Fitzgerald Middle School

6410 118th Avenue North

School District

Pinellas
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

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 January 09, 2025

Fitzgerald Middle School in Largo has a friendly and supportive vibe, and the staff are super approachable. It’s a great place where students feel comfortable and encouraged to learn.
Submitted by other on January 08, 2025

Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School offers an excellent learning environment for students. The dedicated teachers and staff foster a supportive and engaging atmosphere that encourages academic growth and personal development. The school offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities, ensuring that each student can find their passion. With a focus on respect, responsibility, and community, Morgan Fitzgerald provides a well-rounded experience that prepares students for success both in and out of the classroom. It's a wonderful place for students to grow, learn, and thrive!
Submitted by teacher on September 23, 2024

My experience has been an amazing one! The staff at our school is very welcoming and supportive. I felt comfortable navigating throughout this school. I can say that this school not only caters to teaching students but also new staff likewise, they go above and beyond to assist and support teachers. Our school community has a positive culture, we all have shared goals and vision with strong leadership and professional bonds that exist amongst staff members. Our school also offers new opportunities for academic and personal growth with help and support along the way. The classrooms have a positive culture and adheres to set classroom expectations. Resources are available for scholars, the classrooms are also equipped with resources for scholars that are technological savvy, teachers modify the teaching and learning environment to enhance learning to make it fun, interesting and appealing to students and more so to provide a real-life learning experience for scholars. Our school is also family orientated, scholars have access to personal care and essential items that they can choose from based on needs.
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2024

So I can write a complete story about this school and the teachers and administrators. But I will try and keep it short. As my son came into 6th grade he struggled with ADHD and taking 2 meds a day. I was getting phone calls after phone calls from teachers and administrators about how my son was disruptive in class could not keep still. He was never Disrespectful. 7th grade came around and same thing my son was was not doing any better. Well sometime during 7th grade my son wanted to stop taking his meds and he wanted to try and be better with out meds because the meds were not working. Well he was having a better end of year. 8th grade rolled around and this kid made a complete 360 degree turn and was making straight A and B. Phone calls I was receiving was POSTIVE calls. My son was picked to be a turn around student from the entire school and he was awarded. And he continued to make amazing progress... THE SUPPORT I GOT FROM THE ADMINISTRATORS TO HELP AND COME UP WITH A GOAL WAS AMAZING. My daughter is now at this school and I am so happy she is going here. I would send any kid here because they care about the students and there success here at Morgan Fitzgerald. Parents this school is nothing like what everyone has said it was. I am very happy with the administrators.
Submitted by other on September 18, 2024

Fitzgerald is a wonderful learning environment. Teachers and support staff provide a caring learning and supportive environment . Fitzgerald is a real sense of community!
Submitted by other on May 24, 2024

Morgan Fitzgerald is an outstanding school. The administration here is truly awesome, always at the forefront of innovation and providing exceptional leadership for the staff. At Morgan Fitzgerald, our teachers are dedicated to student success, going the extra mile to ensure every child thrives. Our exceptional student education team collaborates closely with teachers, guaranteeing personalized support for all students. Together, we create a nurturing environment where every student can excel. The student services team at Morgan Fitzgerald plays a pivotal role in supporting students' social and emotional well-being, providing guidance, counseling, and resources to ensure every student feels supported and valued.Throughout the year, Morgan Fitzgerald has hosted some incredible events, including the beloved Trick or Trunk Family Night and the heartwarming Welcome Back Family Night. But the excitement doesn't stop there—our school offers a diverse range of clubs and sports for students to explore their passions.Moreover, our (PBIS) initiative is awesome. Students are awarded daily for their positive behavior and can cash in points for exciting rewards like school dances, participation in the teacher-student basketball game, talent shows, and spontaneous award ceremonies during lunch. Plus, there are days dedicated to fun treats like popcorn and snow cones to acknowledge students demonstrating our three A’s (Academic Achievement, Attendance & attitude,) At Morgan Fitzgerald, we're dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating our students' achievements every step of the way. It's more than just a school—it's a vibrant community where every student is valued and supported!
Submitted by teacher on May 23, 2024

