Cooperative Middle School

100 Academic Way

School District

Exeter Region Coop
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for Exeter Region Coop 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 23, 2023

I type this as my wonderful child is miserably texting me from CMS, begging me to come pick them up. My child hates every day spent in this building, and this is a kid who, by all accounts, should be thriving and loving school. Excellent grades, loved by teachers, and one of the lucky ones with a "friend group" (my older child wasn't so lucky and their experience here was even worse). There is very little to inspire the children here. Nothing to help them feel excited about school, or proud of what they're learning. No field trips, nothing. It makes me feel sick and sad that this is our only option for middle school.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2022

We had one child go through this school, and it was such an awful experience. We decided that our other child would not be subjected to the same issues that our oldest went through. There was a lot of bullying that was swept under the rug. Additionally, the academic instruction was subpar at best. We decided to send our other child to a private school for middle school and don't regret that sacrifice one bit. Our other child is thriving and is happy to go to school. Quite frankly, had we known that CMS was going to have such a negative impact on our first's middle school experience and mental health, we would have considered another school without question. We know other parents who have pulled or chosen not to send their kids to this school for the very same reason. It's a shame we pay so much in taxes for a school that doesn't deliver a safe, nurturing environment with strong academics. CMS needs to do better!
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2020

Great overall experience thus far. Had one child go through already and another is partially through now. Principal is great, and many of the teachers are excellent. They do a great job transitioning the kids from the smaller elementary schools.
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2020

CMS is at best, a mediocre and over-crowded school which will deliver the bare minimum. Coinciding with the current principal's arrival, many trips and activities were cut. Students attend a school where many will not be inspired, and they can look forward to three years of nothing special. Many students at CMS come from affluent or upper middle class families, which seems to give these students an advantage among peers and some CMS staff. Students who aren't as privileged may find themselves adrift without an adult to help them navigate the sometimes cruel social order of middle schoolers. My hope is that CMS will work on that.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2019

I wish we had pulled her and sent her to Heronfeld. There were a few teachers who are really trying to connect with the kids (e.g., the English teachers who host the spelling bee), and a few decent math teachers. However, if your child is excelling or failing, he or she will fall through the cracks. Our child had never even met her counselor until she needed a recommendation for private high school (because we weren't going to put her through 4 more years of this type of mediocrity).
Submitted by parent on September 16, 2017

Our experience has been good, teachers care about their students, academic level is excellent, kids are challenged and expected to rise to meet it.I do wish there was more contact between the pods, but don't know where all the negative reviews come from. Most are from 2012, my son started in the school in 2015 and we have no complains.
Submitted by other on June 17, 2014

This school has many great attributes but overall is very poor in social and emotional help. The learning is a very good level for me, but the idea of the house system is stupid. In the house system they stick the same 120 or so kids in a pod for all three years, and there is very little communication with other pods. I am now finished with the school and am worried for next year. Not having opportunities to see the other kids in our school is a very large disadvantage for the students because going the the high school, I feel although I barely know the people I'm going to have classes with. And the guidance councilers are very biased(atleast mine were) they take the side with the lesser people it's just very annoying. Overall I'm scared for high school not academically, socially.
Submitted by parent on July 22, 2012

Well, we tried to enroll our second child in this school. We were told, "new principal", and that there was much improvement. It turned out to be the same fetid cesspool of no learning that it was 6 years ago. This time we will pull him out sooner.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2012

We are beyond disappointed with CMS. We moved to this town for the "great school system." I'm not sure when that was but it's not great anymore. The elementary school is actually pretty good but the middle school is horrible. The school is like a cattle call, get them in, get them out. Many teacher's could care less about the students and do the bare minimum - they are strongly protected by the teacher's union. There are teachers who consistently finish their last class 15 minutes early so they can pack up and leave for the day with the students. Forget about getting extra help for your child after school, I've been told by one of the school administrators that the teachers don't need to stay after school because "it's not part of their contract." The school is regularly rated as "needs improvement" based on standardized tests. Having children in this school has been an incredibly painful experience for both my children an ourselves. Be prepared to step in and be your child's advocate it you want them to succeed.
Submitted by parent on January 02, 2012

How this school rates a 9 is beyond me. It either reflects on the inaccuracy of the data, or the insipid condition of most of our schools. Our son transitioned from the Lincoln St. school, which was wonderful, collaborative, and demanding. The middle school is abysmal. The principal tried to be a comedian, the class sizes huge, teachers overwhelmed. Our son, the happiest child around, became sullen, depressed and withdrawn. He was bullied, not challenged, and told us "I think I am falling behind". Despite the financial hardship, we switched him to a wonderful private middle school, where he has florished. This school is an abomination to the Seacoast. Better to start over. I would strongly advise all parents to discuss with the family whether to pull their kids out of this place. It is that bad.