Del Dayo Elementary School

This is our second year at Del Dayo. The Kindergarten teachers are superb! My 1st grader is doing amazingly well and he has the support he needs. His reading has improved two-fold as has his math just in the last four months. I must say too that his teacher this year is an angel. Don't be surprised if you have to get added to a waiting list to get into this school. It has tremendous parental and community support. Del Dayo is in a class of its own and it's worth the wait!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is the best! Hands down.....the staff is excellent, parent involvement is excellent and the students are excellent. =-)
—Submitted by a parent

Del Dayo is the absolute best school ever! I have a 5th and 3rd grader. The principal and teachers are all wonderful. We've had one teacher who I thought wasn't the best. Band, after school enrichment, and the environment of educated and kind families is what I love the most. My son came in on Trudy's last year and she actually treated me very cold and sent me a letter suggesting my son go to another school due to being late to picking him up. We came in through open enrollment. Her letter suggested I find a school closer. Since Mr. Harp has been there I feel he is a lot more accepting of other cultures and backgrounds. I would highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a 5th and a 3rd grader, and can't say enough good things about the school. Great parent involvement, exceptional teachers and a supportive principal. I am shocked at the negative review posted on 5/31/12- that has been the opposite of our experience. The principal is hands-on and is doing the best he can under the severe budget constraints. Also- open enrollment is a poor excuse to blame the school's performance- if anything a strong desire to attend Del Dayo (including driving a distance) helps keep it a high-performing environment. The fund raising provides excellent perks- band, orchestra, and technology in the classroom that is unique to Del Dayo. I would highly recommend the school to any incoming parent.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a soon to be 3rd grader that has been going to Del Dayo since Kindergarten. My husband and I have been extremely impressed with the teachers, principal, staff, students, PTO, extra programs, field trips (the list goes on and on) - since day 1. Not sure what the last parent who posted a comment on May 31st, 2012 is talking about but the Principal has always been very supportive, positive and does the best he can with school budget cuts and other political influences of the district. We highly recommend Del Dayo! Can t say enough good things about the school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school used to be very special but it has lost its vibrancy. The current principal is worthless. Absolutely a "yes" man for the District and very little advocating for the school School has really gone down hill since Trudy left. Open enrollment, lack of support for academically gifted children and too much teaching to the standardized tests has created a poor environment. While there is lots of parent involvement, it comes some parental nonsense too. Too many sacrifices here...we are leaving.
—Submitted by a parent

Third year attending and this is AN EXCELLENT CHOICE OF SCHOOL! Outstanding teachers/ staff that are dedicated PLUS high parent involvement PLUS high academic standards EQUALS test scores among the highest in the region. Technology abounds, 2 computer labs, computer techinician on staff, full time librarian, library itself is fantastic, author days, music teacher, art teacher, PE classes, family library nights, science nights, assemblies, art docent program, book fairs -- the list goes on and on. Beautiful campus, friendly neighborhood school that is committed to educating and preparing the students to become well rounded and thoughtful citizens!
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school. TONS of parental involvement. Great families. Skilled teachers who really care about your kid's learning.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an absolutely wonderful school.
—Submitted by a parent

Well organized, high parent participation, great teachers, extra curricular activities include once a week Spanish class, Kidz Art class, etc. great reading and writing, science program. Needs improvement on racial diversity and cultual diversity.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is too provincial. No racial diversity, no focus on cultural diversity. A lot of peer pressure to conform to established culture, no effort to include minority children.
—Submitted by a parent

Del Dayo is the best of the best. Excellent teachers and staff. Dedicated parents and students. Very well organized PTO with great leadership. Significant money is raised to keep Del Dayo with new technology, great support staff, a really nice library, PE equipment, assemblies, Art and much more. Respectfulness, honesty and perseverance are taught as the students become educated well rounded good citizens of our community. Our family has been with Del Dayo for six years and just LOVE IT.
—Submitted by a parent

Del Dayo is committed to high academic achievement, but there is more to life than being a 4.0 student. My children both attended their entire elementary school years there. However, each of them had a very different experience. The demand for excellence compromises the development of the whole child and leaves children who cannot keep up feeling inadequate and abnormal, especially children with special needs such learning or social impairments. Many teachers are focused on high test scores and not on character development, which is a shame and sends a negative messages to children and families who do not fit the 'Del Dayo' mold of high academic achievement and high income to afford the extracurricular activities/sports offered. Students with special needs may want to consider an alternative school to preserve self esteem. My daughter, who is gifted did well. My son who is not, suffered every year.
—Submitted by a parent

Fabulous school! We have been there four years and have been consistently pleased. Positives - Very hands on. Parents line up to volunteer. We routinely have multiple parents who want to volunteer for the same positions. Wonderful teachers! The school brings in great speakers, etc. for the kids. Negatives - the amount of work, particularly homework, assigned. Another potential negative is the financial cost of Del Dayo. It is in a rather affluent neighborhood and one of the reasons Del Dayo is so great is because parents pay for a lot of extras like fieldtrips and science activities. We have an annual auction that raised around $85,000 last year, and parents were the primary bidders. I imagine for some families it is a financial burden to keep up. Del Dayo is great but be prepared to keep up with the Joneses.
—Submitted by a parent

Hands down the best in the district. The incredible parental involvement makes this school a wonderful environment and great experience for the kids, parents and teachers. Be prepared to volunteer A LOT of your time, but know how well worth it it is. Music, arts and sports are a priority as well as academic acheivement and good citizenship.
—Submitted by a parent

One of the best in the district. High level of parent involvement, but it shows in the quality of the education. Advanced in academics, and high standards for children.
—Submitted by a parent

We participated in open enrollment to get our son into Del Dayo. After his first year there we knew that this school could afford our son with opportunities to expand his academic horizons. We sold our home and took a $30K lost to move into the neighborhood to ensure his continual enrollment at Del Dayo.
—Submitted by a parent

This is truly a wonderful school, with involved teachers and parents. The library is excellent, and extracurricular opportunities are plentiful. I have had two children here for their full 7 years of education, and we never had a bad year.
—Submitted by a parent

Del Dayo Elementary is an exceptional school for small children. They have a variety of programs that children will learn as well as enjoy. The best part about the school is the principal really cares. She tries to make everything possible for your child.
—Submitted by a parent

To get our daughter into this school, we gave up 400 sq. ft., moving from a brand new home to a 40 year old fixer-upper. Seeing her thrive in this challenging program led by conscienscious teachers, we know the sacrifice was well worth it.
—Submitted by a parent