Research Olympic View Middle School Public Schools in Mountlake Terrace, Washington

“The orchestra program is very solid at OV, Mr. Caldwell is a n excellent conductor. There is also Honors Language Arts and Social Studies and Geometry is available in 8th Grade, go Mrs. Chu!”

“I have many things to say in regards to the earlier coments i think this scool is great they have gotten new staff sense 2007 and i believe that this school is great...sure they have kids with drugs but they are aware of this and have special programs to set them on the right track as for the fact that 6th graders can't play sports i just want everyone to know that in the whole district the 6th graders can't play sports so it's no OV's fault.All in all i believe OV is a great school and really gets us parents involved!”

“This is an excellent school”

“This is a really great school. I just finished all 3 years here, and never had a big problem with the teachers or staff. They are all (the ones i had at lest) really great teachers.”

“The safety here is absolutely incredible and remarkable! I strongly encourage sending your kid to OV if you want a safe, welcoming, friendly environment. Lots of my teachers are supportive, and helpful!”

“This had been our first full year at Olympic View Middle School, and I must say not a shabby one at that. My daughter (7th grade) had a tough time at first meeting some 'nice' girls to hangout with in the beginning, but it worked out in the end. She is an honor student and has really enjoyed learning from all her teachers. She has received many 'Ship Awards' through the year. She has also participated in some of the school sports program which was a great experience. Mrs. Nuttbrock is awesome! So I would have to say that we are very pleased with the our first full year at Olympic View Middle School. Thank you to the staff at OV, keep up the good work!”

“I absolutely love OV, and i don't want to leave for high school next year! Mrs. Weatherbie, you are awesome!”

“I'm an 8th grader at Olympic View this year and I am horrified to see the other reviews from parents within the last three years. I guess some children didnt have a good time at our school. But now we have made major improvments. We have a drug counselor for those that are getting into that around their communities. We have started a Lunch Bunch and After-School Pirate Success Program that has kids that dont do their homework assigned to. I personally havent had a very good experience with it but they opened a debate club made for this topic of disscussion. We have a VERY good band program. We won perfect 1st places in my 6th grade year and got either 1st or 2nd place in my 7th grade year.Im looking forward to the big Spokane trip this year.”

“OV is a good school but I disagree with some things, I believe that all grades should be able to do sports. I currently attend OV and I am in 8th grade. I like all my teachers like for 6th grade my favorite teachers were Mr. Offringa,Ms. Ivelia and Mrs. Perry and in 7th grade my favorite teachers were Mrs. Morris and Mr. Weatherbie and for 8th grade my favorite teachers are Mr.Von, Mr. Brynelson and Ms. Torgeson. They have wonerful teachers here and I really enjoy it. Overall, O.v. is a awesome school. - Emily Ross”

“I'm currently attending Olympic View as an eighth grader. I really like this school, the majority of the teachers are very approachable and treat me and my fellow peers as individuals and not just part of their job to get money. The music programs are amazing. Orchestra is a lot of fun and our band is outstanding! I disagree with the review that said that OV is 'dirty.' The campus is clean and gives you a welcoming feeling. I also feel this school really welcomes the sixth graders. The WEB program is a positive way for the sixth graders to click with some of the eighth graders. Overall, I love this school and am going to be extremely sad when I have to leave.”

“my child has attended two years at this school. I find the quality of staff and teachers to be excellent. School and student safety extremely top priority. Overall an excellent safe enviroment for student learning .”

“OVMS does not recognize student accomplishements, however it does give monthly recognition to students who have not had detention. Their bar is set too low! Science 'fair' consisted of groups of 4 students reading a powerpoint presentation to their parents. Band concentrates primarily on being largest marching band -not quality music. Parents complained when superintendant denied 'field trip' to Disneyland. Not a school district for high achievers!”

“Solid music program and lots of activities for 7 and 8 grades. Not enough after school activities for 6 grades. Most sports programs not available for 6 graders. Academics very solid.”

“i am currently attending ovms and enjoy all the teachers great helping hands thses are great people who love the kids they truly do there are some exeptional teachers that will get my highest recomendation 6 grade Erika Nuttbrock,Jhon Dobmeier, and Jeff Offringa 7 grade Carey Torgesen, Jhon Dobmeier, and Diane Golob 8 grade Dan Cook, Erik Vongoren, Thea Fletcher and Jhon Dobmeier.”

“I am currently a student here at OV. I think you should hear a review from someone who has actually gone to this school every day for the past three years. My experience here at OV has been the best of my life. And I wish I never had to leave. My teachers have been the best! They take time from their lives to talk to you and work out any problems your having with the work. The music program is absolutely outstanding with an award winning band and drill! The sports teams could do beter, but their trying! And the over all living in this school is a great experience for any child! Their are the bad sides too! Their is a slight drug problem and Murdock is doing an excelent job clearing that up!”

“I have been very disappointed in Olympic View Middle School. There is a huge variance in the socioeconomic backgrounds of the children that attend the school. Although the school claims not to tolerate bullying it is common place throughout the school. Further to the best of my knowledge the school has opted to pass on some free anti-bullying programs and assemblies. Interestingly aprox 170 of the 300 6th graders made honor roll. That tells the curriculum isn t challenging enough and the bar needs to be raised. During my son s first year there he has experienced violence in the classroom, witnessed bullying on numerous occasions and been exposed to children with extreme behavior problems. Most concerning is not only that he has been the victim of bullying but has been a perpetrator as well in attempts to fit in. This experience has been a real eye opener for our family. I am so unhappy with the environment at Olympic View I am currently exploring other educational options for next year.”

