Driswood Elementary School

75 Caspian Way

School District

Jefferson County Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
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 August 10, 2022

Had 2 children in this school. The principal is the WORST. Rude, not caring, overbearing. They can not keep staff and the parents avoid her as much as you can. The principal has a scetchy past as well, with some issues around testing?? She was put on leave for a while, then came back...
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2016

I' m a mom of 3 Driswood students.I recieve letters about volunteering all the time. I sat my children down after reading other reviews to ask my children if they are afraid and they said no. They told me that the lights in the cafeteria are only turned off when they are being very loud. I also asked them do they feel comfortable telling teachers and staff about bullying they said yes and its dealt with promptly. They told me they love their teachers and I have daily communication with their teachers through their agendas or phone calls. We are on the same page with things that we both need support with from each other. Which means alot to me since I have 2 autistic children. Since going to Driswood my daughter Heidi can read and write and Edward can count and write. They are also excited to go to school everyday. Jordan my oldest is gifted and at her other school the work was too easy. She now has the work she needs to challenge her and she is not bored.I remember their first day coming home from Driswood they said mom they give us good food and chocolate milk. They were so excited about chocolate milk and the amount of food.Their last school was completely different. My son had to be sent to another school and felt isolated from his friends. But now he can go to the same school as his sisters go to. Plus they are prompt to address issues or medical needs of my children. I have even had the nurse give me great reccomendations for eye doctors to address my daughters visual needs.
Submitted by parent on July 14, 2016

I can't complain at all about the teachers at this school. The teachers are awesome and work great with the students! The administration however is another thing. The principle at this school is extremely rude, and so is the office staff, not to mention the schools iep coordinator. They have major attitudes all the time. I truly feel they are only in it for the money not the right reasons!!! I'm very disappointed, its like parents with questions are overwhelming them. You walk into the school and its like your bothering them. The school board needs a huge change with the administration staff at Driswood elementary!! Get some people in there that actually care!
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2016

The teachers are awesome at this school however, the administration and office staff are very rude! When you walk into the school its like your bothering them. Communication at this school is like pulling teeth. Parent involvement needs to happen more!
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2016

New School with bells and whistles, but....... Details to come out later in time. Keep
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2015

The school is more interested in bureaucracy than in nurturing and teaching. I reported a bullying incident and was told that my daughter had to learn to "stick up for herself." Nothing was done at the classroom level after multiple attempts to resolve it with the teacher. Her response was simply that she had "too many children to keep track of them 100% of the time." For someone who suggests self-advocacy and accountability, she doesn't take her own advice. This is just one sample. Classroom management is not something many of the teachers do well. Boys are treated differently than girls (negatively so). For example, If boys talk "red reminder," shaming discipline, and trips to the principal ensue. If the girls talk its becomes "pay attention girls". Common sense has gone out the window where parents are known to the administration, who can see them, but will not let them in until they flash their driver's license at a tiny camera. This, despite the fact they called you by name on the intercom to greet you. This school is run more like a prison institution/Nurse Ratchett style, than a learning environment. So happy my kids are in Harpers Ferry Middle School now.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2014

The teachers, administrators, staff and volunteers at this school genuinely care about the students. Driswood provides an encouraging atmosphere that gets the children excited about learning. Teachers are kind and patient, adapting their lesson speeds to the class. They encourage parent participation, (field trips, book fairs, PTO, fundraisers, performance volunteers, classroom demonstration volunteers. There is regular communication to parents from teachers in regards to how the week went and what children will be doing the following week. Teachers are professional, uplifting, and engaging. If you are looking for a great Elementary School, Driswood Elementary is it!
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2014

I wish I had more positive thoughts about this school, it is an elementary school after all, and what is more exciting then young children coming together to learn and grow. But unfortunately, my families time at this school, was not enjoyable. Most of the teachers try their best, but the leadership negatively impacts almost every aspect. Teachers aren't provided with needed supplies or an inviting place to create and nurture our children. As a parent, you are not welcome, not even at the PTO! There is no community, for members of this school, to be a part of and it's truly sad. Many people have left and even more are thinking about ways out. I encourage you to ask around in the community and to neighbors, to got honest opinions of this school. I guarantee your most common response will be "they have great teachers" because no one truly wants to be unhappy about where they have to send their child to school, but a lot of them are and it becomes hard to come up with something nice to say. I would also like to point out that most of the negative and truthful reviews have been removed, if you have a child at this school, then this should not come as a surprise. Very glad to be gone!
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2014

