Don T Durham Elementary School

This school is now called Walnut Grove Elementary but the same administration runs it all they changed was the building .Dr. McIlvain is not l interested in parents concerns and completely avoids dealing with the issues that this school has but then again if it were not for HER the school would not have half as many problems. She is abrasive, oppositional,irrational and a tyrant, you will never be able to get a straight answer from her let alone the TRUTH. The teachers are mediocre at best and some don't even seem to have a clue about what they are doing especially the kinder teachers. The special Education Programs are a joke and do not accommodate the kids in Special Ed. Overall I have had nothing but negative experiences with the people at this school. Thank god we are moving ! If you are considering putting your kids in this school be ready to document and RECORD everything. Trust me on this one you will need it especial if you have a child in Special Ed. I would also caution you against going into an ARD without an advocate. Make sure your advocate records all ARDs and you should too. I can't caution enough about this school.If this is your only option God help you.
--Submitted by a parent

I've got two kids in this school and have loved the experience here. What a great school.
--Submitted by a parent

My child just started Kindergarten at DES, and she absolutely loves it. The teachers are very caring, yet vigilant and attentive. This school has a very strong PTO, and most of the parents are very much involved in the school and community.
--Submitted by a parent

I can't begin to express the vast differences in Durham and the previous school in another county our child attended. Dr. McIlvain runs a tight ship yes. but for the purpose of education, emotional stability, safety and acceptance of divercity. Our special needs child is no longer caught up in a principal only interested in her own ego and petty gossip. Our child is excelling with the wonderful teacher and staff in the Life Skills class. The openess to provide true Inclusion/not token false Inclusion is amazing. We had our first ARD without losing sleep and left wondering if it had truly been real because we did not have to fight for any of our child's rights for a good education. Our child is reading signs and has never been happier since enrolling in Durham Elementary School. I pity the parents that are still fighting other school systems.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers here are really terrific and the attitudes and atmosphere are really positive. Fund raising and volunteering is a big deal here though and you are consistantly being asked to pay into the pot or volunteer for something or other. But the bottom line - My children are flourishing here!
--Submitted by a parent

Durham Elementary teachers are great. Unfortunately, I found the administration to be a disappointment. I have 4 kids that attend 3 CISD schools. I wish Durham administration was the class act that CES administrators are.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent School! The teachers and staff are wonderful. My children are challenged and nurtured each day that they walk through the doors. The parents are very involved and have many opportunities to volunteer their time to make this school outstanding!
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent school - great teachers. I have two children that attend Durham and they have both learned at a significantly faster pace than our last school system (which was a pretty decent school system). Dr. McIlvain does leave a bit to be desired when it comes to receiving parent input but she genuinely cares about the kids. It was somewhat disappointing to see that Durham has not received some of the accolades/designations that the other Carroll ISD elementary schools have received.
--Submitted by a parent

I was not impressed with the principal. She is not truly interested in parent input, but is excellent at lipservice. Teacher quality was good. Parents are not allowed to volunteer in the classrooms. Not impressed with the safety either.
--Submitted by a parent

Durham has a very strong principal, Dr. McIlvain which is key (we had a crummy principal before). She runs a tight ship and the teachers are awesome.
--Submitted by a parent