Montera Middle School

5555 Ascot Drive

School District

Oakland Unified
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Oakland 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 other on September 06, 2023

Kids here tend to be extremely ableist and vape in the bathrooms. It is not a good school. Counselors aren't trustworthy in the slightest and tell anyone about your issues. This school is one where it is easy to be bullied for something small and you'll be tormented for that for the rest of the school year.
Submitted by other on August 28, 2023

Best middle school experience Oakland has to offer, not even the private schools in town can compete. And that location with all those beautiful trees in that forest… oxygen rich secluded gem!
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2021

My son and daughter both attend Montera. My husband and I are very happy with the school and its challenging curriculum, choices of classes, and hardworking teachers. The PTO is dedicated to building the community and supporting the admin, teachers, and staff.
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2020

I have been 100% pleased with Montera. I had low expectations during Covid, but the administration, staff and teachers are very engaged and doing an amazing job in the online classrooms. And there is still somehow an active student life with clubs, meetings, family events and even sports starting soon. In relation to the "school score", Montera is not responsible for the societal problems it has to tackle. It has a very diverse student body- one of the reasons we chose the school- and does a remarkable job of addressing student need. If you define "good school" by average test scores, you should look outside OUSD where real-life challenges impact testing. But if you define a good school by the character it cultivates, community it creates, and dynamic education it delivers, you will love Montera.
Submitted by parent on September 01, 2018

We are very pleased with the experiences our seventh grader is having at Montera. He is a very strong reader, math student and musician, and he loves sports. At Montera, he has strong academics, a top notch music program (advanced orchestra and jazz band), committed teachers and administration, and lots of sports and clubs for all kids. He is challenged to grow as a person and as a learner. I also love the fact that as an IB school, he had classes in Spanish AND Mandarin as a sixth grader. I couldn't ask for more in a middle school.
Submitted by other on January 13, 2018

We have had a positive experience with Montera with two kids. It is a diverse learning environment with dedicated teachers, staff and administrators. The addition of the IB program means that my child is taking music, art and mandarin in addition to core classes and PE.
Submitted by student on July 13, 2017

I have an eighth-grade student at Montera Middle School. Montera is a diverse school, with kids from all parts of Oakland and of all races, socioeconomic backgrounds etc. My son has learned valuable life lessons from this and had experienced a school experience similar to real life. He has had great teachers who care and empower their students. My son takes advanced Spanish and 9th-grade level math. Montera provides a girl's and boy's basketball, girl's volleyball, track and field, baseball, girl's golf, girls and boy's soccer and more. Not into sports? Montera has after school clubs such as Debate, Gardening, Techbridge (for girls only) and a student council. Under the leadership of Principal Avent, Montera is set to be an IB school next year and will have block periods. The negative reputation Montera has is fueled by outdated information and from parents who refuse to give Montera chance. But please do! Before resorting to charters or private schools take a look at Montera and the great school it is becoming. Montera has a lot to offer and is by far one of the best middle schools in Oakland.
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2017

My twins have attended Montera from sixth through eighth grade (2014-17). We have found Montera to be a very good school — with dedicated teachers, a fabulous administration, and a wonderful Parent-Teacher Organization. We know many people fear large urban public schools; yet we have found it to be a great place to learn and grow. In fact, my daughter has earned an academic scholarship for high school thanks to the preparation she has received at Montera.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2017

