Duveneck Elementary School

Amazing, Amazing, Amazing in every way. Teachers absurdly great, kids smart and beautifully behaved, new principle young, fun and the kids love him. It is also such a caring school, everyone really seems to really know your child and want what's best for them. If I had to say anything negative it would be the office staff lack warmth and smiles...also some of the PTA moms are scary (but that's the same everywhere!) All in all I feel so blessed my kids had the opportunity to come to this school.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids love their school. They bleed true dragon blue. As discussed, there are some cliques. I just avoid them and enjoy the rest of the great people. Why let a few bad apple spoil a great school. My kids have had 8 teachers during their tenure. They have all been amazing. It sometimes seemed like their couldn't be a better teacher for my kid. I like the new principal, though I have had only a few reasons to work with him directly.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent at this school and I would just like to express my disagreement on the gross generalization that one of the parent reviewers has posted on Nov 9, 2010. I don't believe any segregation occurs by any ethnic, socio-econo or PTA groups. A school of ~450 kids with ~900 parents would have a natural tendency to form friend circles like any other group of 900 individuals. It is just plain amusing to hear a baseless accusation that a core group of neighborhoods 'control' this school :-) Seriously, is that even possible? This school has the best combination of diversity and academic excellence in bay area with a very high degree of dedicated parent volunteers (my guess would be more than 60% of parents volunteer!) I recommend this parent reviewer to volunteer, get involved and get to know people rather than making assumptions from the sidelines on how the school is being run.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school. Have had three kids go through this school. HUge level of parental involvement. Great teachers. A shame they keep switching principals but it doesn't seem to harm the school.
—Submitted by a parent

Very good school. Great teachers. School needs updating but this is in the works. Principals seem to come and go but that doesn't seem to affect the quality of the education they give.
—Submitted by a parent

Good Academic school. However with the adoption of Every Day Math in PAUSD, most parents who care about math send their kids to after school math programs. Very strong parent personalities make this a very clique school. Many PTA members won't even speak to parents they aren't personally friends with. These connected families exclude other parents and their kids from activities and even being in school year book group pictures. Also people self-segregate into ethnic and socio-econo groups as well as the PTA connected families. So while it's a diverse school don't expect that your child will play outside of school with their peers. A core group of neighborhoods control this school and everyone else is on the outside. Long time teachers and parents (who went here as kids) have admitted to me that Duveneck has been this way for years.
—Submitted by a parent

Produces happy, well-rounded and well-adjusted kids with high academic standards. One of the best schools in the district and in California, as you can see on this website when you compare. Yet, it doesn't feel like teachers and students are chasing test scores because of the focus on the development of the whole child. Definitely a neighborhood school with a strong community. Most active PTA in the district, with current and past parents on the School Board, and leading the charge for every single school bond measure that allows Palo Alto to maintain its high standards in the face of budget woes throughout the state. High level of parent volunteering, inside and outside the classroom. Diversity & acceptance. Fun activities such as International Potluck, Duveneck Harvest Carnival, Talent Show, and Just Parties. Math Night makes math fun. The Duveneck Book Club teaches core values.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall good teachers. Parents are caring, friendly, knowlegeable, modest. I only volunteer in the classroom because PTA has a lot of strong personalities who make it not worthwhile to volunteer.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school with supportive and dedicated teachers, involving parents. The new principal (2007 fall) listens to parent feedbacks. In the short time she's with the school, we've been very happy with her open-minded style and the way she communicate with parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Amazing parent support. For my son's first grade class, 18 out of 20 parents volunteered in the classroom on a regular basis! While high academics are stressed (and achieved), it's also a place where children are encouraged to think about personal character and the greater community. A very warm, inclusive and supportive group of parents, teachers and staff make this a great place to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

Great parents and teachers (except for a few)
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great all around schllo with fabulous parent involvement, academics and extracurricular actities
—Submitted by a parent

Warm and open-minded community. Worth noting that principal, while smart and passionate about her teachers, is defensive, dismissive, and not very parent-friendly.
—Submitted by a parent

Outstanding teachers, and very active parent involvement. Supportive community. Very good elementary experience for my children.
—Submitted by a parent

Active community, good teachers, very strong PTA involvement in the school
—Submitted by a parent

I am very pleased with the program at Duveneck. A high achiever at API scores in the district and the State, and has a very active parent involvement program. I highly recommend the school.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in kindergarten. The teacher, Ms.Potter is quite amazing in the variety of activities and techniques she uses to keep the kids engaged and learning. The parent involvement at Duveneck is impressive. The principal, Ruth Malen, seems very involved and aware of the school activities. The academic goals and standards at Duveneck are excellent!
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter started Kindergarten at Duveneck. We moved to Palo Alto recently from Foster City. We are quite impressed with the energy level at the school. Every parent is enthusiastic about volunteering and being involved with their children's education. Our kindergarten teacher (Mrs. Dunker) has been teaching for 30+ years and is incredibly dedicated and organized. There are high expectations for students, accompanied by a rigorous curriculum.
—Submitted by a parent