Chastain Middle School in Jackson, Mississippi

“For a school that is bursting at the seams with students and the principal working with only one-third of his staff, Mr. Ellis has managed to maintain an orderly learning environment, consistency, and stability. Because of Mr. Ellis, classrooms are equipped with the most available technology and resources. Working with the community, school sponsors, JPS, parents, faculty, and teachers, Mr. Ellis has taken care to involve everyone willing and able to cooperatively help students accomplish the competencies in all subject areas. Although Chastain is a school in improvement, we are fortunate to have Mr. Ellis and a core of loyal teachers, who love teaching and who are working smartly to improve our status. Mr. Ellis is doing an excellent job in leading the school. It is up to all the teachers to fulfill their responsibilities in the classroom and let the principal do his job. For the teacher who is determined to undermine Chastain s goal to go from proficient to advance, I challenge you to become part of the solution instead of the problem.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“Chastain's principal is clueless about teaching and learning for middle school students. This school was much better with the last principal. I feel sorry for the students who will be damaged by such a lack of leadership. This school is losing awesome teachers each year that this principal stays at this school. He has no true sense of the importance of a safe environment conducive to learning or a productive environment conducive to teaching.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“Chastain is ...... not a bad school..... i go..... my grads are not bad it a grate school for your kid to have fun.. learn..... and more ...”
This review was posted by a student.

“When my child attended Chastain in the 6th grade, I was not impress with the school. I was so adamant about my child not attending this school. However, I have observed a 101% academic attitude and the A's proves it. Continue to move forward Chastain.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son is in the 7th grade at Chastain this year and the excitement he has for school this year is truly contagious. I attribute this in great part to the number of great teachers he has and the support sytem Chastain is developing. I am continually impressed with how well mannered the students at teh school are and to committment of its parents, teachers and staff to make / maintain Chastain as a Great school. Chastain 'You Rock'!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The new administration has made a positive impact to Chastain Middle school this year and it will only get better! Behavioral issues begin at home and are not the schools main task, it is the parent's. Safety and Discipline is a shared task between the parent's and the school. As is education, children should not be handheld to obtain an education, they should be given instruction and guidance, this too starts at home. All in all I am pleased with Chastain Middle School for both my children who are in 7th and 6th grade.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I was a parent of Chastain Middle School. I removed my child from that school as I was not content to have my child be a future hindrance to our society. Grades given, not earned is not helpful to children for the future. Look to the future now, don't send the children out to be a hindrance.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I taught here for a year in 2006 as well as went to school here in 1989 - 1990. Wow the change in the school is drastic! Behavior is a major issue as the school is overcrowded and poorly managed. I will not send my child here.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school is not all that great. I went there for 2 years and I must say that I did not enjoy them very much. The only reason I stayed there for 2 years is because of the APAC program.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I am a student at Chastain Middle it is a great school. I am in the 8th grade, in the APAC program, member of the National Junior Honor Society, and I am a member of the track, basketball, and football teams. It is a great school with decent teachers. I am proud to be a warrior.”
This review was posted by a student.

“chastain is a very good school. i am in apac and i know all of the teachers and most of the students there. all of the teachers are nice and does everything to help a student. the principals are great also”
This review was posted by a student.

“I love Chastain Middle School. My son is in the APAC program. His teachers keep him involved in all types of high order thinking activities. He is always doing research and special projects. The teachers are really concerned with teaching them how to do presentations. The teachers provide after school free tutoring in all classes, there is no need for any child to say he/she can't get any help. The teachers are open to parent communication and contact. We have not experienced any disciplined problems at all. I just love Chastain, the PTA, and the principal. I have no complaints, and I assure you what every grade your child makes, he/she has truly earned it. The teachers don't have anything to give. They teach you how to study and take notes. They give the students study guides to prepare for test,and there is no need for failure.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Chastain is a great school. the students are what make chastain so great. they are bright and are very athlethic. we had 50 students to take the practice act exam and they did a good job. chastain is just doing a wonderful job and i hope that the principal strives to make chastain the best in the nation.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Chastain is a great school.It has enrichment progams that are pretty good all in all.There is not really a problem with the administration except one of the coordinaters is a racist but they don't know they are. In behavior there is a big problem. Students do not do what they are told to do. Teachers lose control of their classes easly. Sometimes I just pray that I will not get cought up in any of the stuff that goes on with behavior problems. Last year a kid thrated to shoot me,but don't worriy that student is gone.Just try to get your child in all apack classes so her/she can avoid some of these problems. It's not as bad in APAC.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Chastain has a good principal, he is a very good leader. The academics and extracurricular activities are great, at Chastain, the students come first.”
This review was posted by a parent.