Thurston Middle School is the best of the Westwood Public Schools…read more I actually will go out on a limb and say it's one of the best middle schools, if not the best, in the state. For all it accomplishes, there is no other middle school I would suggest more. My wonderful experience (and memories) here as a student over ten years ago certify this as my favorite public school experience, due to the large role I had in working many activities in this school. It has inspired myself to become a teacher, due to the overwhelming support from administration (both the principal and asst. principal here are amazing) and because of my incredible experience while going to this school years ago.The education here is amazing and all of the staff are fabulous. The administration addresses concerns and worries of the students, parents and faculty regarding any matters all the time. Anything brought up to the administration here is dealt with immediately. They truly care about satisfaction and gratification from those who are in the building on a daily basis. While there are so many great things about this place, the best thing about Thurston Middle School is the staff. Every teacher is welcoming, helpful, friendly, and there for students whenever needed for any reason. Administration is also fantastic. One of the most respected teachers (and now the head of the school) continues to ensure that ANY and EVERY concern that is brought to her is fixed and responded to within maybe a week at most. Never here are any excuses made to the tune of any issue; a concern is taken with dignity and respect, and a clear effort to fix the problem (whatever it may be). Many other schools take a "blind eye" to concerns, and simply just doesn't care enough to take the matters into their own hands. Here they do a fantastic job (and continue to) make all their students feel valued and appreciated. The relationship throughout the school is that everyone knows everyone and everyone is friendly, hardworking and helpful. Courses have been expanded over the last year or two adding more "technology" (STEM) related classes and new science classes. Currently, grades seven and eight are 1:1 with Chromebooks and by the 2017-2018 year all grades will have them. For that matter, they have a great deal of technology in this school with many laptop carts and projectors in every room. The library was recently renovated and has changed to digital with less bookcases and newer and more modern furniture and accents, effecting in a more productive and conducive space for students usage. The auditorium in this school is small, but they recently replaced everything and while it is only to hold a small portion of the school and could definitely use replacement, it works for its most frequent use. They have two gymnasiums (which works very well for the number of gym classes, and is a constant issue with other middle schools), both of these rooms are great to have, as all other Westwood schools have one gym. Having two large gymnasiums is convenient and helpful when overscheduling occurs. They have a designated snack block for students, which was always pleasant and something that could be improved at other schools (I don't know any other schools with this). Maintenance staff do an amazing job on the facility, that was originally built in 1939, and still in incredible condition 78 years later. It has grown over time, with multiple different wings added on over time. And for the entirety of the time I've spent at the school, there have been barely any issues. Everything about this building works to the fullest of its life and works well for the needed layout of the school. Never are tiles breaking, loudspeaker system breaking, any animals inside the school (mice / ants), or are there any issues with the heating system (common issues in other schools). In general, it's a more reliable facility that was built with a great deal of intricate detail. There are some issues with this school, however, that is something expected in an almost 80 year old building. Sure, something here and there doesn't work, but for the most part, a great job on maintenance is done, and every effort is taken to make this school the best it can be. Certainly there are space issues in this school, and that should be expected in a growing town; nevertheless, in only ten years the amount of students attending the WPS is scheduled to drop considerably (being a resident). Sure, the school could be replaced, but for the energy and current amazing vibe and reputation; that isn't necessary. I wouldn't suggest anywhere more than Thurston Middle School for education and a wonderful experience for any student. Moving to Westwood for three years for any child is worth it due to the way it can shape students lives and make what in some people's opinions, a hard time of life, an enjoyable and fun experience. 5 stars. Parents: move to Westwood for this school. It's by far worth it!

This is the only review that I have ever written that has been a constant concern of mine…read more Hopefully, this time I have gotten the wording precise. To preface, I was a student of this school years ago and even though things have changed since then, this is the updated illustration of the state of the school. One other thing to preface is that the staff, and the staff alone are the only reason this review gets 3 stars... everyone there back when I attended Westwood High School (and from what I hear, now) cared immensely about their students and did everything they could to be helpful and of assistance, and flexible with different student needs. Lastly to note, I have written reviews in the past with focuses on the countless deficiencies with the facility of this building, but the story goes a whole lot further than that, even while that may be the bulk of my complaints. Historically, Westwood High School has never been maintained well which is clearly due to how fact the original WHS (built in 1956) needed to be rebuilt (2004). At the same time, the Thurston Middle School was built in 1939 and has not been rebuilt since, due to its longevity and continued fabulous maintenance. Even going on 80 years, TMS is still in fabulous condition. So, first to start off with the school itself, which is in a disastrous state in comparison to Wellesley High School, where maintenance is quite the opposite. Heating and cooling. During the winter, every room is either freezing cold or boiling hot. Rooms are illegally cold frequently and absolutely nothing is done to fix them. In only a 15 year old building, heat was never installed correctly in the first place. I am aware of someone who called the state about this issue, and of course, this was not addressed since Westwood High School finds a way to avoid having to fix or address anything, even if it's not legal. Specifically, one room was boiling hot (a math room) and the windows couldn't even be opened since all of them were jammed (and still are). At Thurston Middle School, the entire heating system works perfectly. A modest seventy degrees in every room every day during the winter. And air conditioning actually works in the summer for the rooms that have it.... this year air conditioning is being installed throughout TMS as well. 36 degrees is just too cold to run a class at Westwood High School (recent temperature in 2018) and something needs to be done to rectify that issue (did people actually move to Westwood so their kids would be learning in a room of 36 degrees?). Another thing to add on to this is that every thermostat in the school is for decoration and does not work by any means. They will literally all be set to ninety degrees and the room will still be freezing. From standpoints of students, these temperatures are "frustrating", "not ideal", and "extremely uncomfortable". Science. This entire wing of the school is incredibly appalling. Science was the only department that does not have a office where all teachers congregate, rather their own rooms. Since the rise in students, they no longer have their own rooms and have no offices. The prep rooms are not ventilated by any means and all are not equipped with the necessary science equipment. Dishwashers were installed in every prep room with no wiring attached (sure, what a great idea!), lots of plug outlets were installed in every science lab room for only about half of them to actually work. Fume hoods all don't work either. In every room several cabinets are broken and have had no efforts to be fixed in years. All science rooms have no running hot water, since the boilers broke and were never fixed years ago. Thurston Middle School has hot water in all prep rooms, all working outlets, and dishwashers that work in both of their prep rooms. General classrooms. Every teacher chair sinks automatically upon sitting in it. Every teacher desk is affixed to the floors. Nearly all rooms are not large enough to accompany the class sizes held in them. In comparison, the Thurston Middle School has proportionate room sizes and ironically only 5 fewer classrooms than the high school. Interdisciplinary teaching and atmosphere. There is no sense of interdisciplinary teaching at this school due to the departmentalized design of the school. It actually seems like some of the departments avoid each other. Everyone is a family at the Thurston Middle School, a way a school should operate. Teacher's have their own classrooms and aren't forced to congregate with other teachers in 1 large room, where making phone calls and having any space to work is constantly impossible. Overall, this school may have an extraordinary rating, for simply no purpose. Not only is the maintenance extremely subpar, but the way in which the school was built and the lack of space throughout effect in an aura and daily issue of ineffective learning. Thurston Middle School is a school that should be commended, WHS... not so exemplary.

This school may seem great on the outside but it's messed up. It's very hard to deceive when you…read moreare attending Westwood high but it's about as typical as a high school would be. cliques, high pressure, generalizations of students based on their economic status or appearance, ethnicity and background. If your parents don't make a zillion bucks you're not gunna be "cool" or "fit in". I hope they're working on their special education program especially because I went all my years in the Westwood school system and only got diagnosed as dyslexic and having an attention disorder when I was completely done @ Westwood high. They say that we have the best education...but man I learned nothing. So many social situations and undiagnosed learning disabilities will seriously steer you off Westwood high. It's over rated and your kid may act like they enjoy it. But all the stuff you learn about Westwood high will come out once your child has come to terms with it. And probably have a mental breakdown when they learn how other high schools are.

Gorgeous school and facilities. I can't speaker from a parent's prospective because I don't have…read moreany children going here or a teacher's prospective because I don't work here. But I can speaker from a performer's perspective using their stage. The new middle school has a beautiful stage for music and theatre performances. The sound is great for teh audience, very good acoustics and everything looks new and clean. Considering using this facility if you are able to, you won't be disappointed.

this is the worst school I've ever been to I learned absolutely nothing most of the teachers are…read morereally rude and they don't really Teach that much and the teachers make up stuff all the time

Great school. Our son is a Freshman. He's transitioned easily because of the attention they give to…read moreeach students needs. Everyone at the school is clearly happy to work there and they love students and families. Feel lucky to be part of this community.