Pacific Beach Middle School

4676 Ingraham Street

School District

San Diego Unified
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:21
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 other on June 03, 2023

THIS IS THE BEST SCHOOL EVER IN THE WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2018

We never had any huge issues till a few months ago when my child started being severely bullied. Name calling, threats at school and random text threats, complete loss of comfort and safety in school. Initially my child was told to say sorry to the individual who started the bigger bullying piece?! Umm NO! I cannot go into specifics but will say that while we never had a problem with academics we found that the school DOES NOT have a zero tolerance for bullying like we thought (the principal told a friend of mine that that was more in regards to a felony!!) The staff initially seemed understanding, caring and helpful but as the problem persisted they appeared bothered and annoyed. We sadly pulled our child out since no child deserves to go through what they did. *Everyone please make your own judgement on the school you choose to put your child in. This one would have been great if we had not experienced bullying or bullying of that magnitude to be precise.
Submitted by other on May 12, 2016

This is my son's second year at PBMS and we are extremely happy with it. He has fantastic, enthusiastic teachers and he is getting an excellent education. He loves the lunchtime sports leagues and the overall atmosphere of the school. I can only speak for his test scores but he got a perfect score in both categories on the 7th grade state standardized tests.Signed, Happy PBMS Mom
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2015

This school may have a new principal, and look like good school on the surface, but don't be fooled! This schol is a breeding ground for racism, sex, and bullying. If you're a working parent who can't dedicate 10+ hours per week at the school, or the parent of a bi-racial child, I highly recommend you do everything within your power to stay out of this school. Sincerely, Concerned working parent of a bi-racial child
Submitted by other on February 10, 2015

I'm just going to say, this school isn't a very good school. It was rated most IMPROVED. It can still be bad, it just improved quite a bit. It may have really fun field trips, clubs, or activities, but unless it's educational we're not learning anything. I, as a kid, LOVE having fun, but I know I need to learn and get good grades. Take notice I'm not trying to offend anyone. Thanks for reading this. Someone in existence
Submitted by parent on November 22, 2014

This is my daughter's second year at PB middle and she loves it! We are a military family who has been in many districts and schools. We drive her 20 min eah way to go to PB over our neighborhood school. We have also signed my son up to go to PB next year. I stress to other parents that you can't go strictly on scores and what's on paper. There are other factors which had an effect on the numbers. We love the IB program. The staff takes personal attention with each student. My daughter is also involved I volleyball and basketball at PB. PB is one of the few/only schools to offer such a wide range of sports. They also have use of the recreation center attached. I've witnessed firsthand the PB has a zero bullying tolerance. They offer lots of tutoring and military support to the kids. Another thing that really stands out is the environment of PB school.
Submitted by parent on September 01, 2014

As a military family we have tried out many different schools around the country. I have learned that most families want to see test scores, rankings and expensive facilities as evidence of a great school. Time has shown me that what really makes a difference is the faculty and staff. PBMS is a small school facing all the same budget problems that our entire nation faces. We love the IB program and chose PBMS over our neighborhood school (even though on paper some would say that our neighborhood school is "better"). We have never regretted our decision. It is a small school but my daughter feels cared for and nurtured. She's not 1 of 1000 students. Her teachers care about her and mentor her, which makes all the difference in the world. If more families would take a look at the great things going on in the MB cluster, they would choose IB all the way!
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2014

This is my son's first year at MBHS. So far, he has been very pleased with his experience. The teachers are very supportive and approachable and are very responsive to email. We had one issue that was dealt with quickly. I like that the IB curriculum is challenging and promotes global thinking. I like that it is a smaller high school with many opportunities to succeed in whatever interests a student. Socially, my son is very comfortable there. It is a diverse population and the students are very supportive and encourage each other to succeed. I would recommend this high school if you are looking for a smaller, more personable environment, that is a diverse, real world experience where the student can be responsible for his/her own success.
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2014

My child loves it so far. This is our first year. The workload is fair.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2014

Daughter has been there for 2 years has had a few run inns with a few students since last year they have been pulling the race card on her for being a white girl threatening to beat her rear end for some time now so last week the two girls corner my daughter mind you my daughter is on honor roll and in sports pretty well rounded kid not saying she is perfect but as a parent you know what I mean so the girl starts getting violent shucking my daughter while the other girl taunts her I have always taught my daughter that fighting is not the answer but when being picked on or bullied and especially the big one for me is they put there hands on you you have fill right to defend yourselfe with any means so after the girl kept shuving my daughter my daughter snapped and beat her rear end and for defending herselfe gets expelled out of school seriously it made me sick to my stomach I guess what we have learns threw all this is if you're kid gets bullied and they finally fight back at pbms not only if they don't run away like a coward and finally fight back they will be suspended
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2013

Both of my children attend Pacific Beach Middle. We love it there and we could not ask for a better education! Both of my children attended a private school before attending PBM and the education and academic opportunities they have at PBM far outstrip what they could receive in private school. Parent involvement has vastly increased over the past 2 years I have been at the school. You can see a visible change all throughout the campus and new activities that are taking place. So happy to be part of this neighborhood school!
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2013