The culture in this school is one of collaboration and cooperation. All students are highly encouraged to engage and participate in class and school-related activities. Fitzgerald MS has a very active sports program. offering many different sports for boys and girls alike. Teachers work to help students to advocate for themselves and take charge of their education, using student-led instruction as well as fostering a positive learning environment where all students are included.
Submitted by other on March 19, 2024

Fitzgerald's staff goes above and beyond to address the needs of students and families. Students truly love this school.
Submitted by student on February 14, 2024

The teachers are very kind and care about their students. I’m given the accommodations I need with my 504 plan and they are extremely useful. Some of the kids are bad though, I had to deal with bullying last school year but it was mostly resolved. Also last year I was slapped in the face by a kid but since I told a teacher after a few weeks on the second to last day of school, they did nothing about it and he went without punishment. Some teachers make their classrooms very boring. I get it, school isn’t meant to be sunshine and rainbows but it’s hard to have motivation to want to come to school and learn when all we do in some classes is have the material explained to us, we do the work, and we leave. I also have a class where two kids constantly talk and never do work. The teacher always gets onto them and threatens to write them a referral but never do. It’s hard to focus as an ADHD student when I have two kids talking my ear off while trying to learn, especially in a class that I don’t do the best at. She also has to come up to them and explain the material to them because they don’t understand (they weren’t paying attention) so the other kids who need help and actually we’re paying attention don’t necessarily get the help they need before the class ends. Another issue is the bathrooms. We have bathroom escorts but somehow kids continue to ruin the bathrooms with drawings, making messes, and clogging the toilet with whatever they use to clog it so bad it takes weeks to fix. Other students have to walk half way across the school to use the bathrooms due to this. On the positive side, the rest school is clean, the janitors are great, and there is accessible transportation on busses. There is a variety of sports teams and clubs with great staff, lots of in school events, and opportunities for students. My teachers also give us resources to help us like informational videos and articles. My teachers also make the environment feel safe to ask questions when I need to (but im also an extrovert). I also feel that the kids lack so much care for others and their futures. No matter what punishments they receive, I never personally see a change in their behavior or actions towards others and themselves. They continue to slack off, not pay attention, and be rude. I overall recommend the school but not the kids. This is all in the gifted magnet of the school.
Submitted by parent on February 14, 2024

Fitzgerald Middle school has a school within a school and all of my experiences have been with their gifted program with the exception of the administrative department. Firstly, I would like to convey how impressed I've been with the students in this program. The level of intelligence, imagination and dedication these students have is amazing at the pre-high school age. I'm so grateful that Pinellas County as well as the State of Florida have implemented the Gifted Studies programs and that we have an opportunity to enroll our children in a program that allows them to live up their potential. This program not only challenges the children to excel, it also surrounds them with other children that have similar abilities as peers which I believe is much more beneficial to a successful learning experience. I could not be happier with the opportunities Fitgerald has given my daughter and if you have a child that needs to be challenged or they lose interest and become nonproductive, I would highly recommend looking into what is offered at this school. Secondly, I would like to address the administrative and teaching staff. I've had nothing but positive encounters with the front office, the grade level guidance counselors have been amazing and it's easy to notice they are all looking out for the kid's best interest. This includes both on a scholastic level as well as on a personal growth level. This is a hard time for kids, and they have at all levels had nothing but my daughter's best interest in every interaction (thank you to each and every one of you). The teachers have for the most part been great, but you need to understand a head of time, they will challenge your kid and they expect them to live up to their potential unlike several teachers I had as a child that did the bare minimum to get thru the day. The kids will need to apply them self which is exactly what I expect my child to do. Coming from a family of educators at all levels from middle school to college professors, I realize teaching is a hard job and they don't always get the kudos they deserve; these teachers do a very good job and will be a benefit to your child's future. Most importantly, I would like to give acknowledgement to the principal, Ms Hawthorne. She has been stellar at every aspect of my daughter's time at Fitzgerald. She has gone above and beyond on many occasions, and she runs a great school. I would like to give her the credit she deserves and huge THANK YOU!
Submitted by parent on November 16, 2023

The curriculum at MFMS is challenging without being overly burdensome from a homework standpoint. There is ample opportunity for enrichment, and I have found the teachers to be engaging and committed to the students’ learning. There is also a plethora of extracurricular activities for the students to participate in. As a parent of two children who have come through MFMS, I can say that the program stresses excellence, and does a very good job of preparing their students for high school.
Submitted by student on November 03, 2023

