Downes (John R.) Elementary School

220 Casho Mill Road

Newark, DE 19711

School District

Christina
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Christina School District

GreatSchools Rating

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 09, 2018

Awesome. I would not want my kids to be anywhere else. My daughter is in 1st Grade Chinese Immersion. She started last year. All of her teachers have been amazing. Mrs Neal in kindergarten and Ms Hardy in first grade were awesome.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2015

My child is in grade k along with the Chinese immersion program. Majority of the school year her teachers have been incompetent. Losing her behavior book/homework. We had multiple phone calls at work about verbal and PHYSICAL bullying. When I attended a meeting to find out about the bullying the teachers had no idea why we were having the meeting or that there was students being punched/pinched in class. They also sent her on a filed trip without my permission and did not feed her lunch!! She had a friends bagged chips to tide her over the next 5 hours. I am hoping to send my daughter elsewhere next year.
Submitted by parent on March 21, 2015

I love this school because of its diverse student pool, it's amazing Chinese immersion program, it's very active PTA, and the fact that my kids go to school everyday with a big smile!
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2012

Downes is an amazing schoolwith great kids,parents,and teachers!!!!! Ihave had nothing but positive experiences throughout the years. If you are aninvolved parent and regualry visit the school you would know how great the school is.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2012

My children have all hated this school. I have heard teachers yell at students, call them names, ask them if they've taken their "meds today?" My child was bullied and the school denied it to the point of the principal telling me I am enabling my child. I've seen other children traumatized by being at the school, sitting at the front door, crying and screaming, refusing to go in. At lunchtime the kids get yelled at the whole time to ship up and hurry up. All of my children have been not allowed to use the bathroom. They also made a big deal about me wanting my kids to wash their hands before lunch. I was told there are too many kids for hand washing so my kids were given special permission to wash their hands. This year there is a new principal so hopefully it will be a little better. Although, my son was recently sick and was told my a teacher that he was faking. The only reason I send my child there is because his controlling, abusive father insists on it and we are currently in court about it. Don't send your child there, it's like a jail. They think they own your child.