Dutch Creek Elementary School

Dutch Creek takes great pride in caring for our children, the math and reading programs are A+
—Submitted by a parent

The new programs being offered for both Math and Reading have really made a difference in challenging my daughter at school. Her teacher has been great! We love the loop program that Mrs. Oliver has been able to participate in. This year she also offered a short Summer program at the library. It was a wonderful way to keep the kids in a learning mode. It is so nice to actually have a working relationship with our teacher! Mrs. Pennell is the greatest! I have noticed a marked change in the students, staff and parents since she came on board! I would recommend this school to anyone who was moving into the area.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter started at Dutch Creek in Spring 2011. She was moved here from her home school when they could no longer provide a quality education for her. My daughter was put into the LLC (Literacy Learning Center) at Dutch Creek. This program is WONDERFUL! The teachers are GREAT! My daughter is dyslexic and had made more progress in the 2 months she has been there than she did in over a year at her other school. Don't let the great schools rating for this school make you think less of Dutch Creek! This school is on top of it! Mrs. Pennell is a excellent principal. Her and all the teachers expect the very most out of every child in this school. Test scores have improved tremendously over the past few years thanks to Mrs. Pennell and all of the teachers. This principal and the the teachers work together! They are dedicated in making sure your child gets a proper education. Our home school is rated an 8, which Dutch Creek is currently rated a 6. I would take Dutch Creek over our home school any day!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is very on top of their educational skills & this year they are teaching a new math program that I guess is being instituted all over Jeffco Schools. Mrs Pennel truly cares about 'all the kids' and takes what parents tell her & does something with it. No parent's suggestion is ever ignored! The staff at Dutch Creek is exceptional, & the Specials Programs are Top Notch & The Teachers who teach them are extremely creative & keep kids excited about Music, Art, and Physical Education. I am also impressed with the lunches that are provided at the school. Very healthy & well balanced meals with many choices for the kids. My kids would rather eat hot lunch than bringing lunch to school! Also the Speech & Language Program at Dutch Creek & the staff they have is extremely top notch & dedicated to every student in the program!
—Submitted by a parent

Dutch Creek has fantastic potential and now has a dedicated principal to lead our team of parents and teachers to success! We are all very excited to have Mrs. Pennel as our principal. She comes from Cherry Creek Schools and has loads of teaching administrative and teaching experience. Watch out World! Here comes Dutch Creek!
—Submitted by a parent

Dutch Creek is a great neighborhood school in a good community. A nice variety of extracurricular programs are offered by PTA and other groups, and the 'specials' programs (art, music, P.E.) are excellent. Dutch Creek has some terrific teachers, especially Kindergarten teacher Karen Herr. The principal has a clear love for children, and parent volunteers are very active in the school. They have held 'community events' the past couple years that were a ton of fun and involved the whole neighborhood. The playground equipment could be updated, but overall a good, safe school with many caring teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Dutch Creek is a great neighborhood school. The staff cares about the education of the kids. The kindergarten program is fantastic. The quality of the other classrooms is highly teacher dependent. The music, art and pe programs are high quality. I have no complaints about them. There are a large number of parents involved in PTA and voluteering in the classroom. As long as you are involved in your child's education, Dutch Creek is a great school where kids learn and are still able to be kids. No excessive homework and strict focus on testing.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids are open enrolled in Dutch Creek and it's definitely worth the drive! This small school has a real community feeling. The teachers and staff call the children by name in the hallways and take a real interest in their well being as well as their individual educational needs. This staff takes the time to match the students personalities and learning styles to the teachers as they transition year to year - ensuring success for each child and class. With both gifted and special needs children I know that all of my children are getting what they need. DC also offers an assortment of after school programs, ranging from Destination Imagination to a special reading tutor program. As both a public school skeptic, and a parent with a child who has been let down by several schools, I can say that I'm happy and secure with Dutch Creek.
—Submitted by a parent

Dutch Creek is a wonderful school. It's small size is a definite plus. The principal knows practically every student by name. The teachers are experienced and employ a quality academic program. Two of my kids have gone through this school and are now in the honors and AP programs at the middle school and high school level. This school offers art, music and PE programs. Afterschool programs include choir, Destination Imagination, Student Leadership, and more. Heavy parent involvement allows Dutch Creek to have many extra curricular activities. For example, Dutch Creek is one of the few schools in the area that organizes a Science Fair each year. The school also has several community events such as silent auctions, spaghetti dinners and dances that the whole neighborhood is invited to. Dutch Creek is THE place in the Columbine Articulation area to have your kids!
—Submitted by a parent

Dutch Creek is a great school. The principal is really involved and invested in the school's interests. The secretaries are really helpful and supportive of the families at the school. We have had some really wonderful experiences with the teachers at Dutch Creek. The kindergarten teacher, Karen Herr, is really talented. Our first grade teacher, Ms. Morey, has contributed to enormous growth personally and scholastically in our first grader this year. The whole third grade staff is exceptional. We had Mrs. Tyner and loved her kind, encouraging nature.
—Submitted by Teri Burk, a parent