Montera has been a great all-around middle-school experience for both my son and daughter. My older child is at Oakland Tech and feels that his teachers prepared him academically for the more challenging classes at high school, particularly with the math acceleration program and science. More importantly, he feels that Montera prepared him to be able to successfully navigate social challenges and broadened his exposure to differing opinions and experiences. He is able to navigate through life's challenges and experiences independently and works effectively in group projects and activities with all types of other students (unengaged, A-types, overachievers, those with strong opposing opinions, etc.). My daughter has had a similar experience, is very happy there, and enjoys going to school. She explored private high school options and she scored at or above average for reading/verbal and mid-80s to 90 percentile compared to others who took this test on math/reasoning. For a test that is taken by students who are "generally a higher ability and achievement level" and mostly from private schools, I feel my children are receiving a high-quality education at Montera if they are scoring consistent with or considerably higher than those who are paying $20K or more. Montera is a large, urban public middle school so I'm not going to deny there are challenges with disruptive behavior and fights on occasion. However, most teachers handle the disruptive behavior effectively (and those that don't often don't stay long). With respect to fights, it is almost always the same kids over and over. My kids rarely saw any fights and when they did it was typically when there was some physical activity going on (e.g., playing basketball during lunch), girls fighting over boys or boys fighting over girls, or trash talk that escalated. Even when fights do occur, school security or staff are on it immediately. It is unfortunate that many Montera feeder-school families have a perception of the school that is not in line with reality. My children have always felt safe at Montera and are both shocked that parents think otherwise.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2017

Both my kids have had great experiences at this school. My older son was well-prepared for high school; he's a senior now and is headed to college to study engineering. My younger son will be in 8th grade and is enjoying woodshop. The teacher, Mr. Runge, took shop at Montera as a boy and came back to teach here years later. Both my boys took advantage of the amazing music programs-both regular band and jazz band. The school offers a huge range of after-school programs, clubs, art, music, sports, and more. They also have a Computer Club where you can learn to code. They even have a working kitchen with a chef from New Orleans who cooks up a hot lunch from scratch every day. It's very inclusive and diverse-the school has 41 feeder elementary schools, so it's like a small slice of Oakland itself. It's the real deal-not perfect, but we're not looking for perfect. We wanted good experienced teachers, lots of extracurriculars, plus supportive parents and a caring staff. Montera has it all.
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2017

We could have chosen to try for a different school or go private, but we decided to take a change on our neighborhood middle school- despite the scores. We are truly happy to have our daughter at Montera for two years now. She is learning, engaged and excited about school.
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2015

Montera is a great school with great teachers that really do care about your kids to succeed. My son came from a private school in Oakland to go here at Montera and has been excelling in his academics better then his previous private school. It does not necessarily mean if you go to a private school you will get your money's worth sometimes your better off getting a good education from a public school with teachers that are certified then at a private which mostly the teachers at private school are not certified. So please take a look at Montera they really are making a lot of changes for the better and save your tuition money's for college.
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2014

My perspective on Montera is that overall it is a well run school and the teachers and admin staff are working to make it better all the time. I see a group of teachers and staff that have a true concern about their students and want to give them the best school experience possible. Not all the teachers are stars but the majority are good teachers. I have had two kids go through the school and the school continues to get better. The vast majority of parents have little involvement in the school and that is an area where the school could improve. If you are a prospective parent think in advance of helping out with the school when you can. It does make a difference.
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2014

I've put two kids through Montera over the last six years and it has changed greatly in that time, but specifically since Dr. Tranzor has taken leadership. We are delighted with the cleanliness, teacher "re"-engagement, lack of violence and drug use(which is common at an inner-city school) and innovative programs at the school (Man-Up, Challenge Days, the Arts, Music, etc.). Montera is a miniature Oakland, mixed racially, socio-economically, and academically it's not perfect, but they are ironing out the "crinks" there and I highly recommend them to any incoming family. Montera has going for it a beautiful campus, innovation with technology and science, great after school sports, clubs and other programs and a great safety record-it's a gem in OUSD.
Submitted by parent on February 21, 2014

I have found Montera to be a delightful gem in the hills of Oakland. This school is doing a lot of great things inspire of the budget cuts. Montera has a Restorative Justice program that is really great for the students and school. There are many electives offered for the students. The Leadership class hand wrote a personal note to all 900+ students. The teachers really take the time to listen to the students and work with the parents. Montera is a big school but the Admin and teachers work hard to make sure it doesn't feel too big. I am very happy and pleased with Montera it has been a great experience for both of my kids! Great school...Great people
Submitted by parent on December 21, 2013

