Devon Forest Elementary School

1127 Dorothy Street

School District

Berkeley 01
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

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 February 13, 2023

The teachers are amazing at least the ones I have had. My problem is each year they have to replace the special needs teacher and they are terrible with communication with the parents. My son has been at this school for three years and this is the first year his class has been given the chance to eat in the cafeteria because his teacher fought to give them a chance. I don’t think the kids have ever been to the library. The entire office staff and most other teachers want the class to stay all day in their confined class and act like they don’t exist. I’ve spoke to the principal once and when I said my son was is special needs she literally waved her had in the direction of the class and didn’t bother looking at me. The special needs team and the school nurse are amazing though!
Submitted by other on July 22, 2022

Love thks school. Teachers a d staff do so much and are so kind! Thanks for making my last year an awesome year!
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2021

Love the teachers and the school. The problem is the Principal. Christi Mitchum needs to get out of the education system. She is very rude to the parents and does not believe anything parents say. I had an issue with a teacher being rude and biased against my child. My husband and I sat down and had a meeting with her in her office. She made it very clear that it does not matter what a teacher has done. She overlooks and disregards what parents say. She comes across high and mighty and she also stated that her job is secure and she will believe only what the teacher says. It's time for her to go. Thank goodness we moved away. Much better schools out there.
Submitted by parent on July 03, 2018

I loved it until I got to really know the principal she is a terrible person and doesn't care how she treats parents. As she put it she has job security so basically she can say and do what she wants even in front of a child. My son struggled last year and had some little behavior issues. She told me she will make sure he gets a really GOOD teacher next year in a very sarcastic tone. That was right before the job security comment. I would hope she thinks all her teachers are great teachers but I guess not with the way she said it. What she fails to understand is I can and will make sure my son has a good teacher. They need to get rid of her.
Submitted by parent on December 29, 2017

Run away Mitchum is driving the school into the ground
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2016

The teachers in this school are flawless. unfortunately the principle mitchum is seriously biased and does not take complaints about her staff in the office. They treated me horrible in the front office and when I complained about the from office worker being rude, not only did she tell me she did not care but told me I can complain to the school board because there is nothing they can do to her. .... that is her words. NOTHING will get done if I complain. ... so I called the school board and talked to a Dr.Gelman and she said She would look into it. months later I have not heard back. I went to my custody hearing for my son which I had custody of and she gave them a sworn affidavit saying I was in their school causing trouble. All i did was complain to the principle about how rude the front office was to me. NOW i am moving out of here because of the really horrible way they handle parents that complain. apparently they will strike back and try to have your kids taken. anyone that wants proof of this I have it and am welcome for anyone who cares about justice to follow up. I invite comments and ask other parents that have been treated bad to come forward and not be scared of the repercussions of giving your opinions or fear that the principle will try to have your children removed from your care because you complain about an employee... this is ridiculous. UPDATE: Dr. Gelman has since contacted me and promises a follow up. I will update if anything is done about this but I still encourage anyone else who she may have mistreated to come forward with how your complaint was handled. Thank You.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2016

Teachers are very informative and my children love attending every day. The administration is extremely friendly and helpful.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2014

I moved here from Florida last year and my daughter has been attending Devon Forest since August of 2013. We love this school! The teachers and all other staff are great with communication. The school is very clean and organized, and the implemented systems seem to work very well for the kids. My husband and I have visited during school hours on numerous occasions and we are always impressed. My daughter is in second grade and loves the school as well. Her high test scores were overlooked in Florida and she was given the same amount and level of work as all other kids, while here she is challenged accordingly. She is now reading at a 5th grade level and writing at a 4th grade level, and has been at a 3rd grade level in math since December 2013. I believe this is due to the fact that the school takes academics seriously and they make sure that each child is challenged at their appropriate level.