George Bannerman Dealey Montessori Vanguard

This school should stop calling itself Montessori - why can't it just be GBD Vanguard - why claim a whole very specific curriculum that you can't wholly implement? Next can you call yourself Waldorf because you go outside now and then and do an art project with wool! You can claim any old curriculum but it doesn't mean you are teaching children the way that curriculum intends. We have been accepted at a true Montessori school and we think our kid is going to be all the better for not going to just another DISD school.

Given the circumstances, Dealey does an adequate job of preparing its young learners academically. As for providing a caring and nurturing environment, however, much less so. It has been an uneven experience, to say the least. I have been most disappointed in several of the teachers' and aides' unwillingness to appropriately address what is clear bullying, both in and out of the classroom. The school is rampant with it. In fact, a few seem not only to cultivate such a culture for and in others, they actively participate through modeling. And, yes, they are doing damage. Furthermore, the school seems to have a bit of an identity crisis, vacillating from Montessori, as the name implies, to more traditional public school. Most often it chooses, out of necessity I suppose, to be the latter, at least it does so in the upper grades.
—Submitted by a parent

The leadership is poor. There are biases that no one talks about. A school that is forty percent hispanic does not have the leadership or teaching staff to reflect that majority. I am constantly disappointed by the principal. Not impressed all. It is not a warm and inviting atmosphere. At least not for "certain" people.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been going to this school since Pre-k. Next year will be my 10th. I am and always have been a very successful student as well as many others. We have endure great challenges everyday. The awesome teachers and our principles have made that happen.

I have been a proud Dealey parent for the past 5 years and plan to be for another 7. My oldest was accepted into the school in the 2nd grade and was welcomed by all of the children and teachers which was a great transition from his last school where he was not challenged and often bullied. Had he not been accepted, we would have had to move out of Dallas to find a school that could even compare to the quality of education our boys are receiving at Dealey.
—Submitted by a parent

i went to this school for 8 years. i loved it. i am currently a junior, and i am very thankful that my parents decided to enroll me at Dealey. I had the best year of my life there. since its a small school you feel special and important. I loved it.
—Submitted by a student

This is my daughters 2nd year at Dealey , and we LOVE it. We are very excited of what the future has in store, at Dealey although she is only in Kinder now! We are very proud parents to say that our child attends Dealey. Parent involvment is high whish also plays a big part in the students achievment.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very happy about this school!!! The students are great overachievers. The academics are excellent. The drama club always does an awesome job decorating and putting on shows such as the Multicultural program. The new principal Ms. Bortnem does an oustanding job with the students and teachers. Dealey Montessori not only teaches you about the United States but about the global economy. Its new name is George Bannerman Dealey International Academy!!!
—Submitted by Slobodanka Milanko, a parent

Dealey Montessori Vanguard is a rare jewel of a find inside the DISD. The new principal, Mrs. Bortnem, has just completed her first year here and did an amazing job of rebuilding the school after a rough few years with a different principal. She is a very experienced and professional woman, having served in the DISD going on 23 years. We were truly impressed with her commitment last year to the rigorous Montessori training program she attended in the evenings. The SBDM has been restructured under her leadership and is already set up to accomplish great things this year. The faculty are all very committed to the children and impressively fulfill the complicated task of utilizing the Montessori Methodology within a public school structure. Parents are committed and very involved with the school. Extracurricular programs include but are not limited to orchestra, chorus, chess, TAG, soccer, volleyball, tennis and scouting.
—Submitted by Teri Padgett, a parent

Academics are excellent. Orchestra starts in kindergarten. Grade level teams are fielded in leagues run through the Town North Y. Parent involvment is high. Seriously, we'd be happy even if we were paying for it. A small oasis of joy in Dallas ISD.
—Submitted by Leslie Osborne, a parent

This is our thrid year and we couldn't be more happier. There has been much written about the academics (top-notch);I would like to address the school climate. Dealey has the look and feel of an international school. Our children are not growing up in a bubble - they are educated with other children of different backgrounds and languages, and that diversity is celebrated throughout the year. Teachers look happy and sponsor many activities, kids are excited about learning, and parents are involved. Dallas is a diverse city and it is reflected in the faces of the students. It's wonderful!
—Submitted by Tricia, a parent

Our boys are starting their 2nd year at Dealey (K and 3rd) and love it. They have done very well academically. My 8-yr-old loves the chess program! I am impressed with how communicative the teachers are and with how much time and effort they invest in our children. The mixed-age classes are great because the children stay with their teachers for more than one year. This means teachers know their students well, and parents know the teachers. These strong relationships improve the overall experience for all concerned. Hopefully the incoming principal will be as high-quality as the teachers with whom we have dealt thus far.
—Submitted by Jackie S., a parent

Dealey Montessori is a DISD magnet school, and yes it is a montessori public school. One and only in the metroplex! Ms. Vega, principal, is doing a great job along with teachers and staff whom are all dedicated, experienced and providing an excellent education and working closely with parents and PTA. Your participation, concerns, contributions, feedback as parents are well received. Our son is playing soccer with Dealey Dragons in partnership with the YMCA. There are other sports, art and music programs as well, and it is a matter of which ones your child is interested in. Level of parent involvement is high and PTA membership levels are one of the highest in DISD. Dealey is providing students a montessori school environment where the quality of education is superior and can only be found in private schools. Bottom line: highly recommended.
—Submitted by K Dogru, a parent

I am not at all impressed with the principal's leadeship at this school. It appears that there is a great divide between the teachers and the principal and we believe it greatly impacts the way the teachers perform.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not at all impressed with the principal's leadeship at this school. It appears that there is a great divide between the teachers and the principal and we believe it greatly impacts the way the teachers perform.
—Submitted by a parent

Dealey is an excellent school with a supportive principal and an excellent teaching staff. A beacon for the Dallas Public Schools, it offers children a rich, well rounded education.
—Submitted by John Hutcheson, a teacher

Great school - great teachers - great new principal. My five children have attended this jewel of a public school. It is preK through 8th grade, which allows for older students to mentor younger ones - they learn leadership skills by actually leading. Children of many nationalities work and learn together in a community of respect.
—Submitted by Jan Mallett, a parent

My Daughter has been a student at Dealey for 4 years. Our teachers are very compassionate, professional and well educated. Dealey is well provided for by DISD in comparison to other area schools. While our teachers are great our principal, Ms. Vega, is lacking. She is ineffective when dealing with students behavioral issues. As a result discipline has become a serious problem. She has not developed a positive relationship with our teachers and is disliked by most of them. She is unable to work with the schools coach or illuminate him. While I may not appreciate our coaches style, I have seem Ms. Vega treat him in a very unprofessional manner in frount of teachers and students. She lost a valued Art teacher filled her position with a inexperienced replacement.
—Submitted by a parent

The academic programs are excellent at Dealey. The teachers and administrators are professional and show their concern for the students. The PTA is very active and involves many parents. The extracurricular opportunities are also excellent. The theatre and music programs develop students that have an appreciation for the arts. We feel fortunate that our child is able to attend Dealey. She is doing very well, above grade level, and looks forward to going to school each day.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school and wish that I am able to get both of my children enrolled. The curriculum is great and I love the fact that a child stays with their teacher for three years starting in Pre-K. To me, the teacher really gets to know the child and can enhance their strengths and build on any weaknesses.
—Submitted by a parent