The popular people rule the school, and if you upset them, they'll spread rumors about you faster than the crack of a whip.
That's the way things are every where. But if you don't care what the popular kids think then who cares. They aren't your friends anyways. I know you're thinking it's easier said than done. But I'm not that old, only 21, I still remember what school was like.
You think being seen with your mom in public is bad? Try being the token gay kid in a small town, talk about rumors. But I never cared a had a few really close friends and that was all I needed. I never paid attention to the rumors, and had I a blast in school. My friends and I had so much fun growing up.
Even when you get out of school people will still judge you, you learn to ignore it and realize that they have problems not you. I still get judged all the time and I usually just laugh and feel sorry for them because they are obviously insecure of themselves if they have to make fun of other people. Just know that it doesn't end when you get out of school. Life is what you make of it. I just choose to make mine happy no matter what people think of me. Hopefully you can learn to make your life happy.