I love this school and it's a good school for everybody to come if they want to, they teach will.
Submitted by other on October 18, 2023

Morgan Fitz works hard to give Scholars everything the need and provides many opportunities for students and teachers to grow.
Submitted by student on October 18, 2023

Overall the school is your normal middle school. There are some great teachers, and some not as great teachers. Like nay other school there are fights, disagreements, but it seems that everyone has a group.
Submitted by other on October 17, 2023

The faculty and staff offer a welcoming environment to students and coworkers. They always show and offer support and assistance where its needed in areas that may be necessarily in their job description I've experienced everyone show support and be team players.
Submitted by student on September 06, 2023

I am a gifted student, and I have attended Morgan Fitzgerald for the last 2 years, and this year is my final year. Even though there were ups and downs, I have enjoyed my middle school years thanks to this school! The teachers and counselors have helped me whenever I reached out. They also helped me make a lot of important decisions! I have learned a lot of important skills, due to my peers and teachers, which include organization, decision-making, and using creativity to make final products. Next year, I will be going into high school, but Morgan Fitzgerald will always be a part of my growth as a student and as a person!
Submitted by student on March 09, 2023

Horrible school. Like seriously horrible and brings so much stress. Administration is rude and questions you every time. One use to follow me in the beginning of the year and complained on how I was about to be late when the warning bell didn’t even go off and my class was right there? He ended up getting me late, and it was only the 2nd day of school. Like seriously? One lady that works in the 8th grade office yelled at me so loud all because I asked a question? Isn’t that what counselors do? Answer questions? Yeah, and then she followed me and made another administrator follow me because she thought I wasn’t going to get a pass and skip class even though I came in before the bell. She always glares at me and thinks I’m giving an “attitude” when I’m not even staring at her? Administration is beyond ridiculous. They do nothing about witness reports or problems but make you “sign a contract” to allow that person to never talk to you again or you apparently go to Juvie. Yeah right, this school is a joke and is disgusting. Their bathrooms are gross, they don’t lock, there was a big cockroach in the bathroom, pee all over the floor, bathrooms always smell, some bathrooms don’t even have toilet paper, and their water fountains taste like straight poop water. There was also poop water a few months ago all over the school bathrooms. It’s so disgusting. This school takes nothing by phones seriously. Do not come to this school. It’s ghetto and looks embarrassing.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2023

My child goes to this school and they go above and beyond to insure my son reaches not only his academic goals but also his emotion and social goals. The staff activitly commicates with me and returns my calls in a timely manner. I feel like I'm heard with my concerns and that we are all working to the same goals for my son.
Submitted by other on December 05, 2022

I was a student at Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School for 3 months and it was probably the worst school experience I could ever have. The learning experience was really bad not because of the teachers, the teachers were nice to me it's the students. The students are horrible, in most of my classes they would constantly act up and fool around. I could never really learn in that school because of the constant screaming and shouting. Another problem with the school is the bullying, kids would hit me, punch me, push me, do random things to annoy me and one girl even bit me! On the topic of bullying there would be constant fights at that school, and it seems like they would never do anything about it because they would be right back at it after they got in trouble for fighting. Back to talking about the students, most of them were ruthless. They would disrespect teachers and would barely listen to them. There was one language arts teacher that the kids would hate for some reasons I can understand, one day a kid pushed her, and she ended up leaving that day. The next day I'm assuming she couldn't handle the disrespect anymore, so she quit and never came back, just to show you how ruthless the kids were. The school counselor and social workers were nice and sometimes I would talk to them. Overall, my experience at Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School was horrible and I would constantly complain to my mom about how trash the school was and because she didn't like the area we lived in and since I didn't like Morgan Fitzgerald, we decided to move which I think was the best decision we could've possibly made. Now I live in a better area, and I am in a better school. So, from my point of view don't send your kid to this school unless you want them to have a bad education.
Submitted by other on October 07, 2022

Excellent school with highly qualified teachers. Community based programs and a magnet for gifted studies makes for a diverse learning environment. Fun activities and a supportive staff help students enjoy school.