Don Estridge High Tech Middle School

1798 Spanish River Boulevard

School District

Palm Beach
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by student on September 09, 2024

I go to Don Estridge currently, and all my classes are advanced or accelerated. I think the way they handle academics is not exceptional or amazing, I think this way because of the amount of homework I get, instead of making the class advanced or accelerated and not average, they just double the homework. I’m fine with some homework that takes 1 hour, but on average I get around 3-4 hours of homework everyday. Sometimes I get no homework and the next day all the teachers assign it the same day and it just piles up, not to mention the additional programs the teachers assign during the week, and plus the studying. This is hard because I’m just a young teen that wants to enjoy some free time and it’s stressful, and I also do sports for free time which gives me no time to relax, just come home, eat quickly, and start homework. I don’t find any joy in school anymore and only focus on the 6 letters on my screen. The teachers are average, some are nice, and others are not and don’t enjoy teaching or being there. But they have good amount of rules and keep things safe. Thank you for reading and I hope they change something while I’m still at this school.
Submitted by student on March 28, 2024

As a student who has been here from 6th to 8th grade, here's what I have to say overall:TEACHERS: The 6th to 7th grade teachers are above average without a doubt, and nearly every single one of my teachers in 8th grade have been better than I've had from the past 13 years of school that I've been in. Just like with most places, there are some not-great or just bad teachers/staff, but it's nothing that can majorly interrupt my life or school in general.HOMEWORK: Homework is really dependant on the teachers. From 6th-7th grade, I got almost no homework other than the weekly reading assignment which takes a few minutes to do (and you get the whole week to do it), this was similar for some of the other students ive talked to. In 8th grade, there is definitely a switch in the amount of homework given. In Math, homework is given daily. But that's about it. Plus, the homework in math only accounts for 20% of your total grade while tests account for 80%.EDUCATION: School here is just school, same curriculum as everyone else. HOWEVER, in my 8th grade year here, the teachers improved the education by 1000x. Throughout the years here, my teachers would just give the normal textbook assignments and explanations. But my teachers, especially my ELA teacher (Mr. Bender) has taught in a way that has changed the way many students and I learn, and keeps us engaged. My 8th grade teachers take time and effort to craft engaging assignments and lessons that not only teach us the topic but make it worthwhile to do. The classes are separated into 3 levels; "Regular", "Advanced" and "Cambridge". The Regular classes are NOT Regular, they are for students who need help catching up and are behind the grade level in that subject, and they are great at helping you get to a higher level class. The Advanced classes are normal, they teach at a faster but normal rate, with somewhat challenging lessons and assignments (depending on the subject). The Cambridge classes are Advanced, they teach at an above average speed and the assignments are more challenging and thought provoking. This school is the best of the worst. Compared to almost every other middle school, this is a great place to be. There's a lot than can be improved such as the way they deal with students and some of the guidelines, but these are the same problems that are in nearly every other school, so it's not negative in that sense
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2023

My daughter started at Don Estridge, a magnet high tech middle school in Aug. 2021. Although she was nervous thinking she wasn't going to know anyone, she made friends quickly. Her elementary school prepared her well for the high level of education & daily use of google classroom required here. This is a Cambridge academic center, a high level program. Each grade has its own Asst Principal. So far, they have been strict with behavior issues. The Principal & school board are committed to the safety of the students & administration, expelling a group of kids who threatened to use firearms. The PTA is committed to fun fundraising events, including supervised dance parties, to improve technology, teaching equipment & security. Overall, we are very happy here, highly recommending this middle school!
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2022

Just to be clear, after reading some negative reviews about Don Estridge, I have to clarify that negative reviews do not represent 99% of parents and students who attend Don Estridge. Both my kids have or are attending this school, and it is listed as a 10/10 school for many reasons. Yes, it is highly academic and has great sports and other programs. Don Estridge is selective and therefore they expect more from the students. They have a no-bullying policy. They have excellent support systems in place for kids with IEPs, and they allow kids to grow to their full potential in STEM, or math, and sciences. One of my kids has studied piano and drama, which I find amazing. So, please trust the 10/10 rating and not reviews on these systems.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2022

They offer Cambridge and advanced classes which is great, but instead of elevating the subjects, they just give a lot of work to the kids. My child had 4 hours of homework almost every single night. Though not the schools fault, the bus was an hour late everyday. My child barely had time to scarf down dinner with all that work let alone have any free time during the week. And almost every single weekend, one day had to be completely dedicated to homework just to catch up. It just isn’t a sustainable schedule for an 11 or 12 year old. I had high hopes for this school but I’m disappointed how they handle academics. Some teachers that teach advanced placement just put on videos and don’t teach at all, leaving the kids to figure it out on their own using up more and more of their free time at home. I hope they take notice to this issue and make some changes to prioritize mental health because a lot of the advanced kids will end up burning out.
Submitted by student on April 28, 2022

