Dillard High School

As a former student and employee the school is GREAT! Students that come to learn will learn. For students that can be distracted and side tracked it's not a great environment. It's truely an inner city school, without the big city. MUSIC- #1 brass band in THE NATION 2 of the last 4 years. ATHLETICS- School with the most nfl players in the NATION.
—Submitted by a teacher

As a former student, although forever a Panther, I'd have to fairly give Dillard High School a rating of 3 out of 5 stars. I was a member of BOTH the Emerging Technology and Performing Arts Magnet Programs and enjoyed aspects of each. Honors level classes and AP level magnet classes were semi-challenging, and the interactions within each program really make the two programs worthwhile. However, students are what make a school what it is and unfortunately, they didn't do a great job at making it great for the right reasons. Fights did frequently take place, drugs were definitely present, and just an overall uncouth and untamed nature was unnecessarily prevalent across campus. Security was definitely never an issue, but when your school makes the news - it's a problem. Teachers could be more motivated, of course, but so could students. Choose wisely about putting your child here if you're doubting whether they can handle it. The school is in a bad area and requires a bit of toughness, in the social aspect. Academically, it's what the student makes of it. I managed to spend four years and gain invaluable skills from my attendance. Class of 2007! GO PANTHERS!!!!!
—Submitted by a student

Although Dillard is over 100 years old, the present campus was built about 10 years ago. Visitors often say it reminds them of a junior college campus. Dillard has changed with the times. Today, it has the district's only arts magnet as well as an emergent technology magnet and an academy of finance (NAF). The school works as a traditional public school, serving community needs for academics, sports, continuing education, and career education (vocational). The school's statistics on crime and violence give it an above average standing with regard to safety. The state grade is currently "B" (2010) because Dillard did not eliminate AP courses like many other schools. Like other schools, our top students enter top universities. The graduation rate is over 90 percent. Students that are focused do well here because Dillard has resources that are not just physical. Yes, we have a lovely facility. But the staff is loving and the level of knowledge is awesome.
—Submitted by a teacher

My daughter is a student at Dillard, in the performing art magnet program; She started 10th grade today! She enjoyed her freshman year last year. She took AP and honors courses and did fairly well; with the exception of her AP English class. Her teacher was one of those, as previous reviewers mentioned, did care one way or the other, if she passed or failed. I am happy to say that she did Pass English (language arts) but with little help from this teacher. On the other hand, she took a robotics class that she totally enjoyed and much of that is due to the kindness, dedication and respect she received from Mr. Meyers. All of the extra activities, Football, basketball, Marching Band (yea!) are all outstanding. The dedication that the coaches, music teachers, dance teachers, etc., they have for the students and the school are outstanding! Go Panthers!! <3
—Submitted by a parent

This School has a great magnet performing arts program that everyone should be dying to get into. We work very hard as students and love what we do. As for the teachers most of them just give work and could care less what you do with the information in the textbook.To me its like if your family isn't from around the school or wasn't a graduate of the school you get treated differently by certain staff members. Don't get me wrong some teachers are great but some just don't have the passion for teaching as others. Honestly I feel that the worst teachers and staff members are the ones who graduated from the school. They are so lazy and mean. Truly I only stay here for the magnet program because its a great program and I can say that coming to dillard has made me happy for the most part:)
—Submitted by a student

I think this school is great.It has alot of academics and school activities for students.They always keep the parents updated on everything unlike other schools i know of.
—Submitted by a student

I am a 2008 graduate of Dillard High school..member of the tech program.. i didnt like the program because i wasnt interested in what they offered but it was a really good program..they had numerous activities for students and creative programs to enter into..as far as the academic goes..it was fair..it wasnt the best because first of all its not a high quality school where we can afford the best books and best teachers so we work with what we have..and if students arent applying theirself then thats them..i recieved a 19 on my ACT which isnt bad..if i were to take it again im sure i wouldve recieved a 20..so dillard isnt all that bad..especially with the extracurricular activities like the cheerleading team..which is the best by the way..me being one for four years..so i wouldnt down this school because it does have positive aspects despite its negative comments..
—Submitted by a student

