Dakota Ridge Senior High School

I wanted to comment on whoever said Dakota has mainly 4A sports. Actually the only sport at the school that is 4A is football. Every other sport is 5A. But none the less, it is still easier to get onto a team at Dakota compared to other schools. And Cross Country, Tennis and Track are no-cut sports meaning anyone can join!
—Submitted by a student

Dakota Ridge is a wonderful high school. I am senior this year at Dakota and these last four years here have been amazing! I cannot rave enough about the teachers here (they are wonderful), the faculty and the extracurricular activities. The teachers at Dakota take the time to personally get to know you, and understand who you are as a person and what they can do to help you strive in their class. They also make it a point to support you. I had several teachers who went to my cross country meets to cheer me on. It was nice to know that they do really care about you. I also really enjoyed the many ways to get involved at the school. There are several sports, with tennis, cross country and track being no-cut sports, several clubs and music groups. I have many friends who participated in choirs and instrumental music groups and loved it so much. They also put a lot of emphasis at the school on community outreach. Every year they choose an organization to work with that year to raise money for. They participate in Relay for Life a cancer race. They also hold an annual Trick or Treat Street and an Easter Egg hunt. I loved Dakota Ridge and would recommend this school to anyone!
—Submitted by a student

I am the parent of 2 Dakota Ridge students, and I think it is a great school! I love the newer building, eager staff, and nice kids. I have one honors student who will thrive wherever she goes. She is very challenged in her classes, and has many options at Dakota, including the new IB program they offer. My other child struggled with grades as a Freshman, but luckily the counselors stepped in, made some adjustments with his classes, and he has been getting a 3.0 average for the last 2 years. Both kids have always had to earn their grades: Dakota does not slide anyone through. And I disagree about the sports comments: since most of Dakota's sports are 4A, my kids have been able to get onto the Varsity teams easier than, say, larger 5A high schools. So that part has been very good for them as well.
—Submitted by a parent

We have one student at Dakota and one following in the near future. We couldn't be happier with the classes offered, the teachers, faculty support system, and incredible community involvement. The counselors are there to help each and every student with college planning and encourage parental involvement in all aspects. There is not a negative word we could say about Dakota Ridge.
—Submitted by a parent

Jeffco School district is in charge of all field upkeep and is not paid by the school. Please double check your facts before posting inaccurate information. My student is happy at Dakota due to it has strong teachers that challenge and make him work. He has to earn his grades. There are numerous opportunities for assistance and help, but it is the obligation of him as a student to put in the effort also. Good job! Good school!
—Submitted by a parent

I'm concerned as a grandparent of a student of this school and a Jeffco taxpayer that the graduating class of 2010 is not 100% but yet it spent $30,000 to fertilize an athletic field.

We have sent all 3 of our kids to Dakota Ridge; the last one is a Junior. They all speak glowingly of the school and its faculty, and the older two are currently doing well in college. I would very highly recommend Dakota Ridge!
—Submitted by a parent

Does not meet the needs of my 3 children that go there. The teachers pick favorites and leave them out of classroom activities. The teachers only think that the kids can do it on there own instead of helping them. I tranferd my kids to Bear Creek and they love it. They say the teachers are hands on, and very helpful. my kids each have a 3.0 at bc and at dakota they had a 1.5 gpa I suggest bear creek.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very involved with my daughter's education at Dakota Ridge HS. I am also a volunteer Booster club member. Thus, there are many ways for a parent to get involved. My daughter struggled in both 9th and 10th grade, but with a little work on my part to contact the right people, they were right there helping her to succeed! Principal Jelinek is at nearly every sporting event too! Very supportive of his students! Dakota Ridge is a great place for my child to be! Even if we'd have to move, I'd open enroll her back to Dakota! Go Eagles!!
—Submitted by a parent

Dakota ridge is by far the best high school in comparison to others I have recieved reviews from. They consistantly strive to help my learning disabled son to achieve his goals in Reading and Writing.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is not connected with its community. This school does not meet the needs of those in attendance. This school would prefer there be no parent involvement while they run a local/state/and federally funded day care center for kids in grades 9-12.

Simply stated: Not meeting the needs of all students. Very poor administration.
—Submitted by a parent

I am impressed with the coach of the cross country and track team Mike Callor He is so good and inspirational to all that are around him.
—Submitted by a parent

Dakota Ridge is a very good school. They are striving to be the highest they can at academics. They are using data to drive instruction and they make sure teachers are collaborating. The comments about athletics above are unfair. All the coaches are there for their kids but obviously they also want to be the best they can. The coaches try to have the best team possible due to part of their evaluation is success, not who is their favorite. This no different than any other American high school, but Dakota works on including every activity and celebrating their accomplishments.
—Submitted by a parent

Great High School. School is new and clean and the teachers treat the kids as an individual, giving them extra help whenever asked. Good teacher/kid ratio and the teachers commumicate often with the parents. Lots of after school activities.
—Submitted by Brett, a parent

I have two kids that go to D.R.H.S. and I really like the school except for two things. One is that they have a anual thing, the name excapes me, it's like a 'gay support day'. The kids can purchase a Rainbow ribbon or button or something and if they purchase this they don't have to talk to the teachers for a day. As far as I know they don't have a 'straight no talk day.' Also if your kid is in athletics watch out. If they don't play for certain clubs, they'll never make varcity. I've noticed this and have talked to alot of parents that have too. Last year they had 15 varcity soccer players graduate, that all went from freshman year to senior together. So your kids may not get a fair chance in athletics. It's a good school otherwise.
—Submitted by a parent

I go to DRHS right now. Its a good school and all. Its really nice and has seemingly good teachers. But tehyve started changing all the rules all of a sudden on students so alot of them are rebelling and breaking rules. Its a super good school though. But its full of more 'upper class' if you ask me. I mean im not poor or rich but its a real high rate of more uppity class people so theres 'clicks' and 'groups' major stereo type. So if you start your kid in the middle of a school year, chances are itll be hard for like the first week but way easier. Good luck in dakota~! because i HAVE to change schools on the count of my moms new job. GO EAGLES~!major sport school!
—Submitted by a student