Bowditch Middle School in Foster, California

“From the progress I have observed from my niece, I can see that she has matured and great deal and understands all the concept that is being taught in the school. It's fantastic to have a school that goes to great lengths in order for children to get a decent education.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I graduated from Bowditch last year and I still miss it! Bowditch has one of the best music programs,especially ever since Mr. McElroy started teaching. He is very patient with students. The budget cuts bother me a lot and I really hope that the arts programs do not get cut back. Bowditch makes fantanstic musicials each year and they look truly professional and worth watching. Once in high school, the students from Bowdtich are clearly above average in their class. A lot of Bowdtich alums also continue onto great colleges also. I admire all the teachers that have taught me. I did not know how much they have helped me until I got to high school. Bowditch's education is above average and exceptional.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Great faculty and staff and the kids are a real testament to their efforts! Thank you~”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I attended Bowditch for about 3-4 months. During the time I was there, I got beaten up and bullied often. As for the classes, it was very hard to understand some of the teachers. I normally get A's in math, but the math teacher had a very strong Indian accent and it was hard to understand her, so I got a D. After a few weeks, I started to dread going there. If you are considering sending your kid to Bowditch, make sure that they can handle all the bullying.”
This review was posted by a student.

“This is my second time as a Bowditch parent as my children are 9 years apart. I am happy to report that the school has maintained its high qulality standards through consistency with many teachers, administrative staff and a very high percentage of quality parent involvement. If you also value being involved as a parent this is a good school of choice.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I'm in 8th grade and adore going to Bowditch. It may be overcrowded but all the staff, people, and teachers are just great. Some people think Bowditch gives too much homework but thats because some people are a bit lazy or dont try. Bowditch tries to have people excel and become better, not average. I recomend Bowditch if you want your child to excel.”
This review was posted by a student.

“It's an amazing school with great programs and I'm very happy there.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I have a 6th grader at Bowditch and so far am not that happy there. My child is really struggling with his grades and dispite constant meetings and conversations with teachers I am unable to get any sort of help. I am always notified with a letter that he's recieved a bad grade but no action is ever taken to help him. I was told I could hire a tutor but unfortuatly I cannot afford that. I feel completly stuck as there is no other middle school option for us.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“It cares and supports its students!”
This review was posted by a student.

“I have three children who graduated from Bowditch. The Math curriculum is excellent since you can excel to different levels Algebra I, Geometry or Algebra II math levels. This would help you in later years in high school. The language programs, Spanish, French and Mandarin, are helpful in expediting and mastering the language in High School. The Band, Orchestra and Art Performance programs are excellent to improve your motor skill coordination and team work. The sports in Athletic, Tennis, Soccer and Basketball also provide the school team spirits, team work and individual challenges and satisfactions.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“i am in 6th grade at bowditch and i love it. This is the first year for me at public school and my transition was quite smooth. The academics challenge me and teach me a lot. Many of the teachers are great but some are only mediocer. The homework is sometimes challenging but if you pay attenttion in class it will be quite easy. I really like Bowditch and I recommend it to all students.”
This review was posted by a student.

“im in 8thgrade at bowditch and some of these reviews are ridiculous. prison-like? are you serious? bowditch has a great discipline program, and isn't harsh with their punishments. the teachers are great and our counselor is loved by everyone. overall, bowditch is a great school”
This review was posted by a student.

“I am a current 8th grader at Bowditch Middle School, I did not attend Bowditch for 7th and 6th grade; at first I was scared that I would not have any friends. Turns out I was wrong. I made many friends this year. Academically, Bowditch is a great school, all my teachers are amiable (although some do have a tough grading scale). I recommend Bowditch to all parents and students. -A.P.B”
This review was posted by a student.

