Carpenter Middle School

3905 Rainier Road

School District

Plano Independent
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Plano Independent 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 October 03, 2024

I am a current student here the learning is kind of good some teachers are good while others don't care about us Mr. Mitchell is a perfect example of a teacher who cares about his students. While the Administrators/consular get mad when they have to do their job. The students are as you'd expect them to be some are nice and are here for learning while others don't care for learning or school.
Submitted by teacher on May 13, 2024

I used to work here there are many disgusting bugs including cockroaches and rats there are racist jokes thrown around everywhere and the administration don't do anything about. Please do not send your child here
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2023

Thank you so much for many wonderful years for both my boys. There are many wonderful, caring, above-and-beyond staff here. Major shout out to coach Sterling, Mrs. Ocadiz, and Mr. Mitchell. Changing lives!
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2022

Me encanta es la escuela de mi hija y es increíble los maestros muy amables gran Lunch y mi hija aprende mucho
Submitted by student on October 13, 2022

I have a love-hate relationship with this school. While it offers great Fine Arts programs and many extracurricular activities, lesson plans in core classes sometimes fall flat. The administrators barely help out with problems on campus, leaving students in the dark during social and emotional challenges. The counselors are no better. Students would rather solve serious problems themselves than go to a counselor. They'd go to one of the teachers on campus, or the VP instead. While there are some great qualities about this school, the negative emotional toll it could take on your child is not something to risk.
Submitted by other on August 13, 2022

Would absolutely not recommend. The students behavior was AWFUL. Bullying in the hallways, racial and homophobic slurs being yelled left to right, constant fights. Once, kids were yelling "build that wall" and teachers did nothing but laugh or stare. Many Instagram pages mocking or making fun of students, If you get bullied, rare chance anyone will help.There were a few good teachers that did try but the kids there would just rip on them. The school hardly has control over the students and its like a zoo in there. This is coming from a student who went there, do not send your kids to carpenter, its a drama fest instead of a school.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2022

This school is rampant with behavior issues. Your kids are not safe here. There is even an instagram page dedicated to Carpenter fights. Teachers and administrators blame low income students for the issues but truly there is no accountability. Worst of the worst.
Submitted by other on July 27, 2021

Look below for more info about carpenter’s suckiness.
Submitted by other on March 23, 2020

My experience at this school was not pleasant. Although the teachers were kind and tried their best to support students, the lack of support from the administrators (mostly the principal herself) really downgraded my experience at this school. If I had to just give a rating for the teachers I would give them a 4.5 out of 5, but because this is an overall rating, I sadly only give this school a 2 stars.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2020

Absolutely great; I notice a great development on my daughter, she is very intelligent and I am impressed of all that she has learned about history, science, math, music; I think she know more than me already; she even told me that she wants to be an Engineer; and I have to say that this school has a strong focus on music, my daughter plays the violin very well, and they make presentations every few months at school, and the concerts are just beautiful, I just can see very well respectful children when I attend to those concerts.
Submitted by parent on September 16, 2019

Our family LOVES Carpenter! It is uniquely diverse and truly a great school with teachers and administrators that enjoy working with this age group. We really appreciate the "small school" feel of the campus and highly recommend CMS!
Submitted by student on May 17, 2019

I hated it completely and I'm glad I'll be out of it next year. The teachers were cool, but the students were HORRIBLE.
Submitted by student on June 27, 2018

It was not the best experience. I was not in a good crowd. The learning enviornment was horrible. To many got suspended.
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2017

My son is in 8th grade at CMS and we have had an OUTSTANDING experience there! The principal is top-notch, great communicator and so friendly! My son's teachers have been fabulous too. I am sad CMS doesn't have a great reputation. It really is a hidden gem in Plano. Don't be scared off by the baseless rumors. It's a great place!
Submitted by other on May 14, 2017

Both of my children had a very good experience at Carpenter Middle school. CMS has the lowest student to teacher ratio of any Plano middle school - 12.2:1 versus 16 or 18 at nearby schools. All PISD schools added security over the past few years, and all have the same lunch food. We are happy to have been a part of this wonderful school.
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2016

The teachers care so much! Everything they do is geared towards helping kids succeed. They know they have a negative image and are constantly working to correct it. I'm proud to support them!
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2015

This WAS an amazing school. I had two kids attend. When my oldest attended the school was well organized, the staff was amazing, the students were respectful for the most part. Now, it's just one big circus. They had to add security, which is a big red flag. The staff is horrible and has no control over the students, in fact, the staff acts like a bunch of kids. There is no authority whatsoever. The school is overcrowded. It's such a shame to see what the school has become. There are a few good teachers who still care enough to stay but most of the great ones have left.
Submitted by other on June 07, 2013

Do NOT ever, and I mean EVER, send your child here. The kids are totally rude, the staff doesn't care less and they have all these rules that even they don't follow. The band program is terrible, Mr.Fabian the assistant band directer is completely rude to the kids, he discourages them and already 5 five people quit. The teachers don't do a good job at teaching, they give them a packet and say study and declare the test is next Tuesday. The food is terrible, the cheese tastes like plastic. The V.P is terrible too. If you love your child, don't send them here.
Submitted by other on February 23, 2013

This school sucks. It has rude students who don't even pass the exams. It is very bad.