Eric Dahlstrom Middle School

3600 Farm to Market Road 967

School District

Hays Consolidated Independent
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for Hays Consolidated Independent School District

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 parent on January 31, 2024

This school is amazing. we came from AISD and it has been night and day. My daughter went from never wanting to go to school to never missing a day here at Dahlstrom. She is learning so much more, the teachers are engaging and actually want to be there. The activities are wonderful, the campus is very nice. The kids are great and minimal bullying. Here at Dahlstrom, issues are actually addressed. The food is actually edible, and beyond that good! Moving to this district and school was the best decision we have ever made!
Submitted by other on February 20, 2023

Ms. Ginn is one of the best principals around! She truly cares about her students and staff! She has made DMS a fun place to work and the kids once again love being a Mustang! Thank you Ms. Ginn for your leadership!!!
Submitted by other on October 01, 2022

Past employee: Dedrah Ginn is not aPrincipal who cares about her staff, and kids. She has her favorite students and they can do no wrong. Usually her favorites are the school bullies, or friends or students of board members. She is all about herself. She is always trying to make it up the ladder no matter who she hurts along the way. She has treated teachers and other staff horrible. She plays employees against each other. I have heard from many teachers how she gangs up on a few teachers each year and torments them. Many people have left the school because of her. The Superintendent should talk to some precious employees that have quit, because they will have the same type of stories. She is a bully for a Principal.
Submitted by teacher on March 26, 2021

The administration at Dahlstrom does not care about their teachers. They let the parents run the school and they will take the word of a student over the word of a teacher. The principal has no idea what she is doing. I never see her around the campus, and she does not take an interest in the lives of her teachers. They treat paras like trash and make every employee feel unimportant. Every time I had a conversation with another employee on campus he or she would complain about how they had been treated at Dahlstrom. Even employees working on other campuses have discussed with me that Dahlstrom is the worst school in Hays to work for.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2019

Amazing school with awesome principal and teachers. We've been here for 2 years now and have nothing but wonderful things to say. I was contacted within the first week of school for my son's 504 plan meeting and everyone has been helpful and accomodating. Great school!
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2018

We love Dahlstrom, my dyslexic son is doing great!!
Submitted by student on October 26, 2017

I'm a current 7th Grader and I love this place! When I came here last year as a 6th Grader, I learned it wasn't as bad as I thought. I'm involved with a lot at this school like choir, cheer, dance, NJHS, and Student Council. They make things so fun like Pep Rallies, Red Ribbon Week, etc. They make me so lucky to be a mustang. I totally recommend this middle school. GO MUSTANGS
Submitted by other on August 22, 2016

This is the worst place to send your kids. If you are at the end of your rope and you have absolutely no other option for junior highs, TRY HARDER. You DO NOT want your child getting an education here. I was a student here from the 2012-2015 school years. I will start by saying that most of the teachers are not qualified to teach their courses. They have college degrees in majors other than teaching, then take the 'teachers exam' and become teachers. There were a few good teachers at this school, but the key word is 'few'. The majority of the teachers are indifferent and incredibly rude. I knew one teacher who would make students cry for missing work and failed assignments; she would bombard them with insults on their intelligence and capacity as well as their capability to learn. I specifically remember her saying, "Your grades are a direct reflect on me as a teacher- if you fail this class then my check gets cut!" Yeah. Contrary to this, I knew teachers who wouldn't even read my work and would just put 100's in the grade book because I was a 'good student'. Because of this, I failed my geometry class terribly because I never got the adequate education in middle school. On to the administration. They're awful. The counselor is arguably one of the worst you will ever meet. Upon my visits to her, I would be sat down and encouraged to converse of my issues. After only a few paragraphs worth of speech, the counselor would suddenly find something to relate to and go on and on about her personal life- her children, her struggles in youth, her divorce. She would turn the meeting into her own personal vent session. I would say that this would prevail for around half an hour before she would realize the time and send me off to class. I would leave feeling uncared for and further alone. There is not much to say about the principal other than he is a egotistical man with the only priority being himself. Upon meeting him, you will not like him. There is a vibe to him that REEKS 'you're not worth my time'. On top of all of this, the student body is wildly out of control and extremely undisciplined. They have no respect and no care, and it's not because of their parents- its because its not expected of them in school. In conclusion, if you want your child to receive poor education, poor counciling, and come home sneering and cursing- send them to Dahlstrom. Mercy.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2015

My daughter went to this school 2011-2013 and was bullied multiple times by the very disrespectful student body. There were plenty of students who were not bullies, but the attitude of MANY students was very confrontational and she felt extremely sad going to school every day. Some of the teachers were great, others were not able to control their classrooms which left the students not being taught properly. We were very unhappy with the experience my daughter had at this school and my son would be going here next so we sold our house and moved. Good luck to anyone who has children going here, I hope it is a much better experience.
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2012

A new year, a new leader and 300+ tranfer students from ailing Barton and Simon MIddle Schools. Class sizes are jumping to 30 students because of the transfers. I am so glad this is my kids last year in this increasingly over crowded district. The teachers at DMS are amazing, but I am not sure if they are prepared for the HUGE classes. While I realize that the kids from BMS snd SMS deserve a good education, does it have to come at the cost of my kids? I moved here for DMS, now I am moving again to a smaller district - Dripping or Wimberley- for the same reason I came here. I just hope the stressful conditions don't affect my childrens educaion this year.
Submitted by other on April 11, 2012

Hi I am a student at Dahlstrom Middle School. DMS has the best education you can give your child. The teachers and staff stay late after school to give your child the time they need to do their best that they can do. They put their own time in to making your child succeed. I am an 8th grader and have been here all 3 years, and even though we got a new principal she try to do the best for us. I reccomend this school for anyone who wants their child to succeed! Love your fellow 8th grader J _ _ _ _ _ _ :)
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2012

I am a proud Mustang Mom! I have had multiple children go to Dahlstrom and have volunteered there for 11 years now while each of them went through school. I only have GREAT things to say about it. I know getting a new principal always shakes things up, but I have always found an open door and ear when it comes to Dr. Thurman as well as the staff. They all do an outstanding job! I wouldn't have my kids go anywhere else! GO STANGS!!
Submitted by other on January 26, 2012

I am a student at dhalstrom middle school and I'm in 8th grade. i believe that although dr. thurmans policies are strict they are in the best interest of this school. i am a football player and compete in many other sports. as for the previous comment downsizing my school, i believe that our school is not bully free and some students are racist at times they are just retaliating from other problems. some parents think that social classes exist in school but nobodies perfect every child gets bullied. especially the popular ones. The teachers are great and overall the students are outgoing and warm to new and shunned students. please don't let a few bad reviews spoil your view of my amazing school. GO MUSTANGS oh and HIT BY A BUS for my fellow 8th graders;)
Submitted by other on September 14, 2011

Hi I'm student at dahlstom middle school, i really like the school it makes me feel welcome. They have so much to offer as well. I love the pricipal and the vice prinipal as well. I really love this school, I've never had any bulling of any sort and never heard of someone getting bullied also. Go mustangs! :D