I spent three years at Mission Middle School in Escondido, California. As a student there, I've experienced a mix of highs and lows, which I'll share with you in this blog. I'll start with some background information, move on to the pros and cons, and wrap up with my final thoughts.
I started at Mission Middle School during the 2021-2022 school year when Covid was still around. As of writing this, the 2023-2024 school year just ended a few hours ago. Throughout my years here, I've had a range of experiences, both good and bad, which I'll get into shortly. For privacy reasons, any student references will remain anonymous. Please do not contact me for their identities.
Let's begin with the pros. First, the school's architecture is impressive. Several buildings feature detailed and modern designs. There will be new construction during the summer of 2024, which will add another modern structure behind the existing STEM building. While the look of a campus doesn't define your experience. (unless you're an architecture nerd like me)
Escondido Union School District (EUSD), which includes Mission Middle School, advertises its technology. At Mission, all students receive the latest or second-latest iPads, and staff get the newest MacBook Pros. Student devices are well-equipped for everyday tasks like online assignments, presentations, and note-taking. For more demanding tasks, students have access to the latest iPad Pro. The MacBook Pros provided to staff are arguably overpowered for school needs, capable of handling complex models, simulations, and more. While a MacBook Air could suffice, the extra power is always appreciated.
Unfortunately, every school has its downsides. Drug usage and sales are significant problems at Mission. I've seen students vaping in class, carrying vapes, and even smelled tobacco in the bathrooms. I have heard that a student hot expelled for selling drugs on or near campus. A classmate of mine researched and found that some vapes are disguised as household items to bypass restrictions. While this issue isn't unique to Mission, it seems especially prevalent here.
Fights are another concern. On one particularly chaotic day, there were supposedly seven fights, mostly among female students. The school's attempt to curb this behavior by punishing all students—denying us lunch breaks—was controversial and even made the news.
There's also an issue with the school's culture. Some students reportedly influence younger ones to change their sexual preferences, particularly towards homosexuality (gay). While homosexuality itself isn't a problem, the idea of older students impacting the younger ones' identities is troubling. Students often arrive at Mission as heterosexual (straight), but through interactions with older students, many find their sexual preferences shifting, sometimes without fully understanding or consenting to these changes. This cycle repeats as each new batch of sixth graders enters the school and experiences similar influences.
The food at Mission is mediocre at best. If your classroom is far from the cafeteria, you might miss out on the "good" options and be left with unappetizing choices. I've even experienced times when there was no food left, leaving me hungry.
The chairs, especially in the science labs, are another major downside. They are uncomfortable, with a poor ergonomic design that causes hip pain and lacks backrests, leading to back pain after long classes. Compared to the chairs at Del Dios Academy, Mission’s chairs are far inferior. The science lab chairs are particularly unpleasant, making your hip bones hurt and providing no support for your back. Many students, including myself, have reported discomfort and worry about potential long-term back problems from using these chairs. The discomfort they cause is a significant issue that affects our ability to focus and learn effectively.
Harassment and bullying, including racism and sexism, are also significant issues. The school doesn't seem to put enough effort into preventing these behaviors. The statement they advertise—"Mission Middle School nurtures all students to become innovative and collaborative critical thinkers, to better self-engage as compassionate, productive citizens"—feels largely untrue. Many students struggle with low grades and see little improvement, partly due to a lack of staff and a non-nurturing environment.
Additionally, the school's infrastructure is outdated. The pipes often break, causing water outages, which is inconvenient and disruptive.
Mission Middle School has a tendency to censor information that might harm its reputation. For example, they blocked me on Twitter after I tweeted, "A third of the students were either forced to be there or got bribed to be there," regarding a school event. This suggests they want to hide the truth. I'm willing to take the risk of sharing this blog because I believe this information shouldn't be censored.
In conclusion, my verdict on Mission Middle School is mixed. Your experience here depends on what you value in a school. After interacting with students from other schools in the district, I've found that Hidden Valley Middle School has the best culture, Del Dios has the best campus, Quantum Academy offers the best education, Bear Valley has the most open space, and Rincon excels in extracurricular programs. If I could choose again, I would have picked Del Dios Academy, as the district is focusing more on that school. Distance is a key factor, but if you have the option, choose a school that best fits your needs.
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