“First of all I will say that Olympic View is a great school. I have been reading some of the other reviews, and notice that the displeased parents don't even have the consideration of using proper conventions (spelling, capitalization, etc.) I am currently a senior at Kamiak High School and am glad to have been to such a school. If a child had a bad experience at Olympic View, it was most likely a teacher or a certain class. Something like this should not dissuade someone from having their child go to this school. Every school has unpleasant teachers, and that is just something that they'll have to learn to deal with over time. I have had my share, and you just learn to tolerate it. And Olympic View being dirty? I don't know about that, but with 700+ students, it's not possible to keep it pristine.”

“I probably would not recommend your child attend this school. I found the administrative staff most difficult to communicate with. There seems to be greater emphasis on the small, petty issues rather than the larger more serious issues at hand.”

“I am a step parent to a 7th grader at OVMS, and a former teacher myself. I am immensley impressed with the school. The teachers are approachable. THe quality of instruction is wonderful. The music program is top notch. The students are encouraged to model good behavior. Sure there will be problems with a few students here and there. When you are dealing with adolescents in masse that is to be expected. It seems, though, that Judith Murdoch and her staff are exemplary at keeping these problems to a minimum and dealing with them in most appropriate ways. My kudos to OVMS”

“I have children that have gone through OV. I was very pleased with pretty much every experience we had at the school. Both my children excelled in their learning.Both very active in a variaty of the extra curricular activities. (sports, band, drama, honor society, spirit club....)The band program is great. I find my kids and their friends talking about things they are learning in school with interest, outside of when they are doing their homework. The projects are great... (like the castle and family heritage) I think they promote family involvement in our children's learning. I like the 'ship' award idea.”

“My son has been attending olympic view since he was in the 6th grade. As a parent i have some strong concerns with the school. Students are consistently getting suspended for drug use and even fighting. I am somewhat pleased with the teaching though. murdock is a great leader. Hopefully she'll clamp down on the kids and get drugs out of mukilteos middle schools. Harbor Point is a better place for students to feel safe.”

“We have one son who attended Olympic View and is now attending University of Puget Sound, and a second son who is currently in the eighth grade. It is an outstanding middle school. The honors program has worked out very well, there is excellent parent and community support, and there are ample opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities ranging from cross country to jazz band to volleyball to football. The school band is legendary, and over half the school actively participating. There is a wonderful diversity of backgrounds in students who attend OV. Our first son received a great education and was able to perform outstandingly in high school, and was accepted at all the colleges he applied. The quality is still there, as son number two is getting an excellent education that will, I am certain, form the foundation for a successful high school experience.”

“I would probanly not reccomend this school. because the teachers are unwilling to help. Not enough parents are involved. My son said the school was dirty, the kids have no manners,and are very rough. But thanks to whom ever thought of the idea to change the line so my son and the other kids in our neighborhood could go to Harbour Pointe was brilliant. I would not recommend this school to any parent that has a child in Middle School”

“My daughter has attended Olympic View Middle School for three years. During this period, we have heard nothing except praise from her about this school. My daughter was placed in regular classes upon registration, since she was directly transferring from another district at the time. Two weeks later, her teachers recommended her for honors classes instead. At Olympic View, she was always pushed to achieve her highest potential. In class, she was not just another body to fill a seat. My daughter and her classmates were treated as different people with different educational and emotional needs. She always had a teacher or staff member in whom she can confide and trust when she needed help, whether it be academic or social. Ironically, one of her literature teachers actually suggested her to apply for a scholarship at Lakeside School in Seattle to have even more opportunities. My daughter and I looked at each other and thought aloud, 'Why go to Lakeside when you can receive and even better education here at OV?!' The extra- and co-curricular activies were plentiful also. My daughter was extremely involved in the OV community, being an active member of the Honor Society, ASB, OV Sports, Music, World Language Club, Drama Club, Gourmet Cooking Club, and even the Paper Cranes Club. She was very excited to have found such enjoyable clubs and hobbies that she can carry on throughout high school, and maybe even college. At Olympic View Middle School, the academics were amazing, the staff was super, and the extra-curriculars were excellent. In all honesty, my daughter told me, at her graduation in June that,'I couldn't have had a better middle school experience.'”

“The children were so upset at this school! they had no freedom and it seemed like rather than ever receiving praise for their accomplishments they were constantly being upbraided for trivial matters. it was disgusting how the teachers were unavailable if a student needed extra help, and quite often were not able to answer questions of mine. I was also not satisfied with the overall quality of the teachers. my daughter was in Honors classes last year, and one of her teachers had only one degree from university! in my opinion a teacher should at least hold two degrees, if not more. my daughter immediately changed to a private school, and one of her teachers the year before had discouraged her from applying because he said that no one from Olympic View had ever gotten in, and he doubted that she would! it was absolutely disgraceful and now we are very satisfied with her new school (Lakeside School in North Seattle) Olympic View faculty and staff were rude and condescending. I would not recommend this school to anyone who wants their children to succeed in life and to become a good human being. they do not honor children who are kind to their colleagues and willing to help out, instead they punish the children for laughing too loudly in the hallways. if you can help it, do not send your child to Olympic View Middle School!”