Central middle school is a great school! The teachers and faculty here are amazing and you can really see how much they care about their students and their work. While attending this school as a student and a member of the student government, I was able to see first-hand the passion that drove these teachers to make sure their students will succeed in life. Where else will you find teachers that will spend a large portion of their pay just to help buy extra educational supplies for their students on a regular basis? Or make sure to keep in touch with your family so they can continue to guide you as growing community leaders, even after you have graduated? I'm not sure why people say that the academics are sub-par; I am a central middle school graduate, and I am succeeding academically! Not only I, but a majority of the students that I graduated with are about to enter the professional world of doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers, designers and much more. Does this sound like a failure of a strong academic foundation? I can honestly say that based on personal experience, if it had not been for teachers that stayed til 5:00-6:00 P.M. In order to help students with their schoolwork, or give those encouraging words that often go unnoticed by others, many of us would not have had the background or confidence to succeed. Not only am I thankful for these education experiences, but I am equally as thankful for experiences that have shaped me to become a leader as well. I remember spending numerous days cleaning the beaches, delivering needed supplies to the homeless at IHS, and much more. No, I did not do these community service projects as detention or anything of the sort - I did them because my teachers encouraged me to and they helped to teach us that giving back to our community is fun and self-rewarding. Even after I left Central, they continued to encourage me as I relentlessly worked with non-profit organizations as a direct result of their inspiration. Can you say that about your middle school teachers? I could feel their love everyday, which is rare in today's world! As a young adult graduating from one of the best colleges in the nation, I can honestly say that I would not be the strong, independent, and academically successful person I am today without the teachers and faculty at Central Middle School! read more

I have recently discovered yelp and have been monitoring the comments regarding Central Middle School. I am a teacher at the school and have been for the last 18 years. I am a little concerned that some of the great comments that were written by several of the former students have been filtered. Regardless, I too, was a little concerned about teaching at Central due to its reputation. I wanted a teaching job in town, but did I want to teach in town bad enough to teach at Central Middle School? I decided that, since I was a probationary teacher, I'd better get a job first and chose Central. I am glad that I did. It was here that I realized that I love middle school students. I was training to teach at the high school level, but Central Middle School made me change my mind. The kids here are great! They are a little rough around the edges, but they wear their heart on their sleeve. Examples... These are the kind of kids that MADE a card to express their condolences and hugged me upon my return when my father died. These are the kind of kids that come to visit from the high school on a regular basis. Even when students go to two different high schools, they text to meet up at Central. (And they even bring their friends from OTHER middle schools.) These are the kind of kids that keep in touch with you far into their adulthood. They call you, they text you, they visit you, and they even take you out to dinner. These are the kind of kids that ask questions with kindness and curiosity regarding the pain and how I am feeling when I was diagnosed with cancer and had radiation. These are the kind of kids that want you to be happy. Once they found out that I wasn't married, they were on a mission to "find me a man". (And they did.) These are the kind of kids that will run up and hug you and introduce you to their parents (even though you look like crap) when they see you at Longs, Times, Ala Moana, and even Vegas! So, I ask you, why would I stay at Central Middle School for so long if the kids were so bad? Why would I stay if the school was so bad? I have enough years in the system to go anywhere that has an opening, but I haven't left. Yes, teaching has gotten harder, but it is not because of the kids. It is because of what the federal government, state, district and school is asking of us. Kids will be kids no matter where you go. They will still be little balls of hormones and energy that make each day an adventure. read more

Thought I'd review just for some random teacher~ I finished in '04 so it's been a while. However, I still remember my middle school years and honestly, I feel like I had a decent education here. Sure, Central doesn't have a fantastic reputation like Kwananakoa or Washington...but it doesn't mean it's a BAD school. I'm sure other former/current students would agree that we all learned and grow. They have teachers that actually care. They really engage the students with the subject and even other things outside of school, which makes them more than just teachers. At such an age, this can help the students benefit from positive role models. My experiences here were nothing but great ones: In my first year, I think we were "forced" to take an elective and it was either band, orchestra, or something else...was it art? Not really sure, but I decided upon band. I had some of the most memorable times in this class because of the people I was surrounded with. I never thought I would love playing the clarinet. It was the first time I actually felt like I was good at something. Not only did I find a new hobby, I also learned the values of persistence and teamwork. I regret not continuing band throughout the years though... Also, I never had a favorite subject until the 7th grade. Ever since then, English was it. In college, I had to take like five electives and I chose classes like literature and creative writing. What can I say? My teacher at Central really made an impact on me. Maybe it was his teaching style, but no other subject seemed to interest me. Till this day, I still like to read and write even when I'm not required to. Central probably doesn't have it now, but I was in GT (gifted & talented. NO IDEA WHY I WAS PLACED IN THIS lol) math and science. But, I'm glad I got to experience what it felt like to be in the.... more challenging classes. There were all the times in math that I was called upon to write my answer and show my work on the board in front of everyone. Pretty sure I had the wrong answer like 70% of the time. There was also the science fair project presentation that I did involving magnets where I had no idea what I was even talking about. Nonetheless, I enjoyed both classes because my teachers were so helpful and entertaining. You would learn from your mistakes and not feel bad at all. You would actually WANT to stay in during recess or lunch to talk with them with whatever was on your mind. All of the teachers here made learning fun and I always looked forward to going to class. This is why another classmate and I make time to go back and visit whenever possible, even though there are probably more better things to do on a weekday. It's hard to believe, but a few of my closest friends are still the ones that I met during 6th grade. Now we're all like grown up. It's really surprising to look at where all of us are now with our lives. Some are working/starting their careers, others are still in school or even studying abroad. Me? I'm a recent 2012 grad from UH Manoa with a finance degree working full-time. Despite the bad reputation that Central seems to carry from the past, I don't think it matters now. People are entitled to their opinions, but I do hope they realize that times have changed. P.S.: I've read the other reviews. I feel like they're all amazingly written with thought and truth... except for that single negative one. Too bad that all of them are being filtered though! read more

