Buchanan Elementary School

I was fooled into believing this was a good school because my oldest daughter received very high ITBS scores as well as my son. However my son was constantly bullied at this school I had many meetings with his teachers and principal and nothing was really ever done about it and finally my boy snapped and pushed the kid and a fist fight ensued. I was told my son may be suspended as well as the other kid, are you kidding me after 2 years of this kid being allowed to pick on my son. My last straw was when I entered my youngest in Kindergarten and she was the target of bullying...a 5 year old girl! The boy that was picking on her had been seen doing it by the teacher and other kids and the stubborn ridiculous principal instead found ways to blame my child who had never acted up in school and not wanting it to end up like it did with my son and after their refusal to switch the boy to a new class or punish him I had my daughter switched and the principal was unbelievable she deliberately put her in the opposite class that my daughter wanted to switch too, why? In case she was making it up! There are a few shinning lights here the music and art teacher are great.
--Submitted by a parent

I have to so disagree with saying that do to the HUD AND HOUSING BEING THE FAULT OF BUCHANAN BEING underated. If maybe some of the faculty actually listened to the way they talk to the students they may get a little bit of work out of them, on several occasions I have went to lunch with my twins, upon my arrival my son stood up to meet me and the oh so gracious PARA said to my son YOUNG MAN YOU NEED TO SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP. No lady you need to check into learning skills on talking to children, she needs reprimanded for it but won't be the oh so wonderful principal basically shrugged it off, and then when my son decided to try celery at school and didn't eat it he was put on the wall. I THINK NOT but I guess my its due to my children being demons or due to the fact I am low income and don't spend time with my children. So not the issue, when my daughters teacher decided to finally call me about her not turning in 5 homework assignments even after I said she has a disability and if there are any problems please alert me asap so we can tend to them, oh and by the way that would be over 3 weeks of homework, UNACCEPTABLE!!! TRANSFERS ARE IN EFFECT BELIEVE ME!!!
--Submitted by a parent

Buchanan has some of the BEST teachers ever!! Both of my children have gone to Buchanan and it has been a fabulous experience! The principal does run a tight ship, but I like knowing she is in charge. My son scored very high on his ITBS--99% on math. 97% in science. Why are the tests scores so low? I'm not sure. I know my children are thriving . I think if all the children that are in the Buchanan's district, actually went to Buchanan, it would be a better balance of socioeconomics and acedemics. I'm very happy that we sent our children there. No regrets! I actually think I did them a favor, by introducing them to all kinds of different families. They have a diverse group of friends. I know my children will look back at their years, at Buchanan, with fondness.
--Submitted by a parent

I think this school gets a bad rap. I have no problem sending my two children to this school. My children are taught the same curriculum here that they teach at every school in the DPSD. The teachers care about my children both academically and personally. The school is not without issues but what school is without issues. My experience is that the staff has handled any disciplinary issues quickly. I wish there were more parental involvement but the parents who are involved are great! I have no problems with my children attending Buchanan Elementary!
--Submitted by a parent

This is not a bad school all 5 of my children have attened this school and have learned a lot and enjoyed their childhood here. Just because it has a a lot of trailor parks and low income housing next to it doesn't mean it is a bad school nor that your child is getting less of an education. If you check at the school your child attends even in a good neighborhood most of the children don't even live in the area of the school.
--Submitted by a parent

I feel the teacher are rude at this school ... That is why i.Am moving away from davenport schools ( all of them are this way) i dont believe in the the way they talk to the child here. And yes there are some parents that do care about there kids and there are some dont... I feel this school and davenport school in all are all the same...
--Submitted by a parent

This is a mostly low-income school area, with several mobile home parks and HUD homes in the vicinity. Because of this, many parents work multiple jobs and don't have the time to spend with their children. These children tend to act out negatively. The school staff is understandably stressed (and often rude!) and feel that 'cracking down' and making stricter rules will help the situation. I see uniforms in the near future at this school. This school needs more attention and I feel the school district hasn't done its job here. There have been slow improvements over the years but I won't have my younger children attending Buchanan.
--Submitted by a parent

Although this school has been placed on 'Academic Probation', I feel that it is NOT the teachers' fault. There is a relatively LARGE number of immigrant children who are learning the basics that should have been taught at home or in pre-school. The staff spends much of their time doing 'remedial' work.
--Submitted by a parent