M. H. Stanley Middle School

3455 School Street

School District

Lafayette Elementary
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for Lafayette 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 December 21, 2023

Stanley’s anti-bullying policy is one of the worst I have ever come across. They tolerate bullying and will gaslight your child and blame them for being bullied.
Submitted by student on August 22, 2023

Stanley is a very safe school with strong policies against violence, discrimination, and bullying. As for family engagement, they don't really involve a kid's family in their learning. This school has an okay counseling system. There are three counselors, and you are assigned one based on your last name, and some people I know have said that they are alright. Not great, but fine. The amount of homework is always manageable. Some teachers are some of my favorite teachers that I have ever had, and some of them definitely are not. However, none of the teachers are awful, and they all seem to genuinely care about teaching. Stanley provides kids in the special education program with great resources and amazing helpers. So basically, Stanley is a great school, and I would recommend it, but there are definitely some things that I think could be improved. If you send your child here, they will get a good education and be prepared for high school, whether or not they like the school.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2023

This school holds their teacher to a no accountability standard and they are backed up by Administration. If your child gets an awful grade on an assignment or test the teachers are allowed to withhold the actual test and grading and to also not tell you why or give you specifics on why they were graded a certain way and both the Assistant Principal Brian Mangold and Principals uphold those policies. RIDICULOUS, UNACCEPTABLE. While the teachers claim they are "teaching at a high school level," it's basically a figure it out on your own or sink. This school does not prepare students for high school nor does it set them up for success in the classroom setting.Warning to incoming parents: be prepared for no support from the teaching staff and for that to be supported by administration falling back on the "it's their policy" excuse. Get your student additional tutoring to just get them through this god awful school until they can move onto high school.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2022

Coming from great Lafayette primary schools, this is just a big meat grinder. Noone cares. You are on your own, sink or swim. I had two of my kids go through it, It is most definitely the worst school in Lafayette, yet there is no choice for middle school.
Submitted by other on July 07, 2021

This school had many highs and lows to it. It provided very necessary education to prepare your child for high school but much of the environment was filled with toxicity. In the classroom children had very good resources and maintainable work. The community included a lot of excluding and created social pressures and anxiety throughout the many students. Mean kids tended to bond together and create a judgemental atmosphere for everyone. All in all it did provide an adequate middle school experience.
Submitted by student on March 26, 2020

Some of the kids are great, some of the nicest people I have met throughout my life. But the school's form of tyrannic government paired with the horrible attitude of the kids and community doesn't make it a great place to grow up in. And kids including me look forward to the times after school because we are tired of being controlled by every admin and teacher at the school. To all teachers MAKE THE SUBJECT INTERESTING. It makes our experience much better.
Submitted by student on January 13, 2020

it's not terrible. there have been some good teachers, but mostly every kid is for themselves.
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2019

Horrid. Wish I could pull out my student. Sad it’s the only public middle in the area.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2019

My daughter is a well adjusted, empathetic, kind, hard working kid and I owe part of her development to this school. One of my favorite parts of this school are the 20 or so lunch time clubs offered. They are a fun way to stay out of mischief. There is a great emphasis on inclusion and I don't see kids making fun of the other kids for their differences.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2019

So far so good. Only have a 6th grader but so far the experience is vastly improved over my older child's experience here a few years ago under a different administration. Seems to be a lot of great emhasis on academics without too much pressure. New staff members are also alot better than previous years ago.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2019

zero out if ten. Run don’t walk
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2017

Some teachers do show they care, but there are obviously some who do not. Why would a student who got A's in science 6th grade, get D & F the following year? Could it be the teacher? Absolutely! It very much makes or breaks the student the way they are taught and by whom. What was my son's favorite class became a class he did not care about because of the teacher. It is not he does not like science any more, his teacher does not know how to teach or inspire. A teacher needs to be able to inspire, encourage & involve students. He felt let down after having a great science teacher in 6th grade. He is now failing 7th grade science. More importantly how can 1 counselor help out more than 800 kids? Asking for help from a counselor is nonexistent. I feel there is lack of time & leadership, and who cares any way? Only a few. There is much that needs improvement. Like the bulling that goes on & lack of security. Having bicycle tires popped & slashed was a multiple event for many students including my child. Having peace of mind about your child at a "locked campus" where even parents are not allowed on campus without direct permission has not made it safer, only less human.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2015

I would have been more inclined to give Stanley a higher rating just a few years ago. However, academics have declined at the school - maybe the new superintendent and school board played a role. They are phasing out accelerated classes for advanced math students - all incoming 6th graders take the same level class. I hear it's driven by Common Core but their interpretation of the standards has resulted in a big shift to the middle. The school doesn't even offer the same track as neighboring districts Moraga and Orinda. In short, it has a great music program and lots of lunchtime clubs but I would no longer recommend it for students with serious academic aspirations. I don't know how they recently became a "Gold Ribbon" school but it certainly detracts from the prestige of the award, in my opinion.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2014

Stanley is an awesome school. The teachers really do care about the students succeeding. I give Stanley an A++. Outstanding in Math, Science and Music.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2013

Very focused on test scores, which are high primarily because of high socioeconomic makeup. No GATE programming, and differentiation is minimal to none, meaning more advanced students are often bored.