Smith Junior High School

10100 East Adobe Road

School District

Mesa Unified
Grade

7-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

public

School Map for Mesa Unified 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 November 01, 2024

My child had an awful experience with the school psychiatrist and it was swept under the rug! I would not send another child to that school
Submitted by student on April 30, 2024

I am a student at smith and I don't recommend this school their are fights every day and if you are getting bullied all they do is say OK they will get a lunch detention and that is it I'm a sped student and it is horrible plus if you forget your id your not allowed to enter the bus because you have to scan it in and out of the bus you have to use a app on the computer to go to place to place barley getting help if you are autistic like me and you can get a detention for not tacking your I'd after three times of forgetting it I had 3 people bully me and the office did nothing I don't recommend this school all you do is notes all day and week there is no parent involvement no fun things at the end of school year not even a graduation day and they do student of the month thru the radio and if you get hurt badly you just get a ice pack and the teachers can look what you are doing on your computer plus the tech guy brakes you computer more just so you can pay more money and they don't fix it they replace it without one drive so I don't get my files back as well I don't recommend this school at all don't come here
Submitted by student on January 07, 2024

I have gone to smith junior high my 7th grade year, and I am currently enrolled in my 8th. This is the absolute worst school I have ever been to, and I don't say that lightly. Last year we were required to take planners to go to the bathroom, and if we didn't have it or write what the learning target was we'd be pink slipped (and we couldn't go to the bathroom if we didn't have it). Not to mention that there's a 10 minute rule where students cannot go to the restroom during the first or last 10 minutes of class, which isn't so bad. But i'm a student who's in the portables (Which are currently the SOI honors classrooms). We still have the 10 minute rule being all the way on the other side of campus off of the main grounds. We have to walk all the way to the front doors just to get in, and then we have to walk out the back gate which makes you miss at least 12, if not more minutes of class. Not to mention walking all that far could cause safety concern in event of an emergency such as a shooting, or dangerous person. My attendance hasn't been the best and they haven't even said anything to my parents. All they've done is send a measly letter that basically tells you that your student needs to come more (i've missed over 40 days in one semester). Not to mention they don't contact your parents if your failing, which I understand it is on me as a student. But they never contact parents in the first place. Teachers are nice, and lenient but do not know how to handle a classroom full of rowdy students. We've ha a recent safety concern with a small fire to one of the ac units and a potential shooter on campus who had a gun, that wasn't a student. They were on the same day and it caused us to have to stay 30 minutes after the final bell to dismiss us rang. There's tons of fights, which are inevitable to students of course, but they should be better prepared in the event of one. Last time all the security guard did was run to the fight and attempt to break it up, he wasn't super successful. And lastly the staff does not care about your child, they will not see it through if there is an issue with your child involving another student or teacher. Please do not send your student here. I believe it could make a comeback under a better staff and principal. But for right now, I wouldn't even give it a single star if that was possible.
Submitted by other on December 12, 2023

There is fights at this school every week, not to mention the fire and shooting that happened last week, the shooter easily got into campus. I do not recommend this school if you want your child to learn in a safe environment.
Submitted by other on June 12, 2023

contrary to the most recent review, this school is so bad. there’s rules for almost every single little thing you do, and the students just aren’t good here. more than half the school didn’t wanna learn, and the teachers here are way too nice and chill, but the staff with the office, the vice,principal, etc do not care about you. they just want to do their job and get money. it’s so sad and majority do not care about the students. anyways, don’t go here. please.
Submitted by other on May 27, 2023

I was a student myself at Smith for a couple months and I loved every day of it. The teachers were engaging and seemed to put forth effort into teaching us. There was a lot of freedom and fun activities at this school that many other schools don't have the opportunity to have.. I can't lie that if you are a 7th grader here they coddle you more. I mean, they have an "intervention" time where they pull a student out of one of their electives to improve on a failing class which is honestly the best way to help students as it practically saved my math grade! It's summer break and I'll be an 8th grader now, but I'm glad I was able to spend a little of my 7th grade year here.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2022

The school stats say 18 students per teacher. This includes elective teachers. Required classes are averaging 27 students pet teacher. 2019 Smith was D rated by the state. During the pandemic it's worse. My daughter had a 504 plan to transfer to Smith. Even though Smith knew about they didn't even look at it till after I called them out. My student has only struggled in this school. Teachers, while they are nice, are not communicating about failing grades. Core curriculum Teachers are struggling with Covid style education system. My student reports active bullying and drugs are prevalent. My student reports they are miserable.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2017

My son has thrived at Smith junior high. I think the staff and teachers have been great.
Submitted by other on November 03, 2016

This is a good school for kids
Submitted by other on November 15, 2013

my school cool because the teachers care, students are social, you will have fun, we take educational/fun field trips, they review if you don't understand, and it is because of this school that I am a 8th grader at a sophomore and junior level.
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2013

Nothing good about this school.... The principle is very unaware of anything that goes on in the school.. the teachers have favorites and only pick on certain kids in the school. I have a son who goes here and he is always picked on by other students and he is punished for it by the principle.
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2012

There is NOTHING about this school that is good! We sent two of our sons there and refused to send anymore of our kids there. The teachers do not care about communicating with the parents. The principal was a nice enough guy, but the administration was rude and the counselor was like dealing with a 12 year old. We tried to get an IEP for one of our sons and it was a nightmare! The teachers are even worse, they do not care about the students. They want the students to be held acccountable, which I agree with. But if you as a parent question the teachers, and hold them accountable for their actions, look out! They say they want parent involment, but what that means is you are expected to do 2-3 hours of homework a night with your kids on something that wasn't taught during class time. If they dont "get" the work, expect your kid to stay after school or give up his lunch. There is no extra help from the teachers or the counselors. This was the worst experience of any Jr. High and we have 9 kids. Thank goodness only 2 went there. We have other kids in mesa schools and never had any problems until this, we sent our sons to Desert Ridge, where he got an IEP, with no problems.