Discovery Canyon Campus School

I was a student at DCC from sixth to eleventh grade. It was a terrible experience. Starting in my first year, I was teased horribly and all I was told to do was "walk away." No one ever took any action, despite the fact that we had "Bully Proofing Training" once a month. Most of the teachers I had in both middle school simply just didn't care. Despite the fact that I was obviously struggling, they continued to let me slip through the cracks. Then, in high school, I was faced with a whole new set of problems from not only the cruel students, but also the administration and staff. The lack of professionalism was tremendous. During my freshmen year, my English teacher made several remarks about my religion. Her and the entire class decided to gang up on me one day and harass me about my personal beliefs. I'd also heard several teachers make rude remarks about other students' appearances and intellect when they weren't around. They acted like they were the ones in high school. When I told the school, no one did anything. This school is filled with close-minded, insensitive and discriminatory people. I'm very glad that I finally left and I would never recommend it to anyone!

My daughter attended kindergarten in this school for 6 months and it was a disappointment. The teacher and administration were unable to provide the challenge my daughter needed. In addition, there was bullying in the class. I personally had to stop a fight in the playground since the teacher did not act on it. When we decided to leave the school the teacher and administration did not even ask or care to get feedback on what was wrong. One day I picked up my child from school and her nose was swollen. She had a bloody nose at school after hitting the table and no one had the courtesy to call me. Between the lack of leadership in preventing bullying, the less than challenging curriculum I would not recommend this school. We made a decision to change schools mid year which was not a light decision but in three weeks I have a different kid who loves school and is challenged. She is being pulled out for enrichment 3 times a week, she is getting extra reading homework and her math book even covers fractions in kindergarten. I placed her in AIES and would highly recommend the school. We have restored the love for learning in our household.
--Submitted by a parent

We couldn't be happier and more impressed with DCC. We've had a kid at this school for four years of elementary. We have always felt welcome, the administrators are always quick to respond to issues and the majority teachers are top notch. The positives far outway the few negatives. To address some of the complaints: parking lots by definition are a hassle. Spend a little time in any of the other school parking lots. And really, is that your biggest concern? As for atheletics, the HS is new. They haven't had years to develop a strong atheletic program. If that's your biggest reason for sending your kids to school, maybe another school might be better for you. As for the IB issues, it's an IB school, so of course they'll be teaching to that cirriculum. My main goal for my children is for their continued academic success. I believe that can be accomplished with the IB program at DCC.
--Submitted by a parent

DCC is a fantastic, top notch school. The focus on IB profiles is great for rounding out their education. But I can honestly say the other areas of learning have certainly not suffered. My kids have excelled and I believe they are learning more than their average peer at a different school. The elementary staff is great - they are kind, accomodating, knowledgeable, and organized. I will definitely miss this school when we move!
--Submitted by a parent

Love it! I am an out-of-district parent and choice my children into DCC because it far exceeds anything they could get in my school district. Yes, IB is emphasized; however, AP and technology are also available. My daughters have different learning styles and both have excelled at DCC. Both daughters are also involved in sports. Before one daughter received her license, I was driving back-and-forth four times a day since one daughter was in high school and another in middle school, which had different starting times. I have no regrets! I'd do again.
--Submitted by a parent

So I am reading posts about the school, and would like to clear up a few things. #1. DCC is an IB school, and they should be focused on the IB program, otherwise why be IB. I taught for UCCS for 8 years, and I could spot the IB kids immediately, as they were better prepared than their peers. If you aren't interested in IB, please go to a different school that would fit your needs. #2. Security Guards. All D20 high schools have security staff on site, voters approved that staffing a few years back. #3. Athletics. No school will be great at all things, but the High School has exceeded my expectations in terms of performance, and the MS had been improving each year. #4. Academics. As the school has grown every year until this year by adding grades, they have done a great job of making things work through multiple years of change. #5. Involvement. I have been involved as a parent every year since we started, and found doors to be open from admin and teachers. #6. Students. My kids all enjoy the school, and i have a child at all three levels right now. #7. Academics. Again, three kids, all levels, all different learners, and all doing great.
--Submitted by a parent

I would say as a fairly new school, it's doing okay, but there are some areas that need to be fixed in order to improve the quality of the school. This school claims to be a "Math and Science" emphasized school, however, there are not enough math text books that are provided by the school's funds. Ironically, there are more English text books on the shelves of the English classrooms compared to the math text books in the math classrooms. The administrators are a bit over-scrutinizing the behaviors of the students and often give them punishment that is above the level of their committed act. They also tend to over exaggerate these stories, causing parents to be worried about their kid[s]. Furthermore, there are armed security guards that the school wasted its funds on because of the fear of potential felonies by the students, while the funds could've been used for a better use like on the math textbooks as mentioned above. In retrospect, there has not been a single drug deal nor fight etc. that existed on this campus, which proves that the security guards are not a need. I do however like the history of no drug deals nor other despicable acts on this campus.

To the people who complain that the school focuses on IB too much: It's a pre-K through 12 *IB* school. IB, as in: International Baccalaureate. DCC is one of only a few in the US. The staff, parents, and administration worked hard to get the designation, and to maintain it requires that . . . they actually teach it. Oops. So sorry. IB may not be for everyone, so why not choice in to a place that doesn't emphasize it. DCC is a choice school, after all. It is a new-ish school, so the sports program is still growing -- it seems pretty funny to me that people are so quick to criticize, and yet don't look at everything this school does really, really well -- better than most in the U.S. in fact, if you look up its national standings. Get a grip. Just because a school has high academic expectations, and is unapologetic about those expectations, does not make it a bad school. Just as the students are expected to perform, so are the teachers. The staff here is excellent, highly qualified, and take their continuing education very seriously.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a current student at dcc, im in hight school and have been there since 6th grade. The school is not a school i would send my children to. Every year i beg my parents to let me go somewhere else. I feel they foucus way to much on IB. The athletics there are horrible. During our volleyball seaon, we couldnt get bus rides home from out of district schools, putting the parents in a dificult situation. Where as some teams get transportation there and back. If dcc didnt focus so much on giving us usless murals, sun dials, and pengelums we could possibly have a semi-decent school. if you have walked around dcc youll notice, dull colors making the school look more like a prison than anything else, and usless objects, the pengelum in the lower library cost 5,000 dollars. we could have used the money to create a better athletic program or to get a better parking lot. the parking lot is horrible, if youve been there its more like a maze. overall, dont send your kids there eventually their going to ask you to leave.

Administrators run their own little fifedom at DCC. Complain and you will be marginalized. Athletic programs are hit and miss. Great athletic facilities, pathetic athletic administration. Administration knows that they know better than the parents and patronize them. Too much concentration on IB. Students complain the inside looks like a prison, no color or decor. Teacher morale seems low.
--Submitted by a parent