Dapplegray Elementary School

Not all that shines is made of gold. Unless you're child is able to read by the START of 1st grade, you're going to have issues. On the 1st day of orientation, we're told your child is expected to write a book report each night as part of homework... the best part? Your CHILD is the one that's supposed to do the reading. Seriously? Get ready for TIMED TESTS including for reading/spelling which is absurd when they're just LEARNING to read. It's like throwing a stumbling toddler into a relay race and expecting them to do well. God forbid your child fall from their "average" learning curve because you'll get NO WHERE with the Principal. He's dismissive and will ignore you until you go away (or pull your kid from the school). The one great thing about the school is the parental involvement (you'd think it was a requirement). MOST of the teachers here are amazing but the CORE STAFF (office/administrative/principal) are RUDE. Ask them a question and you'd think they were doing you a favor by bothering to respond. I wish they'd clean house at this school... there'd be a lot of parents celebrating if they would.
--Submitted by a parent

I have two children at this school and it has been a great experience for the kids. My older one has had great teachers every year and my younger one is just starting out but loving every minute of it. Mr. London is not warm and fuzzy but my kids think he's great and that's what's important. He has also done a fine job of selecting great teachers for our kids because I have loved all of my kid's teachers. Although participation is not a requirement for this school there is such a high level of parent participation that one would think it is a requirement. There is no shortage of parents helping in the classrooms, for events, and all the work from the room moms. This is a great school and my children are learning and thriving here.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has been at this school for 3 years and it is excellent. I was nervous about sending her to public school, because she is a very high-energy child, and I was not sure she would do well in a conventional school environment. But she has thrived and loves it. The teachers we have had so far are excellent - they go the extra mile. Many of them have children here (or did), and so are very invested in the school - there is a real sense that parents and teachers are here to work together to provide a great education for their children. Parent involvement is very high. As for the comments regarding special needs kids, my own child is not , but she has a classmate who has a full-time aid, and I know that the parents are very happy with the support he has received. It's true that Mr. London can come off a bit gruff with parents, but whenever I have witnessed this, it has been because a parent was clearly violating a school rule - usually a traffic rule in the parking lot. So, yes, he could work on his 'bedside' manner, but there's no question he works very hard, and the school is well-run.
--Submitted by a parent

First off, Mr. London, a big thank you. You work non-stop to provide a better future for our kids. You attend every PTA meeting, Booster club meeting, and go above and beyond everytime even when you are facing certain struggles in your own life. You have a dream of what you want Dapplegray to be, and our kids will be the benefactors all due to your tireless effort! so once again, Thank you. Thank goodness we have a family enviroment with dedicated parents that understand that the funds that Dapplegray does raise all goes back to benefit the kids. Give what you can when you can. If you need to see the difference these funds make, try visiting a school that doesn't have the support from their community. You will quickly realize what a difference every dollar makes, from teacher quality to soap in the bathrooms!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I have to agree with the commentator who posted Dec. 7, 2009.... I know that Principal London isn't exactly warm and fuzzy, but he does a fine job running an exceptionally large elementary school. We have a child with special needs since the beginning of school, and--contrary to so many horror stories we had heard from other parents in the PV district and elsewhere about getting cooperation with the IEP and special needs--Principal London and the school's professional staff have been NOTHING BUT HELPFUL AND WONDERFUL. There was no fighting or resistance in implementing all the aspects of our child's plan, including providing a one-to-one aid. Even with all the budget cuts, they put the child's interest first. Plus, all the teachers we've had have been absolutely wonderful. Too many reviewers on here are obsessed with their competitive fantasies for their own kids.
--Submitted by a parent

After reading the last two reviews, I have to say that Dapplegray is one of the best schools on the Peninsula. INCLUDING the principal. He is blunt & straight forward & doesn't beat arround the bush. He is always on the go, trying to do whats right for the kids. How do you make 500 + parents happy? You don't. So you do what is good for the kids, deal with it parents! Hes not gonna go easy squeezy softy on you. Is the world gonna hold your childs hand every time they walk out the door? No. My kids are stronger more independant, they listen and thrive at this school. They LOVE their principal, he speaks to them at their level, he lets them know the bad and good but also what he expects of them. The teachers here WILL make your kid smarter even the special needs child.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has special needs in Sec. 504 and the principal is so judgmental. His teacher last year and his teacher this year both gave him so many negative reports because they consider his special needs to be 'bad choices that he makes' He comes home crying most of the time and the principal encourages the staff to take a no-exceptions approach when it comes to what they call 'disciplinary behavior'. He was going to private school before this economic time hit me so hard, and I wish I could send him back... Good public schools are so hard to find and my son has to suffer in the meantime. And this school deserves a low rank, not because of the quality of education; but because of the quality of personnel.
--Submitted by a parent

Dapplegray would be such a perfect school if the principal leadership were a little better. The teachers are just fantastic. There are many teachers that seem to go above and beyond what they need to do. We are very proud to have had such great teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

We love Dapplegray school. The teachers are very experienced. I do have to agree with some of the other parents, that the school is lacking principal guidance and that at times he seems very unprofessional. The schools is in a great location and the district is also excellent.
--Submitted by a parent

Dapplegray's teachers are excellent. Unfortunately, I will have to lower the rating because of the principal. He needs to understand how to talk to parents in a nice way. There are many parents that have had bad experiences with Fred London. Other than that, the district and teachers are excellent.
--Submitted by a parent