Dillard Drive Middle School

My son has had a good year at Dillard. We have been very pleased with his teachers. The communication has been excellent and the support when there were any issues, very reassuring. My son looks forward to school each day. There are no perfect schools, and Dillard is no exception, but our experience has only been positive.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is AWEFUL!!! Our daughter was there for her 6th grade year and we had to transfer her out because of BULLYING!! She was being bullied everyday and the problem was when we brought it to the principals attention* he pretty much defended the bullies!!!! They cater to the bullies and give them treats to make them behave but obviously it doesn't work.. Students are out of control- our daughter was kicked and slapped! We were very unhappy with this school and would not recommend anyone sending their child there!!!
—Submitted by a parent

HORRID!!!! what the jell-o! oh my gosh! That school is just horrid!!!! Absolutely HORRID!!!! GOSH!!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a teacher

I personally do not think this is a good school. We allowed our daughter attend her 8th grade year before going on to high school. Prior to this year, she was in private school. We made a huge mistake in selecting this school. Her teachers did not challenge her, or really educate her for that matter. When we brought this to the administrations attention, they did nothing except talk about the accomplishments of the teachers. I wasn't concerned with their credentials at that point, considering they were doing nothing for my child. One teacher had absolutely no control over her classroom. When I went in to meet with her; she literally cried at the end of her class and complained about how unruly and behind they were. I witnessed some of class and its not the students fault. This teacher had no boundaries for them. They were allowed to walk around, in/out, and socialized as they pleased. She stood in front of the room and dictated what they should've learned in their reading assignment that she had just assigned and gave a few minutes for them to read while she looked around and said nothing to those moving about and talked. My daughter learned nothing while at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I really respect this school and most of its staff. They really have no control of the situation. Principal (cant say name) notices the smallest of problems. I got ASD (After School Detention) after someone ELSE carved my name in a desk, and they admitted it. I got detention because It was MY name. Then they miss people T'Ping the school. They went into lockdown because of a PRANK. Violence, is a HUGE problem. They attempt to fix these problems with awards for 'behavior'. 'Tickets' are given out for this but I'm a A-B student and I've been to none of these, and a kid who gets ASD once a month has been to all of the rewards. Now students photocopy counterfeit tickets and they are valued around $3 a page now, and really, The teachers do know about this, but cant proove that a student has done this. Also, Teachers are very tough on students. My typical night of homework is about 5 pages +. Beleive me I enjoy this school, just wish that they worked harder to make students behave. Me and my freinds are bullyed way too much. Not fighting, just really, It is very hard NOT to get in trouble unless you do somthing that is supposed to get you in trouble that is very common. Go figure.

I substitute at this school often. the kids are good. the administration is so helpful. All the teachers are cordial and thank me for coming. It is one of the best schools in which to substitute.

My daughter is an 8th grader at Dillard. Although we have not had a bad experience in any year, I will say the new principal has moved things in a positive direction this year. We have chosen to send our sixth grader here, even though she did get into a good magnet option. I am pleased with the teachers and new principal.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended school at DDMS. We removed her and put her in private school for multiple reasons. The primary reason was she is an academically gifted child and was not being challenged. Secondary reasons include: school violence, lack of guidance support, general lack of caring by teachers, staff, and principals. We moved to North Carolina and have been so disappointed with Wake County Public Schools. My advice: If you can afford private do it or consider home school.
—Submitted by a parent

Dillard Drive Middle is a fantastic school the teachers teach great!!! the school is not that violent either,the only reason people may think so is because people spread bad comments that aren't true because they don't like the school (bad students mostly).the 8th graders of the 2008-2009 are mainly the people who mess things up.they think they rule the school and can beat every one up.but since this year there's a new Principal this year i am confident in him to fixing the flaws of the school
—Submitted by a student

This school isn't that bad. I mean the teachers are nice and teach us well. It is not that violent either, but when something bad happens it makes it to all the media. Therefore lots of people have a bad image about it. However, I feel that it is a great school and that the staff is doing great.
—Submitted by a student

i go to this school and so far its pretty good but alot of violence i dont know why and parents its not the principle or staff or teachers fault they try their best and look foward to let the child do their best at school but its mostly parents fault because it depends if you care about your child how they act at home if you spend time with them . What im saying is that dont blame the school staff, principle, and teachers there all great.
—Submitted by a student

I am a student at this school in the sixth grade and i think the teachers are nice and everything, but ms. Abroms (principal) is out of control! plus, i am scared by the eighth graders. Plus, it has a lot of violence.
—Submitted by a student

Horrible, horrible, horrible. Principal has no control, nor does she care. Real hands off. 7th grade horrible. Took my child out for private school.
—Submitted by a parent

Kudos to Ms. Abron and her staff. My son continues to soar at Dillard. I look forward to my younger child attending this school year.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had two sons go through Dillard with the last one in 8th grade this year. I can say that the new principal is not nearly as good as her previous peer and the school would benefit from a change in leadership. However the teachers who are there are good teachers and care about thier students. Dillard provided a solid education that allowed my older son to thrive in HS and get into NCSU. In fact in my neighborhood we have students who went to Dillard and got into West Point, UNC and NCSU. So they are doing something right. The sports program there is good with several club teams to go with the standard sports including Baseball and Lacrosse. Over all a good school that provides a solid base education to prepare your children for HS and beyond.
—Submitted by a parent

I go to this school and I really love it! Sixth grade was my absolute favorite because my teachers were great and really helped me get a good start in middle school. The teachers here help us review for EOG's and they want us to pass, get an education, and be successfull. We are NOT set up to fail! If a student doesn't want to participate or do the work, then they probably won't do well. It's not the teacher or schools' fault. It might be the parents falt! Some of the parent reviews I read were parents who don't even consider that it's their fault and they should be keeping up with what's going on at Dillard. And trust me, they do send notifications and everything. So, keep up the good work Dillard! I really love this school!
—Submitted by a student

Okay, I go to this school and even though lately it hasn't been safe for all of us, it's still a great school! The teachers really try to help us get a good education but some kids just can't stay out of trouble and it affects the rest of us here. My only hope is that we can become a safer school for all the great students here. But keep up the good work Dillard! Thanks! Oh and the parent who posted the last review, I think you're over exaggerating way too much! We are not set up to fail. Only if the student decides they don't want to do any of the work and not participate will they most likely fail.
—Submitted by a student

I am SO disappointed with DDMS. Having children in other Wake County schools since 1992, we have never experienced such a high level of lack of support. Leadership begins at the top and DDMS doesn't have it. There is absolutely no communication. We do not stay informed. No news letters or notices, no voice messages with reminders (dances, early release, etc). There was a lockdown last week, we still do not know why. My sons HS communicates frequently. There's no recess for these children, even 10 minutes of social time is off limits. I have addressed this, but turned down. As a previous post stated'the children are set up to fail.' How true!
—Submitted by a parent

Magnificent school. Great staff. My son loves it here.
—Submitted by a parent

Under the leadership of Dr. Judy Munn, this school Was exceptional. However, the new principal is very uninvolved and uninterested in the quality of education. Most of the teachers hired by Dr. Munn have fled to find better leadership at other schools.
—Submitted by a teacher