South Dade Middle School

Alejandra Cardozo: I have to say that this is one of the best schools my daughter has attended, here they gave her the chance to grow as a person she got into afterschool programs, Im a member of the Ptsa and this has helped us get closer together everyone is wonderful at SDM they are always there for you when you need them and the teachers are very caring and professional they always help you with anything you or your child needs.

Tom Berry: Teachers do not teach (or show up for class).  My son has had a social studies teacher for two years who has not been to class except on test days.  There is no course structure or content.  Every day is spent watching pirated DVDs presented by substitute teachers.

The band teacher, a "Teacher of the Year" at this school will not allow the kids to have band concerts, saying that they aren't good enough.  After spending $1500 on a trumpet for my son, and with three previous years of band instruction, my son has finally decided to give up any future music classes because class time is poorly structured, non-productive, and without direction.  Time is wasted on second or third instrument practice, endless scalea with no ensemble practice.  The band kids had one night set aside as a free form student led poetry recital, other than that, no Christmas (Holiday) concert, no Spring concert, and now, up against the end of the year a frantic push to schedule three concert before the end of the year.

The science teacher has devoted class time to watching pirated DVDs (Case 39, Avatar, Yes Man, Hitch, etc) rather than to providing course content (or even science-related movies).  The students have learned that it is okay to steal movies, but very little about science.

There is no potable water at the school.  For two years running.  Don't believe the lies that the school provides bottled water.  Students are expected to bring in their own bottles of water.