Howard Middle School

800 East Robinson Street

School District

Orange County Public Schools
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Orange 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 20, 2023

I did not like it there because they did not teach and did not like people there.
Submitted by student on February 01, 2023

This school is really good! I really like it there. The arts electives are interesting and offer lots of ways to learn new things. I would also suggest opting for STEM if you are going to this school. The teacher and the overall subject is fun and helpful in real-life.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2022

this school is bad their are fights alot of the time some teachers are good and some are just bad dr walker is one of the best pepole in the school and i think that they need to worry less about the looks of the school and the bullying that relly gos on in the school over all relly good in the arts tho and also need to stop worying about the cell phones they need to worry about thing that are moore importeant
Submitted by student on January 20, 2022

Over all, it is a great school but the teachers don't care at all.
Submitted by principal on March 27, 2019

Howard is a true leader in the arts and has received numerous local, state, and national awards for the stellar program it offers.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2018

Howard is the best middle school in all of Orange County. We have experienced montessori & private in both New York City, New Jersey and Orlando. Howard, by far is the most balanced and real. It prepares kids for the real world; offering academic rigor, critical thinking strategies and compassion for every learning style. It does not "coddle" the student like most private school of Florida do. Coddling is the worse because the kids leave with unrealistic views & suffer later in life. But Howard gives students a glimpse into what high school, college & the real world will look like. The school stays in communication with the parents/guardians. The teachers make themselves available to keep you updated on the progress of your student. I just love the school!
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2015

Howard is a real world school with outstanding students and faculty. Yes, just like the real world there are some bad apples who don't care about achieving, but they are the minority. What Howard offers is above and beyond any other school I've seen. Cool, artistic kids, and really progressive teachers. The kids at the school are going places! Wouldn't want my child anywhere else.
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2015

Teachers are good. Mrs. Raab and Mr. Penfield are outstanding. Dr. Cartwright (past principal) will be truly missed. Over the past year or so, I've seen some very negative changes in the school, mostly with the student body. The children are rude and misbehaved. Their parents seem to be uninvolved. I'm worried about the future for this school.
Submitted by other on August 06, 2014

Howard is a great school that incorporates the arts with core subjects resulting in over the top test scores.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2014

Whoever mentioned that Dr. Cartwright is a "visionary" in an earlier review was absolutely correct. He is a visionary and he holds high expectations for the kids at Howard. The programs are amazing-visual and performing arts. Also the academics are great. It is not a perfect school, but it is one of the best public schools I've seen in Orlando. I truly believe that if every school in OCPS had leadership that values our children and their success as much as Dr. Cartwright and his staff do, OCPS would be #1 in the country. This school succeeds because of the dedicated teachers and staff that work very hard every day to create a wonderful student experience. It is a great place.
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2014

Coming from a private school environment, sending out two middle school girls to a public school was a bit scary. But the administration, faculity, programs, and magnet have not disappointed us and have exceeded our expectations. I would highly recommend this school especially if your child loves the fine arts.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2014

Howard Middle School is an exceptional school thanks to their administration & faculty staff! Not to mention the great group of children that attend Howard! My daughter was previously in a different school last year for 6th grade. She was in the IB program and did well but I felt like the opportunities at Howard were so great that we transferred her to attend 8th grade in a school she loves!
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2014

HMS Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts has been a godsend to my daughter. She is competitive academically, but at the time she was entering 6th grade, the only real choice we had for her was a middle years IB program. She attended and did very well, but there were no real arts programs for her to enjoy, and singing, dancing, and theatre are her passions. Academics can bring some accolades, but when the arts are enriched for a student in such a comprehensive and nurturing way, like they are at HMS, a student like my daughter will really thrive. Now, instead of dreading every school day, she bounds out of bed, anxious to see what the day will bring, what new song she will learn, what new dance step she will master, or what role she will earn in a musical. Through HMS connections, she has also thrived in outside musical activities such as Florida Opera Theatre and as a finalist in Orange County's Top Talent competition. There just isn't any opportunity in OCPS that compares to the administrators, atmosphere, instructional staff, and peers at HMS. They are priceless and I am eternally grateful for their presence in our lives.Looking forward to my 6th grader enjoying HMS too.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2014

I had both of my children in private school for 8 years when my son was looking for a more engaging curriculum. We toured HMS and were so impressed by the Performing Arts Magnet and other electives, as well as the amazing principal and truly caring teachers, that we moved him midweek, mid school year! We were worried about such an abrupt move, but didn't not want to lose any time enrolling in the fabulous electives. We have never looked back. My son was welcomed immediately and wakes up early each day excited to attend middle school! We are Wow-ed by the administration and faculty. The trips to NYC, the Aviation Academy and Atlanta thrill even my well-traveled son. With only a few months left at HMS, we treasure our last year and half here and sad that it ends at 8th grade. In two words - AMAZING experience!
Submitted by other on March 24, 2014

I currently go to Howard Middle, and it is amazing. The choir and theater electives hae improved my acting and single skills by a lot. Thanks to the Music Theory and Composition course, I can now play the piano and write my own music(which we are currently doing). As for the core classes I never expected to be able to skip a grade in math, but now I take 7th grade advanced math. All of my other classes are advanced and the teachers are top notch. I love that in class we can do experiments and games but be able to learn all at the same time. I will be very sad to leave Howard Middle, everyone took me in and treated me with love. Parents, I may not know much about transportation and such, bht I know my mother goes out of her way to make sure I grt to school on time and thats because Howard Middle is the best school and you'll never find another one like it.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2014

This school is amazing in so many ways. The way all the teachers and staff care for the students. The way the students care for each other. My daughter wishes every day that this would convert to a high school so she didn't have to leave. It has exceptional programs and continuously trying to find more opportunities for the students to grow not only within their walls but within the community as well!
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2014

Love Howard, We are in our second Year and Are very Pleased! I would recommend this program to any Middle school Student that wants to get more out of school. The Arts Rock and Academics are top notch! Bob Jones
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2014

Great School! And an amazing Principal!!! The preforming arts teachers and classes make school so much more fun for our students.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2014

Howard Middle School staff and school culture is one that is very accepting of all students and expects students to perform to their fullest ability, academically, socially/emotionally, and artistically. I am proud that my son attended this school rather than his zoned school. It really helped him move forward in his musical and artistic abilities. I LOVE the principal. He takes time to get to know every student and works with the families to ensure the students are successful. He is a true leader.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2014

I am extremely proud that my daughter is attending Howard Middle School's Magnet program. The staff and teachers follow in the footsteps of one very DEDICATED principle.