James Dukes Elementary School

James Dukes is an outstanding school. Specials needs children are intergrated with other on an ongoing basis. Parent involvement is at a high level. Testing scores are important as well as the delvelopment of each child.

I hand picked James Dukes Elem. for my children after a terrible experience in a different district. I could not be more pleased with our JDE experience. Comments critical of the emphasis on mandated testing should be directed toward our politicians. Not the schools. If teachers were allowed to spend more time teaching core subjects instead of state testing preparation chances are there would been no need for so much homework! Overall, the current Principal (Swartz) and staff do an outstanding job. The PTA and a number of dedicated parent volunteers put this school over the top.
--Submitted by a parent

I have had a very positive experience with my daughter at James Dukes. The staff is excellent and very committed to the students learning. The only down fall is the age range of parents. They tend to have started having children in their late 30's and 40's and try to run the school instead of letting the principle do it. I have noticed that the parents are judgmental of younger parents (those in 20's and early 30's). However, the education that my child has received far outways any of the negatives.
--Submitted by a parent

We love this school! Our son has special needs and has been given an enormous amount of support from all of the teachers. I am grateful that this school has invested in resources to support children who are faced with challenges beyond their own control. Over all this is one of the best schools we have ever had our children enrolled in.
--Submitted by a parent

James Dukes is an excellent school with a very good culture on campus. Parents are very involved in the classroom and in activities and the teaching and administration are very kid and parent friendly. On the downside, there is an overemphasis on State Test prep. Too much time is spent on test taking skills that could be spent learning. Additionally the GATE Program is virtually non-existent. Resources are instead directed at lower achieving students and the overall classroom experience for all students. Overall I give James Dukes a B+ as a school and a possible A if they can focus more attention on kids with high IQs that aren't necessarily also high achievers.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughters attended k-6. The teachers were excellent, with few exceptions. I had to move my daughter from one class because of teacher problems. I found the teachers in 5th & 6th exceptional, though their 5th grade teacher has now moved on to a principle position. Overall the education my children received was good and they have tested at the advanced level each testing year. Students are friendly and the campus is safe. No gangs or drugs or anything that a parent might worry about. I found that emphasis on testing was a bit much for my liking, but that does not mean that the value of the education is lacking. We were extremely involved parents and knew everyone at the school and it was welcomed by everyone on campus; so if you have the time your children will benefit from the additional support you give the school.
--Submitted by Drew, a parent

The teachers do a great job and the campus is nice. However, this is not a school for parents who are unable to volunteer. I have found the principal to be very judgmental and not open to suggestions.
--Submitted by Rachel Morris, a parent

My 5 year old son has just started JD one month ago as a kindergartner. We moved from another state and missed the start of the school year due to our move to Ramona. We are very pleased with the accommodations everyone has made at the school as well as the district to make our son's transition as smooth as possible. My son (Robbie)loves the school and I do too! Robbie's teacher Ms.Reeves is a new addition to the JD staff. She is simply wonderful. The cream of the crop! The Principal is also very involved and a great asset to the school as well. My husband and I are very pleased with all of the staff. The staff is made up of great people who are genuinely concerned with each and every child's well being. Thank you for being so good to us Nicole Belet
--Submitted by Nicole Belet, a parent

My daughter attended this school from K to 4th grade. Grade K was great. I volunteered regularly throughout the years and made a lot of new friends volunteering at this school. However after 1st grade the amount of homework given to our 6 yr old was overwhelming. Most parents/volunteers were also overwhelmed trying to keep up on the amount of homework while working full time jobs. Parents were expected to teach their children the basics instead of the teachers and many families moved from the area. As she went from K to 4th grade we begain to notice that there was not enough staff to keep our child safe during lunch and on the playground 2nd grade - 4th grade. Discipline was lax. Getting help for our child feel on deaf ears. We finally moved our child to another school and she is now exceeding academically and socially.
--Submitted by a parent

Great academics, great teachers for the most part. Some teachers are older and ready to retire. Many involved stay at home parents
--Submitted by a parent