Jackson Middle School

301 West Jackson Street

School District

45 Dupage County
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for School District 45 Dupage County

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 September 03, 2023

This school could've had a three, but no. The descision to add RAM is one of the worst descisions D45 has ever made. The truth is, when kids are coming in in the morning advisory was nice for them. It was a time to relax and catch up on work, but now RAM functions as a tenth period essentially (especially on Wednesdays, where it's extended to an appalling 45+ minutes) Nine periods is already enough, but ten? RAM teaches about emotions but the class isn't helping anyone, whether the teachers think it is, it isn't. The average student opinion is RAM is stupid and wasting their time. I understand trying to help but in all honesty, it feels incredibly performative when you're trying to improve our mental health but we aren't even allowed to relax in the morning anymore. The removal of homeroom hit hard too, it might've only been ten moments but it was a time to chill in our nine period schedule. But now it's gone. There's no positive to homeroom being gone either, it was one of the best parts of my 6th/7th experience.The eight grade bathroom is also disgusting. No ventilation, and the toilets are always clogged. I will give JMS a bit of credit though, since they have products for woman.Another good thing about JMS is it's very lgbtq+ friendly and pretty diverse! The teachers are nice for the most part. I also like the change that A-'s are weighted the same as A+'s.So, it's not awful- we've had some good changes this year but the bad ones outweight the good ones. I hope JMS can bring back advisory and homeroom.
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2023

As a formal student at this school, from my last years experience. This was the most worst shit I’ve been through. The only thing they cared about is ur shoulders showing or some fcin rips in ur jeans that are “inappropriate” for school, and the fcin tank top dress code bs. Like cmon!! And they also need to extend the passing periods. 3mins ain’t enough, don’t expect me too walk from the other side of the school just to get to my class that is located at the other end. At least give 5mins at the max. AND THE KIDS HERE! they are the most judgmental pieces of shi. Like you have to do everything just to fit in. And some teachers, for example the IT. When my group needed help, he didn’t even do shi. He jus said “you had 28 days to do this project”. LIKE INSTEAD OF LECTURING US, HELP US!
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2023

My daughter has excelled educationally. Has grown socially, and has even taken a new interest in athletics. Teachers are engaged, and seem to really care about their students. I have two younger kids yet to attend, but I’m confident they will excel like my oldest, thanks to Jackson.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2022

The comments in the reviews are, expectedly, inaccurate. I suspect they mainly come from families that make demands that are met with a rationale on how to make the school better for the greater good rather than personal pacification. But I digress. The school is not filled with fighting or poor curriculum, rather my experience has been that of a caring staff of teachers and paraprofessionals (with a few exceptions as one would expect at any place of employment). Sports teams are managed appropriately for the age level and considering the nature of the pandemic, handling of behavior in school is certainly a work in progress. The staff, from what I’ve witnessed cares more about the well being of the students than test scores, however, when state law mandates that evaluation ties test scores to performance evaluation, it is patently unjust to judge educators for having anxiety about standardized scores in the first place. My guess is reviewers did not think about this before posting.
Submitted by parent on February 14, 2022

Poor curriculum, poor communication between teachers and students, and sometimes parents. Very unfair sports teams, I have nothing but negative things to say about this school. Their learning pace is very remedial also.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2021

I do not reccomend this school. It is a very low quality school, with a ton of fights, and all the teachers care about is test scores.
Submitted by student on November 08, 2021

Jackson is a terrible experience for me. There are 3 minute passing periods, where you are expected to use the bathroom in that time. This leaves kids to not wash there hands as a result. Yet the teachers like to claim how it is 'plenty of time.' Jackson usually has 15 minute lunches, and around 13-10 minutes for those with school lunch.In my first 4 months here, I have seen fights and a false alarm being pulled. If you are unpopular you suffer from loneliness and kids here can be quite judgemental. Do not recommend this school, go somewhere else for your kids. Jackson isn't it.
Submitted by parent on June 21, 2021

I do not recommend this school. Very low quality school.
Submitted by parent on October 15, 2017

Terrible do not recommend , worst school ever , very bully students
Submitted by other on July 18, 2015

2011-2012 were decent for the most part, even good, but the reason I am only giving Jackson Middle School a 2 star rating is because it completely went down the gutter in 2013, or when I went into eighth grade. While (for the most part) the staff there is real good, the District 45 board is horrible. They implemented a 9th period day which completely screwed me over, and are considering implementing a 10th period. Also the board moved an assistant out of two classes for no good reason.
Submitted by other on October 30, 2014

I have been a student at Jackson Middle School, and both the teachers everyone else there gave me the best middle school experience I think possible. It is an award winning school in multiple aspects-music, sports, and academics. And to the whole staff, I'd like to say, thank you for the wonderful years, and for all the knowledge that you helped me aquire!
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2013

While it is early in the year, I have been impressed from the beginning. I find that the school is organized and has high expectations for all students. However, with the expectations come support so that children (and their parents!) may succeed. Homework is reasonable and appropriate as it relates to classwork. Students are taught study skills as part of the curriculum. While there is no recess, there are many opportunities for (supervised!) social interaction, such as group work within class, as well as extra-curricular activities. I appreciate that there are TWO periods for math--this helps students go deeper and become more solid in their skills and understanding. There is communication with the high school and elementary schools, so there is an overall plan for students. My suggestions for improvement would be more communication with parents, as it varies among teachers greatly, as well as the principal. I would also recommend more projects that encourage high-level/critical thinking, though I have seen evidence of some already. Overall, I feel very confident that my child is receiving an excellent education at Jackson Middle School.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2013

This past year was our daughter's first year at Jackson and she had a wonderful experience! Teachers are caring and concerned and listened when I had to call or email. Extra curricular activities are great to get involved in there. The bus situation was fine for her, no problems there. There's zero tolerance there and discipline policy is effective.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2013

Jackson Middle school has been a horrible experience for my son. Bullying there is dangerous and school admin and Assistant Principle Dr Ritchie has done NOTHING. Do not send your kid there if you want them to be bullied. Only a few teachers there have concerns about your child's grade. So glad to be out of the whole district!
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2012

This has been a horrible experience moving here and for my child attending Jackson Middle School. I want to share my story with parents of middle schoolers who plan to move to Westmore Apartments. July 2012 before I made my decision to move and sign a 1 yr lease I contacted Jackson Middle School to see if bus svcs was provided and was told yes by several people. They clearly stated bus svcs was available as well as an alternate (paid) bus svc if the regular bus was full but then during registration I learned I was lied to. My child was denied bus svcs because they said we lived 1 1/2 miles to the school. Even the alternate bus svc route would not come to or near Westmore Apts., which means my child woulld have to walk in hazardous conditions, or use unsafe taxi svcs @ 30.00/day @ 600.00/mo. Winter is coming and my child can not walk in hazardous conditions. The principal did not want to talk about it, calling himself the messenger. (RUDE)! The district turned their backs. Buses with empty seats go north/south on Westmore in AM/PM passing our building and will not stop for mid.schoolers here. What a mess for single parents with no support. Dist. 45, you need to update policies.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2012

This has been a horrible experience. All my sons have been bullied and embarrassed, their grades have dropped because of it, yet when i contact staff they do nothing about it. The teachers also refused to help me with the situation. I'm done with this school.