Twin Hills Charter Middle School

While we found the principal of Twin Hills extremely dedicated and interested in the success of our student we found this a rarity among the majority of the staff and faculty. Ms Fitch, the 8th grade science teacher, went to great lengths to engage and excite her students, but we found that the most of the other teachers we had over the 3 years at TH seemed indifferent to engaging students through creative and exciting modalities. Instead, most teachers seem to be going through motions and teaching in a boring, rote and tired way that provides no inspiration or enthusiasm for the subjects they teach among students. Teachers seem to be uninspired themselves. I would also agree with the previous reviewer about the bullying of students by teachers. Our student experienced a great deal of ridicule and persecution at the hands of teachers over the years.In addition, the extra-curricular activities are sorely lacking. While other schools organize trips to Yosemite, Sacramento and even Washington DC, TH offers limo rides to the mall, a day at Great America, and a day at the arcade. A trip offered by a history teacher to NY and DC after the school year provided feeble educational value without the context of a corresponding curriculum.The social experience at TH was one of the worst parts about our time at this school. Again, the principal seems to have compassion and an understanding of the subtle and not so subtle ways students torment one another, but there is nothing in place on a school wide level to discourage poor behavior and encourage students to simply be more kind to one another. I couldn't be more disappointed in a school that has tremendous resources and an attentive and supportive community surrounding it.

Unfortunately we made a three year mistake by enrolling in Twin Hills Middle school. While the school has a rigorous curriculum it was unrealistic and extremely unreasonable. This fast-paced curriculum was very rough on the whole family. Expect barbaric amounts of homework from all subjects on all weekends, and holidays. Much of this homework was merely busy work that looked to be unnecessary, and made it next to impossible to enroll in enriching after school and weekend activities. There are only a few teachers at TH who actually like their jobs and love the subjects they teach. Many teachers verbally bully the kids with ridicule and condescending comments in the classroom. There is limited to no access to teachers for help in their subjects during and after school. However, I do have to mention that Ms. Fitch is one of the few teachers at TH that teaches the kids to love learning through her love of teaching. She deserves a county wide Best Teacher Award!!! There are many student bullies on campus as well as in the classroom and TH is extremely cliquey. Sadly, I feel TH had turned my kids from enthusiastic learners, to frustrated, overwhelmed and unsupported students.

Twin Hills Middle School is much better than Hillcrest Middle School, where my daughter was originally scheduled to go. Her best friend made the move with her, and they both love it! She can't stop talking about Mr. Lynch and Mr. Greenwald.

I drive 30 minutes each way every day for my child to attend this school rather than the schools in our hometown. My daughter loves this school and is academically challenged and treated with great respect by her teachers. I do wish the drama department and the art department were stronger here. It is a small middle school and cannot offer all the electives a larger school might be able to but students are not anonymous here and enjoy positive relationships with the staff and teachers.