Dewar Elementary School

3539 Mount Zion Church Road

School District

Lowndes County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Lowndes 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 June 23, 2024

We moved here from out of state and my children started attending Dewar in 2021. We are absolutely love having our kids at Dewar, the staff and teachers are amazing and my kids absolutely love it here. I have 2 boys on an IEP and the school has always been great with communication when it comes to the IEP and services for my kids. I have another son not on an IEP and I feel every teacher we have has always been eager to help them in their educational journey, even going as far as giving me suggestions of how I can support my boys at home. Every teacher we've ever had has been amazing and makes us feel like family. Teachers here make the learning environment fun and memorable for students by doing things such as making a lemonade stand to talk about money and math, a"coffee shop" in 4th grade and Harry Potter themed lesson to go alone with their math lessons. This type of environment has really encouraged my kids to learn and enjoy the process of learning. Admin is quick to respond to us whenever we've had questions or needed help/support with something and are quick to resolve any issues or concerns we've had.I work as a Para at another school in Lowndes County which gives me the ability to put my kids at any school of my choice as an employee. My kids refuse to leave Dewar and transfer to my school, which really says something about how much they love everyone at DES. I have complete peace of mind knowing my children go to school here!
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2024

DO NOT do it if your child is neurodivergent . They don't even acknowledge it. And little resources granted to accommodate, just like most public “schools”. Just pushing work for student that needs aggressive intervention and a different environment to learn in. My child has told me he has been yelled at and “snatched” in class, which can be embarrassing for children. And when your child is not successful..they offer to have them repeat it again... No thanks!
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2024

Dewar elementary wants nothing to do with any child outside of the realm of neurotypical. They don’t want to do any extra work to ensure everyone succeeds, and they pacify parents with fake smiles and promises to “get away with it”. My child has a documented and diagnosed disability, yet they refuse to grant him an IEP; rather they have given him a 504 plan which they also refuse to comply with. My student gets in trouble all year long, for things out of his control due to these disabilities, and they still refuse to accept or acknowledge them. They are setting these children up for failure. Supposedly they are one of the “greatest schools” within the district, but this is just a fake and shiny facade.
Submitted by parent on July 11, 2021

My son just finished 1st grade and is neurodivergent. His experience this year vs last year at a different school was night and day. His teacher bent over backwards to make sure he never had to deal with the struggles of kindergarten and that he had all the resources he needed to succeed. He wasn't the easiest kid to work with and she still made it happen. He went from thinking he was a terrible kid and hating school to loving it and gaining so much of his confidence back. Dewar was a blessing and his teacher was very communicative all year. The homework was reasonable and his academic achievement grew in areas he was struggling. I cannot stress this enough, this place is a godsend and I look forward to the upcoming years he will attend.
Submitted by parent on July 14, 2019

We have had nothing but great experience with all the teachers and staff
Submitted by parent on June 30, 2016

My child just recently enrolled back into DES she attended in 1st grade and we loved it. Now things seem so different I have to agree with the other parents about the tardy rule I think this is ridiculous. The kids can't enter the campus until 7:30 and 7:55 they're tardy?? This is insane all the kids enrolled in this school and majority of them are car riders how do they expect everyone of the kids to be at the school by 7:55? Especially when your a parent of more than one kids who attends different schools not to mention early morning traffic. I have 3 kids 2 of which attends public schools and they both open at 7:30 there is no way to leave there and make it to Dewar before 7:55a and I think it's ridiculous that kids are counted tardy when the bell doesn't ring until 8am
Submitted by parent on November 29, 2013

My children have only been attending this school for a year now and they absolutely hate it! Iam extremely dissatisfied with our experience overall. With the exception of a few, this has to be the most negative school staff I have ever encountered. I honestly don't understand how anyone is comfortable with this school. My children are literally begging me to change their school and I am strongly considering it.
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2013

My daughter has been going to Dewar since Kindergarten and up until this year we loved it. The staff and teachers are great. This year there has been a huge lack of communication with the parents. We often don't find out about things until the day before, if at all. You now have to sign your child in as tardy at 7:55, but school doesn't start until 8am, so I'm not sure how 7:55 is tardy! We, the parents have been told we can not go to our child's class for any reason. I understand the need for security, but really. I am glad we are moving this summer or I would be looking to transfer my kids to another school!
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2010

From the principal to the cleaning crew, everyone at this school is all about helping the children. The teachers we've been assigned have been amazing in their approach to teaching and in their ability to relate to the children in their class. Parental involvement is great at the school - a lot of parents work with the teachers on special classroom projects, classroom presentations, or school activities.
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2010

I read through some of these reviews and couldn't disagree more with those who thought Dewar had low teacher morale. These teachers are phenomenal! They have great attitudes and really make learning fun for each of our three children. Terrific communication between the teacher and the parents in all of our classrooms. The principal and AP always have time to talk about an issue, and will make time if the situation warrants it. I've asked each of the teachers that were assigned my children what I could do to help - some needed help, while others have said they would contact me if they needed it. Very challenging academics - I saw a 2nd grade class last week (not my child's class) doing science experiments on the playground!! Amazing teachers, great leadership, and fun learning all at one school