Eastern Middle School

300 University Boulevard East

Silver Spring, MD 20901

School District

Montgomery County Public Schools
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for Montgomery 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 student on January 30, 2025

Eastern Middle School offers a somewhat unique experience, blending positive aspects with some significant drawbacks. The most glaring issue is the state of the building itself. It's desperately in need of a renovation. The cramped hallways make navigating between classes a daily struggle, and the poor air circulation is a constant discomfort. On the academic front, the humanities department shines. While some teachers may lack a bit of understanding at times, their dedication to student learning is undeniable. They push students to succeed and provide the support needed to grasp the material. The school's program is a definite highlight. It's engaging and enjoyable, although be prepared for a challenging transition.The overall atmosphere at Eastern is...okay. While the school has its share of fights and other typical middle school issues, there are bright spots. Dedicated teachers like Mr. Wilson, who teaches me, truly make a difference. His thoughtfulness and commitment to teaching every student, regardless of their background, is commendable. Even with occasional disruptions from classmates, I genuinely enjoy his TV studio class. It's this mix of challenges and positive influences that makes my experience at Eastern "interesting," to say the least. It's a school with potential, but it's held back by its aging facilities and some of the typical challenges that come with a diverse student body.
Submitted by student on December 02, 2024

I currently go to eastern and my experience has been…interesting. The school building it self DESPERATELY needs a renovation, the hallways are wayyyyy to small and the are circulation is soooo bad because it’s an old building. The teaching experience for the humanities is really good. Some teachers I’ve had aren’t the most understanding but they do help a lot from a learning aspect. The program is really fun and would recommend it. But keep in mind it is a hard transition. I’m not sure about the special education because my disability doesn’t require a program to help me but what I’ve seen around the building is that kids that need to be supervised have teachers that follow them around and have a room they can cool down in. The social support is pretty bad…I’ve told the counselor about people that do sm or need help and she does nothing. And when I’ve reported people that need help she doesn’t do anything other than call their parents and overall the school doesn’t help that much (I’m not sure if their supposed to though)
Submitted by student on November 19, 2024

If you're in the Humanities, the class experience is really good. The teachers are amazing and it's very interactive and stimulating. My friends who aren't in the program get a much different experience. They are just as smart, but not in the advanced classes they should be in. Also, the building is in terrible shape. It hasn't had a renovation since around 1975. (I did research... that's what I found.) There are disgusting HUGE roaches, and the vandalism all over the walls and in the bathrooms is on a different level than I've EVER seen. Besides this, Eastern is way overcrowded. One of the hallways, the 700 hallway, isn't as wide as the others - and I am literally lifted up by my shoulders when I walk through. There isn't enough time to switch between classes. I can make it on time to my classes, but there is no time to use the bathroom or get water. I've tried that a few times, and with every single attempt, I've been late. I don't want to hate on this school, because I do really love it. The drama program is really fun, the teachers are nice and the classes are good (from my experience.) I can't speak for other people. But I do know THIS BUILDING NEEDS A RENOVATION!
Submitted by student on August 03, 2023

i am a current student here, and it is very very tough to be at this school. here is a list of pros and cons from my experience. (for reference, I am a gay asian humanities 8th grader at this school)pros: -the humanities program is an enriching experience that advances student's understanding of literature and art-the teachers are encouraging and are very well-trained in what they do-the drama and music programs is absolutely amazing with teachers that are invested in the materialcons:-the building is so run down. we haven't had any renovations since the late sixties/early seventies, which causes a slew of problems for the building such as power and water outages, gas leaks, fire alarm problems, roofing and insulation problems, bugs, rats, and ac/heater problems-there is a massive polarization between the humanities and the comp kids, it's kind of like the divide between gryffindor and slytherin in harry potter if that makes sense-the humanities kids are really overworked and stressed out to the point where the humanities classes take up all of the schoolwork that we can physically do in a day and we just kind of have to fail our other classes to get a good grade in the humanities classes while the comp kids do not have enough work and encouragement to learn and be engaged in class-the bathrooms are disgusting and only one of them is wheelchair and disability accessible-the cafeteria food is very gross and definitely not being taken seriously. one time I got lunch there and my chicken sandwich was raw in the middle. for three dollars, I got a raw chicken sandwich. yuck.-discrimination is built into our school's system. constant queerphobia, racism, ableism, and other things are happening every day and no one tries to stop it.-there are fights every. single. day. and instead of teachers trying break up fights, they turn a blind eye while a kid is beaten to a pulp (there are bloodstains in some of the corridors and i saw a kid break his tooth once)these are just some of the problems i can think of off the top of my head for this school. it's up to you if you send your kid here, but hey, it looks good on high school and college applications
Submitted by student on December 12, 2022

These are the good sides of Eastern: Teachers are great! I am a student in the magnet program, (and I enjoy it) Media is a fun experience. Ms. Ray was generous and gave us donuts and cupcakes. She was thoughtful for the students were were lactose intolerant and can't eat food that contain gluten so she brought them whatever those students wanted. Ms. Rowe is funny and kind and Ms. Hall has a good sense of humor! I feel excited most of the time and we have mini classes in a period where we learn to help others. I like the field trips. After school, they have free food. In the morning there is free breakfast. Everybody is treated equally. We also have Earth Force to help the envoirment. Band is awesome, too!These are the bad sides of Eastern: Sadly, there are occasional fights in Eastern. Eastern is a bit dirty. The assignments in Magnet program are hard. There is some people smoking, and a kid this year had a knife.
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2022

THIS SCHOOL BLOWS!!! WORST SCHOOL EVER!! My son got into a fight and the teachers didn't stop it; they chanted for their favorite!!! Someone painted an upside down mushroom on a locker!! There is fights every day! None of the administration does anything! This school is worse than the EMOJI MOVIE!!
Submitted by other on August 02, 2022

Typical middle school. Polarized between magnet and non-magnet kids. The humanities program has deteriorated in quality due to the lottery system. Excellent teachers, but there are not many students willing to learn.
Submitted by parent on June 27, 2020

Our experience at Eastern is outstanding. Our child loves the school. The teachers and other facility are very good. The only draw back is the county has neglected the up-keep of the school. It is overdue for a renovation.
Submitted by other on September 23, 2019

It was challenging (as most middle schools are and should be) but I got through it. I was knew to the school, did not know anyone, but made many friends both in and not in the magnet, had some amazing teachers, and would wish to send my kids back some day!
Submitted by parent on June 27, 2017

My child will not go back to Eastern Middle School.Yes the school is dirty.Yes the staff praises the magnet students and can't stand the others. Yes there are pockets upon pockets of delinquent preteens/teens its the area!The school seems to have some tired Administrators that can come up with no better alternative than suspending students. How do I know this? I taught 2 classes there for 5 weeks.But the main reason I'm writing this is because:Sending my child to this school was the worst thing I could've done in his entire academic life! He started out strong with a high GPA, he was recognized for his achievements, he was proud of himself. After the first semester the school messed up his enrollment and he ended up unenrolled and at home for a week. At this time he became friends with and started hanging with the kids that were suspended from Eastern and a nearby high school. His disability paired with delinquents and Principal Crouse/ administrators not caring about anyone outside of the magnet program, led to his grades rapidly declining. I warned the school about persuasion from the delinquent students. My son too, expressed that he did not want to go there for the same reason. These kids prey on the incoming 6th graders, recruit them and ruin them. All I can say is I hope that my son can recover from all that he was exposed to. Needless to say we will not be returning to this school, Ever.
Submitted by other on September 13, 2016

