Katharine Drexel Elementary School

My child went to this school for a few years. The assistant principal does not know how to handle things. Calling me and asking me to leave my job because my child didn't feel like apologizing for some incident outside of the classroom. She wanted me to leave my job at 2:30 and the school lets out at 2:50 just to make him apologize (not to pick him up). If my child was not interrupting the class, why can't he learn while class is being taught. This school's focus should be on learning and not trying to understand a child's "normal" behavior. Most of these teachers do not have children and aren't familiar with typical children behavior. My child does not attend this school anymore.
--Submitted by a parent

My child went to this school for 4 yrs. I have to say, I dont know what it is, but when she went here her grades just kept slipping ( d's & f's), she was always getting in trouble, the office staff was never friendly when having to deal with them and some of the teachers she had acted as though they didnt 'care' when it came down to doing their job. We have since moved, and my child is going to a different school. Her grades are awesome, she brings home good conduct grades every day and shes not resistant to going to school like she was at KDE. Much happier. They seriously need to do something about this school.
--Submitted by a parent

My children have been going there since my oldest was in Kindergarten and that was in 2005. My oldest is now in the 4th grade and I am very disappointed in the school. This school when we first started was getting 4 stars as a report card with the state. These past 2 years ever since Mrs. Wiltz ledt it has gone to 2 Stars. The morale at the school is not where it should be. Let me not forget the disgrace of a yearbook that we received from last year when my oldest was in the 3rd grade. The yearbook was givien to us October of 2009 when it was promised to us to bre there by the beginning of Aug 2009. I am very disgusted by the school.
--Submitted by a parent

I would say that this school ranks up there with some of the better schools of Louisiana. The facilities could use some improvement, but I, being from Colorado, am use to newer playgrounds and a more stringent curriculum. The things i would like to see change at this school would be the lack of parent teacher communication, with the new principal!, ie NO parent teacher conferences. Also, a much needed discipline reconfiguration! They are way too strict, and i feel a lot of times stepping out of their boundaries as a leader. My child the first day of school was made to sit on the 'slab' because he had not belt. We had just moved here and had not received a conduct book. He then sat on the slab for a week and a half until he came home crying about it.. i had no clue this was happening. You would think they would send a note home or something of that sort. I then, went in and talked to the principal, fortunately that they now have a new principal, she told me there was nothing she would do about. Unfortunately the person still in charge of the disciplinary measures still remains.
--Submitted by a parent

Hats off to Mr. Hebert (principal). This school has seen dramatic improvements with our new principal completing his first full school year. The parking has improved greatly with staggered events, car lineup runs efficiently now, and great communication with the parents all year round. Something that just wasn't there 15 months ago with the old principal. I can honestly say i'm very happy with kde now. Academically, kde sets a high standard that meets my expectations for when i would homeschool my children in the past. Only complaint is homework time is much longer at kde than maximum homework time set by the lafayette parish school board guideline book for each grade level.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is completing her first year of 'big school' this year and she loved it! Her Pre-K teachers have been wonderful - she's already reading quite a few sight words and learning to use letter sounds to figure out other words on her own. The staff works hard and sets high goals for the students and for themselves. Go Gators!
--Submitted by a parent

I have been with this school for 3 years now, my oldest started pre-k and is now in first grade. All of the teachers that we have had any experience with have been great. My children love going to school. When one of my girls had a problem at the begining of this schol year with another student, the tacher found a remedy and implemented it immediatelly and my daughter was put at ease knowing that her teacher cared enough to help her with anything quickly. I gave this school five stars and would have given it more if I could have. I know of parents who have made decisions of where to move t based on keeping their childen in this schoo because they liked it so much. Keep up the great work KDE teachers staff and PARENTS. We as parents are helping our teachers to make a difference.
--Submitted by a parent

this is my sons second year here and we love it!!! everyone at the school has been great! when we walk in the school everyone know our son and tells him hello! We think it is a great school!
--Submitted by a parent

It's true to say that teachers do need to get more involved in students. Teachers on recess duty should monitor the students more closely and the principal should followup with parents inquiring about incidents happening at the school with her/her child. Discipline seems to be harsh in some areas like not letting a child remove gravel out of their shoes from the playground until they get home. I don't think any faculty member would want to walk around school all day with gravel in their shoes. Parking is a definite problem at this particular school as well as blocked residential driveways during car lineup of parents. On a positive note, safety in the car lineup for the students is OUTSTANDING. Teacher progress reports were also helpful for parents to monitor a child's progress throughout the school year.
--Submitted by a parent

KDE has made every effort to assist my child with any problems that have come up over the school year both academically and for moral support. My first grader sees and knows the principal and assistant principal by name which is important to me. The teachers, tutors and counselors that we have worked with have been completely open and ready to try whatever strategy works best. Thank you for all of your hard work from the Administrators to the Maintenance Staff! Allyson Turner
--Submitted by a parent