Stuarts Draft Elementary School

Excellent academic programs, I am very pleased with the school and all its academic activities.
--Submitted by Albert, a parent

I've had 2 children go through the Stuarts Draft Elementary School. It is mediocre and geared toward the middle of the road students, not the exceptionally gifted. My boys were not challenged. Leadership has been the worst part. However, the teachers are good. The overall atmosphere of this school changed under the current leadership. Previous administrations had a family oriented atmosphere involving teachers, parents, and administrators. The principals knew every child by name as well as their parents. Bates has turned the school into a 'child factory'. It's very regimented. The atmosphere is very 'corporate' and seemingly cold. End result, I pulled my children from the school. After reviewing the SOL scores (among the lowest in the county and demographic representations) other local schools eclipsed SDES.
--Submitted by a parent

My son and daughter have attended SDES. Mrs. Bates is an excellent principal and the teachers are 'over the top' as well. I was very pleased with every aspect of their school experiences. I was also very much involved in the PTA. My only concern is that parents participate more in the role the PTA plays at SDES. The PTA and teachers work directly together in seeing that the children's educational experience is at 100% which involves fundraising efforts, etc. The teachers are highly valued by the PTA.
--Submitted by a parent