Dixieland Elementary School

416 Ariana Street

School District

Polk
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
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 July 21, 2020

I had a wonderful experience at Dixieland Elementary. Office staff and administration were friendly and willing to help us with any issues we encountered. We found communication to be excellent from both teachers and administration.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2019

Would never recommend this school to anyone. My bright happy go lucky kid now hates school. There is zero Discipline or communication . My daughter has never missed a day of school and always enjoyed going, until now. Principal avoids parents and will not return calls or address issues. Kids are out of control. My daughter comes home literally afraid of her teachers and it’s plain sad! Luckily we got approved For a school transfer and we are excited to leave this terrible school behind us.
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2017

This school is scary. Bullying is out of control! My kids have seen actual fights, and the school has been on lock down because of violent students. This school needs an intervention. The whole school year revolved around testing, my students teacher had zero classroom management skills. Children with behavior issues get more attention than children there to learn. Administration is horrible.
Submitted by other on May 09, 2017

The teachers are very kind and helpful.
Submitted by other on April 20, 2017

I love Dixieland the teachers and staff are great the adm. has always taken care of anything that has happened with my child. The office staff are just wonderful I felt there should be some nice words to be said since all we see is neg. My son had a chance to go to another school and him and I have decided being where he is.IS THE BEST PLACE THANK YOU ALL FOR TALKING SUCH GOOD CARE OF MY CHILD AND CHILDREN
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2017

"Next time I'll let you sit there and bleed" Yes, this was what my sons 3rd grade teacher said directly to him after he had fallen and scraped his elbow, which needed medical attention. This school has taken a complete 180 in just 2 short years. Went from being A rating straight to a C rating in one year. I feel leadership is the reason why. I've been told by teachers at the school it's not the same. Lots of teacher turnover, and first year teachers that have no business teaching or mentoring children. Zero communication between teacher and parent. We have needed to request multiple teacher parent conferences over the past two years to ask why we aren't being notified of slipping grades or of other students that are disruptive to the class or my child's education. Schools answer...we have failing students that need more attention. I could go on and on with the level of incompetency at this school. My son comes home daily with horror stories of how disruptive ELEMENTARY students are essentially running the show, all the while being catered to. Long story short, if you have a misbehaving failing child, send them here. They'll thrive in the environment. The school is more concerned with their own grade (apparently not as much as they should) than they are with the education and development of students who are actually there to learn.
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2017

The school has excluded parents. There is no communication between the staff and parents. Parents are communicated with only when there is a fundraiser or they are collecting money. There is no accountability for the money taken in. After several fundraisers nothing has been done for the students and the school is ok with that. The less the parents are involved the better.Student safety is low on the priority list. Violent students and behavior issues are left in the classroom..And the principal and assistant principal literally run to the class to "deal" with the child and the child remains in the classroom to continue to terrorize the class. Teachers have no classroom management skills.Student safety is also a low priority when at recess and PE. Students are taken to a public park where two adults "supervise" 60+ kids at a time people come and go from the park. Children are often left in the park and have to walk around to the office to be buzzed in. Parents are never notified if thier child had been locked out and have to walk around to the office.Bullying is commonplace because the policy is, if the teacher doesnt document it, it didn't happen . So, teachers do not document anything negative. Kids torment other kids and parents are told it didn't happen even if the school is asked directly. There is nothing fun at the school. No fun events, so special activities. Everything revolves around testing. If its not on the test, its not important to the school.
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2016

I think this is the worst school anyone could send their kids to.Kids are bullied and nothing is done.Mrs Mulder has know business being in any school.Since she became principal the school has gone down from a A to a C school the teacher are leaving left and right. The kids don't get to do anything fun. They have had kids walk off this campus just walk out the back gate . They have had kids hurt and taken to the Hospital. Everything in this school is just work work work.My 3rd grade comes home with hours of home work to do something she has to stay up late just to get it done I wouldn't send any kid to this school my kids come home every day upset crying my kids mean more to me then that school
Submitted by other on July 29, 2016

I heard great things about this school from previous parents of children who attended here. When moving to Lakeland I was very pleased to see this school on our zoning list. Our daughter attended 2nd grade here and she will not attend next year. We had constant issues with the principle, teacher, and other factuality. There is a major bullying issue at the school and they could care less about the success or well being of the students. Our bright and cheerful child now suffers from lack of confidence. We are fighting to have her moved along to the 3rd grade as this principle believes strongly in retention. Please don't make the mistake we did bringing your child here. The principle is new to this school and possibly the worst thing that could have ever happened for it.
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2015

My oldest daughter has been a student at this school from pre k all the way to 5th grade. My youngest is now in 1st..If this review were 3 years ago i would say nothing but wonderful things about the school, staff,and administration however ever since the school changed principals a couple years ago this place is quickly falling apart. the new administration has no connection with students or parents much less the teachers she employs. There is nothing being done about bullying or behavior issues and these students and issues have forced all the quality teachers to go elsewhere. The principal employed at this school has completely changed my opinion of sending my children here. The principal of this school lacks the passion that an administrator should have and seems to only think of her position as a"job". I sent my children to this school by choice as we were not in the zoned area, however with everything going on now i will not be allowing my daughter to return next year. I have overheard several teachers talking between themselves and many unethical things are goung on where it concerns the administration. It is every sad to see this happen to such a once great school deminish this way due to the principal. Almost all of the original teachers have left and if that doesnt speak for its self im not sure what else there is to say.
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2014

This school is great! My daughter loves her teachers and the principal which is rare that student can identify the administration. She is only in Kindergarten but I can tell that she is learning how to be a great writer. They have great activities for families to become involved with the educational process. We walk to school and it is the Principal who "guards" or greets students first thing in the morning when they are headed to breakfast and the Assistant Principal who greets the Kindergartners. I live just down the street and routinely see the principal's car there well past seven each night. The entire staff is dedicated and they always wear smiles as an accessory.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2013

I wrote a review about my concern about the school security but I must say that my second child is a kindergardener there and is learning a lot! And the staff seem to be on point. So far I'm very pleased.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2013

My son was a student there and it was terrible!! My son's teacher was a first year teacher who let the classroom run wild. My son learned nothing this year, except for white get bullied. My son was one of three white children in his class, and was picked on daily. There is no playground for the school or safe outside area. The children play outside at a public park with almost no supervision. The principal doesn't care at all. Talked to her several times, and she had no solutions, and never looked into my son's bullies. I was so afraid he was going to be behind, so I had to do supplement him so he would learn something this year. They don't care if your child learns or not. I am homeschooling next year, I can't do any worse than they are doing.
Submitted by parent on January 18, 2012

I love this school! My daughter has been attending now for 2 years and absolutely loves it. The teachers don't just teach, but they instill good moral principles into the students through genuine love and respect. The staff is very approachable and have always been eager to address any concerns I've had. Id like to move out of Lakeland one day but not until all 3 of mine are through with elementary school. You don't find schools like this anymore.
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2011

I am Vonshear Adams IV mother and I believe my child has been doing really good in this school and I really appericate whatyou have done for my child Thank you so much for the great education you have provided for my child
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2011

Poor security , they have a big entrance at front , but the kids have to go around the school and every day I can't see if my son enter there or not. Because I am not able to see him... Then after breakfast instead to go to the classroom , kids have to go back outside (park) again . They said there is a teacher around the school watching the kids, well ,one day I parked at the park because I didn't see anybody , and yes there was not anybody watching the kids, i went back to the school front and I told a lady and she said , oo ok I ll call the office so they can send somebody... NO SECURITY
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2010

i love this school it has a great location with great teachers and staff and a great principle we love dixieland elementary
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2008

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