Desert Palms Elementary School

My children have gone/going from kindergarten thru 8th grade at Desert Palms. I have never seen a staff that works so hard and puts in extra time for their students. With an influx of ELL students and lower income students over the past few years, there is a greater weight of responsibility of these teachers to meet state testing results. And Desert Palms has done a great job meeting these goals.As a longtime parent at this school, I have seen parent involvement continue to go down. And yet, I see in these ratings that they are complaining about the teachers. I wonder how much these parents helped out and were active in PTSA.
--Submitted by a parent

desert palms students and parents---GET OUT!!!! Bad Teachers!!!!! We left that neighborhood and will nnever go back.
--Submitted by a parent

My kids have been there one year only and I think this school has hurt my youngest rather then helped him.The third grade teacher was horrible. I not sure she is thete to teach but, acts like she is God. Other children have been treated just Ok.. Trying one more year only.
--Submitted by a parent

My son went to DP for 2yrs. I am very unhappy with this school. It is a very low income school. The school doesn't do half of what some of the other Peoria schools do. We are moving this year specifially to get him out of this school. My son is a straight A student, had some issues with bullying. I pretty much had to yell at the principal to get her to do something about it.
--Submitted by a parent

I was happy with DP until this year. I agree some teachers do not belong there. Lately I have not seen anyone care for the education of my childern or being concern, i feel the most concern is them having these kids fail instead of helping or showing concern. Giving more postive feedback rather then trying to get childern in trouble.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is good but my concern is when a child is choked several times in one day by another student and them harassed by the students shouldnt the students get in trouble for that. That is the experience my child went through there. I would think that the teacher or principle would call me to let me know that my child is being bullied. Also when I tried to talk to the principal about the situation she was never available. I'm supposed to trust them with my kids.
--Submitted by a parent

Some teachers at this school really should not be teachers! Very disrespectful in their speech toward students and parents

My daughter went there for preschool and kindergarten and loved it. It has a small campus with caring teachers. I wish that we weren't moving. I would love for her to stay here.
--Submitted by a parent

I have had 2 children go through DP and have the highest regard for the teachers and the principals. Whenever I have had a problem which was rarely I was addressed immediately and the problem was settled. My children were involved athletically and musically and whatever they decided to join. Maybe new athletic equipment and more things for the chorus will attract more children to be involved. I will miss this school tremendously and hope to visit and see some of my children's teachers soon. Thanks Desert Palms it was a wonderful experience.
--Submitted by a parent

Overall, we were not satisfied with our experiences at Desert Palms. The principal seemed to be more ready to defend than she was to listen to what concerns and complaints were presented to her. The vice principal, however, did act as if he truly cared. The administrative staff left a lot to be desired, and we even received a phone call at about 2:30pm(when the kids got out at 3pm) as to the whereabouts of one of our kids. That child was in class; it was just never noted by the teacher. Talk about heart-stopping! With the exception of our youngest child's third grade teacher, the teachers needed to be retrained on how to communicate with parents. It would benefit not only the parents, but the teaching/student relationship. Academically, they seemed to be on par if not further along with other schools we had encountered. Their academic qualifications were quite impressive.
--Submitted by Lisa Stapleton, a parent