Downington Middle School

115 Rock Raymond Road

Downingtown, PA 19335

School District

Downingtown Area
Grade

7-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Downingtown Area 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 September 26, 2014

My daughter is in her second year at DMS. First, the new bussing situation is unacceptable. Children must walk to and from busses through the busy high school parking lot, to the high school next door. For this reason I now drive my child both ways each day. One thing DMS does we'll is teach kids how to manage their time and schedules. Academically though I am not impressed with DASD at all. We move frequently and both of my children are far advanced in English, Science and History. My child has learned no new material in these subjects since we moved to Downingtown after 4th grade. Her current 7th grade history teacher does not teach, but babysits while the kids copy text from photo copied material in folders. We are at the mid-term of Q1 now and all lessons have been taught this way. I'd estimate that at least 50% of the work is project based and done in groups with inadequate supervision. This typically results in one child doing the work,a fair amount of social drama and no real learning. Considering all the accolades DASD receives, and the tax rate for the district, I expected more rigorous curriculum and a better learning environment. We have been disappointed.
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2014

We moved here recently and have been delighted with DMS, Shamona Creek Elementary, and DASD. I have an 8th grader and a 5th grader and the staff, teachers and students have been very helpful. The band/music program is a big improvement over our prior school district (Marple-Newtown) and the social environment is much more welcoming. I'm looking forward to my kids graduating from high school here.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2014

In the two years my son has been a student at DMS I have found most of the teachers are there to collect a paycheck and not teach our children. They always have an excuse. In the private sector employers do not want excuse they want results and anwers. The Principal is a waste. Maybe he should send less time making YouTube vidoes and more time running the school.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2014

DMS has excellent and supportive teachers! The band program is fantastic! With sports, plays, clubs, ect... there are plenty of ways for students to get involved. Very welcoming environment and wonderful staff. As a parent who has had 2 children attend DMS I am very happy with the Downingtown school district.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2014

Downingtown Middle School is a phenomenal school! The administration, teachers and staff are all amazing people and do a superb job. I have nothing but positive things to say about DMS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO FOR OUR CHILDREN!! Keep up the incredible work you do!
Submitted by other on May 13, 2014

DMS's motto is "Every Child. Every Day." The entire staff, student-body, and community truly live that slogan. In addition to a rigorous core academic program, DMS provides a tremdously robust arts program (just attend one of their concerts or musical theater productions for proof) and a wide array of extracurricularl activities (evidenced by the beautiful murals adorning all walls of the school, which were painted by the Mural Club." The social, emotional, and academic growth of children at the middle level is paramount. The team-based wholistic approach at DMS leads to success in these areas. To that end, DMS and DASD have also become a choice location for its phenomenal special needs programming. The Life Skills, Supplemental Life Skills, Autistic Support, and Supplemental Autistic Support programs are second to none. Finally, along with its counterpart, LMS, the DMS Lancers were just awarded the prestigious "Pennsylvania Governor's Award for Academic Excellence" for its exceptional School Performance Profile Score. While the incredible DASD high schools receive most of the formal accolades, it's the middle schools that build the strong foundation for that future success.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2014

I'm outside the 4-year limit described in "School Review Guidelines", but perhaps a view of the long-term impact of DMS is worth sharing: Both of my children studied here, participated in the school's core curriculum programs and gifted ed programs and in the exceptional music programs... and went on to win early decision admission to two of America's most selective liberal arts colleges, Bucknell and Swarthmore. The current principal is the former Penn State Nittany Lion, mascot and principal cheerleader of the world's largest alumni association, and he brings a talent for spirit-building to his work with the faculty and school community. He was a fearsome pro wrestler and a tenderhearted special ed teacher too, and he reads Thomas Merton and Thich Nhat Hahn -- a remarkable, eclectic guy who brings all of his varied gifts to his work. Faculty members always struck me as committed to their disciplines, but committed even more to kids; special ed teachers and guidance staff in particular seemed to bend over backwards to please parents and serve students. Parents I know who still have kids in the school seem to share my assessment of DMS. Five stars then... and now!
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2014

My school is Downingtown Middle School and I can honestly say that the principal and administrative staff have been nothing but fantastic and supportive throughout my years here. The teachers are outstanding and they continuously go above and beyond for the students. I couldn't be happier or more satisfied.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2014

This school is a perfect example of everything that is right about Downingtown. Awesome teachers and principals who go out of their way to help kids. A variety of programs to suit children of all interests. Outstanding academics to challenge children of every ability level. We could go on and on.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2014

This school is excellent! Not every teacher is perfect but I found no communication issues between the staff and myself for my children. The teachers want my children to excel and the homework is definitely going to prepare them for high school. Both of my kids are able to juggle extra curricular activities(there are an array of choices) and their school work just fine and I really like the curriculum this school has especially compared to other middle schools in the area.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

awesome! this school was amazing for my kids and I am glad to have given them this head start in life. great district, great families, great administration!