Dry Creek Elementary School

7686 EAST HINSDALE AVENUE

School District

Cherry Creek 5
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

public

School Map for Cherry Creek 5 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 March 17, 2023

Dry Creek Elementary has been an incredible experience for my two children, and I am immensely grateful for the school's support. Having relocated from another state four years ago, my eldest son struggled with learning and focus. Unfortunately, his previous school lacked the resources to test him. However, after Dry Creek received his information, they reached out to us over the summer to discuss their plan and testing. During his first year, we met with five specialists who evaluated him, qualified him for an IEP, and identified him as twice exceptional. Dry Creek worked tirelessly with my son, who has since graduated from his IEP and is now excelling in 7th grade. I credit his success to the care and resourcefulness of Dry Creek Elementary, which has helped shape him into the remarkable young man he is today. Additionally, the school community is amazing, and we have formed strong bonds with other families through our children's friendships. Overall, Dry Creek Elementary is a fantastic school, and I highly recommend it.
Submitted by parent on October 03, 2022

I have 5-year-old twins both with different personalities who just started Kindergarten. One of them struggled in preschool at another but has become really engaged and expressive since starting at this school. Both of them love school and their teachers. I appreciate the activities the children do- and their teacher's feedback. I enjoy volunteering when I can and being afforded the opportunity to do so.This is an amazing school with a communicative staff.
Submitted by parent on June 24, 2022

I have two kids, one whom just moved on and another in 5th grade next year, and can't say enough good things about the school. Neither had issues with the workload or any issues with bullying and, to my knowledge, any issues with behavior were addressed immediately and in a common sense manner. Both children are reading and calculating above grade level, which is a testament to the staff.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2019

Great teachers and staff to care for their students.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2019

I have always been completely happy with my childrens' learning and social experiences at Dry Creek Elementary. My kids have always performed at or above grade level, they have loved each and every teacher they've ever had and there's a great group of caring parents who work so hard to ensure the PTCO can fund all those extras like updated technology and teacher assistants.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2018

Fantastic experience the past 4 years at this school. The teachers are top-notch! We love the open classroom as it teaches our daughter how to deal with real-world distractions with her easily-distracted personality. Now she thrives in this environment!
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2018

This school has been declining over the years and no longer holds the high reputation they used to have. There are better CCSD schools nearby
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2017

So far my son is going for more than 1 year in this school and our overall experience has been good.
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2017

Dry Creek has been a huge blessing for us. All three of my kids have special needs and the staff at Dry Creek have always gone above and beyond for us, often without even having to be asked. My daughter had an incredible 5th grade year. The teachers are loving and accepting and prepared my daughter so well for middle school. I will be forever grateful that my children had such an incredible start to their education. I would recommend this school to anyone and believe you are lucky if your child gets to go to school at Dry Creek.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2017

Overall there are many staff members who have been there too long, who feel they are untouchable and that they do not have to answer to any one. The teachers all have favorites. They are inflexible and elitist. If your student isn't at grade-level across the board, the teachers are frustrated and feel there is nothing they can do to help the situation. The administration has little to no control over the teachers. The teachers have mostly been there too long without rotation. The school is stagnant and negative. 5th grade teachers especially are awful.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2015

We moved from Castle Rock to Centennial last year. Our son attended a Douglas County school from K through 2nd so this is his first year at Dry Creek as a 3rd grader. The biggest reason this school stands out from the rest is the way the classrooms are laid out. The building itself is a half-moon shape and the main classrooms are large open rooms divided like pieces of pie. Each grade level occupies a piece of the pie which are termed "creeks". So while the students are split up between 3 teachers who have their own classroom areas within the creeks, the entire grade level shares the space as one big happy family. The rooms aren't overcrowded by any means. If anything, the teacher/student ratio is much lower than what we experienced in Douglas County. The best part is that the kids get to intermingle with the rest of the kids in their grade so their friend-base is much larger than at traditional schools. The kids are split up for certain subjects with different teachers so it's like having 3 fantastic educators for the price of one! Our son has really flourished at this school, despite being the new kid. He has a broad range of friends and he adores his teachers. Love Dry Creek!
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2014

I have had the best experience with Dry Creek. I have seen such a great improvement academically in my child. His love for learning has gone through the roof! I am so happy I brought him to Dry Creek. This is a GREAT place with awesome teachers and the best principal EVER. What a wonderful environment for learning and development. -My child is in the first grade at Dry Creek and the Fox Creek teachers are the BEST! They do a tremendous job -the level of faith, respect, and appreciation I have for them and what they do, is indescribable.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2014

We recentely moved here from a small rural town in Kansas. We have been very impressed with the school, teachers and all we have met. Everyone very helpfull and extremely friendly!!
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2014

We have been very pleased with our experience at Dry Creek. The teachers are hyper aware of our child's strengths and weaknesses. We had a minor bully situation and all of the teachers including the aftercare program were on it immediately. We love Principal Sigmund and appreciate him greeting us every day in the parking lot. We are lucky to selected this school.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2013

Huh, interesting review below with the "suffers from overcrowding." In fact, there are three classes going on in each space when you get beyond kindergarten. For those of us who understand the Dry Creek model and are part of the Dry Creek family, this isn't an issue. In fact, it is part of why this school is so successful. If you are concerned about this as a parent, you should come for a tour. The organization of children into "Creeks" is a real strength and I've found the classes to be quiet and orderly, even in the lower grades.
Submitted by parent on July 17, 2013

This school suffers from overcrowding. They have two classes going on at the same time in the same room. Then they turn around and question why kids can't focus. What a joke.
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2013

Wow! Six years with a child at Dry Creek is coming to an end, and it's overall been a wonderful experience, for our child and for us as parents. They offer many extra choices for kids' activities, they seem consistent with their teaching philosophy from year to year, they seem to work well with the kids at all levels, so everyone has equal opportunities for success. Every kid is different, every teacher is different, and they really seem to make it the best learning experience possible. This is a big span of a kid's life/learning development, and they seem to take that into consideration at each level. They keep the kids interested as much as possible, and accountable. Our child has always wanted to go to school and to meet teacher expectations. We have been pleased with the learning experience of our child, and we would recommend this school as a wonderful, safe, happy place to have a child in public school. Thank you Dry Creek Elementary.
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2012

I wish I could give this school a higher rating than 5. My daughter was previously in the Aurora district, which you could tell they lacked the education. My daughter came to this school last year in November and they tested her levels, which she was a little behind in some areas but this school cared to catch her up to where she should be. She loved her teacher and he was wonderful. She is back for third grade and she is just so excited to be back.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2012

Amazing school! My kids have been at Dry Creek since pre-school. The teachers are amazing! The building is very safe, secure and clean. We love being a part of the Dry Creek Community!
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2011

5280 Magazine lists Dry Creek as a top public school in Colorado! This is a result of superb academic preparation and a caring environment. My daughter was blessed to have attended Dry Creek for 4th and 5th grade. She went on to middle school and is in all the advance classes and is doing great due to her education at Dry Creek!