Derby High School

I had three children go to this school from 9th to 12th. Two have graduated so far. I feel that for the most part it has been a good experience. I agree with most that has been said good on here, but also agree with the one negative. That is favoritism, especially in band-choir-and sports. All three of my children have talents that they pursued, but students with a certain name do tend to land in parts regardless of talent. One student could not block for nothing (well known family), but never got pulled from the game---ever. One in Madrigals (my son was in this too) who absolutely could not sing or dance. This is pretty typical but sad. Other than that...great school.
—Submitted by a parent

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

We have 3 girls, and although we are a military family that have seen our fair share of schools, we have always done everything to have our girls in middle and high school here in Derby, Ks. This is one of the best schools in the nation, hands down. Starting with the 6th grade center, helping children adjust to middle school. The middle school only has 7th and 8th graders, and allows children to grow with peers closer to their own age and interests. The high school 9th , 10th, 11th and 12th, has excellent programs everything from ROTC, to weight-trainning. It promotes health, education, and family/student involvement. They also offer multiple fashion classes, airbrusing, clay, woodworking, broadcasting, forensic, mech drafting, and the list goes on. Panter pride runs deep here, and for anyone thinking about school systems in kansas. This is the best choice to make!!!
—Submitted by a parent

It really is too bad that this school is more focused on social hour than it is on education. I've known kids that graduated from this school that barely knew how to read. A very low standard of education, I had one child go to this school. It was the worst thing that I could've done being the rampant alcohol/drug culture at this school. I could think of better schools where teacher's actually care and just not pass any kid that comes through their classroom to look like they're doing their job!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student at derby high school and it's pretty cool. I am involved in marching band, AFJrotc, and flag line. DHS has really good teachers an its a pretty safe school
—Submitted by a student

I am a former student of DHS. I have sent 2 children to school there. I have one in the 10th grade & the other has graduated. I'm very disappointed with the school. My child has been bullied on several occasions but she is labeled the trouble maker due to her skipping classes to avoid the bullies. Now she wants to drop out. I have pointed this problem out but it seems to be continuing. There are some great teachers that really do care about the students. There is to many students for teachers to keep track of what's going on in the classrooms or hallways. Now I'm making plans on Home Schooling my daughter. We have had enough of the bulling. I don't blame the teachers its just the school has to many students where a lot can go unnoticed.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a graduate of DHS. I attended both Wichita public schools and DHS during high school. I think hands down Derby is above the rest. We moved out of state and have since moved back and I wanted to make sure we relocated in the Derby area so my children could attend the Derby schools.
—Submitted by a former student

I thik that this school is one of the worst ones in the state, im a senior and ive attended derby high for 4 years, and i've been in the district for all 12. This school has some good things but most of all, it focus's on the wrong things, like making sure we can pass the federal test's, and it really doesn't teach any of the students anything. Im sorry to hear that the district is failing the test's but students are more important and they dont seem to see that. There are some very qualified teachers, and then there are alot more that aren't qualified at all. I am involved in music, soccer, marchingband, pep band, jazz band, poetry.
—Submitted by a student

I am a former student of DHS. My experience with the teaching staff and with the principal was not a good one over all. I will say that there are a few good teachers in each department that really care about the students in their class rooms. Over all the student body is just too big to keep even the most dedicated students from falling through the cracks.
—Submitted by a former student

Derby High is the Best High School I've ever seen I love that High school theres no problem everyone is so nice teachers are always there to help and they worried about their student's of not passing and it's a beautiful place
—Submitted by a student

I am a graduate of Derby High School who moved to the district at the beginning of my Junior Year. I was a military kid, so I was used to the constant moving; however, I was very nervous about entering a new schoool district with different graduation standards, a different culture, and different opportunities than my last school. I am proud to say that the school staff and students welcomed me with open arms and made the transition incredibly easy. Despite the schools size, the faculty new me by name, and because of the schools size, I was able to experience opportunities that were previously unavailable to me. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Derby and my experiences in the band, cross country, swimming, and FCA. If you are moving to the Wichita area, I would suggest looking into the Derby school district.
—Submitted by a former student