My daughter is a current 7th grader at Montera. She spent 4 years at a private school (Head Royce). We currently have both of our kids at public schools (one at Montera and one at Montclair). The private school experience has given us some good perspective--there is no perfect school, but there are things that we know are important for us: a great education (my daughter is getting this in spades at Montera--excellent new teachers who are so fired up and amazing master teachers--a great combo); an involved, down to earth, "we're all working hard together for our kids" parent community (check Montera again), not being enclosed in a "bubble" at a school (my daughter is seeing a picture of the real world and is learning how to get a along and respect all types of people--not just people who look like her or who are from the same socio economic background; Montera is truly a diverse school in every regard). Is Montera perfect? No it's not, but I want my kids to know that there is no "perfect." You may have one teacher you don't like; you may have some students who are distracting (wow...figure out how to deal with these because your life will be full of them).
Submitted by parent on December 21, 2013

After being at private school for elementary school, my child moved to Montera for middle school. We have been very pleased with the school all around. My child is a strong student academically, and pointed out this year that while there are no bells and whistles like in private school (as there should be for the $25K tuition!), he has found the instruction and education no different than the former school. As we have made a decision to raise our children in Oakland, we are happy that they are in a school reflective of our community rather than behind the closed and insular private school world. OUSD is not perfect and has its challenges, but in my opinion, it takes committed parents to work hard to change what isn't working (as is the case at Montera) rather than trash the school and District after they have left. I would recommend Montera without hesitation.
Submitted by parent on December 21, 2013

My daughter is a 7th grader at Montera; our older child went to a private school that was a great fit for her, but after looking at our options we decided as a family that Montera would serve the younger child better, and we have seen that be the case. Yes, it's a large public school. Yes, there's a high degree of socioeconomic and racial diversity (isn't that one of the things we like about living in Oakland?) And yes, thanks to Cali/OUSD school budgets limitations, the depth of instruction on things like art and music and language leave a bit to be desired - with only one elective per year, kids have to make hard choices (hence four stars, not five). Still: our daughter has been challenged, her teachers are enthusiastic, she's made a ton of new friends, and she's thriving. I'd make the same choice again in a heartbeat. (As for parent involvement, sure, it could be higher. But that's challenging for some families with two working parents. And as long as the 20% does 80% of the work, it all gets done somehow.)
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2013

My son is currently in the 8th grade at Montera. We have certainly had a few ups and downs over the past two years, but we had those in elementary school as well. No school is perfect. In general he has been challenged and engaged all three years. He has had mostly excellent teachers. Behavior problems in and outside of the classroom have been dealt with quickly and efficiently. If administration knows there is a problem, they address it. Being at Montera has taught my son how to learn and interact with kids from all over our city, from many different backgrounds, cultures and all walks of life. Those experiences will follow him and help him all through his life. I believe that Montera is being unfairly reviewed due to misunderstandings about common core and the impact that it's implementation is having on advanced classes at all levels of 6-12 education. My son is happy, he is learning, he feels safe and he enjoys school. What more could I ask for? Take the time to come and look at Montera for yourself and don't base your opinions on what others are saying. It's a good school doing good work for our kids.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2013

My daughter attended Montera and was well prepared for Oakland Tech. I have children at Montera now who I believe are being prepared equally as well. There is concern over common core (as well as nationally - it even hit the Colbert Report), but the teachers, admin and OUSD reps had a presentation at Montera to address the curriculum and answer questions last week. I think at the end of the day the enthousiatic and dedicated teachers will continue to provide great learning opportunities. Unprompted, my son said, "Mom, I've learned more here than in all of elementary school". Just one example, the 7th grade life science teachers just recieved a mini grant from the PTO to pay for dissection specimens and tools. Also, my kids have all enjoyed sports at Montera. There are trypouts and its competetive, but at least in basketball and soccer there are multiple teams for boys and girls (i.e., A and B teams or separate 6th, 7th and 8th grade teams). The sports teams are parent or staff coached on a volunteer basis. It couldn't happen without the parent and staff volunteers. Is it perfect? No. Its big, its underfunded, there are some unruly kids, but its pretty darn good.