Marston Middle School

3799 Clairemont Drive

School District

San Diego Unified
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
Type

public

School Map for San Diego 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 parent on March 11, 2024

We were not sure about sending our child to Marston for 6th grade based on school ratings from GreatSchools, Niche, etc. We are so happy our daughter wanted to go to Marston because it is a wonderful school and has been a fantastic experience for our child. There are many electives to choose from, the theater program is topnotch, and the academics (especially if your child is in the advanced courses) are rigorous and definitely push the students academically. The new principal seems very motivated and driven and I think the school will continue to get better and better.
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2023

Principal Golias is great. Friendly, and he walks around campus with his head on a swivel and is fully engaged. But that doesn't seem to trickle down to the teachers. Many teach like they have to be there, not that they want to. Some get openly frustrated with their classes, but yet there are no repercussions for being a disruptive student. So it just gets worse. It's actually quite shocking what kids get away with in class, based on the stories my son has shared. The grading system even seems to be built just for these disruptive kids. "Just move them along" to HS. A traditionally failing grade is still a C.As a parent, you'll need to work with your kid(s) on how to navigate the disruptions in order for them to be successful. But what's worse, and why I'm sharing this review now, is that this year there seems to be a rising theft problem. My son has had his backpack "broken into" for lack of a better term, multiple times. Other kids have stolen his work and his water bottle during 3 different classes. We don't let him take his phone to school for fear it will get stolen. This wasn't a problem the previous 2 years.
Submitted by student on September 30, 2022

any kind of gossip goes on instagram, the school doesn't do anything if you get bullied
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2022

Great teachers at this school especially if your lucky enough to get Miss Holland.
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2022

I love this school. My daughter who goes to Marston loves her school. It’s definitely not perfect, but no school is. We have had a great experience at Marston. My daughter has received a good education and there are many opportunities to learn new skills through their many advisory options. Principal Gollias is excellent! He does a great job at showing he cares for his students and for school. I would highly recommend Marston middle school!
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2022

This is our first year. We’ve been really happy with Marston! The families are all really nice. They offer accelerated math and advanced English, which have both been great. This is the first year my daughter didn’t need to supplement at home in those subjects. They’re doing awesome things in her Engineering elective that remind me of my college intro to engineering course! The advisory classes are a nice way to start the day and offer a huge variety of topics to explore. The staff all seems great too. They have a wonderful principal. Overall, I would recommend Marston.
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2021

Our experience at Marston has been very good. My oldest child went to PB Middle and my youngest (2 years difference) decided on Marston. So I have the benefit of experiencing 2 middle schools and I will say that communication and teacher involvement has been considerably better at Marston. My youngest child has some social/emotional challenges and everyone from admin to teachers has been incredibly supportive. The teachers she's had over these 3 years have all cared about her and her success. They have been extremely responsive to me and dealt with a lot of emails without ever making me feel like I was a burden.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2020

Overall this school is ineffective and horrible. The main problem at Marston- to sum it up- is very poor communication from the teachers and admin. The school seems like it has a cruise control button set with no intention to let off. Effective schools don’t run well on cruise control.
Submitted by student on November 08, 2019

f there was a no star option, i would've chosen it. the teachers are unsupportive of your mental health and education. the office staff judge you and are very rude for no reason. the students are prone to peer pressure and bullying. delete this if you want, but this is the truth. DONT SEND YOUR KIDS HERE!
Submitted by parent on July 03, 2019

Marston is a great school. We have to keep in mine teachers can only do so much, and alot of the behaviors and problems stem from issues at home. Teachers can't do it all, and I think the MAJORITY of teachers and administrators at Marston are doing a wonderful job given the reality of public education in California. Sure there might be a bad apple here or there, but no school is perfect. Marston has been a great school for my daughter and her friends so far!
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2019

Awful. I’m trying to leave the disctrict just so we can get out of this HORRIBLE school. Awful teachers, awful leadership.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2018

Absolutely love Marston Middle! This is my daughter’s second year and we couldn’t be happier, the classes are challenging, the principal is extremely involved and counseling is amazing!
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2015

I absolutely love Marston Middle School. This is our first year to attend here. I was not sure that is was the school for us, but it is! My child is learning so much and the teachers are excellent. Dr, Cook does and awesome job at the helm. I look forward to the rest of this year and the next two years at Marston Middle School.
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2014

I really am glad our son is at Marston. The advisory period allows for exploration for all students. The teachers are very dedicated in their courses and make the effort to be available for students at lunch or before/after school (scheduled times). There is a workshop, computer lab, and a great music program for Band, Jazz Band, and Orchestra. There are clubs for Robotics, Art, CA Jr Scholarship, Spanish, AVID, and others. Students are encouraged to start their own clubs as well. They offer advanced Math courses and well defined Earth, Life, and Physical Science courses. The Student Government works hard to engage with their fellow students to make school fun and to raise school spirit.
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2014

I have had two children attending Marston, and so far we have been pleased. Dr. Cook is highly accessible and the teachers have been very responsive to my children. My children are doing great academically and are enjoying Middle School. What more could a parent ask for?
Submitted by teacher on April 18, 2014

I had the privilege of working in the office of Marston Middle School for a little over one year. I was so impressed with the learning opportunities and student supports offered there. Teachers go above and beyond by providing before and after school tutoring. Marston is a campus that emphasizes college as a given, working with students toward that goal. I think the thing I was most impressed with was that Marston also offers a unique Advisory Program to provide intervention and exploration to students within the school day. These advisory programs change every three weeks and provide a rich and unique learning experience for the students. It gives struggling students a chance to get extra support, students who did not turn in class or homework assignments get a chance to catch up and students have an opportunity to experience a variety of fun and creative learning opportunities from cooking to hockey to pet care to Readers Theater, just to name a few. There is something exciting waiting for each child. And isn t that what school is all about, not only educating our students but instilling the excitement to learn.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2014

I have been very impressed with the level of rigor and academic opportunities my children have had access to at this school. The 3 week rotation of exploration classes allow the students to try new activities they might not think to try in another setting. We are excited to be part of this community that is so dedicated to its schools!
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2014

I have a sixth grader at Marston and I've been very pleased with the school so far. My student is in GATE/Seminar and advanced classes and has been challenged academically. She has also had the opportunity to try new skills with her elective and with the advisory experiences that change every 3 weeks. I feel there is excellent communication opportunities with her teachers and decent communication between the school administration and parents