Denver Montclair International School

Over the past year DIS has greatly improved. However there are a few parents that are having a difficult time letting go of the past and moving into the present. The school administration is open to and invites clear and direct communication from all quarters. Many parents take advantage of this openness and others do not. Be this as it may, there are simply many more satisfied parents than not and the school continues to grow and get better every day. The children are safe, educated and have fun each day and the teaching staff are as dedicated as any in these United States It is a great pleasure to be involved with Denver International School.
—Submitted by an administrator

Denver International School has been a wonderful experience for my child. The teachers are very nuturing and because of the small class sizes, children learn how to learn. My son can already write his name, do simple addition and recognize words and he is four! While I know there were some problems with the Executive Director last year, he is gone and the new Executive Director is hands-on, available and I can see that he really cares about the school. I would recommend this immersion and bilingual language school (French, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese) to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has improved enormously in 2005/06. It relocated in the summer of 2005 and its new building is much better. The new principal - Doug Mahon - is an outstanding asset to the school and has helped to improve every aspect of the school. The quality of the staff - especially on the French program - is outstanding.
—Submitted by a parent

Each classroom is a school unto itself, with incredible teaching talent from all over the world. Unfortunately, the school leadership operates with a disfunction that I've never seen in a professional organization. Most of the veteran parents are burnt out from a series of board-related crises. There is massive teacher, student, and administrative turnover. With a parent-elected board, this might be a great school. As it is, be sure that you choose a teacher that you have confidence will protect and nurture your child against an institution gone bad. This is a school with great positives and negatives.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has been a big disappointment to our whole family. Its outstanding language program and focus on cultural education dramatically deteriorated the 1 1/2 years my child was here, as the school's funds deteriorated due to mismanagement. The financial concerns of the school spilled over to the overall safety of the children. The school [admittedly] cannot afford to hire enough teachers (some teachers have even left during the course of this year)or install an adequate security system (there isn't any). We finally had to take our child out mid-year due to the number of 'accidents' that have occurred at the school while there was no adult supervision. I cannot recommend this school as it is not a good value considering the cost (it is a private school) vs. what the children and parents get out of it. Not to mention the potential harm that may happen to the children.
—Submitted by a parent

High quality of academic programs. The bi-lingual nature of the program is the best part. Many extra-curricular activities. High level of parent involvement, although often this can be too high, as the school does not demonstrate any strong leadership (new Principal started in Sept 04 resigned in Dec 04), and school run by a 'Board of Trustees' (well-meaning, but often at odds with each other). Overall, DIS is a great school to be associated with, despite its flaws.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended this school for several years. The tuition were raised by 25% over the last 2 years to match the tuitions of such prestigious schools as Colorado Academy, Grayland School, in the Denver area, even though it does not offer the same benefits. Time to leave the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I enrolled my daughter in the Spanish immersion program this year. She is doing great, loves going to school and has an amazing teacher! Great after-school programs right there at the school - ballet, soccer, dance, music etc. Good not be happier!
—Submitted by a parent

Diversity of race, family dymanics,and culture is captured within the walls of DIS. This school has students from approx 17 countries, some come here not speaking any English. Language immersion is a huge reason I have my 2 daughters here, they started in French immersion at age 4 and are now joining the new Mandarin immersion program. Last year for 1st grade, the English teacher was magnificent. I cannot say enough about the opportunities this school gives children to be bilingual in French, Mandarin, and Spanish. A 3rd language is begun in mid elementary, and Arabic is an option.
—Submitted by a parent