Charlotte A. Dunning Elementary School

48 Frost Street

School District

Framingham
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
Type

public

School Map for Framingham 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 December 29, 2015

Having had 2 kids go thru Dunning, we have no complaints as the teachers and support staff were first rate. Highly recommend finding a home in this neighborhood and sending your kids to Charlotte Dunning Elementary School!
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2015

Both our daughters went to Dunning. It was and is a great school with terrific, caring teachers. (We've stayed in touch.) Kids get an excellent education, learn to love school, and benefit from the experience of having diverse classmates. Our daughters both went on to attend Framingham High and then Ivies; many of their FHS classmates also went on to attend very good schools. One daughter is now a college prof and successful author. The other is in med school. One reason she got in was the experience of attending school in a system like Framingham, with a range of ethnicities and income levels. The kids in the system tend to have healthy values and a good work ethic without having the crazy amount of pressure found elsewhere. The Framingham schools also have a top notch gifted and talented program and strong support for kids with special needs.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2014

It's unfortunate the review posted on March 4th doesn't indicate what the Principal's shortcomings are. It would be nice to understand specficis. It's apparent they've had some situations which haven't been favorable. I wonder if this parent is an involved parent and if they attend the PTO meetings or volunteer their time. If they were involved with the school, they'd see the results of her leadership. The Superintendent recently asked the Principal to tackle two jobs - the Principal of Dunning and the Principal of another school for the remainder of the year. That speaks to her leadership. For example, the Principal has allowed the teachers in the upper grades to concentrate in their area of expertise and teach that expertise to a couple of different classrooms. My last child had the benefit of this model the first year it started and it was great! It has renewed the energy of the teachers and the children benefited from having a different teacher rathe than their homeroom teacher instructing them for all subjects. The tenure of teachers is also a plus as noted in the March 2014 review.
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2014

The teachers here are wonderful. And sadly, I have to agree that the principal has lots of shortcomings. Thankfully, the teachers have been here much longer than the principal and they carry the school. "Warm hugs and the forest through the trees"? - from a previous comment. Very strange, sounds like the principal to me. Lots of great kids, parents and teachers at this school, the saving grace.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2013

My children attend Dunning and have for the past several years. We couldn't be happier. The principal is a leader and I definitely see a great change in the teachers and staff as a result of her leadership, especially since prior to her arrival there were several principals who didn't stay more than a couple of years. She is willing to listen to concerns and address them as needed. The principal also expects parents and children to be part of the solution if there is an issue. Is she "warm and friendly?" Depends on your definition and perception of warm and friendly. Do you expect hugs or a friendly wave and greeting? Is she firm and confident when speaking with others? She's quite confident in her role. From what I can see and hear from others, she has earned the respect from those that who can see the forest behind the trees. I would challenge those parents who say she is inflexible and self-centered to look through the trees. As a result of a district wide survey, she incorporated changes based on the feedback of those surveys. The academic performance of the school has also increased, that doesn't happen through poor leadership.
Submitted by parent on March 21, 2013

I agree the Principle is not a good leader. Very inflexible and self centered if you have an issue. I also think the school creates a lot of pressure on both children and parents. Very disappointed with this school.
Submitted by parent on January 03, 2013

Dunning is a great school! Teachers and staff are Excellent - caring and motivated people. It has a challenging and impressive academic program. Along with her regular studies, my 4th grader does a lot of creative and fun reports, presentations and projects regularly that is essential for a wholesome and confident student. Thanks Dunning!
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2010

My son is now a 4th grader at Dunning and Dunning has exceeded my expectations. Every year he has had excellent teachers. He has had a great grammer school experience at Dunning.
Submitted by student on March 16, 2010

i go there and it's really neat and amizaing