I had a wonderful experience here, as well as my older sister and cousin who all attended this school. I had amazing teachers who cared about their students' education and life. I met great friends and built long lasting relationships here at the school. I will always be thankful for the wonderful people and experience. read more

Our family has been going to this school for generations. Of course this school doesn't have much of a great reputation and if you ask someone who did not attend this school would tell you this is not a great school. But it's actually a great school, because of the teachers and faculty. The teachers go above and beyond to help you succeed in their classes. They would stay late and be willing to help us understand or catch up if we are falling behind. The activities and sports that are available. Ho'ike was an event that I attended and helped out for a couple years even after I left this school. Also skillsusa, was one of the great experiences I have had with this school. Got to experience things that influenced me in what I wanted to be in the future. I was also in Orchestra, we didn't preform as much as the Band did but we did preform at locations in front of crowds and it was amazing! I am surely glad I chose to go to central middle. I still keep in touch with some off the best teachers and I hope students attending this school now and in the future will make great memories here. read more

I have had great experiences at Central Middle School, being a student at the school from 2005-2007. The main purpose for my posting is to dispel the bad reputation that has built over the years about this institution and equivocate many of the school's problems with its associate schools. First, it is important to note that the reputation of the school has been mostly based on the demographics of the area and rumors that have no actual basis in reality. My family's opinion was also biased early on by the Central Middle School's reputation. We tried valiantly to get a GE to transfer to another middle school simply because of word of mouth. The creation of these fears was based by fallacies about a place I, and many other naysayers, haven't even been to. The following reasons are why CMS is a better academic system then people give credit for: (1) the teachers employed at the CMS are dedicated to making a difference--which is easily proved by their choice of location of employment, (2) the students have equal possibilities of succeeding, and (3) the personality of the children is just that, the personality of children. The teachers at Central Middle School were very engaging and helped me to become the person I am today. In generalization, the rate of which I was partnered with proficient teachers at CMS was higher then that of other past schools. Each teacher brought a sense of caring, understanding, and/or humor to the subjects, which ultimately led me to my studies today. It is possible to associate this factor with the choices of the teachers themselves. To begin work at an institution when faced with an initially bad perception, a teacher must have some underlying goal of making a difference. Secondly, if the reputation of the school were true, then assumingly many of the students should've been doomed to failure; however, my journey with my fellow alumni has shown me that many of us are still flourishing. A list of example careers that fellow CMS alumni are pursuing is as follows: Interior Designer studying at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Elementary School Teacher starting at Kapiolani Community College, Engineer starting at Kapiolani Community college, Culinary studying at Kapiolani Community College. In my own case, I am pursuing two bachelor's degrees in Mathematics and Molecular Cell Biology, with the intent to apply them to my application to Medical School. The opposite is also true not just for Central Middle School, but for all public schools. I have known many people from CMS that dropped out of academics, but this does occur independently. I also know an equal number of students, rose from other middle schools, who dropped out of education. The final point regards the personalities and character of the students at Central. The most dynamic problem, I see, is the false association of the images of the race with the children themselves. It is important to understand, however, that the children are just what they are, CHILDREN. Children, for the most part, are innocent and it is wrong to associate the prejudice of their race with them. People would argue that bullying is more prevalent in Central Middle School, but it is not the case. Bullying is equally prevalent everywhere and is almost a given that it would be experienced, at some point in time, by everyone. On this topic, I would like to address the issue brought on by Norm G. It is true that this problem of racial discrimination exists in CMS, but, we must also realize that this problem permeates into most other academic institutions in Hawaii. Looking back on this issue, it is easy to see that this problem of white discrimination not only resides in Central, but also is also rooted in Hawaii's populace. Furthermore, discrimination in Hawaii is not only directed by whites but also in the other direction. Discrimination against all races seems to be a problem all schools, all states, and all countries. We should acknowledge that just like any other scholastic institutions, there are problems; however, Central Middle School seems to have a knack for having these problems blown out of proportion in comparison to its associates. We must understand that these problems are not derived independently from the school itself, but is in tangency with the same problems faced by every other school. read more