“I think that bowditch is a good school, but too much homework. I'm being overworked, and don't have time to do anything else, like playing and practicing extra curricular.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Blowtorch is an excellent school. The teachers are among the lowest paid in the county and the District does not seem to care as the teachers have been forced to strike twice, however, my students have had a wonderful education and succeeded well in high school thanks to Bowditch. (In spite of a rather non-caring district.)”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Our child began Bowditch with a so-so C-B grade average. With other students striving for high grades, it gave her the incentive to do the same. Proud to say, she stayed on honors throughout the 6th grade. Her friend pool has grown dramatically, as well as her participation in sports. A soccer player and now track team. We give our highest compliments to the staff, teachers and parents...what a great group. Now our second C-B child has entered Bowditch this year and has been bringing home A's. Perhaps it's the water? His whole attitude toward getting good grades, participating in class, etc. has improved dramatically. Our gratitude to everyone at Bowditch.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My child attended two years at this school. By far, it has been his worst schooling experience. School has overcrowding. Don't let the affluent neighborhood fool you. Many problems exist in this uninviting school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Bowditch ranks head and shoulders above the similar schools in the Foster City-San Mateo district. The options for extra curricular activities at Bowditch seem to be much larger than the other middle schools in the district. The school has the highest API rankings in the district. If anyone residing in the San Mateo/Foster City area and is looking to have a great base for their children during their middle school years, Bowditch should be the first choice. They also have a wide-ranging list of electives like Music, Drama and sports giving the kids an array of choices.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Strong academic program that has prepared my first child very well for high school. The drama program is very strong, run by a wonderful veteran teacher. Parent involvement is encouraged through the programs of ther PTA.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Bowditch is one of the greatest middle schools in the district. The school has a balance beetwen music, PE, intercurricular activities and test scores. The teachers are very good.”
This review was posted by a student.

“We are in our first year at Bowditch, and it's been just fantastic. The programs are already well-tested and my daughter has just fallen right into the rhythm already in place. She has a great deal of homework, but it's interesting and never 'busywork.' She is very happy. Music, art, wood shop, etc. She is exposed to a great deal of good things.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Bowditch consistently earns a '10' for its API scores and is consistently the top middle school in the San Mateo/Foster City district. It is the only middle school in Foster City with approx. 900 students. Foster City is a pretty uniformly upper middle class suburb of San Francisco and, therefore, would be expected to score high on the API. However, it is an underfunded school district and, therefore, has little money for extras. Students may take art and music as electives. After school sports cost parents extra. The teachers are good although there seems to be high turnover of new teachers who come for a few years and then move on to higher paying districts in the region. Discipline is good but there is only one counselor for all 900 kids. Parent involvement is tops, but parents are mainly counted on to raise money. All-in-all, a good, safe school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“School outperforms others primarily because of demographics. New principal is very qualified, amiable & highly regarded. Discipline is sometimes over the top because of overcrowding but should be more balanced with the new principal. School lacks adequate land- fields lacking and in poor condition. Ciriculum good, expectations of teachers and parents high, students are generally very successful compared to nearby districts but not out-of-state schools. The school has difficulty retaining good teachers due to the obscene cost of housing within 50 miles.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Bowditch is a great school! Our son excelled academically and it was as much due to the dedicated teachers and fine student body, as to his own committment to learning. I can't recommend Bowditch enough!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Bowditch ms is one of the best middle schools on the peninsula. Despite the 990 students that attend, the administration, teachers, pta, custodian staff, and parent involvement is beyond awesome. Parent involvement is never discouraged. Any parent who feels they are, have not taken the necessary steps to become involved. At the beginning of each school year, an envelope is given to all parents/students. It is filled to capacity with all the information and contact information a parent would need to become informed. My daughter is entering 8th grade, and I am looking forward, as is she, to another wonderful year. As for the teachers, as a parent, my advice is to just keep yourself in constant communication with them. Whether it be email or voice mail, there is no excuse for a parent claiming lack of communication. They are people too and deserve our respect and understanding.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Although the 6th grade class size is approx 27, the teachers do an excellent job across the board and the students have a very good attitude towards their education. Team sports are very strong, including a strong girls basketball team. Music is also available, with many talented dedicated students.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great school, great test scores!”
This review was posted by a former student.

“I think that this school has way too many people in it. Also the teachers are getting worse and more distracted from her job.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Great school. Nice and knowlegable teachers. Safe and friendly environment. Strong academics. Great soccer and basketball for boys. Nice music band.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Not a very friendly environment. But great teachers and a very very good school.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“It's the most desireable middle school in the SM/FC district- but it's hard to understand why. It's overcrowded- nearly 1,000 students jammed into a small facility designed for half that. It's run down, though being rebuilt. The staff keeps order, but at times their approach is militarisitic if not prison-like. Communication is poor. Our child has done well, but the environment is intimidating, crowded, noisy, conformity is demanded & there seems to be little respect given students or parents- parent involvement is discouraged. Teachers are mixed- some great, some mediocre who don't seem to care. Programs are limited- the school has creative ways to justify excluding students from foreign language because of limited resources. The school's budget is adversely affected by the huge, poorly managed district- in an area with a huge tax base, there is no excuse for having a run down, overcrowded, underfunded school like Bowditch.”
This review was posted by a parent.