Southwood Middle School

The gifted teachers at this school - yes, all 3 grade levels - think they are elitist to the point of actually being rude to parents when we complain about homework levels in gifted classes being excessive. For 3 years my child was up on weeknights until all hours of the night completing assignments. Even after several meetings with teachers, administrators, etc., absolutely NOTHING was done about the heavy workload, and many other parents complained as well and made appointments over this 3-year period. I did not experience this during my child's Dade county public school elementary experience nor are we experiencing it in his Dade county public high school experience. The stress created in the gifted program with the repetitive busy work and numerous projects in every gifted class that are never-ending, I would not recommend this school to any gifted parent. This is absolutely not indicative of other Dade County public middle schools and their gifted programs, but once again, Southwood is composed of many teachers with long tenure and "political ties" to the school board union as well as the downtown office and that political turmoil.



Several teachers also attempt, very forcefully, to push their ultra-liberal political views (all Democrats) on the students, and God forbid a student should make a positive comment about a Republican candidate in office or running for any office. A change in the "old crony" teaching staff at this school is what I would recommend - an entire overhaul.