Cooper Middle School

977 Balls Hill Road

School District

Fairfax County Public Schools
Grade

7-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Fairfax County Public Schools

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 December 17, 2024

If I could I wish I could rate this school a 0. Principal McLaughlin is a LAUGH. It is the most egotistic, arrogant, and rude principal you will ever meet! I pray for all the students at the school currently, last time I was a student there, the walls and ceiling were literally empty...
Submitted by other on November 24, 2024

Terrible school. The principle and staff treat the students terribly. Also, half the ceiling is missing and there were rats scurrying the hallway.
Submitted by student on February 15, 2024

Great education opportunities, nice staff members, and the absolute best place I know for your young and impressionable child to learn the largest assortment of absolutely foul racial slurs, red pilled ideals and insanely closeminded ideals about individuality and to always conform to majority and to ostracize all who still try to maintain logical and personal identity, here your child will have great experiences with close friends( that's if they are even able to make them) no offense to your child I bet they are wonderful individuals(that's probably the reason your trying to send them to this school) but here at cooper, the social environments bolsters tight knitted cliques and groups of judgmental children who usually outcast any one new or anyone that rivals their society-tailored ideals. when your child does find those whose they can grow close to, they will have someone to comfort them throughout the days of constant mental onslaught directed towards them by Their peers and upperclassmen, whether it is the aforementioned racial slurs or the social excommunication of others. Overall the best place for extroverted students with a very strong will and lack of need for affirmation of their peers.( and if not, kids with VERY supportive parents and the number to a good therapist)
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2020

A great school for middle schoolers. We love this school
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2017

We just started, but our experience has been good so far. The environment is challenging enough for my child to be studying harder. The self-advocacy thing works over time, I just wish the school would have more gradual approach. Some teachers will refuse help, but that teaches a child (given the correct guidance from a parent) to be a bit more persistent. It's still a big leap from the experience we've had at Churchill Road ES (terrible!). I'll update more as we progress through the academic year.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2015

Agree with 2010 review: Cooper School is not always the best choice for your kids - particularly if they are boys. Despite the AAP program across town being considered more demanding, Cooper MS is VERY demanding. Cooper's goal is to make the students self-advocate since they need this skill in high school and beyond. They encourage students to help themselves." It does not matter if it is considered age appropriate. Children can struggle and not know what help to ask for and help is not offered until the student is really struggling. When children do speak up, they are frequently denied the request. Don't bother speaking up for your child or asking for help, Cooper does not allow it. Teachers are not required to respond. A good amount of the boys shut down from this. The myth is that all kids in this pyramid go on to College. Langley calls it taking a gap year. Often, it is a nice way to say that the student did get into a decent college because of poor grades. Soon, we will expect self advocacy from Elementary students, as well. The argument will be that they will need this in middle school.
Submitted by parent on June 19, 2014

There are some good administrators and teachers at this school but overall the standards are very low. Subjects like Science, History and Music are taught by caring and engaged teachers. The Art teacher is self absorbed, petty, and simply should not be a teacher. English grammar is not focused on in the English "Department", and that is very clear by the quality of the student presentations. Math, like English, is poorly taught and expectations are very low. Even the Librarian clearly does not want to be around children. My child transferred from a poorly performing school district and my expectations were very high, we could have stayed where we were and received, in many ways, a better education. Academically the school is a great disappointment. On the plus side the kids are generally nice, I feel that my child is safe and will not be bullied.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2012

My daughter has had a great experience at Cooper. The students, teachers and administrators create a supportive environment in which a child can thrive. The curriculum is challenging and engaging - and the teachers are highly motivated to teach and support the students. Thank you to the Cooper community - -keep up the great work!
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2011

I found this review dated Feb 2005 and could not agree more with this parent. Our child just completed 8th grade and so glad to be out of this school. There are some excellent teachers at the school, its just not the majority of the teachers. This school is filled with bureaucrats who dislike children, they are rude, immature, and irresponsible administrators. This school should be audited and the staff relieved of further responsibility. They intimidate students and parents utilizing dictatorial beureaucratic policy and proceedural arguements. They are skilled at deflating the confidence of children and are intollerate of parental rights. They do not respond to emails or parental concerns except to dictate their own position. They are non-negotiable and non-cooperative and most unpleasant.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2011

Things I like about Cooper Middle School: 1) if you reach out to the teachers with a concern, they are very responsive. 2) The frequent emailed progress reports. It makes it much easier to keep track of how your daughter/son is doing at school. 3) The curriculum is challenging, whether you are an advanced student or not. 4) The band program is comprehensive and successful. Things I don't like about Cooper Middle School: 1) "My house is bigger than your house." I know it's endemic in schools with a lot of rich kids, but since when have we quit teaching our kids that it is in poor taste to brag about how much money you have? 2) Like most bigger schools, you must be ever-vigilant and an advocate for your child if they are struggling. 3) No school sports. 4) The crazy-long bus ride down Georgetown Pike if you don't live in McLean.
Submitted by other on April 04, 2011

I'm currently a student at Cooper and it is a grat school with amazing after school activities.
Submitted by parent on December 29, 2010

Teachers are great and the school provides lot of opportunities for both academic and extra-curricular activities. Their focus in theater, PE is very good.