Petaluma Junior High School

700 Bantam Way

School District

Petaluma Joint Union High
Grade

7-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
Type

public

School Map for Petaluma Joint Union High 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 student on June 15, 2023

I don't recommend this school to anyone. I had okay-ish grades, but the teachers were rude, and the students were bullies. I have been pushed, shoved, verbally abused, and jumped before at the school. I even told a staff member that I was being followed by a group of kids trying to jump me and they told me "Just go to class your fine." I have been down on the blacktop and witnessed a fight happen and after the staff member got them off each other he just walked away. This is so disappointing for me as a student to not feel safe in my own school. I will not be returning and will make sure to tell people about this experience that I will never forget. I had to change my number from all of the hate calls I was getting. I fear walking alone in petaluma because of the kids. The fact that when I told teachers and staff no one bothered to help is so sad.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2014

I would rate this a five star but don't really have much to compare it to. I feel that the school has hired a number of young teachers recently which may have improved some comments from previous years. I do agree with the PE dept. The grading is super strict. It should be based on effort, attitude, good sportsmanship and not if you can run a 7 minute mile or improve your speed by 2 minutes. I do wish parents would participate in the fundraisers more, but overall my kids have had a good experience and the school seems to have improved since some comments from a few years ago.
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2013

Where to begin? I am not a happy parent after sending my child to this school, although I didn't feel I had many options. There are some fantastic and committed teachers who communicate clearly and are available. Others don't and aren't. The principal is great but retiring. But the school has problems that any parent ought to be aware of. First, the school self-reports that it suspended 1 in 5 kids this year. CA's average is 1 in 20. Either the school has a mass behavioral issue OR it issues suspensions very lightly. It is my strong opinion that the latter is the case. Also, the PE department is rigid and seems to grade very, very harshly, far beyond normal pedagogical standards, by hard-to-measure standards. I feel they single out some kids, frankly. Lastly, the number of assignments lead to 4-5 hours of homework per night, often with only two days notice. There are other issues that I won't detail since they are personal and particular, but I share this because I believe it could impact any student. I feel conflicted about PJHS because some was great but some was very bad so that it left us emotionally drained. I wanted to feel supported by the school, not battling with it.
Submitted by teacher on March 20, 2013

In reply to the below comments: Most bad grades in PE stem directly from absences that are not made up, or by not dressing for PE. Unlike when most of us adults were kids, there is a good % of grade based on academic work- yes, keeping notes, taking tests, etc. Good attitude and good sportsmanship are also important. Being a "good athlete" is NOT how PE is scored. Teachers retires and still collecting a paycheck? Really? Sign me up. We have had lots of new hires in the last few years, and in the process of hiring a new principal for the upcoming year. We have great STAR scores, having made great gains over the last several years in all our subgroups.
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2011

It is so sad my son and daughter have had at least one bad teacher every year. I have to stand up for their rights as kids. The 8th grade PE DEPT. is the worst. If the teachers don't like your student, or they are not natural athletes, it seems they will get a bad grade no matter how hard they try. I do like the principal and the counselors. I feel sorry for them that they have to deal with some of these extremely bad teachers who don't seem to care about the kids or their well being.
Submitted by parent on June 30, 2011

The positives are there are a few teachers who still care and the guidance counselor tries very hard to help students. They now differentiate for advanced students for math and English - very important. The negatives are many teachers have already retired but still collect a paycheck. No response to issues from staff and the principal feels parents "should not take issue with teachers or their student will pay the consequences." This when teacher behavior is very out of line - including yelling insults or sleeping in class... This review may result in negative consequences for my kids - but feel parents need to know.