D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School

The academics at this school are superb. The biggest problem is with the current principal who singles out and bullies students and treats them like they belong in a correctional facility, not like the hard working, over acheivers they tend to be. This creates serious attitude problems within the school. Difficulties tend to be of the lesser variety such as dress code violations, which are met with punishment not fitting the infringement. If you want your child only to get a good education, this is a great school. If you want your child to get an education and enjoy school, pick another one. This one instills good work ethics but leaves the student with many bad memories of their high school years.
—Submitted by a parent

My Daughter attends D'Evelyn. She was fortunate enough to get picked through the lottery as an eighth grader and is in her second year. Before D'Evelyn she attended a small private school. The transition has been seamless. Academic load and student pride remains high, if not higher. Do not be fooled by the rumors that these kids are 'Nerds'. They bully larger schools on every court and field in Colorado, as evidenced by CHSAA, the District and State Championships that they have won in their young existance. Any parent who would not want this high standard of Excellence for their child both in the classroom and in extra curricular activities has to be nuts. I for one am grateful for the structure for which the school is ran, including the strict disipline. It simply is the best Junior/Senior High School in Colorado.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a D'Evelyn parent and I have to agree with the posting from December 27, 2008. Both my children received an excellent education, were well prepared for college, and received scholarships. I am glad they went there, but as stated the atmosphere in the school could be improved greatly! The conservative Christian majority of the school tend to run things. There used to be a 'diversity' club; no more. My own children were criticized by other students because they believed in evolution, harassed because of their political beliefs and at times made to feel unwelcome. For the most part the teachers are great; think the administration could do better.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of four children that have attended D'Evelyn and I couldn't be happier. The best thing about the school is that it fosters a good work ethic. There is a lot of homework but since almost all of the students are college bound most students do the work. That makes for interesting dicussions in class where most participate. It really prepares the students for college. Many other schools have poor participation both by parents and by students but that isn't true at DHS. The amazing thing is that even though it is a lottery school (it doesn't get to select the smart kids like IB) we still have the top ACT score in the state, but we also had the top track and field runner last year (Kevin Williams). This year we have won the 4A golf finals and were in the final four for the state football.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a D'Evelyn parent and I love most everything about the school. Great student body, great administration, many great teachers! Sports and extra-curriculars do not suffer from the academic rigor, and enhance the overall educational experience. I have to comment on the perceived 'lack of diversity' commented on by previous reviewers. This is a lottery school, and a public school, it cannot favor students based on religious beliefs, nor can it push a particular religion. All students and parents are welcome to participate. The 'overpowered administration' is actually overseen by a steering committee and a very strict series of rules and regulations which were part of the school's charter. The lottery system makes this school difficult to get into. One would think Jefferson County would see the results of this program and model more schools after it, so that more students would have access to this level of excellence.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a teacher at D'Evelyn. I have never worked in a school with a better prepared and knowledgable staff. Most of the staff is also continually striving to improve their teaching and their knowledge base. Our students graduate extremely well prepared for college if they put forth an effort to succeed. There is a lot of homework but it pays off. We have very strong languages, arts, music and theater. Many of our athletes also participate in these activities. Our athletic program is successful and as a smaller school, a greater percentage of kids get to participate. I have taught at several other schools and D'Evelyn is by far the best place I have taught. The facility is outstanding, the kids are great and I feel I am a part of an intellectually exciting and caring community. I plan to be here until I retire.
—Submitted by a teacher

I am an extremely happy camper. Both of my kids went to the elementary feeder school, Dennison. We experienced no hazing in the junior high/middle school years and my kids feel (felt) welcome and safe every day. The school has a closed campus, so kids are not out getting into trouble on their lunch hours. The teaching staff is very talented and cares about their students greatly. There are plenty of resources at the school for kids that fall behind or are having trouble grasping a subject. My family has not really experienced any of the conservative christian influence mentioned in other reveiws nor have we had to listen to the global warming/save the planet fanatics on the other side of the political isle. We consider that a positive on both counts. If you can get in to D'Evelyn, go for it! It's a private school education at public school prices.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a D'Evelyn alumni, and thought the curriculum was first rate, the teachers are great, and the sports and extra-curricular activities are a great place to mature as an adolescent. However, the overpowered administration creates an oppressive atmosphere, and struggling students are often ignored and discouraged from attending the school. Furthermore, the Christian Conservative demographic dominates all aspects of the school, and creates a uniform atmosphere in which diversity is hard to come by. Great school, terrible environment.
—Submitted by a student

teachers think they know every way of teaching when they only know how to teach good learners
—Submitted by a student

I am a student at Develyn and I love it. Although there is a lot of homework the nice atmosphere and teachers creates a great learning area for seventh greaders and 12 greaders. Develyn is great for preparing students for the exciting world of college.
—Submitted by a student

D'Evelyn is helping me so much with college. When I was in High School I felt like a lot of pressure and work was put on me that other students didn't have in Jeffco. Now as I am more than a month into college, I am finding that I excel over other students and that I am not working nearly as hard as them to keep up.
—Submitted by a student

Bottoms up D'Evelyn is one of the best schools in the state! The kids there are polite and are not rude like some of the kids at schools in lakewood like Lakewood High school. My son went to Lakewood and it was the biggest mistake i have ever made!!!
—Submitted by a parent

We are proud to be the D'Evelyn Nerds!! The kids are like any other school. You have the kids who dont and wont ever do homework, and the extremely talented sports people, and the extreme nerds. The kids dress like normal kids. We have a great volleyball program, sucessful football team and so much more. I didnt chose to go here but now I wouldnt leave if I had to. It is a big adjustment but the teachers are willing to help you anytime. Seniors often help kids also which is nice because it is sometimes easier to learn from someone who is more your age!
—Submitted by a student

If you want an amazing education for your child, and are fortunate enough to get picked in the lottery, this is best school around! Since they teach 7th thru 12th graders, there is a seamless transition in the school's curriculum that isn't usually seen in other schools. The students are very well behaved and generally understand that their hard work now will pay off later on in life. And the teachers are truly dedicated to the students they work with! (A blessing indeed) It is not about how smart your child currently is, but more about how willing they are to do the work. Highly recommended!
—Submitted by a parent

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at D'Evelyn. The teachers were great and the friendships I have from D'Evelyn are most of my closest friends to this day. While it was difficult, and made me work hard, it was all worth it. I would not have gone anywhere else.
—Submitted by a former student

D'Evelyn believes given the chance that every child no matter what their background can perform at higher level (gifted level). Indeed my child went from testing deficient in several areas to testing above average on her ACT scores for Colorado. The teachers care and do not hesitate to call when there is a problem. There is no level of High School education that is as good as D'Evelyn. D'Evelyn also has a brand new beautiful building. However, if your child will not get as good of a grade point average as they would get in other high schools. So when it comes time to get into college many colleges and universities do not make any allowances for that.
—Submitted by a parent