West Jefferson Middle School 9449 Barnes Avenue, Conifer, CO 80433

"I'm not personally a student here anymore, I was there for a year so I kind of get the gist of what the school is like. First off, the people, they're not great but there are a few diamonds in the rough that are really great people but I won't name names. The teachers are a bit of a mixed bag, there are a few lazier ones but a few of them I really loved and really seemed to care such as Mr. Little and Mr. Sage. The academics and curriculums of the school I thought were pretty good compared to some of the places I've been in my past. Overall I think the school is somewhere that you might consider putting your kids in depending on the options you have."

"I've been going to this school for 2 years, and it's wonderful. A lot of the people who complain about it know nothing about the school itself or are just whining about common school problems. I've had very good experiences with the teachers, and for me it's really hard to pick any favorites since I love them all. They're all wonderful people who don't deserve whatever bad feedback they get. They try their hardest to educate the kids, while also being nice and fair to the students themselves. There are always fun activities the counselors randomly set up, and the overall staff are very nice. The school's interior and exterior are well furnished, and the remodeling of the school's front really adds some personality and it feels a lot better than before, and personally I love it. The rules and policies are pretty fair, but I feel like they should either be more harshly enforced or have some exceptions for some things. Mr. Davis was an awesome counselor, I'm really gonna miss him. He always came up to lunch tables and talked to people and he was just a really nice and welcoming guy, I wish him a happy retirement and he always made school experience better. The kids' behavior is iffy to say the least. I've seen multiple students in my grade swear or act badly towards others, and it aggravates me to the point where I have to bring it to the attention of a teacher. I've been picked on a lot just for being different, and I definitely have a reputation for being salty and rude, but I don't have the nerve to outright disrespect other students. I think that the teachers and staff should be more aware that the way some students act isn't good for how old they are. I mean coffee + 13 year-olds hasn't ended very well. I feel like there should be more stuff dedicated to bullying, maybe a little assembly thing that talks about it and the real effects it has so people will stop being complete jerks to one another. Personally I've been hurt and I'm one of those kids who usually doesn't care about stuff. It'd also be good to do something about good and bad choices for future reference, and maybe a discussion about peer pressure. Also in the past year there are hardly any food options, I know there are a lot of kids to supply for but what happened to all the good options? I don't want to eat pizza or microwave hamburgers all the time, I miss some of the old food they had. I also feel like headphones should be allowed in hallways, they're not causing any problems really, and they should be allowed in classrooms as long as they help with productivity and aren't just being abused to listen to music with a classmate in the corner. Swearing really annoys me, I've been sworn at multiple times (obviously I get them in trouble because I believe in justice) but I feel like there should be harsher consequences for it. It's a bad habit for kids to get into and they can slip out of it really easily. There's lots of petty drama, it's a bit annoying but almost entertaining. Really, most of the problems are the kids themselves, but it's just becoming more common in all schools nowadays. I've actually met some good friends here, as well as enemies (which is natural for me) and a good majority of people are friendly. But you know, puberty and all can screw people in the heads a little so it's understandable for all the kids to want to be cool. Apologies for rambling, it's in my system. The school itself is wonderful, and the actions of some people shouldn't define it and apparently some people can't get that through their thick skulls. The Colorado school system has been the best out of the three states I've lived in, and I'm happy to be a student here. Mid summer and I miss it already! Thanks for tolerating me and this message. Sincerely, Anonymous (almost 8th grade) student"

"Honestly, I think all of these kids are a bunch of whiners. Yes some teachers need a push out the door but others really give it their all. I have been reading these and a lot of them are far from true. In certain weather conditions they have a choice to go outside and when they don't they make sure to have a announce it and they tell them to make sure they have a coat if they don't them it's your fault and they did warn you. The teachers really do give it their all. They try to make middle school a descent experience(not necessary a great one). None of these teachers have ever laid a hand on any of the children, so the thing about the teacher who drug a kid up the hall is a lie. Also, no teacher would EVER cuss a child out. Yes, they may be hard on the kids, but honestly, the kids really do deserve it. I also know that most of these kids have never been to another middle school in their life so they don't have anything to compare it too. Just to let all of the West Jeff kids know, all middle schools are like this, so buck up buttercup."

"I have been going to this HELL HOLE of a school for about 3 years now. Not one person I've talked to, has disagreed with my opinion that the school is the worst they've been to. All of my peers have complained about the school ass well. Sure its "rated a great school" but in reality, that is not from the kids who are forced to go there. Its from the messed up board of ed that has their facts wrong about all the ideas that kids need to learn. One time this year, they dropped a brand new algebra assignment on the kids about a month before testing. Lastly, a certain math teacher, can not teach worth a rats behind. She takes time out of the "learning experience" to video tape the kids that aren't "paying attention", which in reality is just her making the kids lose interest after her on and on blabbing off about silly concepts which she has no idea how to truly teach. By the way, it clearly states in the student planner, that the video taping or photography of any individual who disagrees with it, is not legal in the school. This teacher, has been performing inappropriate conduct for her entire "career". Don't consider this school for a second, because your child will hate it, and the pizza is awful Sincerely -Irritated Student"

"Definitely the worst school i've been to. My learning experience was BEYOND terrible and I had 2 quality teachers. I have nothing good to say about this school. The teachers are awful. Once, a teacher fell asleep in class and another teacher would leave the class room for long periods of time, leaving her students UNATTENDED!! Any story or memory that come from me or anyone I talk to, are bad stories. The teaching is very little and I do not get the help I need. When I ask questions, some of my teachers rolled their eyes and walked away. I have tried to bring attention to this issue but no one seems to care. Need a schedule change? Too bad! "Bare with." Good luck!"