Dezavala Elementary School

My oldest daughter has attended both Bowie & Dezavala, and I have to say for her Dezavala is a better fit. I have always heard only glowing things about Bowie but it has its faults also. No school is perfect. I as a parent never felt really at home at Bowie. However,at Dezavala I am involved in both my daughters' classrooms, and have found a warm, open door policy. I say to parents with negative things to say, just BE INVOLVED! The help is needed & welcomed, and you can see for yourself how dedicated & hardworking most teachers are. Its like complaining about the government & not being a registered voter. Some parents have never even set foot in classrooms, even when required. If your childs teracher sees you as interested, engaged, and involved, your child will benefit, believe me. It is worth your time, and your childs school, Dezavala or otherwise, will only be better for it.
--Submitted by a parent

All of my children have attended DZ. I have had a child at DZ for the past 11 years. So far we have only had one teacher that I thought was not up to the challenge. Throuhout all of the years I have found the staff to be caring, supportive, and engaged in providing my children with the best education possible. The administration places high expectations on teachers and the teachers respond professionally. There does seem to be an obsession with students eating quietly in the cafeteria. I am not sure why. It may have to do with the noise level. However, they do offer rewards for classes that consistently respect the rules in the cafeteria. My youngest has two more years at DZ. I know that my children have benefited greatly from the staff at DZ. Rudy the custodian is also a great asset for the school.
--Submitted by a parent

I do not agree with most of the comments mentioned above. I believe that staff and administration are very caring, specially teachers in Bilingual Ed. I have seen all perspectives. Regarding the behavior problems: I agree that 'some' staff members are too rigid. But not all are like this. What it really comes down to is the community! Parents, admin and staff working together not against each other. What do we want for our kids? DeZavala is constantly striving to get better. If you have something to say, say it in a possitive way instead of taking it out on teacher and staff. Why don't you question who really is in charge.
--Submitted by a teacher

I feel this school lacks a few caring and patient teachers. I think it is ridiculuous for students to get 'written up' for issues that the classroom teacher has herself. For example, quality of the work or even following directions. I have witnessed lots for inappropriate tones used with students in and outside the classroom. I think teachers need to always be aware of visitors in the hallways and around the school before they yell at students in line for things or outside in the hall.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with the person stating the school is cold and lacks smiles. During the students lunch period, the staff are constantly yelling at them and threatening them if they don't quiet down. I find this utterly ridiculous as the lunch period is a time for the children to relax a little from the classroom. Not to mention, that the so called loudness in the lunch room is at a minimum. The school apparently has a problem with disciplining children for things that they aren't at fault for and letting the child at fault slide. This I find a little senseless also. I later found that the child at fault was a staff members child, so favoritism was showed for that reason. Staff child or not, they should not be shown any favoritism. Fairness goes across the board, not one way.
--Submitted by a parent

I am not satisfied with this school. The administration is cold and the school lacks smiles. Parent involvement is great and there are some teachers that will do great things in the teaching career.
--Submitted by a teacher

Excellent Leadership, strong curriculum, Administration and Staff care about students.
--Submitted by a staff

My child has done very well at DeZavala. I feel he has learned the basics for future success. Teachers there report ongoing problems with their principal, but they seem to overcome their difficulties with their principal and go on to provide good quality education for their students.
--Submitted by a parent

this elementary has inproved tremendsly troughout the years. this school is great i have no complaints. top grade a school ever!
--Submitted by Allison Hernandez, a former student