Never come here. It is the most awful school ever. There are cockroaches everywhere, the teachers are terrible, the students have at least one fight every week, education is very low, teachers don't care about other students cheating or anything terrible and only focus on the kids who did nothing big. Safety in this school is very low, education is low, teaching is low, and social/emotional support is the absolute worst. Never come here. High tech middle school? yeah right. Technology is the worst in this school, terrible wifi too. Never send your kids here. Bullying is also a problem in this school, it is very terrible, yet the teachers don't do anything. I am a student in who is currently in this school and it is the absolute worst. I am moving away next year and i am so glad. Never send your kid here if you want them to suffer.
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2022

awful, horrible, teachers touch you, so do the students.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2020

It is a great experience to meet new students apposed to a zoned school. There is a wide range of students from differing socioeconomic groups, and this is a real-life experience!
Submitted by other on April 28, 2019

I love this school my son is there and he is learning a lot. My son is very smart and the school succeeds in making the most of his potential.
Submitted by student on February 24, 2019

I've been in Don Estridge for all three middle school years. When I first started out, I was timid; I didn't make friends and I didn't do academically well. However, as I entered seventh and then eventually eighth grade, the pinnacle of my time, I've evolved as a person. I felt a deep connection with all my teachers and classmates. In Don Estridge, although I was teased in elementary school for my weird personality, they openly embraced and even encouraged me. Even the so-called popular or stuck-up kids were kind, or at least decent humans at their worst. I gained confidence, self-love and happiness during my time here, as well as received valuable lessons and friends. My time here has been momentous for me.
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2017

Exelent my two kid attend to this school is the best experience of all teachers and staff are amazing sad because principal is leaving.
Submitted by other on January 26, 2017

I love the technology opportunities and extra curricular activities they have here. My daughter loves the school and the teachers!
Submitted by other on May 05, 2016

Like every school, there are good things and bad things. There are lots of sports to try out for if you are excellent at that sport (since there is high competition to make the teams, lots of kids do club teams outside of school). The uniforms for sports are nice. Some of the teachers are beyond excellent. On the other hand, some teachers shouldn't be there. The administration and guidance are average for all of the schools, no superstars, but no duds either. The PTA seems good. I don't like how they use push buttons for testing, they don't work sometimes, which reflects on the child's grade. There are not a lot of computers for use by the students, and a lot of colaboration is done which is difficult since kids are spread out over the entire county. You really need a phone or a tablet when you go here since it's the only way to be able to do some of the work in the classes, the teacher's expect you to do a lot of the work with your own technology, because usually you can't use the schools. I suppose like all schools there is a fair amount of bullies, and it's hard to control them since some parents are just as bad. The hours are difficult (9:30-4:15) because kids start late and get out late. But all in all, an average school with both good and bad.
Submitted by parent on December 08, 2015

This is my kids 2nd year at Don Estridge, I appreciate all the Teachers and the Administration.
Submitted by other on June 12, 2014

this school couldnt be better i love it. i cant explain the improvements i have made in these past days. thank you
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2014

Terrific school! Both of my kids have attended and have had academically challenging and disciplined study. Keep up the good work!
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2014

I'm currently an 8th grade student here at Don Estridge, and it's OK. MOST of the teachers here are amazing. There's just a select few that ruin it for me. Don't get me wrong; I've learned a great deal at this school and I felt safe, secure, and that I was getting a good education. There are just some teachers though who do not even come close to the others. They don't really pay attention to who's being disruptive and can get very off topic. Also, the administration has been going way overboard for lunches. We've had to have assigned seating and silent lunches at our only free time during school. That is definitely not fair to the students that do the right thing. Other than unfairness and some of the teachers, this school has a lot to offer. I highly recommend taking art as an elective. Mr. Green is fantastic and an inspiration. Also, Mr. Francis has an awesome technology class but that's about as high tech as it gets except for CPS. My test scores have gone up each year and I've learned a lot here. I have to say I will miss Don Estridge.
Submitted by other on January 04, 2014

As a former Don Estridge student I say in all honesty that this school didn't make me resent getting out of bed in the morning. The teachers are more than amazing at their job and try to improve if given constructive criticism. Yes there may be lots of homework, but only for difficult courses. If your child can`t handle the curriculum then they should get a schedule change. I left that school with three high school credits and a great education, I`m proud to say I`m the alumni of Don Estridge High Tech Middle School.
Submitted by parent on December 08, 2013

Don't let the name fool you...There is nothing high tech about this school. 'High tech' means the kids have to use remote controls to enter their test answers so it's easier for the teachers to grade. Lots of homework, with little content. Academics take a back seat to everything, especially sports. There aren't any academic awards for 6th or 7th graders but 1st cuts of the volleyball team makes the front page of the website. Absolutely NO consistency in the use of the main communication channel (Edline). Teachers routinely post erroneous grades & do NOT keep the calendar updated. This means posted homework assignments aren't really due on the posted dates and tests/quizzes 'appear' out of nowhere the day before. This is NOT just 1 teachers: This is 75% of them. The icing on the cake are the 'Silent Lunches' where the kids are not allowed to talk during lunch. Ridiculous. Ironically there is no real discipline as students who are disruptive just have to leave class & come back the next day to repeat it. Students caught CHEATING ON TESTS are just asked to stop cheating. Things have changed since 2011 & Don Estridge is turning in his grave that this school carries his namesake.