Benicia Middle School

Posted October 26, 2009

My daughter attended 6th grade and is now in 7th grade at Benicia Middle School. We moved to Benicia last year from the East Coast, outside Philadelphia for a year and in MA for 4 years prior. I researched the Benicia schools and found them to be rated very high. Unfortunately our experience has not been as great as I would have expected. There is no transportation (except public transportation) - thankfully we live close enough for my daughter to walk. The school offers very few extracurriculars -- I've heard the band (brass only) is a great program but my daughter plays the violin, the sports programs have tryouts and more than half the kids that tryout don't make the teams, electives are offered in the form of a class so kids can't join yearbook and learn Spanish, for example. Additionally they offer a limited amount of advanced Math classes.
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Posted June 13, 2008

The best thing about BMS is that all my children survived going there. The teachers all have a policy of accepting no late work; which is fine if your 11 - 13 year old has mastered time management. If she/he has not, this policy is devastating. It doesn't make sense to be so tough on young kids just getting used to having multiple teachers since this policy doesn't follow through at the high school level. For many students, the no late work rule is simply punative. That said, the principal is a true leader, both at school and in the community. I would say about half of the teachers are exceptional and caring.
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Posted October 5, 2007

Fabulous music program. Great drama program. Growing art program. Stellar academics with fantastic teachers that care about kids. Parents are involved!
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Posted August 24, 2007

As a brand new parent of a new student at BMS, so far so good-- principal very positive, teachers great first impressions, atmosphere friendly and pleasant. That said, I am very concerned about the lack of transportation to and from school. It is very inconvenient for working parents and dangerous for kids. I am also disappointed that there is no after school program: elective classes, study hall, intramural sports, etc. Such a short school day is not right when 2 parents work, and yet the kids are really too old for traditional day care.
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