Deretchin Elementary School

This school is rated a 10 by great schools only due to their high test scores. High test scores often come at a great price to the children. My child had a difficult time dealing with all the rigidity and excessive homework and testing for early elementary school. My child became unhappy here because he was constantly worried about being held back because he would not pass the standardized tests. We tried unsuccessfully to work with the teachers, principal, and counselor. Now my child is thriving in another school that does not have as high of a rating by Great Schools.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are amazing, but I am very worried all the good ones are leaving. Why??
—Submitted by a parent

The School as gone from the highest rated schools in The Woodlands to the worst, ever since the previous principal left. I've had 2 children in this school and close friends who have taught there and would move to a different school if I didn't have only a couple months of this new principal. She is very inexperienced and does not listen to her own staff or parents, which is why so many teachers have left that school since she started. If you're moving to the area, it's a great location but consider a different school or private, Deretchin Management is very bad.
—Submitted by a parent

Nice until you need something. As long as you (parents too) "stay in line" and don't need anything, you will surmise that Deretchin is a "great" school. It looks great and has plenty of money and programs. It is ridiculously overcrowded, as are many schools in good areas. But we have appreciated the efforts and friendship of many good teachers there. The administration is very smiley and nice but very intimidating, coercive and defensive toward parents who ask questions or make requests.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attended Deretchin Elementary for some time now and let me just say that since day one it has been a complete nightmare. The staff is completely unprofessional and have the worst communication I have ever seen. I fully understand and respect the need to follow rules, but the staff doesn't seem to understand, "It's not what you say, it's how you say it." We are counting the days until we are out of there. I wouldn't recommend this school to anyone, unless you like being constantly harassed, threatened, and mistreated.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved to The Woodlands, from another Houston suburb, mostly due to the reputation of the schools here. My daughter is in Kindergarten and has had a very positive experience. Her teacher communicates with the parents via e-mail nearly every other day and responds quickly when I have a question. Her teacher provided all of the parents access to a neat online web site for e-books. They do hands-on science quite a bit, which is impressive. They also get to play on the playground and/or have gym everyday, which I think is extremely important for the children. They have music and art as well. I have heard the others teachers are just as great as the teacher my daughter has, which is wonderful to hear that we will have many years to come of a positive learning environment. I have noticed the kids at her school seem to be sweet and well mannered. When I drop her off in the morning, the 6th grade helpers always say hi to me with a smile and tell me to have a good day. Earlier in the school year, they would walk her to her class until she became comfortable with finding her classroom. The parents and the teachers have both done an amazing job with all of the children.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very pleased with Deretchin Elementary. Mrs. Catherine Meyer and Mrs. Bacon are exceptional. My son progressed tremendously in their classes. He has never been happier.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended special ed at Deretchin and I thought it was great until we moved to another city and saw how special education should be. At Deretchin it was practically one on one for him, but in hindsight I see really not very much was being done with all the time and attention they had except noting a bruise on his leg and calling me "before we call cps". We are now in San Antonio in a fantastic school district and they are using adaptive equipment, ABA therapy, they bring in specialist to evaluate him, and the teacher emails me almost on a daily basis to give me updates. It seems that Conroe ISD is so well funded but has too much time on their hands
—Submitted by a parent

As a past student, and looking back on my years there, I find that Deretchin was a pretty bad school. If there is such a thing as a school have too much money, Deretchin has it. One of the APs dresses as a dragon. I feel really sorry for the 5 & 6 graders still there.

My child has been at Deretchin going on 5 years now. We have been blessed with amazing teachers at Deretchin. As with ALL public schools in Texas, they do focus curriculum around TAKS testing. I have been an active PTO member as well, that allows me to play an active role in my child's education as well. Despite its 3 star rating, Deretchin is considered by most one of the better schools in the Woodlands and CISD.
—Submitted by a parent

Too great an emphasis placed on TAKS testing. School is too big -- entire grade levels are crammed onto inadequate playground space. Lunch times start as early as 10:30 in order to accommodate all the children. We have been there for 4 years and have had some wonderful teachers, but they can only do so much when they are forced to teach to the tests.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had nothing but a positive experience with Deretchin. The school is large but it does not feel that way to my child or me. I have been thoroughly impressed with the entire staff and administration. Very, very impressive school.
—Submitted by a parent

AMAZING in every way. I've been impressed with everyone at this school. Yes it is big, but each teacher takes the time to get to know the students.
—Submitted by a parent

We love Deretchin! The teachers are all energetic and take the time to make the children feel important. I have a first and 3rd grader who love their teachers. The size of the school was overwhelming when we first toured it two years ago, but the second you spend time in the school you can see that the people there really would do anything for the children. You are always greeted with a smile. We are happy to be part of this school.
—Submitted by a parent

We feel that we received dishonesty and disrespect from our child s fourth grade teachers throughout the school year. We feel that the curriculum was mundane and busy work. We thought that the school work should challenge and enrich students not just pile on more work of tasks that have already been mastered. We are very disappointed in the instruction and structure from this school. It is clear to us that the teachers our child has do not have the student s best interest at heart.
—Submitted by a parent

The size of the student population is this school's biggest liability. The students don't receive proper interaction with other students through recess accommodations, nor do they receive proper interaction with teachers, because there simply isn't time for so many students. The gifted program has been a big disappointment for me. However I must admit I don't know that much about it. My son, who was not accepted based on the district's mandates, tested in the exceptionally high range of giftedness during independent testing. He wastes half his day at school listening to material he already knows. I wonder, how many could there be like him at Derectchin? Many more I suspect. That's a shame. Maybe they should rename the gifted/talented program to the high flying acacemic achievers club.
—Submitted by a parent

Not happy.No teacher parent communication.Teachers don't answer parent's e-mails.
—Submitted by a parent

I thought that the principal was a phenomenal asset to the students and was incredibly warm and receptive to my husband and me. My child has soared while at Deretchin and I know that she is ready to ace 7th grade!
—Submitted by a parent

Horrible! Our children flourished before Derethchin and our children are flourishing after Derethchin and continue to flourish. During their time at Derethchin their spirits were crushed and they completely turned off. I think this says it all. It does for us.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended Deretchin Flex for the past four years. Each year the atmosphere becomes more and more stale. There is a lack of professionalism by the principal who enjoys speaking about confidential information regarding her students and parents to her 'favorites', not realizing news spreads like wild flowers in The Woodlands. In addition, the principal is not accessible to the parents and DOES NOT respond to their concerns or what is in the best interest of the students. You begin to wonder if she is in the education system for the right reasons? On a positive note, we have been graciously blessed with wonderful teachers who enjoy their jobs and are loving and nurturing to our children. They go above and beyond the call of duty and are highly qualified. Many thanks only to the Deretchin teachers!!!
—Submitted by a parent