime, graffiti and explicit drawings or writing on chairs or outside on the sidewalk. Kids no longer wear mesh backpacks but instead bring large size bags that you can't tell what's inside of them. I'm not sure why the neighborhood hasn't boycotted the school to get them to tear it down and rebuild it. They are unable to keep staff or teachers due to very low morale at the school. There is nothing in place to assure kids who come to Black to learn that they want be bothered by the majority of disruptive, bad language and disrespectful kids at the school. The kids sometimes take three electives class in one day so all they want to do is play. They don't take their education serious. That school needs more Social worker and counselors than Deans, and Administrators because so many of the students come from broken or dysfunctional homes. That school needs to be looked into by HISD, parents and community leaders.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2014

Frank Black Middle School is propagated on lies aimed at getting white middle class families into the school (see the post below), and disenfranchised minorities out. There is no actual emphasis on the "whole child," rather the entire emphasis of the school is on getting high enough test scores to keep the current folks in power. This school can be summed up in a few words: sorry administrative staffing, large class sizes (30 plus), high teacher turnover, low level instruction, lack of discipline, and low accountability.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2014

The Principal, Ms. Jao listens to the parents and is a fierce advocate for her students and their rights to have fantastic teachers, academics and one of the most comprehensive sports offerings around....they could model a standard that would benefit all of HISD. In addition, the teachers are amazing and have gone above and beyond to guarantee their students successes.
Submitted by other on October 05, 2013

As a 2006-2009 'student', I was here when the 'changes' started to happen. Let me tell you about these changes. No more field trips, less food to choose from in the cafeteria ( I remember how a teacher wanted me to eat things I REALLY didnt wanted to, and even stalked me to my car to tell on my parents), GOOD teachers dismissed to make room for MORE UNCARING teachers, and they also cutted down the # of ESL program classes forcing ESLs to take normal classes when some were obviously not ready yet. I was also bullied in 8 grade both by students and some teachers, I recall a Mr.Raimen he teached pre-algebra and never helped me out if I had questions and then had the guts to show and mock my bad test results in front of the class. The atmosphere at this 'school' is dull and void, you see it with different uniforms and colors on the outside, but its still the same on the inside. I think both the teachers and students here need a counselor. Kids are at that stage where they want to be understood but all these teachers do is yell and embarrass them. Hence they rebel. Overall bad excuse of a school. It may be late, but I fell like this is something that needs to be known. Beware!
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2013

I have been so impressed with Frank Black Middle School and the quality of the principal and of the teachers. Frank Black Middle School has hard-working caring teachers. My child has blossomed in this environment and we could not be happier with the quality of education that is being offered. Furthermore, there are tons of clubs and afterschool sports not to mention the Vanguard program and AP classes. This school has really turned the corner and is becoming a great school.
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2011

FBMS is a great middle school with a wide variety of athletic programs, excellent academics including a Vanguard program and strong and developing programs in the Arts. It provides a excellent, well-rounded education for kids on a spacious and recently upgraded campus.