Discovery Key Elementary School

My son has been at DKE since Kinder and is about to finish his 5th grade year. We have had a wonderful experience with all our teachers. If your child wants to learn, the teachers provide an excellent source of education. My son has always received A's and has scored 4/5s in FCATs. And yes, there is Reading Counts, Science Fair, 100 days, fieldtrips, etc. We celebrate EVERYTHING, and bring our children together to enjoy school spirit. There is room for parent involvment, not only with PTA but also in the classrooms, the teachers welcome you. We have had changes this year with our report card system, and no, I do not like nor agree with it, but guess what, this is coming to all the Palm Beach Elementary schools next year, at least that is what I was told. I find that system to not encourage our achievers, but I guess the district likes all children at a "proficient" level so no one feels left out. Not realisic in my book, but I don't run the district, so my choice was to leave DKE if I wanted to, but I stayed, and I'm glad, my son has two wonderful teachers who have helped my child exceed! Overall, besides the new grading system, I rate the school as an "A"....I mean, "EX"
--Submitted by a parent

I agree these reviews must be from past parents. My daughter came to this school in grade 2 and she is in grade 4 and we are looking for a school to send her to for 5th because it wont be here. 4th graders have 2 teachers and good luck if you can make it through the week without a sub. On most weeks she has a sub AT LEAST once but usually 2 or 3x a week. Her teacher even took off an entire week for her bday. I scheduled a conf in the beginning of the year, its February now, just now got acknowledged. My daughter was being bullied on the bus, when I spoke to the Vice Prin she made it clear that this wouldn't be tolerated and if it kept happening the child would not be able to ride the bus. I felt reassured until I found out 2 weeks later my neighbor was complaining to the VP because her child was being bullied by the same child so obviously its not being taken seriously. In DKE's defense my daughters 2nd and 3rd grade teachers were great. I've always had additional educational support (private teachers, Kumon) but this year seems to be going downhill. And this year they have implemented a generalized grading so its not A,B,C, its ways more primitive like P/F.
--Submitted by a parent

Recently transferred our two kids to DKE from Coral Reef due to a move. Was excited at the prospect supported by the A rating from the state and the positive reviews on GreatSchools. Having been there for 4 months now, have come to the disappointing realization that the ratings are likely based on past and not present leadership and curriculum. New leadership evidently volunteered the school for an experimental grading system used nowhere else in the bulk of the country. This system discourages the use of traditional A/B/C grades in favor of ratings like "Proficient" in order to celebrate the ordinary achievers and lessen the accomplishments of high achievers. Parents were not asked permission to subject their children to this experiment. Have been told by the teachers they are not allowed to comment on the new system. There is no promotion of effective learning programs like Reading Counts, County Science Fair, 100th Day of School, nothing. Wanted other parents to know what they are signing up for when enrolling their kids at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Discovery Key is an excellent school. My two children were at New Horizons Elm. in Wellington last year when we moved down and that schools fails in comparison to Discovery Key. We are so happy we bought a house in this schools boundry. Great people and great area!
--Submitted by a parent

All Three of my children attended (one still attending) DKE. It is a Science based school. This has helped my older children immensely in their studies. I also love the teachers, the support team the aftercare program. Overall great school.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in the first grade, love the school, love the teachers, loved Mr. Sills but now there is a new principal and he's already causing issues with drop off and pick up. Myself and others have seen this new principal blow up at parents already and we are in week 2, not very professional and setting a not so good message to our kids. Drop off in the morning is so backed up on to lake worth road it's a mess. I hope this improves over the next few weeks and hope the new principal develops a personality too. Mel
--Submitted by a parent

I disagree with the drop off and pick up. I have a child that is in the Autism cluster at Discover Key. I often see the principal, Mr. Sills meeting the children in the moring and has also walked my daughter to class when I running a minute behind schedule. I love this school and 'Mr Sills'.
--Submitted by a parent

I have worked at Discovery Key Elementary since it opened and wouldn't think of going any place else. The parents, students and faculty and staff are such a delight.

I have worked at this school for four years. We have a wonderful staff as well as fabulous families that support us each day.
--Submitted by a teacher

It is a joy to work at this school. The administration is supportive, the parents are incredible, and the students are wonderful to teach. The school environment is positive and learning really is fun here.
--Submitted by a teacher