Dillard Drive Middle

5200 Dillard Drive

School District

Wake County
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Wake County 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 September 12, 2024

DDMS is struggling with mediocrity. My kids were loaded up with low-quality learning tasks… filling workbooks, hand-copying pages of printed materials, tedious online (glitchy) learning games, autopilot homework mandates (eg quiz apps to be done twice a day every day). A few teachers were engaging, creative & organized but most were not. A few had thick accents my kids could not understand, causing them low scores due to unclear assignments & vague test instructions. My kids saw violence, vaping and bullying. DD does try hard to hold programs & clubs aimed at inclusion. Principal is engaged, & school officials helped troubleshoot problems with an outright mean teacher, but it was overall a stressful experience.
Submitted by student on March 28, 2023

When I think of Dillard Drive, I think of my friends, the people, and the teachers who are my best friends as if they were family. The downsides: no "clean language," drama/fights, and not to mention the secret vaping in the bathrooms. In 6th grade, there are so many fun activities and moments that you will never forget. Most of the teachers are fun and sweet, and there are lots of celebrations, as well as getting you used to REAL WORK.In 7th grade, things are more of a challenge educationally and emotionally, but you will be more used to the school dn how it works, as well as know everyone and all the grades. There is still time for fun, as long as you do your work. And finally, 8th grade is more mature but exposing, and on task for high school workwise. Dillard Drive is like a second home where there WILL be struggles, and you WILL run into trouble, but it will make middle school one you will not forget. -A student
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2022

Our son and daughter absolutely love Dillard Drive middle. The low scores and other ratings do not in any way reflect our experience. The principal, Mrs. Feldman, balances compassions with a level of discipline that has made this an incredible experience for us. Our kids are strong academically, and their teachers challenge them. There’s also an impressively low level of bullying. Mix in the socioeconomic and ethnic diversity as well, and we honestly wouldn’t even remotely consider sending our kids anywhere else.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2022

Children are not motivated to do their work and the school just allows it to happen, hence the low test scores. Many fights break out and children have even vaped in class. This school is dangerous to not only children but staff as well.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2022

T. E. R. R. I. B. L. E.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2022

Recently moved here; school worked for us.
Submitted by parent on December 18, 2021

This school sucks Miss Feldman the principal she is horrible for the love of God please do not let your child go here
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2021

This has been our first year at DDMMS and we have really enjoyed the year (even with Covid and all the craziness that ensued). Communication from administration has been excellent! My child actually wants to behave and make good choices so they don’t disappoint Mrs. Feldman (coming from a typical middle schooler who likes to goof off, what?!? That’s a major win in my book!). Core and elective teachers have been effective, communicative, and helpful. My only complaint is with our ICR teacher. Major lack of communication (parent has had to request progress reports each quarter, request annual IEP meeting to be held, and not following accommodations as stated in IEP). Otherwise great work DDMMS!
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2021

My family has lived across the street from Dillard Drive Middle for the past 12 years and have seen a tremendous revival. The principal, Ms. Feldman, has really changed the culture. Now, with the school transitioning into a Magnet for international language, the funding and priorities will allow even more improvements. We have a 7th grader there now and have a rising 6th grader. Of all the options in Wake County, we choose to keep our children at DDMS. Keep up the great work DDMS Team!!
Submitted by student on February 24, 2020

Horrible, scary, sickening, stressful, annoyed, unsafe, and I would tell parents to please look into other schools before having this be a final option. Totally a unsafe school
Submitted by student on May 07, 2018

If I had to summarize this school in one word, it would be meh. There are some good things and bad things, the majority of the teachers are pretty good, but it is mainly how the students act that is an issue.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2018

This school has no structure. None of the administration listens to some parents. Don't send your kids here
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2018

Our 6th grader is thriving in this school! She has made new friends, has excellent teachers who push her to achieve, and loves playing in the band. The PTA is also very involved and works with administration to make improvements where it can. Very happy to be in the Dillard Drive Community!
Submitted by other on July 18, 2016

Teachers seem to play favorites to some students while allowing other things to go on that should not. My son was in trouble a lot this year!.. just over 28 days suspended and in-school suspensions and was still passed against my request!!!! when I called for a conference it ended up taking over a month and a half to come up with dates that work for both of us during that conference they explain that he miraculously went from making an 18 percent in the class to 100 in the class now. you tell me what's wrong with that picture
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2016

My son attended DDMS for the 2014/2015 school year. He went from being a child that loved school and had perfect attendance throughout elementary school to a child who said he hated school and absolutely refused to get on the bus. I fought with him daily and he was constantly asking to be homeschooled. He would never tell me why he didn't want to go other than he just didn't like the school. In the last 2 weeks of school he was beat up on the bus and came home extremely angry and upset. When I went to the school the next day to report the problem, the administrators blamed my son for defending himself by trying to push the boy away and tried to give him a stricter punishment than the boy who beat him up. I will be the first person to admit that my son is far from well behaved. However I watched a child go from a happy friendly boy that had a smile for everyone to one that would run away rather than go to school. I believe that he was being bullied the entire year and was too embarrassed to admit it. I removed him from this school for the 2015/2016 school year and took him back to Va to go to school. As soon as he started at his new school in Va, he went back to the happy child he was in elementary school. And he has been on the A/B honor roll all year. He didn't get good grades in DDMS.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2016

We are parents to special needs at this school. I will give you the facts. There was a number of complaints we filed against the school. I hope that record is somewhere where parents can access it.
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2015

Our daughter just started 6th grade and we have been so impressed with the faculty and the principal thus far. She has transitioned wonderfully so far and has had GREAT days!
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2015

I have a child that is an Alum of Dillard Drive MS and we "had" a very positive experience and were excited to send my younger children to DDMS. This positive soon became "negative" once the new principal and vice principal (6th & 7th) came on board. Though the Principal has a standard for teachers to respond to parents w/in 48 hours she does not adhere to this standard. I also recognize classrooms are overcrowded but too many teachers are quick to label students. "Effective communication skills" and "Ethics training" is highly recommended for administration and teachers at DDMS. There are many good teachers at DDMS but this negative experience is casting a shadow over them. I am hopeful we will be able to transfer from DDMS.
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2014

My family and I relocated from New Jersey to Cary for my work. I think it is important for people relocating to know of this school. Students have been trying to steal from my daughter multiple times. My daughter tells me she sees children smoke right outside the building and use fowl language constantly. We requested a transfer to Apex but have been denied. My daughter just has this year to finish out then high school. My son will not be going to this school. I would avoid this school if possible.
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2014

The teachers have a genuine care and concern for their students. The academically gifted program teacher wants your child to be challenged to their appropriate level. There are many terrific electives offered here that are not at neighboring schools.