I am in my last year at Eastern middle school and I feel as if my degree of interest has slowly dropped over the three years I've attended this school. I am a part of the humanities program and every day i observe how I am treated as if I am more intelligent and more valued of a human being. In sixth grade I loved my teachers, thank you Mrs. Ray for understanding all of my terrible friend drama! In seventh grade I had mixed feelings about many of my teachers but still liked quite a few of them. This year I have two or three teachers I like and one I just cannot stand. School policy states that if a student makes an attempt on an assignment they automatically recieve a 50% but one student in my class competed the whole assignment correctly... but in pen. The teacher gave him a zero and said that if he did it in pen he technically did not make an attempt on the work, which is ridiculous. I don't know how I'll survive a year in his class. Overall, many of the eastern staff value the humanities students infinitely more and aren't afraid to show it, and a few don't even care about any of us at all. Not to mention cockroaches, mice, and hornets, but those all belong in another story.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2015

Our child is very happy with her teachers and friends at this school. The principal is, very communicative and involved. The teachers are all upbeat and engaging.
Submitted by other on November 22, 2013

Okay, to start off.. Eastern MS is not the worst school; but it's not the best school either. I loved that school throughout my years there. The teachers were very nice & some..not so much. I had lots of teachers some that were a pain & others that were not so to be honest I actually think this school is good.. I remember through out my 6th grade year I wasn't doing good.. at ALL because I was so caught up with society and thought school was nothing & I shouldn't care about it.. Through afterwards in the beginning of my 7th grade year a teacher there actually changed my life. (Seriously.) Now I'm always doing work & my gpa went up so so high throughout 7th grade. Anyways Eastern isn't so bad.. just depends on how you act & who you decide to have as friends, because seriously every school had bad students.. & trust me this one did.. but it all matter on who you choose as friends. Though one bad thing I didn't like was how the teachers actually cared more the magnet students than the ones who weren't in the magnet program.. They should really change that.. Anyways. Great school. Also.. Thank you Mrs. Dobson for changing me, I will always remember that. From an old student.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2013

The staff and principal of Eastern middle schools are too focused on how the school looks, rather than how the students feel. One of the only aspects about i like about Eastern would be the staff. Some of the staff actually went over their requirements to help students. Improving the school would take a schools community to function as a whole. The Magnet program students are treat more "highly" or more "intelligent" than other students. Fixing this stereotypical gap, will make it a better school. Second, assignment of seats for lunch. I was shocked to find out this was even occurring, Why are middle school students being assigned to where to sit just like elementary school. If Eastern was functioned based on the students needs over perfection, they will will be overall better.
Submitted by other on May 13, 2013

The school is ok, I had experienced many times being racially discriminated against not only students, but teachers as well. Some would pick on me and my friends, just because we liked to hang around a lot and they really just made it a hard time for me. One additional "class" called PBIS is I think, a failure. Students treat it like a joke, the set up is just terrible, and I really don't think people can learn anything from it. It's just a waste of time. And one more thing, there's this policy that requires you to stay at a 4.0 GPA , or increase from your previous GPA in order to be eligible to participate in fun activities. This is a huge injustice to all of the students of the school because what if there were kids who try really hard, but end up having a GPA just a little under their previous GPA? What if you got 4.0 first quarter and just happened to get a 89.4 in one subject?
Submitted by other on April 25, 2013

This school is pretty good, but there are some teachers who really don't try or aren't good, while there are some who work hard and actually teach you stuff. There is a fairly distinct line between comprehensive and humanities students, though not always. The band is really good even though small and under-funded. But it is still fun and a lot of people are nice. It has a 7-period day and a block schedule would be better, but whatever. The humanities program is challenging, especially in 7th grade with IDRP and NHD. 8th grade humanities get to go to NY for a week. It is usually a fun atmosphere, and you would normally expect a lot of cursing from middle school students, right? (Or maybe not I wouldn't know I've only been to Eastern). Overall it's not the best school but you should still go.
Submitted by teacher on April 12, 2013

Eastern is a terrible school with horrible administration. Ms. Crouse and Ms. Sandall are horrible administrators who do not do anything but crush the morale of the entire staff working here. The school does not care about the best interests of it's students and the overall atmosphere is apathetic. I would advise never to send your students here or work here.
Submitted by other on December 17, 2012

This is a good school. Good teachers, good academics, I have had a good time here. People exaggerate how dirty it is here. One thing that is weak is our science program. That could be better.