Siegel Middle School

355 West Thompson Lane

School District

Rutherford County
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Rutherford County 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 other on January 29, 2025

Attending this school was probably one of the worst experiences i've ever had. Aside from the rude and unresponsive office lady's and principals, the band department in siegel middle school is FAR different from the highschool. The two band directors currently working at Siegel Middle do not prioritize challenging their students. I have no idea what is going on in that band room, but obviously not much teaching or support is happening at all. They do not introduce ANY private instrument lessons to their students compared to their neighboring middle schools. Because of their boring teaching style and lack of education, the Siegel High school marching band is getting significantly smaller every year. It is outrageous.
Submitted by student on November 15, 2024

As someone that went to SMS some things are okay but the staff many teachers are horrible to the special need kids. I see people getting yelled at for a friendly hug. A got yelled at by the principal for wearing a sweater around my waist their excuse was I could be hiding something illegal there! Kids there are even getting yelled at for hive-fives, that’s crazy. But I would come here for the friends not the teachers or food!
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2023

Absolutely horrible, which stinks when it’s the school your kids are zoned for. Staff are unresponsive and only care about dress code and money.
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2023

When we moved back to Middle TN, everyone in the area talked about what a great school this was, but honestly, we're confused. Many of the teachers are wonderful and caring, of course, and we're thankful for them. But the administration seems to take an overall stance of schooling that's more punitive than enriching; middle schoolers are automatically untrustworthy. They put an inordinate amount of time and energy into enforcing dress code and punishing students for violations. In general, there seems to be a top-down view from administration that's petty and legalistic. This school pales in comparison to my kids' previous schools (an elementary and another middle school.)
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2023

If you could give this school a zero I would. I am a parent of a student. I have never in my lifetime seen a school run so badly. The administration lacks compassion and even human emotion when it comes to their students. It is a sad day when your child is attacked and jumped from behind while walking in a single file line leaving the cafeteria. He suffered a mild concussion from either a hit to the head or when his head hit the wall or floor. The principal does not even call us to inform us what happened the school nurse does. Then they tell our son to come to the office the next morning and did not tell him to bring a parent. Luckily we show up anyway. The worst part is the administration proceeds to tell us how if my son would not have made a noise when walking by the other student he would not have been attacked. As my son tells them over and over he did not say anything or make any noise. They tell us that they do not believe him that he must have made some sort of noise to warrant that reaction. They could not tell him what noise he made as none of the students at the table were sure what they heard if they heard anything at all. Then after making him feel like it was his fault and deserved this reaction from the other student he is suspended. Their reason was because when the teacher pulled the boy off of him he threw another punch or two when he should have stopped immediately. When we reviewed the video this was a complete lie as the boy was still kicking him with his feet the teacher did not have control of this kid the way the administration said he did. They expect my child not to try to protect and defend himself. So needless to say this is the worst school and experience as a parent I have ever encountered luckily he will be in high school next year. The reaction from the other child was so uncalled for we were encouraged to press charges on by an officer. The school district needs to address and fix the issues with the leadership that runs this school. I never wright reviews but our experience needs to be heard and known how are kids are treated by the people who are supposed to educate and protect them. So please if anyone else has had an experience with the leadership that makes you feel like I do. Please speak if this has happened to you so hopefully it does not have to happen to anyone else. Then maybe our kids will not have to feel unsafe and get anxiety when they go to school just to be told it was all their fault.
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2021

I have not had to many problems would definitely not say it is a top notch school. The teachers an staff are more concerned about a hole in a pair of pants/jeans rather than the childrens education it seems to me. The attendance secretary will not respond to you to correct her mistakes of not entering accurate attendance correctly rather that be the teacher's not giving her doctor's notes or excuses for her to enter. You can call many times an you will get nothing fixed in the attendance department or a response for a reasoning. I feel that this school is focusing on outer appearances as appose to more education for there student's. Instead of having your kids there to learn , they would rather put them out of school for silly reasons were they can not get the education they will need. We are not paying for a uniform Christian academy here.
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2021

My child is on an IEP and the teachers and faculty have been amazing. I haven’t had to directly deal with administrators but, I can say the teachers are amazing here!!!!
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2020

1-10, I would give it a 4. My child is in band and that has been our saving grace because the instructors are amazing and actually show respect and appreciation to their students.
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2020

The education aspect was absolutely amazing. Teachers care more about rules then the students. Admin cannot effectively deal with situations between students.
Submitted by parent on July 22, 2019

It was not pleasant. I have never written a poor review of a school and I have 4 children... my oldest graduated last year. From registration to the entire 6th grade year to withdrawal, this was a poor experience. Glad it is over.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2018

