Davis Drive Middle School

I to am shocked at the bad reviews. Looks to me like those reviews were for people moving into the school disctrict. This is a very rigorous school and if the school you moved from was behind in standards I can understand the reviews. No need to blame the school. Anyway for my review, this school is top notch. Look at the end of grade scores from 2012 and you will see 97% passes, 92% passes and 95% passes. You won't find those scores in many other schools. Excellent staff. To further this schools review, look at Green Hope High School. DDMS is a feeder school and the kids leave DDMS to go on to GHHS and excel. Duke Princeton, Harvard...Kids on this path from DDMS and GHHS will go far in life.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended DDMS & my daughter is in 7th grade. I'm shocked at some of these reviews. The front desk staff is great & the receptionist knows most students by name. Very kind lady. I have also subbed at DDMS & have been impressed with the dedication of teachers I've met. Any group has one or two not so good ones, but overall the teaching staff is exellent. SPAN - is a problem. We have it, please keep it updated. One other issue - the students can be cliquish. This seems to level off mid-7th grade, but was hard for both of my kids at different points.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is OK. I have come to realize that moving from other states to NC, I need to not have high expectations. It was great to be in a more diverse area and to have that reflected in the schools. However, having children with darker skin, I have had to constantly defend why they should be in academically gifted programs. Communication of school to parents overall is good. Communication between teachers and parents is still low but is improving. Having constant issues with accessing SPAN-great to have but wish we could access it consistently. The whole system seems to focus on acryonyms. If you are new to the system, you need to ask the meanings of the abbreviations all the time. Some short names are not explained. Went to orientation and a notebook was mentioned. I thought it was another school supply item but it turned out to be a discipline tool. Open houses are not what you think they would be. They are only parent-teacher times-bringing other family members is discouraged. Somehow, everyone else seemed to know this.
—Submitted by a parent

Caring and competent teachers, dedicated PTA, well-organized building, focus on health and fitness, high academic rating

My son attended this school. We moved to North Carolina and selected the Cary area, specifically Davis Drive Schools, only to be sadly disappointed. Our son's needs were not met. The lack of caring and support by his teachers and the principal was so concerning we moved him to private. If you are moving into Wake County and can afford private schooling; my advice: consider it heavily if you want your children to acheive academic excellence.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very disappointed with the counselors and administration. The school is not want expected to be, The administration at the front desk unfriendly and uncaring. No one seems to care about the new students getting what they need. No help to parents at all. How do they get good ratings I do not understand!
—Submitted by a parent

So far I have had two children graduate from Davis Drive Middle School. They have enjoyed their time there, and I have been happy with teachers, other staff, and what my children have learned. The quality of teachers there is excellent. I think the main problems they have are numbers of students, not enough feedback to parents (like Thinkwave that the high school has), and limited electives (but they are sufficient).
—Submitted by a parent

davis is a great school. there are some issues, and little things that davis should change but other than that its great! i know that everytime i walk into that building i feel safe, just as i should!
—Submitted by a student

This school is great. The new principal has done good calling home every Friday telling everyone the events of that week. This is the best school in the district.
—Submitted by a student

Two of my children attended Davis Drive Middle and had a great experience. They soared in academics, sports, and leadership. They are now in college majoring in aerospace engineering and biology. Now, we have a middle school child who is at Davis Drive. He just completed his sixth grade year and did very well. He was awarded the Panther Pride award during first semester (high grades and good character) and attained all A's. Hats off to the remarkable staff and families who support education!
—Submitted by a parent

We moved from Massachusetts and picked this area of Cary specifically for DDMS. We were very disappointed. The school is so big that your child is just another number. The entire staff is completelty unprofessional. Don t understand why it gets such a good rating. We switched our 7th grader to a private school that is much move comparable to the school system that we came from.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter switched schools because of how bad this school was. There was so much bullying and the teachers just do not care. After my daughter switched to west cary she has been much happier. Her grades have been better and the teachers care!
—Submitted by a parent

I chose this school because of reviews on this website, and also it's proximity to the Elementary school (right next door). I was warmly welcomed. My daughter was given a tour and explanation of her classes and so far so good. They do a good job of keeping each grade separate. The classes are long (about 90 min.) there are fewer subjects for sixth grade, just three core classes and one elective each day, but I think that is a good way to transition them from Elementary to the next level. I'm not fond of the grading scale - 94 and up is an 'A'. I have never understood why schools do that...
—Submitted by Stephanie, a parent

I have 2 special needs kids here, one with HF autism and ADHD, the other with Cerebral Palsy, LD and ADHD. I am thrilled with their education and the support they've gotten from peers and teachers. No bullying at this school either! :)
—Submitted by Roslyn Foreman, a parent

This school is rated on of the best Middle schools in NC. Daughter loves the diversity, as well it's the feed school for Green Hope High. Open for only 6 years with 97% of graduates attending college.
—Submitted by a parent