David Fairchild Elementary School

5757 Southwest 45th Street

School District

Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Miami-Dade County Public Schools

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 June 08, 2024

My family has just completed our 6th year at David Fairchild Elementary, with three more to go. I cannot speak highly enough about the quality of the teachers, staff, and administrators at the school. The facts that my children are known by name, valued, and taught not only school subjects, but the importance of kindness, service, and integrity mean so very much to me. DFE is a small neighborhood school with a strong sense of community, thanks to its active PTA and great number of opportunities for parent volunteers. We genuinely love being part of the Falcon Family!
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2022

DFE is a true community school. Everyone from the parents to the teachers and administration pitches in to make the kids' days happy and safe. The music and art program are beautiful. There are many extracurricular activities (spelling bee, sports, botany student council, chorus, and WKID News, to name a few) and PTA-sponsored events throughout the year. If you want to get involved via the PTA, many in-person opportunities exist to show up and build community. It's just overall a very positive environment where kids feel safe to be who they are. Academically, teachers and staff are there to support and engage the kids. The administration is professional, responsive, and kind. My kid is happy and thriving at DFE. I see this in her friends as well. It brings me a lot of peace to have her in DFE.
Submitted by parent on August 10, 2020

Our family had a wonderful experience at David Fairchild. The children received support, guidance, and an overall good education. It was easy to talk to the teachers and from 1st to 5th grade most (if not all) worked with me to bring out the best in both of my children. The principal is fantastic. Always in a pleasant mood and always willing to work through any problem we encountered.
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2019

This is an average public school. The problems I see in this school are not unique to it but are part of our overall educational system's focus on testing, test scores, and only a few very specific types of learning and skills (i.e., writing, math) to the exclusion of others (oral communication, teamwork, logical, critical thinking, science, etc.).
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2019

I'm giving David Fairchild 4 out of 5 stars because even though I have no real complaints, I have no experience with other public schools to justify stating it is as good as the best of them. We have two children at the school and they are both happy there. The younger one has some issues with attention span which can be disruptive, and the teacher has been very understanding and helpful. He has improved a lot over the course of the year and we appreciate her patience. The older is in gifted, and I don't think she is being sufficiently challenged. I can understand it is difficult for a public school to address exceptional students when they have to work within the teacher/student ratios they are given. I am very happy with the other kids and their families. Parents seem to be very involved. There is a lot of extra stuff going on such as fundraising which can be a hassle but I understand it is necessary. Sometimes the school can be manipulative when it comes to raising money for their charity partners. I have never been given any cause of concern regarding my children's safety from other students, adults, or interlopers. The school is very attentive to who is entering the closed campus.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2018

We have found David Fairchild Elementary to be a wonderful, warm, inspiring environment for our son to grow. The teachers, staff and families support one another and the students thrive because of it.
Submitted by parent on December 11, 2017

Best Elementary School ever. Great parent involvement and the administration is always available for the parents.
Submitted by other on June 12, 2016

I went to David Fairchild in the late 50's and early 60's. We walked to school, S. Miami then was wonderful and largely undeveloped.Betty Hammond was the textbook principal, we all loved her. Hurricane Donna of '60 and the Cuban Missile Crisis of '62 were times that can't be described.Memories of S.Miami: the school, the teachers and childhood friends are lifelong treasures.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2015

This is my fifth year at this school and I couldn't be happier. The teachers are some of the best I've seen and really go the extra mile. There have been some hiccups but every time you have a school with so much parental involvement, there are differences of opinion. My only complaint is that the district seems to have forgotten the school exists so the PTA pays for all the computers, the Reading Lab, teacher's aides and all library books. It means a lot of work for the PTA to provide for those kids who depend on these services to enhance their academic experience. Then again that's why I gave it five stars because it really is a community school regardless of the fact that most kids are transfers. My hope is that the district and the school board embrace this school with a 60 year history and culture of excellence.
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2014

This school is great! They have amazing teachers that truly dedicate themselves to the best learning for all the children. My kids have been attending for the past 4 years, and it has been great. I have dealt with the Vice Principal, Veronica Recio, and she is very compassionate and understanding.
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2014

This School is awesome! It has a very nice family feeling.The Principal is "on duty" 24/7. The teachers are great, very caring and well prepared. The PTA is amazing! All the Staff is great, except for one lady at the Cafeteria. (She is always yelling at the kids and blowing a whistle as mad) It hard at the beginning, but at the end of the day, most kids learn to ignore her Thanks David Fairchild for being a nice place for our kids to grow!
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2013

We love this school! My daughter is thriving as a new 2nd grader. The principal is very hands on, faculty and staff across the board are professional and very caring. It has a private school feel at a public school cost, small so tight knit community, organized and active PTA and overall a wonderful place for children.
Submitted by other on July 15, 2013

Best school in the United States. An "A" school for 14 years. Terrific staff, very involved parents, great community involvement. Located near the University of Miami and Miami Children's Hospital.
Submitted by other on January 14, 2013

I went to David Fairchild in the early seventies. Back when us kids where droped off right in front of the school. No fences, no cops. just a beautiful little school. If anyone remembers Mrs. Hammond as the principal. Very classy lady. Even I as a kid noticed that. Fond memories. Will live in me for a life time.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2011

Fantastic school. I went there as a kid and i had such fond memories. My kids were struggling at Ludlam with fights, bullying and lack of learning. I got fed up and we moved specifically to this area because of David Fairchild Elementry. My Daughter has excelled and is now going to a magnet program next year for 6th grade and my son (3rd grade)who was reading at a first grade level at the start of the year has caught up. Best school in Miami. A private school environment w/o the cost.