College Preparatory Middle School

5150 Jackson Drive

La Mesa, CA 91942

41 Reviews

School District

Mountain Empire Unified
Grade

5-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

charter

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Reviews

Submitted by student on February 01, 2025

I went here recently and after graduating it felt like I had been freed from misery. I attended this school for all 4 years and I am a person who tends to need more help when it comes to turning in assignments and learning the material given immediately. Although it seems like this school would help with that, it was the complete opposite. The disrespectful staff would put pressure and have harsh discipline when students did not turn in assignments, and would make me and countless other students feel as though they were dumb if they were not on "honor roll". There was extra help given for an hour at the end of the day but during that hour you would have to be silent and when the teachers would rarely allow you to go to the class you need assistance in because they do not trust that you will not cause a distraction in the small hallway even if you are a quiet student. They do not give opportunities like fun sports and Spanish class which was something that affected me in highschool when I had zero language experiences. The staff can make a student feel as though they are very big trouble makers and bad kids in general, because I was there from 5th till 8th grade I encountered every staff and dealt with being yelled at and being sent to the principals or lunch detention for even the simplest things. There has been countless encounters and issues where staff has called students nasty names and gave lazy apologies when confronted by an upset parent. The staff is known for picking favorites out of students who were considered "perfect". Because the school is so small, everyone knows eachother which leads to bullying. I have also spoken to substitutes who used to work at this school and they have mentioned the "weird" and very strict rules they had to follow such as no phones or candy. I understand no phone policy but they take it away if you haven't used it but it's simply not powered off even if it's in your backpack.
Submitted by parent on August 14, 2024

Our son attended CPMS in 5th and 6th grade. We made the choice to leave this year because the bullying and harrassment from students and some of the staff was getting out of hand. The administration gives a caring impression in the beginning but quickly grows impatient with students and parents who advocate for safety on campus. After we reported that our son was repeatedly punched in the stomach by another student during his science class, we were told that since CPMS was a charter school, we were not required to stay enrolled and were free to leave at anytime. Not the response you expect when your kid has been physically assaulted at school. That's when we knew it was time to look elsewhere. To be honest, the school is very upfront about their high expectations and how important testing is to them, so it's no surprise that they put student's mental health low on the priority ladder. I'd rather they be proud of having a safe a supportive learning environment for all students. Honestly, this is a great school if your kids already excel academically, are naturally organized, are motivated by grades, and don't require accomodations to support their learning. It's also great for students that like to bully or harrass others or for students and parents who can devote an extra 2-3 hours per night for homework and don't mind getting lunch detentions and shamed by staff if they happen to have trouble keeping up with the pace. Our kid didn't fit their mold, but that's okay. He's excelling now and we are grateful that he has teachers that see him as more than another test score. If you are in the same boat, I recommend steering clear of CPMS and looking for a learning environment that sees your kid for who they are and supports them where they are.
Submitted by other on June 09, 2024

I was a former student at College Prepatory Middle School. Let’s just say, this school was horrible and I hated it here. First of all, they had absolutely no fun things to do here. Secondly, the learning here also is bad. At this school I did not learn anything and was learning things that third graders are probably learning. Third of all, my family has been at college prep for a while and my family has given a lot of things to the school, although the staff are a little disrespectful and even to the parents. Fourth, the school does not care about the kids well being. Everyone there says they hate it at college prep and the staff do not care at all about racism, fat phobia, and bullying in general. a list of reasons I hate this place can go on and on. If you’re looking for a place to put your kid in that has any disabilities, this is not the place for you. Overall, college prep isn’t how people say it is. The kids there are bullies even though they are actually just weird themselves, the teachers are annoying and rude to everyone even parents, and the learning isn’t great.
Submitted by other on November 07, 2023

sealy broevor is mine 7 words heheheheh pear
Submitted by student on June 17, 2023

I went here to this school for just this year which is 7th and this school is very good, they give you a lot of homework for you to have a good education. It's pretty to have good grades just complete your assignments. All of the staff here is completely amazing they really care about your safety and others safety and address problems really quickly. The food here is very good especially the breakfast cookie, pizza, chicken famous bowl (KFC technically), and the cinnamon rolls just watch out for the tamales... Anyways, I recommend this school because of the staff but like sometimes the kids are the problem. Most of the kids are rude and they like to make you feel uncomfortable especially if your part of the LGBTQ+ community they completely make fun of you and bother you non-stop which is hard if you find it trouble to tell on people. I really like this school for how they address the problems they give punishments such as lunch detention and a call to the person's parents. The school counselor is amazing and the art teacher is amazing I love everything about the staff and I am so glad that I had the chance to go to college preparatory middle school because I got to meet these wonderful people.
Submitted by other on June 14, 2023

Finally, my daughter is learning thanks to CPMS!! I removed my daughter from the top rated elementary school in our district to attend CPMS and I am so glad I did. My daughter struggles with attention and focus, and the lack of discipline at her school and low emphasis on academic success caused her to fall further and further behind. By the end of her fourth grade year, her math and ELA scores were stuck at a second grade level. There was no plan to get her caught up. She was learning nothing and falling through the cracks. CPMS turned all of that around. Now when I ask my daughter what she learned at school today instead or responding with "nothing" or giving me a blank stare, she can actually share something she learned that day. After her first year at CPMS, her math and ELA proficiency is finally at or nearing grade level. I credit the school for this with their academic rigor, after school tutorial, and extra help they provide the students. For example, CPMS reached out to me to offer extra help for my daughter in both English and Math by way of 1:1 time with a teacher and after school clubs. Read that again - THEY REACHED OUT TO ME with a plan to get my daughter extra help. The other school encouraged me to put my daughter on medication to help her focus. I have read the negative reviews and yes, this school is rigorous. There is a lot of school work. You will have to lean in as a parent to help them out a little, make sure they are organized and encourage them. There are not the typically middle school electives (band, drama, sports teams, etc.). CPMS is working to include more of these options, however there are limitations with the size of their campus. It is an academically-focused school. Other public schools are glorified daycares - that is all they are doing here in California. If you want your child to learn, be able to think critically, read text for comprehension, know how to cite facts to support an argument, be able to work through a problem whether it is logic, math or science, this is the place for you.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2023

