Desert Palms Elementary School

Maybe they are trying, but they are nothing like the wonderful schools in the Peoria Unified School District. My five children, myself and my husband have been in the Peoria school district all our 38 years. We have attended between us eight different elementary and high schools all in the Peoria district. It is honestly a great district to have your child grow up in. The teachers and administration are dedicated to success. This school does not even seem like it belongs in the district. We have dealt with bullying, a black eye and lunch being stolen all in the first week of class and never before was this on issue for any of our other kids and any other PUSD school.. This action taken when I sought assistance was denial and defensiveness. It seems to be a knee jerk reaction to anybody that has an issue worth confronting them about. I am actually a fearful to let my child attend this school. That not even to mention the police presence that is there to scold the parents walking across the street, not for the children. They need a crosswalk at the school's street since their parking lot is puny and outdated? They need to get their standards up. I will root for them to do so.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been at this school for the past two years. I have had the pleasure of working with wonderful teachers in the 4th, 5th, and 8th. grade. I feel that my children are challenged and their teachers have a genuine interest in their education. My son has since graduated and my daughters are always engaged in lessons, music and choir. I appreciate all of your hard work teachers! Keep up the enthusiasm and never lose your sense of wonder...thank you for being the second set of parents for our children...we appreciate you:)
—Submitted by a parent

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

I have one child in the school, and one who graduated. The turnover rate on principal and vice principal is ridiculous here. I am satisfied with the majority of the teachers here, there are teachers that don't measure up, as with most schools. Academically, the school is pretty good up until 7th, 8th grade. The school could have more extracurricular activities, that address more than just sports. I am pretty happy with the school and have always had my concerns and teacher changes taken seriously when there were problems. Overall it is a pretty good school, the parent involvement is pretty good.
—Submitted by kelly horger, a parent

I have two children that attend Desert Palms elementary School. For the last five years I have been nothing but disapointed with the quality of principals, and teachers. Now, I am trying to find a safe school enviornment for my children to get the quality education they deserve.
—Submitted by Kathi Chokenea-Baxla, a parent

I have 4 children, my oldest was at Desert Palms K-8. Although we had a few rough years, overall my experience at Desert Palms was wonderful! The teachers are awesome, the programs are awesome... I wish my younger children could continue at this scool (we moved out of the area). I will really miss the school and the involvement they allowed me to have as a parent. You can be as involved (or uninvolved) as you want to be. I was always welcome to ask questions or share concerns with administration, and have my opinion taken seriously.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been at this school since kindergarten and is now completing second grade. She has had only two teachers, as one of the teachers 'looped' and has been her teacher for two years. I cannot speak as to the quality of the teaching staff as a whole because I am only familiar with those two teachers. However, those two teachers have been very good, and I am happy with the academic programs at this school. My child has been challenged and nurtured, and her individual needs have been considered. In the primary grades, students have classes in music, art, PE, and computers. I am unfamiliar with special classes and extracurricular activities in the upper grades. It appears to me that the level of parent involvement is moderate.
—Submitted by a parent

I have one child currently enrolled at Desert Palms and an older child who went K thru 8th. here.Very good elementary education up to approx. 6th grade. 7th and 8th grade lack focus on the essentials. History and science is very limited. Principal is new