Hi momfromMedford
Thank you for your input. Some of his friends will be going to the McGlynn and some the Andrews.
It is about 50 50. The McGlynn just got a new principal also. I guess I will just have to hope for the best.
It is just so hard. I am nervous about him going to Middle school.
HOpefully he will be in class with some of his friends.

I had two daughters that went thru the Andrews, they both did great. We had three different principles in three years which made if very difficut. It took a few years to fill the position and they made a great choice.
I myself loved the Andrews Middle School
I have also heard great things about the McGlynn Middle School. I let both my daughters pick where they wanted to go when their time came, they both picked the Andrews. The important thing to the children is they want to be with some of their friends especially when they are nervious about going to a new school, Good Luck.

HI. Unfortunately, Greatschools is a nationwide forum, and the chance of finding another family from the same town with children of similar age, who are attending particular schools, is slim.

I know it's hard as a parent to start to let our growing children make important decisions, but the fact that you liked both schools when you saw them, and there wasn't a compelling reason to select one over the other, does seem like it would have been a good opportunity for your son to have had a say in the selection process. Middle school is often a very difficult time for kids, as they enter puberty, and friends do take on more important signifigance. If your son is as upset as you make him sound, and you still have an option to change, I'd let him. If he were to go to McGlynn and did poorly, he might try to "blame" his performance on it being a lousy school, or a new principal, or the fact it wasn't the school HE wanted to attend. If he goes to Andrews and doesn't do as well, he'll have to shoulder the responsibility himself.

I have a feeling your son will actually do well in either setting, but it gives kids a "vested interest" and sense of "ownership" when they're part of the decision-making process. For general questions, I'd like to invite you to join the Middle School Parents Group at community.greatschools.net/groups/11528