We've experienced some awesome teachers, who obviously have a passion for their career choice. We've also experienced a 7th grade teacher who delights in being condescending towards the kids. Great for self esteem.....not!
Submitted by student on November 26, 2017

This school is not the greatest, they have ridiculous rules recently they took away iss so now you just get detention the teachers would rather yell at you then ask you to stop doing something nicely in my very honest opinion this schook has alot to work on.
Submitted by student on November 16, 2016

I went to Siegel Middle for the full three years, and my experience was about a 1.5. The teachers are constantly scrambling for material and condescending to students. Teachers turn a blind eye to too many things that matter while if your phone were to fall out of your back pocket too many times you would get a detention. I never had detention or anything of the sort, so this is not out of bitterness, but I will add this: everyone at the high school says the middle school is awful. The high school is incredible save for the choir program (but that's for another review), the people are the best part, but the middle school is lacking in terms of leadership, acknowledgement, activity, teaching and discipline. It's not hard to give your students a little freedom. Break is ten minutes and no one cared about it but the faculty acted like taking it away was taking away the best part of the school day. Lunch is assigned by homeroom tables and you're walked to it. I'm not asking for as much freedom as high school, but it was a little ridiculous.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2016

If your child has special needs or learning differences, this is NOT the school for you!!
Submitted by student on March 24, 2016

Although education is adaquite, the rules are biased towards females. This being said dress code is barely applied to males but females have difficulty even finding "appropriate" attire. Therefore, dress code should be rethought and unbiased. Although some teachers live up to the high standard that once was required, others fall extremely short. For one out of many examples, a teacher will treat the student based on their like ability rather than their potential. Moving on from that, the school is VERY unorganized! Some examples include fundraisers, class scheules, any general event, etc.... The school needs changes but so does every other school. Yes I do sound harsh but overall the school has a whole isn't to bad but simply has a few rough patches.
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2014

The dress code at this school is crazy just as it is at all public school. Girls are mainly targeted for inappropriate clothing and no leggings?! If you were sitting a an uncomfortable, tiny blue chair you would want to Wear the most comfortable thing possibe. The dress code is sexist! My daughter told me that she got in trouble for wearing leggings with a shirt that reached passed her rear and a boy that wore a "KEEP CALM AND SHUT THE **** UP" Shirt was not asked to change. It did not say the direct Word but I think we all know. And if a shoulder is showing than it is so provocative and boys cannot handle it!!! They are MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS! And if the teachers are "offended" then that is not the students problem and girls should not be shamed for what they wear!!!!!!
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2014

I am very unpleased to know that my daughter is not Learning the material she should be learning. Especially in math because the 8A math teacher does not explain clearly. 1 star until this slacker leaves.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2014

My son, who has been an A student since he was in first grade, describes his 3 years here as the worst school years of his life. From my view, sending home dozens of worksheets, with very little lecture support, is for all intents and purposes making the kids teach themselves, and there are a lot of worksheets sent home requiring the kids to thumb through their texts for hours, without support of classroom notes. Hours of busy work every night with one science teacher telling them that if she knew their names they'd probably done something wrong, and others not knowing how to pronounce words correctly on subjects they were teaching, or sometimes even not knowing the meanings of words that were in their own lessons, added up to a poor three year experience. Also a tremendous lack of balance from mini school to mini school as far as work load is concerned. Poor leadership
Submitted by parent on June 24, 2013

Siegel Middle School is considered by many one of the best middle schools in the county. Keep in mind that just because you have some angry parents that post on here, that doesn't necessarily make the statements true. That being said, we did have issues with a few teachers that were over-legalistic (ISS for no belt???- are you kidding?) and felt the need to lord over the students vs. teach them. These were primarily in 6th and 7th grade. Oh, how I wish I could name names... Overall, though, I felt my kids had a good experience and a well-above-average education out of it. (They are moving on to Siegel High now.) There are indeed some STELLAR teachers at this school and despite the strict legalistic leadership, these teachers shine and have the ability to inspire students. No school is without its bad apple teachers, and Siegel Middle is no different. Unfortunately, because of political correctness, it could take a few years for those bad apples to get transferred to D-hall duty or whatever the heck place those types go when they can't teach. :) I give it a high 4, of 5.
Submitted by parent on December 11, 2012

We're 1/2 way through the 6th grade year. You've got to be kidding me? We have a teacher (female) in Bschool that intimidates the students to a point of fear of asking questions. I wonder why some students don't have awesome grades in that class environment? It has been made very evident that parent involvement is tolerated at a minimum. Teacher and principle exhert power and authority over 11 year olds,,, awesome. Why don't you pick on someone your own age?