Toki Middle School

5606 Russett Road

School District

Madison Metropolitan
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for Madison Metropolitan 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 January 04, 2016

The school is total Chaos. I've stopped in on numerous occasions to see dozens of 1st, 2nd, 3rd grade kids milling around in the hallways unsupervised. I've seen fights break out with no adult to stop them, kids jumping off of furniture, throwing hard objects. The problem is there's a few very poor neighborhoods nearby, so there are a lot of disadvantaged kids. Which is fine... but the school administration refuses to staff for that. After numerous complaints, meetings will all levels of the administration and a community petition signed by dozens of parents they finally hired 1, part time person. That's it. The problems persist, there is little to no communication with the families and it's only a matter of time before a child is seriously injured here. The principle is completely clueless and doesn't even seem to think unsupervised 7yr olds is a bad thing.
Submitted by student on August 09, 2015

The rumors exaggerate the truth. Of course there is bad behaving students, there is in every school, but really the issues are resovling themselves. There is such a casual feel to this school but yet it is strict. Everyone has some sort of sense of humor, expecially the staff and teachers. I will be going into my third year at Toki, and I have learned so much in the classroom and outside of it. I think leaving Toki for highschool will be the hardest goodbye
Submitted by other on March 24, 2015

I think toki middle school is an excellent school. We have many clubs and after school clubs. Another thing we have is awesome teachers. They always try to help you, and do the best they can to do that. The classes here I personally think are very educational and helped me learn most of what I know in math,science,language arts, and social studies. So if you live in the Akira Toki middle school area I think you should immediately sign your child up to go to school here.
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2014

Two of my 3 children were able to take advanced math options at Toki starting in 6th grade. And I know a number of students that were/are able to take math at Memorial. Toki will definitely work with students that NEED more challenging classes; however, if a student will do better in a regular level class, they aren't afraid to make that recommendation. Having a solid base understanding is better than over-challenging a student that isn't ready for it and will probably make the student happier (and more successful) in the long run. I commend the Toki staff for having the confidence to suggest doing what is best for the student.
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2014

The behavior problems at this school interfere with the teaching to a degree that is appalling. The only advanced math available is from a volunteer from the community. The administration seems clueless--they're just trying to keep the kids from killing each other.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2014

I am a parent of 2 students currently at Toki. They both have been happy there. The school has had rapid changes in student demographics, staffing (including a new principal several years ago), and MMSD philosophy/initiatives. Many prospective parents ask about student safety but my kids have not had any issues there. There are some disruptive students and I think the school could deal better with that, but they are working on it. The principal is really gung-ho about expeditionary learning and that is still a work in progress--hard to tell how it will turn out in the end. This is a very diverse school in many ways and I think that is a plus. Staff has been receptive when I have brought up concerns, and they are actively working on improving offerings for learning for advanced kids. There is also an AVID program to help kids who are maybe on the edge of being able to go to college, to prepare for that starting now in middle school. Parents who don't have kids there yet seem to have a fearful attitude toward Toki and seem surprised when I say that our family has been happy there. Other Toki parents have had the same experience.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2014

Toki Middle School Has Been An Outstanding Educational Experience For My Son. Toki Has Afforded Him To.Grow Academically, Socially And Personally. The Teachers Are Fantastic At Relating Learning In The Classroom With Real World Experience. The Atmosphere Is Always Positive With AWe Can Do It Attitude. I Love The Diversity And TheEmphasis And Celebration Of All Cultures. The School Definitely Prepared My Son For His Next Step To High School.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

My son is in 6th grade at Toki Middle School and I love it, so far. I love the fact that the teachers are willing and eager to help the students and if there is an issue they are too helpful to see how a resolution can be implemented to get it corrected.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

Both my children have been happy with this school. They have teachers they really like and who care about their needs. There are some struggles, such as children who disrupt classroom time, but the teachers are responsive and the principal is willing to try new ideas/programs such as Expediatiary Learning and partners with community resources to give children additional resources.
Submitted by other on June 29, 2013

I hate Toki Middle School, the teachers don't know how to handle a class and they don't know how to teach, I learned NOTHING in my two years there and I am elated that I am finally going to a different school. Most students that go to Toki have behavioral issues but Toki doesn't have enough teachers to handle them, and there are way too many students per teacher. This year two of the teachers that were actually good teachers are leaving making the school an even worse place to be. The Unified Arts department is under funded and when I went there the orchestra room was a tiny room at the back of the school, they have moved the orchestra room but now both the orchestra and choir are in the are in the same room. I highly advise parents not to send their child/ren there.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2012

The teachers are absolutely fantastic, each and every one of them. I am pleasantly surprised by the school spirit at Toki! My daughter loves it.
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2011

I have had three children over 9 years attend Toki. My first child had a great experience-the teachers were incredible, all students were held to high standards, and the Principal and Support Staff were highly regarded. Over the years the leadership has changed so much, that most of the excellent, experienced staff and support staff have left or have been reassigned. It is now an NCLB "school in need of improvement" and we considered applying to other schools with our youngest. However, she loves her teachers, most of whom are very young, but it is obvious that the expectations for ALL students academically and behaviorally is not at all at the level it was for my oldest. It is now trying to adapt a specific curricular model...probably at the expense of the quality of behavior and low reading scores.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2010

great, enthusiastic staff. We just went to back to school night and I was very impressed with curriculum/expectations and the staff . Very happy 6th grade parent. My daughter loves going to school every day.
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2010

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Submitted by teacher on May 13, 2007

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