Desert Palms Elementary School

11441 North 55th Avenue

School District

Peoria Unified
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Peoria Unified 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 October 12, 2017

Not happy with the teachers or staff.
Submitted by parent on June 21, 2017

My children have been at this school since starting, with the exception of 3 quarters. My oldest will be in 5th grade, my youngest in 3rd. I have never had any problems with administration addressing my children's needs and concernts.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2016

You feel welcome as soon as you walk on campus. Every staff member strives to make the school an exciting, fun and safe environment.
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2014

Wonderful, progressive School, great Library, good PTSA. I Feel blessed to have my Child attend here! Yay DP!
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2013

Desert Palms has some real potential...sure, it is in a neighborhood where the income level is quite low, several family members have been incarcerated, and many of the children appear to be raising themselves. The parents are quick to criticize the teachers but most don't take the time to get involved, seldom support the efforts of the teachers, and place all the instructive efforts on the school instead of taking part in their child's education. It seems to me that many of the people in the area have lost their own hope so they don't encourage their children to achieve or strive to do their best. Desert Palms does not have all the technology of other schools, it doesn't have a young energetic staff, but it does have a very dedicated group of teachers who don't give up! The teachers seem a bit worn out, frustrated, and overwhelmed, but they work very hard to do what's best for children....they love them, teach them, and encourage them every day! I see the potential in this school if ALL persons gathered together and sought student success and well-being! Get involved and just watch what incredible things could happen. It has to be a team effort and the students deserve it!
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2012

Maybe they are trying, but they are nothing like the wonderful schools in the Peoria Unified School District. My five children, myself and my husband have been in the Peoria school district all our 38 years. We have attended between us eight different elementary and high schools all in the Peoria district. It is honestly a great district to have your child grow up in. The teachers and administration are dedicated to success. This school does not even seem like it belongs in the district. We have dealt with bullying, a black eye and lunch being stolen all in the first week of class and never before was this on issue for any of our other kids and any other PUSD school.. This action taken when I sought assistance was denial and defensiveness. It seems to be a knee jerk reaction to anybody that has an issue worth confronting them about. I am actually a fearful to let my child attend this school. That not even to mention the police presence that is there to scold the parents walking across the street, not for the children. They need a crosswalk at the school's street since their parking lot is puny and outdated? They need to get their standards up. I will root for them to do so.
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2012

My children have been at this school for the past two years. I have had the pleasure of working with wonderful teachers in the 4th, 5th, and 8th. grade. I feel that my children are challenged and their teachers have a genuine interest in their education. My son has since graduated and my daughters are always engaged in lessons, music and choir. I appreciate all of your hard work teachers! Keep up the enthusiasm and never lose your sense of wonder...thank you for being the second set of parents for our children...we appreciate you:)
Submitted by parent on January 08, 2012

My children have gone/going from kindergarten thru 8th grade at Desert Palms. I have never seen a staff that works so hard and puts in extra time for their students. With an influx of ELL students and lower income students over the past few years, there is a greater weight of responsibility of these teachers to meet state testing results. And Desert Palms has done a great job meeting these goals.As a longtime parent at this school, I have seen parent involvement continue to go down. And yet, I see in these ratings that they are complaining about the teachers. I wonder how much these parents helped out and were active in PTSA.
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2011

desert palms students and parents---GET OUT!!!! Bad Teachers!!!!! We left that neighborhood and will nnever go back.
Submitted by parent on August 04, 2011

My kids have been there one year only and I think this school has hurt my youngest rather then helped him.The third grade teacher was horrible. I not sure she is thete to teach but, acts like she is God. Other children have been treated just Ok.. Trying one more year only.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2011

My son went to DP for 2yrs. I am very unhappy with this school. It is a very low income school. The school doesn't do half of what some of the other Peoria schools do. We are moving this year specifially to get him out of this school. My son is a straight A student, had some issues with bullying. I pretty much had to yell at the principal to get her to do something about it.
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2011

I was happy with DP until this year. I agree some teachers do not belong there. Lately I have not seen anyone care for the education of my childern or being concern, i feel the most concern is them having these kids fail instead of helping or showing concern. Giving more postive feedback rather then trying to get childern in trouble.
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2010

This school is good but my concern is when a child is choked several times in one day by another student and them harassed by the students shouldnt the students get in trouble for that. That is the experience my child went through there. I would think that the teacher or principle would call me to let me know that my child is being bullied. Also when I tried to talk to the principal about the situation she was never available. I'm supposed to trust them with my kids.
Submitted by other on April 20, 2010

Some teachers at this school really should not be teachers! Very disrespectful in their speech toward students and parents