Our family loves Pacific Beach Middle School! Our son is in his 3rd year there as an 8th grader and our daughter is in 6th grade. The IB program is amazing and provides more in depth learning plus helping my kids to be motivated learners. The teachers really seem to care and show pride in the school. What my kids love most are the organized lunch sports leagues that keep them active during the lunch break and the afterschool sports offered. We are so thankful for the opportunities at PBMS.
Submitted by other on August 06, 2013

I have been with this school for a year now and it has been a great expieeence. Our scores have gone up very much and I'm proud to say I went there. There are many great activities and projects to work on. It keeps you busy and exited. I think the school can approve of helping bulling, like the teacher said because students are under enough stress as it is to get things done and when they are trying to get things done but, they are thinking of the insident. so, thier not 100% focused which makes thier grades go down. Plus they don't want to remember that school as the place where they got Bullied, they want to think of it as a fun and exiting place to be.
Submitted by parent on July 12, 2013

I, like many people in PB, was concerned to send my kids to the local middle and high school because of the long standing poor reputation. Along with most of his class, I decided to send him there. He's been here for 2 years and is doing great! He's an honor student and is thriving. We have attended the open houses and met all his teachers and they seem to geniuinely care about students and are enthusiastic about being there. Everyone was approachable and friendly.
Submitted by teacher on May 30, 2012

While this school may show satisfactory performance on standardized testing, administration (the principal, specifically) does little to nothing to protect its students from bullying. The bullied are blamed and the horrific acts are brushed under the rug. When the bullied child's grades drop because he/she is depressed and giving up in school, this is taken into account to the child's detriment when bullying concerns are brought up by parents. I am glad my children do not attend PB Middle School, and I would not recommend it to anyone whose child may be bullied. If your child is a bully, don't worry. They won't get a consequence- Sincerely, A special education teacher
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2012

I work with children professionally & am a mother. PBMS is hands down, by far, the WORST school I have ever seen. Some of the teachers have already received their pink slips & have a apathetic, cavalier attitude. The administration is uncaring, unconcerned, and shockingly pompous for individuals who have chosen this as their career, yet are doing such a poor job. The principal doesn't even have a working voicemail. Bullying is rampant, racism is real and omnipresent, yet apathy and helplessness is embedded in the PBMS culture. If you're the type of parent that barely slows their car when dropping off their child in the morning, this school will be great. It looks ok on the surface, and maybe your child will get lucky. God knows if you send out an email to your child's teacher, you wont be bothered by one in return. But if you are an involved, concerned parent, RUN AS FAST AND AS FAR AWAY AS YOU CAN. As far as Dr. Martel, the principal? She is a prime example of what happens as bullies age...mean, patronizing, duplicitous, and unable to accept or acknowledge fault...thus, a large part of why PBMS is the way it is. Children everywhere will be better off for her retirement.
Submitted by other on October 12, 2011

As a student, I know what PBMS is really like. This is my second year at PBMS, and I am loving it. The teachers are not so strict as to punish every little flaw and scare students. They do not let kids run wild either. Some people do not like the fact that the school is about mostly Spanish-speaking, but I think it is good to play and learn with other cultures. I have even learned a few words from them, mostly about soccer. The International Baccalaureate program is fantastic because we learn about the whole world and what is happening in it. If we know the current problems, wars, and politics of the world, we can turn those situations around in the near future. We are, after all, the voting citizens of the United States in a few years. This school is equally devoted to the teaching of both boys and girls, and there is no racist problem either. Once again, I love PBMS and I highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on January 02, 2011

If you are considering this school for your children watch out. One in seven students is on an IEP plan. This means that the PBMS administration identifies one in seven students as having a learning disability. The administration aggressively pushes these special education programs to students who are not performing well without explaining the drawbacks of the program or other alternatives to parents. Minorities are overrepresented in these programs. Also, once your child is on an IEP plan, only the team can decide when the IEP plan is no longer needed. What are the benefits to this school to have so many IEP students? Does the school receive special funding for these students? Are IEP students test scores considered a special category so they don't affect overall test scores for the school? Statistically, what is the number of hispanic students that attend vs. the number that are identified as having a learning disability? What is the number of students nationally that are identified as having a learning disability vs. the one in seven rate at PBMS? These are questions every parent should ask if they are asked to participate in an IEP meeting.
Submitted by parent on December 03, 2010

As a parent of three boys who have either attended or are currently attending PBMS, I couldn't be more happy with the educational rigor, opportunities for personal growth & phenominal staff at the school. All three of my boys work hard and have consistently achieved outstanding grades. The physical education program is superb as well, which for my active boys was the perfect balance to the educational challenge. The Spanish language and band options provide additional enrichment. I would recommend this school for any SD student!
Submitted by teacher on June 04, 2010

Did you know that for the 2009-2010 school year PB MIddle students contributed over 12,000 hours of service to the local and global community? Our students care.