Derby High School

Derby High School is definitely a great school. Being military and close to retirement, we chose to stay here to keep our teens in this school. My only problem that I have seen is favoritism in the marching band. I have always been a large supporter of the marching band telling everyone I know to come and watch this amazing band. However, the band has now changed and it does not seem for the better. They lost a few competitions last year and now instead of anyone who wants to be in marching band can join, you have to audition and a lot of it is favoritism. It seems punish the masses for the few. I will still support this school and tell anyone I know to come, give this school a try. However, they have now lost a supporter with the marching band.
--Submitted by a parent

I graduated in 2009 from Derby, and while I admit it that it is a large school and a small number of students are overlooked because teachers are required to focus on test scores instead of teaching. However, students and parents who are looking for a school to build their knowledge, skills and resume would find that DHS has one of the most extensive lists of extra-curriculars available in the state of Kansas as well as multiple opportunities for high achieving students to earn college credit in several Math, Science, and History courses as well as a Literary Analysis course. It has a nationally ranked Airbrush studio, and has one of the widest varieties of beneficial electives in the state: including anything from weightlifting to drama, drafting to German. I transitioned easily into University level work because DHS has a challenging honor's program that provided the knowledge I needed to excel.
--Submitted by a student

Over crowded student to teacher ratio to high. easy for a kid to get lost because of the size. The school district will not split schools to better the education because it might affect the quality of the sports. There are many better options around Derby for a quality education.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is awesome and i love it only 25 credits to graduate and a little work not ahrd we enjoy number 1 in the state
--Submitted by a student

I went to Derby High. Graduated in 2008. The high school isn't as bad and people like to say. The teachers are great and its a good atmosphere there. Everybody in general is easy to get along with and there's a lot of activities for students to join in. Its really diverse there so you can learn a lot from others.

I recently graduated from this school and am attending the University of Kansas with a full ride scholarship through AFROTC and majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I believe that the teachers at this school do their best to take the students they're given and provide a rich learning environment so that they do just recieve good test scores and never amount to anything past that but go on to live full lives and become valuable citizens. I know that all of the teachers whom I was lucky enough to have while I was here provided me with a wide variety of tools to prepare me for college and life along with a vast knowledge of their subjects that has allowed me to transition smoothly into college life and recieve the scholarship that I did, because I never would have without them.

My daughters recently graduated from Derby, one of my twins really enjoyed being at Derby High School, she performed with the Derby Color guard, played in the symphonic band, really had a great time going to New York with the band, she also traveled with JROTC, she went to Washington DC, Oklahoma City, several Leadership camps in Texas and drill team events all over the state. She truly had a great high school experience. Her twin graduated from the Derby Alternative High School where she was able to have a smaller student body and she really loved her teachers. So something was great for both kids and I'm very happy here in Derby.
--Submitted by a parent

Derby High School is an amazing educational facility. The teachers are passionate, classrooms are connected, and the students are open minded. I love this school. I feel safer here than any place else.
--Submitted by a student

This school is wonderful. The teachers help us students the best they can. I for the most part abused the help I had been given and never finished. The school is terrific, there is no groups based on who people are everyone just mingles together for the most part.

Great School! Been at DHS for three years and plan on graduating there. All of the teachers that i have crossed paths with are wonderful. As far as the social life goes it is who you affiliate yourself with. It is hard not have alcohol/drugs and bulling in a school of its size, however they do address these isues. GO PANTHERS!
--Submitted by a student