I am a junior at Dillard High School. In my opinion the school isnt very good in the academic area but I think most of the teachers aren't to blame. They do the best they can do while at the same time doing what is instructed for them to do. The prinicipal is the one that should be looked at. But Dillard excels in sports. Their cheerleading team were the district champions, their football team were also district champions, and the boys basketball were the state champions in 2008. Dillard has a lot to offer with its performance arts program and high-tech program. Every school has its flaws but I would recommend Dillard to anyone.
—Submitted by a student

I'm a senior at Dillard High School, in the performing arts magnet program, and I love it. We have tons of supplies and opportunities that we couldnt have at any other school. Being in the magnet program, I'm kind of seperated from the general population, and I rarely ever see fights or drugs or anything like that. The school has really good security, and most of the teachers are really involved in helping you succeed. In academics, we have too big classes and too little textbooks, but the teachers do the best they can.
—Submitted by a student

My child was recruited to the PA magnet and was told there were high level academics despite the low State grade of the school. There have been a few good classes, but for the most part the academic level is very, very low and my child's academic needs have not been met at all. Things are not improving -- they are getting worse as the School grade also shows -- the school went from a C to a D to another D. Even the gifted classes are nothing but FCAT drill and kill at a low level. And just because a class is called one thing, something completely different is sometimes taught and students sometimes get credit for courses they didn't really have. I do not recommend this school and am sorry I put my child in it.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a sophmore here at Dillard also. It's true about the teachers. They never teach us anything. They write the assignments on the board, and say 'here, do this.' It's just too much going on, between the violence, fights, drugs, and the harrassment. I would never reccommend anyone to this school. I don't plan on being at Dillard too much longer.
—Submitted by a student

I am a freshman at dillard high school. This school carries a really bad name, and although they dont fully live up to it, its somewhat a very true statement. Violence, fighting and drug abuse are enforced by most of the students. The school dosent make it any better. With barely any school spirt, or exciting things to do, this school would leave you in extreme bordem. I am a student in the tech building. They do not inform us of any of the activities that we can participate in. I do not enjoy this school at all. Also alot of the teachers are not good teachers, and since middle school i have barely learned any thing. Most of them dont even care t check the work and recieving an A dosent mean you know the material. I wouldnt recommend this school to anyone. Maybe the preforming arts magnet is better.
—Submitted by a student

I'm not getting the same material in my classes that my friends are getting in the same classes at other schools.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has a very bad name out there, when my daughter was told she would be attending DHS she didn't want to attend this school, now that she is part of the Performing Arts Magnet program and has settled in with her teachers she is liking it, she even admitted to me that she had the wrong attitude at first because of what her friends were saying about the school. I believe if the student puts their mind to it they can achieve what ever their goals are, and yes the school still has a bad name out there but she is an A student and continues to be.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm an honor graduate of DHS. I took advanced classes and challenged myself. I m sorry to say that this didn't adequately prepare me for college. In college, a professor mentioned that I did not know how to study. Though I defended the accusation, inside I knew she was correct. While a DHS student, I did not learn how to take notes, unless the teacher prefaced a statement with, You should write this down . I did not learn critical thinking skills as most of my courses were rote memory. I studied by having a good memory of what the teacher lectured on the days leading up to exams. I opened my textbooks and referred to my notes only when homework was due. Most times, my books stayed in my locker. I was not put in any situations to develop time management skills. Academically and socially, I was challenged for college.
—Submitted by a former student

The school is good im a 9th grader out at the school its my first year, it;s not the bad as people may make it seem. The technology program is wonderful i love my teachers their great they actualy teach me. I encourage any students in broward county that are interested in performing arts and the tech program.
—Submitted by INNOCENT OSCAR, a student

great school, bad area, wonderful program.
—Submitted by a student

great performing arts magnet program.
—Submitted by a parent

Dillard is an okay school. The students have unlimited resources but dont use them efficiently.
—Submitted by brittany white, a parent

Although a 'd' school, the music is wonderful here! I would fully recommend this school to all aspiring musicians.
—Submitted by a student