Desert Knolls Elementary School

My child has attended DKE for 4 yrs., and continues to grow both socially and academically. I have a younger child who will be starting Kindergarten next year and she can't wait! We have always stressed the importance of education, but have never pushed our children to fulfill some need of our own. The entire staff knows our family and treats us with respect and love, as we treat them. I choose to ignore parent's gossip about their experience with this school, as I am perfectly capable of making that choice myself. My children will finish their elementary education here at DKE and will have the skills and values needed to further their educational goals.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been at DK for 4 years and he LOVES it! He is a happy, well-rounded child - of course as parents that's what WE encouraged and expected. Too many parents bring in their own educational baggage when they bash a school, they look at their own kids with rose-colored glasses and everyone else is under the microscope. The new staff is caring and supportive and my pre-schooler can't wait to start next year!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended school here for 4 years, I have seen this school go downhill. I am pulling her out soon.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been very happy with this school. It is unfortunate that classes sizes can't change due to budget, but in my opinion that just means we need to do our part and help out! My son started 1st grade last year and has been given many opportunites to be eduacated at his level. I would recommend this school ! The new principal has brought a much needed excitment and structure to this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a little bothered that this school has 31 students per teacher. My daughter went to prechool next door and there was 1 teacher with 2 aides for 23 students. I loved the preschool program! Now my 5 year old is in kindergarten and they have extended the hours to a full day and a larger class size! I volunteer every week b/c I am a big part of her education. Her teacher does a wonderful job yet I find it hard for any teacher to give one on one attention with that many students. I am starting to wonder if I should home school her since she comes home exhausted. Education seems to be 2nd priority where $ is the 1st.
—Submitted by a parent

I too, had high hopes for this school. I have volunteered for three years and my son has been attending for four . The staff gets continually worse and so does the communication. I will be taking my son out this week, and it is too bad because he is an excellent student.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had my 2 children at this school for the last 5 years and I have seen a dramatic change in the children and staff which is very disappointing. I don't understand why the administrative staff can not see what is happening. I have seriously thought about changing schools and plan on doing this soon. This is sad that a school with such a great reputation has gone down the tube, not to mention certain staff members that have nothing better to do that yell all day at the children rather then make school a safe haven where they can feel relaxed but yet get the great education all parents want for their children. My children tell me everyday that they do not want to go to school anymore, that they 'hate' school. Children should not feel stressed being at school. This is sad and upsetting to me.
—Submitted by a parent

This school really went down with the new staff very dissapointed
—Submitted by a parent

I have three children, all of whom are now attending DK, with my youngest just starting Kindergarten. My oldest started DK before all of the staff changes and were both pleased then and now. I feel this school does very well in educating 'high academic' children. All of my children consistently score 95% and above on district tests and I think much credit should be given to the teachers teaching them. I'm very impressed with the new discipline program the school has adopted and feel it's working well. I help out in my children's classroom so I am able to observe first hand what goes on and I have to say I am impressed.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attended DK for three years and loves it! I've been impressed by the caring staff and academic values that exist at the school. I'm glad that my child attends a school with diversity and teachers that are able to meet all their needs.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has also been attending DKE for three years & loves it too! it saddens me to read the two, 'not-so-nice' prior comments . I feel the new staff & principal are doing a wonderful job academically & behaviorally. My child really enjoys their new discipline program! In addition, I enjoy the fact that my child is exposed to a culturally & academically diverse student population, as this is preparing her for the real world. I would definately recommend this school to any inquiring parents. Keep it up DKE!
—Submitted by a parent

I have had children at Desert Knolls Elementary for ten years. I have been very disappointed with the changes in Desert Knolls since the new administration and staff came on two years ago. The principal does not communicate with the parents even when specifically asked in writing to call. I am pulling my kids from Desert knolls and moving to the new Great Elementary School Sitting Bull. The old administration and majority of the old staff from Desert Knolls are now at Sitting Bull and I am following the people who make the school great!
—Submitted by a parent

This school has not had any recent reviews for over a year and a half. My children have been at Desert Knolls since 2007 and from these reviews I was quite misled. I would not recommend this school to anyone who has high academic children. The teachers try very hard but they have many low level students. Very high percentage of kids with bad attitudes and no parental invovlement from home. There needs to be more discipline in the classrooms and more consequences for bad behavior.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school and with the new principal, they are teaching more of the other subjects other than just math and language arts.
—Submitted by a parent

Desert Knolls is an awesome school. The teachers do a wonderful job educating students. My daughter has been attending DK for 2years. It's a great place!
—Submitted by a parent

My son goes to 3rd grade at Desert Knolls and I love the curriculum, teachers, staff who are very knowledgable and friendly. No wonder it is one of the top elementary schools in Apple Valley. Hurray for Desert Knolls!
—Submitted by a parent

Great school. Great teachers. Very academically orientated. Main goals are reading, writing and math. Music is available. Awesome Principal, she is very goal orientated and knows all the kids by name. This school strives to reach high scores and tries hard to meet the needs of each child to get them to where they should be.
—Submitted by a parent

I rate this school very high in terms of quality of teachers, family programs and involvement, and they have a very effective principal and good administrative management.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in 2nd grade and we love Desert Knolls. Her teacher, Miss Duffey, seems to really care for the children and the quality of her teaching is excellent. The 'Saturday Academy' offered was great idea. My daughter and her friends were so excited to go, they called it 'Fun School' because they had so much fun while they were learning. A school that can get kids this excited about school deserves praise! Great job Desert Knolls ~ keep up the good work.
—Submitted by a parent

I really like this school! My son enrolled in the preschool and the staff is extra friendly and I am very pleased with their teaching methods. I volunteer in class quite often to see how my child interacts with the staff and I am very comforable with thier performance. Thanks Mrs. Rigor, Mrs. Anne, and Miss Carrie for making my son's first year memorable.
—Submitted by a parent