Michael Gregg-Wilson appeals the district court’s orders denying relief on his civil complaint filed under 42 U.S.C. §§ 1981, 1983, 1985(3) (2000). The district court referred this case to a magistrate judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) (2000). The magistrate judge recommended that relief be denied on all but Gregg-Wilson’s First Amendment claim and advised Gregg-Wilson that failure to file specific objections to this recommendation could waive appellate review of a district court order based upon the recommendation. Despite this warning, Gregg-Wilson failed to object specifically to the magistrate judge’s recommendations.

The timely filing of specific objections to a magistrate judge’s recommendation is necessary to preserve appellate review of the substance of that recommendation when the parties have been warned of the consequences of noncompliance. Wright v. Collins, 766 F.2d 841, 845-46 (4th Cir. 1985); see also Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 106 S.Ct. 466, 88 L.Ed.2d 435 (1985). Gregg-Wilson has waived appellate review by failing to file specific objections after receiving proper notice. See Page v. Lee, 337 F.3d 411, 416 n. 3 (4th Cir. 2003).

With regard to the First Amendment claim, the district court entered a subsequent order granting summary judg *47 ment in favor of Defendants on the ground that Defendants’ interest in ensuring the efficient operation of the vocational school outweighed Gregg-Wilson’s right to free speech. Because Gregg-Wilson did not challenge this finding in his informal brief filed in this court, he has waived appellate review of that issue. See 4th Cir. R. 34(b) (“The Court will limit its review to the issues raised in the informal brief.”).

For these reasons, we affirm. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED.