Durbin Creek Elementary School

I would have to agree with the previous posters. Although an 'A' school according to 'objective' standards, the sole focus of the school is on FCAT scores and making the grade. Teachers, who could be fantastic, are made into data recorders. The content in math and literature is watered down and nonsensical, the majority of questions come in the form of low level multiple choice prompts. My child is only asked to bubble in answers to most math questions rather than to actually obtain an answer. Many of the questions can be answered correctly by a child who is need of serious remedial help. The FCAT scores give an illusion of true learning, but in reality represent a lowering of the bar. In addition, most of the focus is spent on the students who have not yet met grade level FCAT standards, but are able to meet them with ease. Those who have the skills already languish in a environment full of testing and re-testing. Those in need of assistance get a some extra assistance, but would probably benefit more from a richer environment where testing wasn't the sole purpose. On a more positive not, there are some wonderful kind teachers here, if only they were more free.to actually teach.
--Submitted by a parent

We moved to Durbin Creek from another in county school, and I am very disappointed. It is BEYOND overcrowded, there are the annex in the back, where at one point we witnessed a trial run of a severe weather drill that took more than 20 minutes to get the annex children into the halls of the original building. It feels cold and unfriendly. Seems to be more focus on PTO than anything.My daughter has always been a wonderful student. She LOVED school, had wonderful marks on her report card, and great feedback from her teacher. This year was completely different. She had several not good marks on her report card, her teacher didn't seem to care much for her, and they were treated more like soldiers than students. She got up many days sayinghtat she didn't want to go to school, that her teacher wasn't nice, that she wanted to stay home, etc. We made sure to ask that this wasn't a problem such as bullying, and she said no- it is simply the class and the teacher. It made me so sad to see her lose her zest for learning. She no longer likes to read anymore, and 3 out of 5 nights a week were spent with her in TEARS over the amount of homework she had. I really hope next year is better.
--Submitted by a parent

I did not love the first year we have been there. My daughter is in Kindergarten and I have felt that the school was not a happy environment. They even make the kids sit boy/ girl in the cafeteria during their only free period that they are allowed to have a friend to talk to. My daughter is a good student and never got in trouble, but the children around her did and it brought her spirit way down. She spent many mornings not wanting to go to school and saying it wasn't a fun place to be. In my opinion Kindergarten should still be a lot of play, happiness and fun. There is a lot of life left for seriousness. There are also MANY ways to be taught to learn through playing and having a good time doing it. We are looking into other alternatives for first grade.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is overall a great environment for children. But, if you have a child with ESE needs, the ESE program is understaffed, underfunded and the environment is very difficult on the kids. I had to pull my son out of the school and put him in a private school due to the bad experiences and his diminishing confidence. Without the proper funding and teacher assistance, this won't change. My daughter still attends and is finishing up her first year. It is a bit sad to see that the kids are pretty much spending the last three months reviewing the year and the kids are really bored. We should be pushing our children to achieve and learn more. To me, this is the greatest problem with public schools today. We settle for the minimum standards.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent school - uses differentiation to teach to each student. The parent involvement is second to none! The principal is a fantastic leader!
--Submitted by a parent

THe staff, the teachers and the parents truly work together for the benefit of all the students.
--Submitted by a parent

They have some of the best teachers in Jacksonville, FL!
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers and staff are wonderful!!
--Submitted by a parent

everything about the school is great...I have one older child that has moved on and one starting kindergarten this year. I was very impressed with the tour and the kindergarten classrooms....
--Submitted by a parent

Durbin Creek is an amazing school with a wonderful PTO, fantastic staff and great families!
--Submitted by a parent