Mary Deterding Elementary School

I have had the opportunity to have my children in 3 different schools in this district. One was a complete bust and it took my son 2 years to catch up on his own from what he didn't receive there. The other was very good and I would rate it just below Deterding. Deterding has the Gate program and I have been very pleased with the teaching there. Had I received the same level of education when I was younger I would have surely done better myself.
--Submitted by a parent

OMG! Horrible school, horrible teachers, horrible staff. It's horrible. The arts that the kids do receive...all the other schools have! It's not worth it. BIG WASTE OF TAX PAYERS MONEY!!!!!!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

An honest review: I like to look at things as the glass half full. I have 3 children at Deterding. Deterding does focus on the arts, however, most schools do already have band, choir, music, and art. I dont see that the amount of time spent with these areas matters a bit as long as they do get some. The 2 problems I have had with the teachers is lack of communication and lack of sympathy. The office staff does seem to be a little stand off-ish. I have been involved in the PTA but not the DART team. I have felt uncomfortable around the group that runs DART whereas the PTA is welcoming. The school is overcrowded. The drop off/pick up is quite a hassle. You can't turn into the school going west on Stanley as it's blocked with orange cones. I want to know why our tax dollars are going to someone who all they do is set up and take down cones. Overall, I would say there is not anything special about Deterding that stands out from other schools. There is bullying there. It is crowded. They do have GATE classes. I have seen many other schools who are more successful. Remember, the principal and the teachers are the ones who make the school successful. Again, nothing special.
--Submitted by a parent

Deterding is an excellent elementary school where the arts are academic. I love that my kids have art from a credentialed art teacher with challenging lessons several times a week. They also have art instruction in the classroom with their teachers. The band program is fantastic and the choir (although after school) is even more amazing. The school provides music in the classroom too and endless after school activities. I share concerns that the school has grown too big, but that is being addressed. The teachers are fabulous and provide a healthy learning environment which results in a high API score. I would encourage those who have a poor opinion of the school to get more involved.
--Submitted by a parent

I am glad I am not the only one who feels this way. I really thought it was me...I thought I did something wrong...when I had to go into the office or have some sort of communication with one of the teacher's I always felt like they all hated me. I am now thinking about pulling my kids out of that school. I do not feel like my kids are safe or in a positive environment.
--Submitted by a parent

Deterding was a good school years ago under principal Kenfield. Not anymore. The teachers have become complacent and cannot be bothered. The principal is crass, deceitful and uncooperative all the while defending the complacency of the teachers. The current curriculum is just enough to "get by" to meet the basic state standards. The school would be nothing without parental/family involvement to provide the extra funding and programs.

Just returned from visiting the children from 4th grade classes, camping at Malakoff Diggins State Park. What a awesome experience. I have been so impressed with this school over the past 4 years. It really warms my heart and gives me faith that our children and grand-children are in good hands. Thank you from a students grand-mother.

This is my daughter's second year at Deterding. I like the school. But don't LOVE it!? My daughter has had some academic problems, and I feel that the teacher/principal should go through some training on how to talk to parents about this. I do not feel that they handled it in a sympathetic manner. I will however give the office staff a 5 star rating!
--Submitted by a parent

My child has attended Deterding for two years, and our experience has definitely been hot and cold. We had an excellent, experienced, and actively involved teacher the first year - she made all the difference. This year, not so lucky with either the teach or the administration. The emphasis on the arts is great, but it unfortunately comes at the expence of academics. Science is not even part of the curriculum in the lower grades (!) and computers are largerly absent from the classrooms. My child's class work and homework is comprised entirely of worksheets this year, and if "hands-on" learning is occurring, I'm unaware of it. No field trips because the teacher can't be bothered. The after school program is very good, with experienced and engaged staff.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is so wonderful...teachers are great, parent involvement is great, and the PTA/DART/PERLE associations are all excellent and do their best to provide extra funding to promote music and art in the curriculum.
--Submitted by a parent