This school does not individualize learning at all they use harsh discipline if the homework is not turned in and do not support the students well being. They do not support the parents either. There are minimal chances to get it right at this school. If your children have any sort of challenges socially don’t send them here they are looking to get rid of you as they only want perfect students.
Submitted by student on May 23, 2022

I beg you, do not send your child to this school. They could care less about the student’s wellbeing and simply pile homework and exams until it feels impossible to continue. Plus, the students are incredibly insensitive (homophobia, racism, sexism, rape jokes) and the school does absolutely nothing to stop it. They send the student off a pat on the back and nothing more.
Submitted by student on August 24, 2021

Parents, I cannot stress this enough, this school is awful for kids who feel they don't belong. As a previous student here, I can say that it definitely taught me how to succeed in a institution and be a very efficient worker. If your child is great in that structured, strict environment, they will love it here. However, if they're more creative and free-spirited like myself, this school is absolutely insufferable. I've been friends with a handful of kids that have ended up with serious mental issues and drug use problems directly rooted from their experience with the environment and faculty here. This school is no joke, and I really just recommend public school.
Submitted by parent on January 04, 2020

Much less well than we'd hoped for.
Submitted by parent on September 01, 2018

11 out of 10. We looked at many private schools and we were put on the waiting list but after sending our kids to College Prep Middle School we are happy with the school so we removed our name from the waiting list.
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2018

5/5! We took a chance and pulled our daughter out of our localPublic school because we wanted a more academically rigorous environment... not necessarily a school that loaded up the work but rather a school that would encourage her to be all that she is capable of and allow her to work at her level wherever that was. College Prep allows students to go beyond in areas of strength whileCoaching them up in areas not as strong. College Prep creates a safe learning environment where families and staff are partners in the student educational and social wellbeing.
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2018

We have 2 children currently attending CPMS and I feel that both being well educated and attended to with each of their individual needs and strengths. Very impressed!
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2018

CPMS provides an innovative learning approach for both my kids who attend here. Each of my kids learn differently and the teachers are flexible and work w/ every kid until they are successful. Small class sizes (20 or less!), daily PE, art, theater, and technology are helping my kids be well-rounded and ready for high school. It is one of the top schools in the county. LMSV school district has been trying to shut it down for years to avoid the competition. Parents, do your own homework and you'll see the difference at CPMS.
Submitted by other on December 02, 2016

ITS A HAVEN FOR BULLIES!. Administration officials say its zero tolerance but its more like they don't want to touch it with a 10 foot poll. Be very careful if your child is sensitive to hostile environments this might not be the right school for your child is what I was told. Surprisingly, the teachers seem miserable and unhappy to be working around children. Which brings down the moral in the environment as well. Be careful with regards to the "curriculum " don't let them fool you. What they do is drill the kids all year for testing so they can make the "score" , hence pulling away from what's important and that's the enrichment of the children and the curriculum. Be very careful with this school.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2015

Our son came to CPMS for 7th and now 8th grade. Before coming to CPMS, our son did well in school, but he didn't seem to be challenged enough. I was told, "Look out because it may be too much for him. There is way too much homework and he will probably have horrible grades the first 6 months. Then he should be getting use to things and bringing them up again." This made me a little nervous, but onward we went! So, by the time 7th grade ended, our son had made "honor roll" with "grade point average of 3.5 or greater" three out of 4 quarters of the year. He finished the final quarter of the school year with honor roll and GPA of 3.83, which was his highest so far! We are so proud of him. We always have been. The thing is, we've never seen our son so happy, challenged, and he is just thriving in every way! He enjoys going to school everyday, he loves it there. He also does fine with homework. Yes, it's tough, but come on, it's school and there will be homework. The bottom line is this: CPMS is a blessing to our family! We truly feel as if our son is preparing for bigger and better things. He is being prepped to become successful in life. They do their job at school and we as his parents do our job at home. Working together is what gives our children the best start in life. :)
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2015

Just from day 1, I felt that this school was going to be GREAT and I was right!! My daughter started in 2012 with low grades and now AAAAA's. She is so excited and eager to learn more and that's all she talks about is school, I am so impressed!!
Submitted by other on August 26, 2014

After spending almost two years at this school I'm glad to be out. I have never been so stressed out. Test scores mean nothing when you feel like you're going to prison every morning and feel like that is all that's important to the school. I'm glad to be at a school where I feel like they care about me and where they don't hand out lunch detentions for sneezing too loud. Your kid will hate it. I know I did.
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2014

My family is looking forward to another great year at College Prep! My child has grown so much since starting here thanks to such wonderful teachers. My youngest can't wait to become a Tiger next year. We are proud to call ourselves a Tiger Family!
Submitted by other on August 25, 2014

I am a happy student to leave this school. This school is not a nurturing environment it made me feel like I was in prison. What ever you do don't send your child to this school!