Doolen Middle School - Tucson, Arizona

Knight Wolfe

Had a horrible experience. Most teachers were nice. Students acted up and teachers couldn't do much about it except hand out lunch detentions and referrals, like that's going to work. It seemed that most of the good teachers left, which is a pity as they are what helped me get up in the morning without groaning at the thought of returning to this prison for another day. I take that back, but it really felt like a prison where we get educated. There was literally nothing fun about going there.

Most of the students were nice, though...yeah right. The students were so rude. I once witnessed someone throw a banana peel at the base of a tree right in front of me.

As bad as it was, I have had some good times. Just because the students there weren't the little soldiers that Doolen wanted us to be, I like it that way. Imagine if you went to a class where no one talked out of turn, and no one got out of their seat without permission. Imagine being in a completely quiet classroom, only hearing the teacher's voice during instruction. I don't know about you, but I'd go nuts. I hate silence.

Now back to the bad things. Another thing that bothered me though was how they thought that they could get us to do anything they wanted us to do, such as show up or score good on a test, and use free dress days as a dog treats. I mean, they literally gave away free dress days. Now, that's not a SUPER bad thing, but once in a while, I'd like a candy bar, or a toy or something. Not just free dress days forever.

Then there's the way it's built. Doolen had almost no money, or if they did, they certainly didn't show it. Field trips were only for the GATE kids, leaving those who were not fortunate enough to have brain capacities as much as them without any fun. I would have joined GATE, but I thought it was too hard. In fact, some of the accelerated classes were too hard as well. They also never had any "fun" days, or whatever you would call it. Doolen was a school that had no fun, it seemed strict about learning. I even recall a teacher who never gave any incentives or free days that said "I believe that school is a place to learn" which is true if you think about it. But who wants to learn EVERY DAY for 180 days?

Okay, I'm done saying bad things about this school. I don't want to give the broad idea that I think this school is the worst (though that's contradicted by the whole review), but I really think that there are some things that could have made it better, such as more fundraisers to get more money. They also could have lightened up on the learning. The aforementioned teacher probably had the worst classes as he or she never gave any incentives or rewards for anything. I would like to apologize to Doolen or anyone associated with it for choosing to read this negative review, but I really had a horrible time there. I would also like to apologize for making it this long, but if I wrote it in one whole mass of text, it would be harder to read. Thank you for taking the time to get this far in this review, though.

Woops! Almost forgot so say another nice thing. There were a handful of students that were actually nice. They got all of their work done, including homework, and were completely respectful. I actually envy those few. I hope they they turn out good in the future. They can really benefit society if they keep on the track that they're on.

Elizabeth Coleman

Let me put it this way: I, a current honor student in my 3rd year of charter high school, absolutely could not stand it at Doolen. The teachers are no help, with the exception of the occasional nice language arts teacher. I was heavily bullied day in and day out. The students are ruthless and misbehaved. I know nothing about the school has changed because my little sister currently goes there as an 8th grader and she comes home everyday practically with tears in her eyes because it is so hard for her to succeed or keep pace with her studies with all the chaos that goes on around her, and she is probably the smartest kid I know. Both of us never got in trouble, but because of all the troublemakers and ignorance of the faculty, it is impossible for quiet and intellectual kids like us to get anything done... Unless you're a gate kid, of course.

Arlen N Julie Truong

If I could give it a zero star I would!!! The only time you hear from staff is when your child did something wrong!!! If there's ever an emergency God forbid they answer the phone or call back for that matter!!!
The kid's are so rude! On the 1st day my son was transfered here some kid tried to puke him to fight him while we drove away from the school? Who does that?!
Do parents still teach manners anymore?

Oh and the most frustrating thing is they (staff) leave right at 4pm when kids get off at 3:50 if something were to happen on the way home u wouldn't know because there's no one there to communicate that with you!!!!!
Must be nice to only work 7hr shifts Monday through Friday and have every noschool off day too...

Do not send your child here if you care for theirs and your mental well-being!!!

Jasmine Gehlken

Great with the teachers and students the orchestra and bands is a big plus they are great. Doolen it's the only middle school with a cheer leading team and they are not like high school cheerleaders. On the other hand great school. The principle and the principle are great and very helpful. I recommend it.

Golden Rule

I never in a million years thought I'd pull my kid from school because he got jumped by kidS who he's had problems with since his 6th grade year. THEY DIDN'T CALL THE COPS!
People told me bad things about this school before I sent my son there. I should've taken heed. The staff acts like they care, they act like they're helping, but they're not...it's an illusion. My son is super intelligent, was in GATE..he has a very high IQ. He's always had behavior issues.. interrupting, not staying on task, annoying other kids. Never have his grades suffered until he came here. Bullied all the time. Staff does nothing about it, but sweep it under the rug. Teachers are just as disrespectful towards the students as the kids are to the teachers. There were situations invoving my child that I was never made aware of. He was constantly punished and in trouble...this school has changed my son. Parents I really advise you to trust your kids. If they say they're being bullied, believe it. If they say a teacher did something or said something.. believe it. My son told me something and I chose to believe staff..only to later find out from a kid that has nothing to do with mine..can corroborate my sons story. I am disgusted at the way this school handles things. They lie and they cover up. No wonder there are children killing themselves everyday practically!! The people who are supposed to protect them and encourage them when we the parents aren't around...are bullies too essentially. They make these behaviors acceptable and in turn hurt our kids.
THESE ACTIONS WILL FOREVER AFFECT A CHILD!!! SHAME ON DOOLEN STAFF!!!

K B

Coming from Texas the Arizona school system was quite a shock. The teachers do their best with what they have to work with. There are some good 7th grade teachers. My daughter has done well and able to make friends. You really must keep in touch with the teachers and staff, there is little communication to the parents. Doolen does have a GATE program in which my daughter was able get into for the 8th grade so that is a plus. A bullying program would benefit TUSD as a whole.

Any school is what child and parent makes it no matter the what the school challenges are.

Regina Gutierrez

I hate this school my son is in the ed classroom and i was called everyday by the principal to pick up my son because they didnt want to deal with him she would say can u pick him up so he doesnt get suspended but i withdrew him from school jan 9th because they had the iss teacher become the ed teacher idk how thats possible because he has no teaching with special needs kids well on the 8th first day back at school i find out from my son that this teacher was in his face and they were both cussing at each other and the teacher pushed him so hard he couldnt breath i didnt get no phne call or anything so i went next day and of course everyone is advoiding me and the teacher tells my son i dnt want to talk to ur mom so that pissed me off and i took him out of school so i assume he did what my son said he did since he couldnt come and talk to me like a adult and i even stood by him in the cafereria and he still didnt say anything to me i was told to this is a bad school and i should of listened but now im glad hes out of there i just feel bad for the other kids in that classroom

Zach Miller

I went to this school for 6th grade, horrible teachers, rude students, and none of the teachers nor office managers care if a student is getting bullied. Bad school, don't send your child here