North Buncombe Middle

51 North Buncombe School Road

School District

Buncombe County Schools
Grade

7-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
Type

public

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 June 10, 2021

With Covid and the crazy schedule changes I was not sure if this would be a good year for my 7th grader. I have to say every teacher and staff member worked hard to make this year as easy as possible. Dr. Johnson is a top notch Principal. She is compassionate and pro active. I feel my son had a great year despite the full virtual, 2 day in person, full virtual, full in person, quarantine for 14 days, back full in person. The teachers are great! They hold students accountable but always willing to work with them to help any way they can. They are flexible and ready to give extra tutoring if needed. Hoping next year is a more normal experience and even better school year.
Submitted by student on February 26, 2021

Current student here. I'm doing virtual school right now and often-times feel overlooked and underappreciated. There are only a few hidden jem teachers who truly care.
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2018

We have completed 2 days at this school. ‘Trying to be optimistic, but we have already had issues. Carline for pickup and drop off has been redirected to a road that doesn’t even have a sign to tell you where to turn for the school. Unless you have lived here your whole life, it would be impossible to determine where the school is off of this street. You literally have to turn down a road that looks like it would be a driveway...no sign at all. Moreover, you don’t get a name tag for your car for carline. Any person can drive up to carline and give your child’s name for PM pickup. One more thing about car line...they wave you through so quickly that you don’t even know where to stop to retrieve your child in the afternoon. Additionally, when we went for schedule pick up on Friday, there was a teacher on my child’s schedule that we couldn’t find. After 30 minutes of searching, we found out that she retired last year...still listed on the schedule, though. Really??? My child had a class today in a room where the roof was leaking. Clearly, this should have been repaired over the summer.Lastly, we have had some issues with the principal telling us one thing and telling another parent in the same situation something totally different. However, we believe in public education and believe that a school should not just cater to mediocrity. We will do everything in our power to make sure our child receives nothing but the best!
Submitted by principal on November 03, 2016

I have substituted at NBMS and found it to be a wonderful school. I was a teacher for 27 years and an administrator for 7, so my years in education have taught me to spot excellence! NBMS is an excellent school. I would not hesitate to teach here or to send my grandchildren here.
Submitted by parent on November 27, 2014

5 years ago my son went to this school it had no more problems than any other middle school, also it is a whole lot better than Madison Middle School In Marshall NC.
Submitted by teacher on January 30, 2014

NBMS is on a rapid decline. Students are out of control and disrespectful to teachers and staff. Teachers receive little or no support from administration in correcting discipline problems. Teachers send students to the office with a discipline referral, only to have the student returned to class, after a "talk" with administration. I have seen students returned to class laughing at the teacher. In one case this was after cursing a teacher in front of the class. Many more serious problems go ignored, or are swept under the rug. There are some very talented teachers at this school, but they are given little respect. Incompetence is often overlooked, if not rewarded. Many seasoned teachers have left, and of those that remain, many are scrambling to get out. This lack of discipline, and lack of respect for staff by administration is having an effect. Just look at the declining test scores over the last three years! What is happening at this school is a travesty. Don't send your kids here. If your kids are already here, demand that things change, if you want them to learn. May God bless all of the ones that are trying to make a difference!
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2013

Worst school in the whole of NC. My daughter has been bullied by students and staff. The principal does absolutely nothing about the issues in the school. I refuse to allow my daughter to ever go back there.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2013

My student is a gifted student. Does very well academically in any setting. Though they do well academically, what occurs around them is deplorable. I was shocked at the difference from the North Windy Ridge environment to the Middle School. The fighting that occurs between students is out of control. The students are verbally and physically bullying one another. Drugs are in the school. It is a sink or swim environment. Even if your student is a hard worker and wants to do well, the teachers are so busy dealing with "problems" that teaching is an afterthought. It becomes sink or swim.
Submitted by parent on July 23, 2012

My son was bullied for two years at NBMS. We spoke with school administration each and every time. They did listen but the bullying continued with little repercussion. Drug use, specifically chewing tobacco, is rampant. Incidents occurred in the restroom and often in the gym which demonstrated a lack of supervision, security and safety. In fairness, my child had a terrific teaching team for his 8th grade year.