Centennial Middle School 17650 Southeast Brooklyn Street, Portland, OR 97236

"The school is obviously dated and in need. My child does very well at this school. They like the majority of their teachers. I decided to opt my child out of state testing and was surprised at the resistance I got from staff. I have always opted my children out and have never heard a word about it (besides a thank you once from one teacher). I first became aware that there was an issue at parent teacher conferences. One teacher and only one teacher asked me why. I answered and she said that sometimes it's just nice to challenge my child, I could not care about the results and my child would have the challenge, that she made her son did them because "shut up and challenge yourself" while she made a choking gesture in the air. It was weird. I told her that I understand that she would want my child to participate since my child gets straight A' s and teachers wages are dependant on scores but out is my choice to opt them out. And that's what I'm doing. The teacher laughed, "Oh I don't care about the pay. I don't. I don't. I'm going to retire soon so I don't care. Just think about it. Your child would probably easily pass the test then they know they could do it. " I said, "we know that now. Thanks! " and left. Then my child tells me that the teacher keeps talking to them in front of the class, pressuring them to take the test! They were the only "non tester" in the class! Don't they want to be part of the class? Then i get a voicemail from the principal telling me that withholding my child from state testing will cost the school money and vital resources for all the children. I wonder how they made it all the years before my child attended! Then it comes to test day. The teacher starts bullying my child. She tells my child that they can't have anything on their desk because it's a distraction to the test takers. So my child was to sit there and do literally nothing for hours. The teacher then hands out gum to everyone but my child because it was for the test takers. This is classic bullying, you have an uneven power dynamic and the person in authority targeting a child in front of a group of children. What could my child doug but take it? I pulled my child from school the next day and spoke with the principal who was vaguely apologetic. The gum thing wasn't ok but did I understand the importance of testing. Really?! So my child goes back to school the next day, the teacher privately gave them a piece of gum and said it was just that gum helps stay focused during tests. She can belittle my kid in front of the class but can't muster an I'm sorry in private. Ideally as an adult and an example of how the children are supposed to behave, she would make an apology in front of the class so the entire class would know that's not how we behave. All of that over a choice my child didn't have any part of. It was my choice, my legal right."

"this school was the worst for me for 7th grade. my last day was yesterday cause I needed to get out of there. but the teachers were fien its just the DRAMA."

"I go here i dont realy like the kids and the recess area is just a parking lot it needs a new paint job and the food is a rip off.I pay 2.50 for a meal that costs a dollar and the heating sucks"

"The teachers are always helpful, the counselors, and every staff there! It is crowded though, but the school works fine even in that situation"

"I feel like this school is doing about as good as it can under given circumstances. The staff are on a whole friendly, and the no bully-tolerance policies used district wide are really helpful. Aside from terrible cafeteria food, this school is a good place for your children to be."