My three siblings and I have attended Central Middle School, starting from my older sister 1993 to my youngest brother still attending this school today. I can vouch to say that my experience at Central has definitely shaped who I am today in some way or another. I've met awesome people, made unforgettable memories, and most importantly, received exceptional education. The teachers at Central really do care about their students, and during my attendance, they really made sure that we engaged in our learning. There was a huge emphasis on being a community contributor as well as developing skills to become a better, well-rounded student. I've gained so much from going to school here, and I honestly feel like my successes are supported by the foundations I have established by attending this school. Aside from caring teachers, the school provides many extracurricular activities such as band, planet central, Skills USA, School Service, and various non-competitive Co-Ed sports, all of which were high quality for that of a middle school. While I was there, I was able to participate in many of the activities that were offered. My younger brother is a student at Central, and from what I can tell, the school is definitely doing more to improve the experience of students. The teachers do not hesitate to call home if a student is struggling or to just simply remind parents of forms that should be turned in. To me, that really shows how much time administration takes into choosing their staff. You don't get that kind of attention at very many schools. There is absolutely nothing bad that I can say about Central. It is a great place, and I'm glad I went there. I believe that the negative review preceding mine is reflected more on the society in the 1970's rather than what the school is today or ever was. I think that kind of thing could have happened at any school, and the fact that it was reflected toward Central Middle School is a great misfortune. read more

Hello Norm G. I too attended Central Intermediate School in the 70's; and yes, I can grasp what your are saying. I was not the minority, but I did witness a lot of what went on throughout the schools in Hawaii. I am proud to say that I am Hawaiian and have never been prejudice by no means. It's sad to say that there are narrow mindedness people throughout the entire United States. I moved to the mainland in my early adulthood and was treated very poorly by the white people there as well. Being a female, it was mostly women who did not accept me but the majority of the men welcomed me with open arms. I absolutely detested the mainland and moved back home. I've since married a man from the south and moved back to his hometown. At first, I was miserable because of the way I was treated again. I learned real quick that if you weren't white, you were categorized as an outcast. I've since made several friends and once they got to know me, I couldn't ask for a better bunch of men and women to call my friends. I hope you will experience the same. There are still times when I come across some prejudice, but all in all, I am content where I'm at. Happy Living, Jean K. read more

Everyone will say that the school they went to is the best school. However,Central Middle School is a great school with great people who are interested in helping the students grow and continue to succeed. Everyone on the outside of this school doesn't see the good in this school.No one knows this school as well as the students who are currently enrolled and those who have already graduated. In Elementary,people around the community would talk about how bad Central is due to what they only see on the OUTSIDE of the school. There were some people who haven't even attended the school and had bad things to say. I was unsure about this school at the time thinking and believing that the things people were saying were true. Until I started my first day which led to my first whole year. It was great. The teachers there really seemed like they were interested in helping us learn and help us better ourselves. They made it clear that they CARED for us and our education. The staff as well made sure that they wanted nothing but the best for us. Programs that would help the students were being put together during my last year there. The last time that I visited the school was March of this year and I have to say, their after school program is great and strongly progressing. I have PRIDE in the middle school that I attended. The teachers and staff their helped me and most of my fellow classmates realize how much potential we have in ourselves. Making it this far,meaning graduating from high school and attending college, we couldn't do it without our awesome teachers from Central who helped us through. I'm not trying to say that Central is perfect, BUT the people in the community dont see the good in the school. No one can say that a school had no type of trouble whatsoever. EVERY school has their own set of troubled days. Yes of course Central had many crazy episodes, but what school doesn't have any problems. No ones perfect.The school just happens to be the talk due to over exaggerating stories. All in all, this school is great. No one will know until they look into the school, give it a shot and have your kid go there. *REAL TALK* read more

why do people think Central is a bad school?. i mean I love it there. Out of all my school years i enjoyed it there. the teachers bonded with us and helped us. They treat us all like family. Though there are some rude and immature kids, but most of them are awesome. I created tons of everlasting memories and bonds at Central. Sure it was bad in the past, but does that mean the present is the same. no it's not. like people say, although the past can have many bad memories, as time goes on things start to change and everything is different. so the central now is a very good school. whoever said it was bad, because they experienced bad things, must be someone from the very past like 70s or so. Like i said the past is the past, although it links to the present, the present is itself and that's all that matters. read more