Deridder Junior High School

I would rate this school as a one star school. My son attended for 2 years. He was bullied and humiliated by peers without help from teachers. Academically he was not motivated or challenged. They teach to very low standards. Kids have hardly any homework and get points for things like being quiet or filling out forms as requested. It is ridiculous! The teachers don't control the kids in the classes and it was very hard for my son to concentrate in class due to the disruptive bahavior. I was very displeased. The only reason my son left the school he was in to attend this school was because his friends attended. He has had such a bad experience that he now wants to either attend another school or be home schooled. Shameful.
—Submitted by a parent

Having read the reviews from other parents, I am very confused. We are a military family who are entering our third year in DeRidder. My son is in 7th grade at DeRidder Jr. High, and is doing very well. He is in a lot of activities, and has a lot of friends and is very happy. He is an A student, and wakes up early to put himself on the bus so he can spend more time with his buddies goofing around before school. He is a big reader, and his teachers encourage him on this. Anytime I put in a call or email to a teacher, I am answered promptly. Anytime I go to the school to ask questions, the principal or vice principal makes time to speak to me. I am very happy we moved to DeRidder, and hope to stay in this community.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is an amazing student. SHe makes great grades and has always enjoyed school. Deridder Junior High has killed her spirit. SHe hayes to go and the other students are very disrecpectful she begs for me to home school her. There is definetly alot of favortism there according to who you are and who you know. Trying to be invovled in your childs education os out of the question because you can never get a techer or staff member to contact you. This is the worst Junior High we have ever attended.
—Submitted by a parent

I currently have one child attending this school...the other just started at the High School. We have had issues with the Principal regarding the dress code. My child was told she could not wear a Deridder sweatshirt because it was not purchased from the School; and yet it met the criteria. Then we see other children wearing the same sweatshirt she owns and they did not get in trouble for wearing it. There is definately favoritism in this school. My daughter loves her school and many of her teachers. But in such a small town it is more about who your family is, who they know and if your children are involved in sports. I worry about their education because they do not do enough to help the more advanced children.
—Submitted by a parent

DJHS is not THE worst I have ever seen but very close. For the most part, the teacher shave no contact with parents, even when parents try to contact them. The admin and staff are the most unprofessional lost i have ever dealt with.
—Submitted by a parent

I have taught in other school systems and can truly say that DeRidder Junior High is a great place to teach. The staff is very friendly and the school offers lots of support.
—Submitted by a teacher

I tried to be involved in a situation. I am in Iraq. I have tried to contact the principal and get absolutely no response. I am very disgruntled and feel very disrespected and uninformed. She is not allowing me to be involved as a parent, though I am trying.
—Submitted by John M, a parent

DeRidder Junior High is a great school. Both of my children attended and were very happy. In fact, one of my daughters talks about DeRidder Junior High as being her best school years.
—Submitted by a parent