Johnston Middle School

10410 Manhattan Drive

School District

Houston Independent
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
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 other on July 24, 2024

I had a great time at Johnston Middle School in the early 1980s There were good school - teachers and my friends were my friends. Never a single problem. Nobody had a cell phone then - they had not been invented then.
Submitted by other on February 17, 2017

I was extremely bullied at this school, through both random hate and targeting. This school is very rough, with drug use, disrespect to teachers, etc. Several of the teachers are very strange, pinning kids to walls, etc. This is not a great school, but it's survivable I suppose.
Submitted by parent on August 11, 2016

Overall, this school comprises highly qualified teachers, but there are a few who should find another profession as they hurt the academic progress of students. A few teachers employed at this school are sarcastic, scream at students often, and put students down.Administrators do not have a clue what REALLY goes on in the classrooms. Once the teachers close the classroom doors it's their words against the students. Teachers say and do whatever they please, and when reported by parents, this Principal has a monotonous script ready - He says, "I am shocked to hear this. You are the first parent who has ever said this. I often talk to the students around the school, and they love this teacher."I hope the new Superintendent of Schools will "weed-out" ineffective teachers and administrators who hurt our students.
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2016

Amazing school. Our son chose Johnston as a magnet in choir and orchestra. The teachers are very good and the GT class work is rigorous. As for the magnet classes they are even more rigorous and students who fail to comply with the high standards lose their eligibility. I know many parents are concerned about sending their child to a Title 1 school but they really miss out when they write Johnston off.
Submitted by parent on December 30, 2015

My child wants to go to school every day. She has developed lasting friendships here. She is learning and is excited to tell me about her learning. That she is able to take art, orchestra, Karate and French classes is amazing. I am involved with her education. I have taken time to meet all of her teachers and have discussions with them. I know about the curriculum for each class. When she struggles, I know about it and I let her teachers know - other students may also struggle. We are looking forward to the 2nd half of the year!
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2015

I had one child to graduate JMS and two currently attending JMS. This school has problems and so do the other middle schools. Our experience with Johnston has been very challenging. Johnston now allows students to have math classes everyday. They offer tutorials for the core classes. I'm very active in my kids education, so when problems and concerns arises, the teachers, administrators, and counselors are very helpful. I feel the quality of education is fair. My oldest daughter that attends high school has been equipped by Johnston to succeed in Geometry and soar in her other core classes including Spanish. Although my oldest daughter is not strong in math, thanks to JMS tutorials she attended through out her 8th grade year, it is helping her to survive in her HS math class.
Submitted by other on May 13, 2015

I am graduating from 8th grade from Johnston Middle School this year. It has not been a good experience. If you are a parent considering sending your child to Johnston, I would think twice and here's why: Drugs and Alcohol are a major problem here at Johnston. Kids get arrested and placed in handcuffs frequently. Another problem is the violence. There is literally a fight every week maybe even more than once a week. It happens way too often and it always seems to be that Administrators as well as the campus police are NOT immediately available to break up the fights. Disciplinary actions taken by the administration is also an issue. A student can easily attack another student and just be suspended for 1-3 days at the most. Another MAJOR PROBLEM is the quality of the education. The majority of teachers , in my opinion, do NOT teach well or in fact not teach at all. For example, some teachers I have had just sit at their desk while the kids go on their phones or horse around. Yes, there are a select few dedicated teachers who are fantastic and you actually learn from them but overall I was VERY disappointed with the education.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2014

My child is so excited about starting school but so nervous at the same time. The staff has done a great job by providing a camp for the new students. Taking students around the campus with a your, learning to use the lockers and meeting many of the teachers has made her more relaxed. I was also impressed with the parent information meeting with the magnet coordinator. There were things I did not know and he took time to go over certain aspects of the campus. I noticed many parents just as nervous as the kids but he took time to answer concerns afterward. The gradespeed part was good but the screen was hard to read and needed to be focused. I have been impressed with how strong the magnet areas are as well as the academics. From the start I was sold on this school with taking the magnet tour. The coordinator seems very excited about the school and it shows we walked around. Yes the school is older and needs some work in areas but the teachers make the difference.
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2014

