Drew (Charles) College Preparatory Academy

I have been tutoring at Charles Drew Preparatory for the past 5 years, and watched this school continue to grow and work hard at improving it's programs. The teachers, Ms. Scott and Ms. Rice-Mitchell keep the kids in line with an iron hand in a velvet glove. Sure, it's difficult to watch over the large number of children, but they do it well, and you can tell that they know and care about their students.

I'm sick of this school they have no control over the kids the boys be hitting on my daughter all the time, i had problems with the school bus not wanting to pick up my daughter at the assign bus stop I'm looking into tranfering my daughter to another school
—Submitted by a parent

All four of my children have gone to this school; I have one remaining and I can say the teachers and principal are awesome. I know the scores could have been better last year but we as parents need to do our job as well. We cannot just rely soley on the teachers. We need to do our part when our children come home, we need to support them and make sure our children are doing their homework. We need to be in communication with their teacher and be open to any constructive criticism this will only help our children achieve academic sucess! We all need to work together as one unit and if we all wll do this our children will soar...this will be a win win situation!! ** Mrs. Dahnken is the greatest teacher. I speak about her highly and I am glad that my last child is being taught by her. Mrs. Rice Mitchell is a good leader and takes her job seriously..this is the reason my child continues to go here. Keep up the great work!! Lets bring those test scores up and show the teachers and principal WE WILL DO OUR PART!!
—Submitted by a parent

From the teaching perspective, it is a great environment. You are reminded often of the hard work you are doing. From the learning perspective, I see students learning and engaged throughout the building. Little is needed to say when the API is 710. There is so much support for your child at this school, that there is no way your child can fall behind unless you keep your child home. If I had a child, my child would attend this school. That I know of, two teachers have family members attending this school. Amazing school.
—Submitted by a teacher

I believe that Charles Drew has come a very long way from the way it was before it became a Dream school. The teachers are young, very vibrant, and great at what they do. I wish more parents would participate. Although the school might be seen from a different point of view from those who are not from the Bayview, considering that it is the Bayview, the curriculum is outstanding. The things my daughter has learned in the past two years she has been there, has just amazed me! She began attending Drew as a Pre-K student and will be starting the new year as a first grader. It amazes me to see that my daughter, a 5 year old Kindergardener has learned lessons far beyond her years in a school that is deemed economically disadvantaged. BRAVO TO THE TEACHERS,STAFF,AND PRINICPAL OF DREW! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
—Submitted by a parent

This schools academic plan and curriculum is outstanding.The children need more structure and more specific programs to deal with there needs. Also the staff needs to be taught how to deal with difficult children with behavior problems, something besides special education, because some kids don't have those type of symptoms.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has come a long way in the past 3 years! Ever since we became a Dream School the test scores have risen and risen. The teachers hold high expectations for our kids, and our children are succeeding!
—Submitted by a teacher

I'm very optimistic about the school this year. It's much calmer and quieter and it has a really good feel. We have a wonderful music teacher and an outstanding team of teachers and support staff. Our principal is fantastic--she provides strong leadership but is calm and gentle with the students. She always listens to staff. Come check us out! A very happy staff member
—Submitted by a staff

This is a very sad display of how SFUSD has destroyed potential in the public schools. The teachers have been excellent but not well supported by the system, community or parents....very sad indeed.
—Submitted by a teacher

The 2001-2002 school year was a disgrace. The principal was a disgrace and the test scores were a disgrace. However i continued to keep my daughter in that school for the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 school year because they changed the principal and the test scores are working there way back up the charts. Once Charles Drew really gets back on its feet, it is going to be a wonderful school with very high potential
—Submitted by a parent