I have 3 kids that have either gone, or are going to Driswood. I couldn't be more thrilled with the administration and teaching staff! They are all in a position to either foster my child's love for learning or scar them to the public school experience altogether, and I'm happy to say we have been blessed with every teacher that has touched my kids' lives. I don't know how much parent involvement people expect, but I've found the staff almost tripping over themselves to make parent involvement possible, so some of these comments have me flabbergasted! I couldn't speak more highly or recommend this school enough.
Submitted by parent on March 24, 2014

My children love going to Driswood. I have noticed that only the older kids get to participate in special school events, like chorus and band concerts and musicials. My kids have never attend a school where every child didn't have the chance to participate in a chorus concert or other evening special event to showcase their talents. After the kindergarten end of year event, kids don't get to do any special musical events until fourth grade. Even families who want to suppport the school are told they can't go to the band or chorus concert or the musical unless their kid is in it. Every kid at the school should get to participate in something and not just the older kids.
Submitted by teacher on March 24, 2014

I'm a teacher at DES and started when we opened at SM Park. We don't have a high teacher turnover. Teachers retiring, moving, going back to middle school b/c it's easier, being transferred, are reasons for turnover. I've been a new teacher, and resent the comment made towards getting the "new" teacher. Teacher's are begging for a job at DES. I get asked on a regular basis if we are going to have an opening. We had the highest test scores last year, and we were 2nd this year. Our 2nd yr, we made Distinguished school, an achievement most schools have never made. It's upsetting to hear people talking negatively about our school, or to read negative comments. As for our PTO, I agree, our parents will do anything for us, but there's a handful that are not in it for the right reasons. If the PTO is going to cause a negative vibe between the parents and staff, then they should be disbanned. I, along with many of my colleagues would appreciate if the negative comments would stop. I would like to see us all come together and build a positive culture in our school. The staff and students are not afraid of the administration; not anymore than you were when you were in school.
Submitted by parent on March 24, 2014

My children love going to school every day at Driswood. I have noticed that there are limited opportunities for younger students. There is an end-of-year kindergarten celebration, but after that, students have to wait until fourth grade to participate in a special event. Fourth and fifth grade have a chorus and band concert, and the fifth grade does a musical. It would be nice if each grade was allowed to participate in a choral concert or some other special evening event showcasing their talents. Unlike other schools my children have attended, only the parents of the children participating in the event are allowed to attend. Other families and students are told that they cannot attend the evening choral or band concerts or the musical. It would really foster school spirit if all families were encouraged to support the students participating in these events.
Submitted by parent on March 21, 2014

DES is an excellent school with excellent staff. We have had nothing but great experiences here. If we have any questions or concerns, they are addressed immediately. The only bad experiences I've encountered ( and we just moved here) is several of the parents do nothing but complain about the administration because the parents seem to want to control the school and do not have our children's best interest at heart. It's really quite sad that this wonderful school is plagued by these negative parents and believe me, I've heard them talk at the bus stop. However you will notice that these hypocrites continue to send their children to DES because it is the best school. Go in and speak to the administration and staff. You will see how truly passionate they are about our children and the school. If you don't like DES, transfer your kids, because I don't want you creating a negative culture for my children! Never have I experienced the cliquey high school mentality of some of these moms, which seem to be the ones complaining about everything. It's not a popularity contest, you're not in high school so get over yourselves.
Submitted by parent on March 20, 2014

Driswood / DES has wonderful teachers and staff. The administration doesn't supply the teachers with the things they need for their classes to include empowerment and supplies. Administration also discourages parental involvement. Parent involvement is not something that is encouraged by the leadership of the school. The children and staff fear the administration. I would not recommend this school to other parents.
Submitted by teacher on March 07, 2014

I am a teacher at DES and I resent the comments made by the disgruntled parent who is making incorrect statements about our administration. Our administration supports us and allows us to make the decisions whether or not to have parents come in and volunteer. It's the teachers at DES that are very upset with the PTO and their fanatics. I don't understand if you don't like our school, why don't you take your child to another school instead of bashing ours. You can get a transfer from the Jefferson County website. There are many who want to come to our school.
Submitted by teacher on February 27, 2014

Driswood is an awesome school with great leadership and staff! The principal is a true instructional leader, who fosters an academic atmosphere.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2014

Driswood has amazing teachers and staff, however, the leadership at the school leaves something to be desired. Parent involvement is not something that is encouraged by the leadership of the school.