Deer Ridge Elementary School

I'm not sure what some of the posters expect about racial diversity from this school. They cannot help who does and does not live in their school district. I speak from experience as I have three kids in this school. All of them do very well but expect parent involvement or this will not be the school for you. There is excellent communication between teachers including phone numbers and email. I could not imagine sending my kids anywhere else. A certain third grade teacher named Pam turned my uninterested, low test scores kid into a straight A student who is actually interested in his homework and school a few years back. He continues to do well to this day. Maybe it is just the way I went to school, but it does seem SACS plays revolving doors with school principles. This school never seems to have the same one more than three years in a row.
--Submitted by a parent

We moved here from out of state and checked out all the schools in the southwest srea and Deer Ridge was rated #1. That's why we moved to this area. Our child goes to the school and really loves it. the teachers and the students were very welcoming towards our child. We are very happy with Deer Ridge. The teachers are wonderful, love their jobs, very willing to help out in any way. I have very much enjoyed helping out at the school. The other parents have been very friendly and welcoming. This elementary is alot better than the one my child went to.
--Submitted by a parent

Deer Ridge has historically been a very strong school with dedicated teachers, staff and extremely involved parents. The incredible musicals are just an example of this dedication--the staff and parents definitely go above and beyond.
--Submitted by a parent

We chose the southwest area of Fort Wayne for the schools and we're so glad we did! Deer Ridge has been an excellent school for my kids. Most of the teachers are excellent and love their jobs and it's evident! What I really appreciate is not just the academic focus, but the character focus. The motto is "Treat People Right and Do the Right Thing". They integrate that into the curriculum. It's been a great school and I would recommend it to anyone.
--Submitted by a parent

We have just moved to the area there are 4 kindergarden classes 22 in a class. The school is large. It is too early to tell how this school will be. You will receive a car pool number to receive your child. Most kids take the bus. The gifted or alpha program is in another school the students are bused there and you must test for it during the following school year or year prior to coming to Deer Ridge. Teachers seem motivated and there is a structured curriculum.
--Submitted by a parent

Deer Ridge is the best. Great teachers and great students. This is a high achieving school. People who jsut send their kid to scholl and don't participate will find it hard to fit in as parents are very active.
--Submitted by a parent

My four children all have attended, or, in the case of my youngest, will attend Deer Ridge Elementary. I have a child who is classified as gifted, and one who has special educational needs, and the Deer Ridge faculty and staff have been able to meet the needs of both on either end of the academic spectrum. While I do agree that there is a lack of cultural diversity at the school, this is not a fault of the school nor its administration, but rather a simple matter of geography. Deer Ridge neighborhoods are among the least culturally diverse in the area; therefore, the population coming from these neighborhoods reflects this. I attempt to make up for this lack of diversity by having my children involved in outreach through my church and in our home life; this can help with the sheltered feeling one can get at Deer Ridge. Excellent school!
--Submitted by a parent

fantastic leadership provided by the principal, Mr. Graf. Helps the highly motivated and dedicated teahers and staff at school, keep kids intellectually stimulated and interested in academics and all the extra curricular activities.Kids are so secured and happy at this school.cant thank my stars enough for having my daughter to study at deer ridge which will pave the way for her to be a good human being while being a good student.
--Submitted by a parent

This school lacks cultural enrichment. Their academics are high but Teachers, office staff are unable to relate to ethnic diverse students therefore unable to teach students cultural differences. I consider this a negative since we now live in a multicultural society and children need to be prepared to work efficiently in multicultural groups in order to succeed in today's world. I would not recommend this school to those parents who are looking to provide a 'top notch' education to their children. We moved our child to a school where diversity is embraced and celebrated, and considered an enrichment.
--Submitted by a parent

I was disappointed by this school my daughter and I had very negative experiences with staff, teachers and students. There is not much ethnic diversity in the student body and none in the staff.
--Submitted by a parent