My child is a seventh grader and even though he likes the school due to the magnet program, I would like him to go somewhere else like Pershing, Pin Oak, Lanier or KIPP. The principal appears to be a good guy, but the house principals are not fair when it comes to students outside the GT program. Students complain that the magnet coordinator is rude and I have observed his being rude to students. I have had to get outside tutoring for my child in math as the school is not up to par in this area. Several times I have had to correct his math homework when the teacher was wrong! The pluses are magnet (guitar) and the orchestra. The minuses are the disorganized administration, poor math instruction. and general poor state of the buildings and grounds.
Submitted by other on January 26, 2014

JMS is truly an amazing school... I am on my 1st year here and so far I have already participated in Theatre field trips, the all school musical, and winning a superior in the solo and ensemble competition. Also JMS is very unique... We have karate as a physical education option. Please come here, not only is it academically outstanding, our musical talents, and art talents really shine through. The GT program I am in has really made me think more intellectually about the world's problems and the lack of education kids get around the world
Submitted by other on December 07, 2013

This is my last year at JMS.I have been here for two years already and tell you it's amazing!I loved my teachers and the students are very nice and interesting.Don't let these people as parents fool you.They haven't had first experience here.I love all the teachers that taught me and you'll love them too!So..don't refrain yourself from applying.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2013

2013 is our 1st full year at JMS. My son enrolled in late spring and the administrators, counselors and teachers were extremely responsive and supportive of his transition to a new school. JMS has shown to be academically above level regarding district/state standards for students performance. The teachers seem to be very understanding and appropriate with junior high age students. I have no criticisms or complaints - this school is a great place for us.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2013

Johnston MS has an excellent fine arts program where two of my children attend. The principal, Mr. Sanders, came from Lanier MS a highly respected school with a vanguard program in a better neighborhood. We are very pleased with the school management, visibility and high expectations. Our sons come home in a good, positive mood which tells us a lot about this school.
Submitted by other on August 15, 2013

Johnston Middle School is a good place to be for the magnet program. I am going to Ninth grade Now! Some of my teachers actually did have faith in me like Mr. Cartes, Mrs. Aust, Ms. Scott, Ms. Price, Mr. Rivera, Ms. Conner, Coach Hines, and definitely Ms. Latson....But then again, there are haters like Ms. Wilson, who is emotionally unstable. She had an attitude problem. The pluses were the ability to socialize....the minuses were having too many people to socialize with. My classes we at least. Point Blank- Do not stay in Ms. Wilson's class she is annoying. I had a front row seat and she spits alot! Mr. Cowan is strict and smells like an old cow! But honestly people judge the school based on its students and not based on performance. Its performance is well. It especially excels in magnet. It matters who you hang out with. I made bad decisions, but hey thats life. This is a really good school.
Submitted by other on August 05, 2013

i do not recommend this school it is downright horrible and students are messy and very disrespectful i recomend pin oak or pershing
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2013

I loved the magnet program. My son had some very good teachers. I wish the academic program was a little more rigorous. The principal worked long, hard hours and cared a lot about the welfare of the children and their success.
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2013

My 6th grader had a very mixed year at Johnston. Pluses included the amazing art program and the very responsive counselors and teachers. Minuses were that my son had 30 students in his GT classes and he was called some very nasty names by his classmates. That said, the counsellor addressed the name calling immediately and the school had 150 sixth graders just show up on the first day of school, leaving the administration to scramble to accommodate them. I think it's a good school on its way to being a great one.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2013

We have only been at Johnston Middle School for one school year and I can not wait until the school year is over. It has been an EXTREME nightmare for us. If your child is not in the magnet program they are not treated fairly. My child came home complaining about how a teacher spoke to the students and I blew it off until she taped him and I heard for myself how disrespectful the teacher was. The way they talk to the parents it so unacceptable. I am not sure how many times I have left the school in tears. I am so glad we were accepted for another school so we can run like the wind to the new school. Goodbye Johnston Staff!
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2013

My child has been here for a year already and her and I absolutely love the school. The entire staff is always friendly and ready to help. Parents are very much involved in helping the school and students do their best. I look forward to the next 2 years.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2012

This is a fantastic school in all areas - academics, fine arts, athletics! The children at this school get a well-rounded education, and are certainly prepared to attend any high school. I highly recommend Johnston to any and all!!!!