Korematsu Middle School (El Cerrito) vs Albany Middle School

HI all - I would love some current reviews/thoughts on either Korematsu MS or Albany MS, and how they might compare. We live in El Cerrito but might have the option of sending our kids to Albany Middle. I don't really know anything about either school, except that it looks like Korematsu is grades 7-8 and AMS is 6-8. My focus would be on class sizes, whether teachers (and/or students) are overwhelmed, kindness/inclusion among students and community (esp since this is middle school - ack!), and resources/programs to keep kids engaged and excited in school. Of course I'm eager to hear of any other factors we should be thinking of as well. Again, would love reviews of either school, as well as how they might compare. Thank you!

Parent Replies

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My child just graduated from AMS. I did not get the impression that any teachers were overwhelmed or that class control was an issue in any class with the possible exception of PE (which I think is very large). In my child's total time there, I was very wowed by two of my child's teachers plus the school librarian, and one of those teachers I am happy to say is the best teacher my child has ever had in 10 years of public school education. Two were underwhelming to me. The rest were good to very good. There are many clubs and sports opportunities. The facility is fine, no complaints/nothing special. We have not attended Korematsu so I can't provide any firsthand comparison.

We’re very happy with the new principal at AMS. 

I strongly discourage anyone from considering an Inter-district transfer to AMS, because although they will gladly accept state funding for your child’s enrollment, they will never recognize your child as having the same rights as Albany residents.  We lived in Albany for four years and after living abroad early in the pandemic returned to AMS on an inter-district transfer from WCCUSD.  Our son, a straight A student who’d never before been to the principal’s office, was involved in an incident that for most kids would have resulted in one day in-school suspension.  But because we live in Richmond we were treated very differently.  Our son was suspended for five days and his inter-district transfer was immediately revoked.  We were left to find a new school with three months remaining in the school year.  The principal (Mapes) and director of student services (Brill) upheld the suspension despite never having discussed with our son what transpired.  They don’t even know what our son looks like.  They succumbed to the pressure of another family.  AMS advertises inclusiveness, equity, and restorative justice, but if you are not an Albany resident you should expect neither humility or compassion.  And they did this because THEY CAN.  Inter-district transfers sacrifice many parental rights for the sake of wanting a good education for their children.  AMS does not live-up to its own standards and they should be ashamed for how they treat non-Albany families. And it goes to the very top of AUSD administration.  They want enrollment dollars AND perfect eleven year-olds.