Teller Elementary School

My child learned more as a 4 year old in an out of state school than she learned in both 1st and 2nd grade at this school. The sad part is that the rest of the DPS school system is just as sad and trying to choice her in at a better school is near impossible. I spend my time off trying to make up for the lack of education they are providing. The only saving grace this place has is the band, drama and choir teacher, along with the office staff. I only pray my child's teacher next spring is better than this years teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school that focuses more on the entire learning experience than just the academics with a nice variety of arts.
—Submitted by a parent

This was the first year for our new principal, and as with most expectations, there seems to be a transitional period. The principal began the year with positive communications and meetings with parents and the public, but as the year has progressed the communication has become spotty as well as the involvement with the principal. She is not easily accessible.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attends Teller Elementary and we couldn't be happier with the school. The ECE & Kindergarten teachers have taught my son beyond my expectations!! I am proud my son attends a school where Drama, Dancing & Music are in the curriculum. Playgrounds are filled with parents and children after school so it is easy to make new friends. Everyone I have met is non competitive making it a great learning environment. The children are all excited to learn and not heavily pressured with the "hovering" parental style. My son is constantly challenged with projects inside and out of the classroom. Everyday he comes home and tells me something new he has learned throughout the day. I am also thankful for the diversity in the school and that my son gets the chance to grow up with children that come from all different backgrounds.
—Submitted by a parent

this school is awesome! I am a 5th grader at this school and I believe that kids get even work. I would say this school has excellent academics and kids that love to learn. Our schools teachers and office staff are really hard workers and focus mainly on the kids.

Our two sons attend this school, one in special ed, and the other in general ed. We have found the staff to be very dedicated and hard working. They care about their students' success. Parental involvement and extracurricular activities are also a large priority at this school. We feel that it is an excellent learning environment.
—Submitted by a parent

Teller is a great small-feeling inner city school. When you enter the building, you can feel that most everyone wants to be there from the teachers and staff to the kids. The teachers are good-some more enthusiastic than others, but overall really take pride in their jobs. The principal is very outgoing and knows every family by name. They have lots of opportunities for parent involvement and really creative ways to fund raise for the school that try to get families involved.
—Submitted by a parent

This school used to be terrific. Now, under the leadership of Jennifer Barton, the school has tanked academically and has become the home of flakes and freaks. Follow the test scores and listen to all the excuses - it is horrible. Jennifer Barton couldn't lead a horse to water if it was dying of thirst. We used to love this school and the parents were great. If you love political-correctness, sports programs where the kids are not allowed to compete, an emphasis on sensitivity & groups hugs and passive-aggressive leadership - send your kid to this school. If you want a real environment with rigorous academic standards, focused on individual achievement and - god forbid... WINNING - go somewhere else.
—Submitted by a parent

There are some terrific things about Teller. Every day after school the playground is filled with kids and parents playing until dinner time. The children are great, the parents are very active in the school, it is fairly racially diverse, the general tone is one of respect and kindness, the teachers are hard-working, caring and accessible, and the principal is enthusiastic and positive with the children. Our daughter loves going to Teller. That said, we have some concerns about the school. Our daughter, who has been identified as academically "gifted" (but didn't meet the "highly gifted" criteria) gets virtually no support for this status. The "Advanced Learning Plan" is a form letter that, so far, has had no meaning. She has not received any in-school academic extensions/challenges. So, while she loves going to school at Teller, we're not sure how much she is learning. This may be a DPS-wide issue, instead of Teller-specific issue, but given that Teller is a magnet school for the "highly gifted" we had hoped there would be some energy put into challenging "gifted" children as well. Besides this issue, though, we have been quite happy with Teller.
—Submitted by a parent

Teller elementary is not a good school,if you have a child who has disabilities.Child has not learn anything for 2 yrs.The plan is to get child out of Teller Elementary,to go too another school that knows how to teach children w/disabilities.We don't like Teller Elementary. This is the worst school our child has ever gone too.The teachers need too go back to school to learn how to teach children who have disabilities.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children at Teller and have been very happy with the program, the leadership, the parents and the friends our kids have made there. This review gives a more complete picture of what the school has to offer: http://scooptoo.com/school-scoop/denver-public-schools/school-scoop-teller/93.html
—Submitted by a parent

Teller is a wonderful school and I have watched my children blossum during the last few years. I have been so impressed with the teacher/staff's dedication and ability to focus on every single child. Now that is a HGT magnet, every child benefits from the extensive training that the staff has undergone.
—Submitted by a parent

GreatSchool's numerical rating is a poor measurement of how great this school is. Strong parent body, good leadership, excellent teaching, a diverse student body, and a highly gifted program that's integrated into the classroom are the hallmarks of this school. We're very pleased to be at Teller.
—Submitted by a parent

It's a fabulous neighborhood school that has been turned around by hard work from the parents, teachers, staff & students. We love Teller!
—Submitted by a parent

I am the proud grandmother of two grandchildren who attend or attended Teller Elementary School. They have both thrived at Teller, thanks to the dedicated teaching and volunteer staff working there. The kids are interested and involved with school academics and activites and the parent support is superb. A great school in my opinion.

It is a great community school with a focus on the arts and academics. Both of my kids go there and I now teach there, I love it so much!
—Submitted by a parent

Teller is awesome! Tons of parent involvement, wonderful teachers and kids and a great community!
—Submitted by a parent

In recent years, our community has pulled together, and through time and involvement, made Teller an amazing public school and one that we are all proud of. Our school ceberates the diversity that our neighborhood reflects, and offers amazing programs to help students of all levels grow and succeed. Through parent and staff dedication and hard work, we have become the school of choice for our neighborhood, with many other families 'choicing in'.
—Submitted by a parent

The staff works extremely hard to ensure each kid gets the focus and attention they need & deserve.
—Submitted by a parent

The community cares about each other while staying focused on learning.
—Submitted by a parent