Durbin Creek Elementary School

Overall I'm not overly satisfied with the school. It does feel like cattle and your child is a number. The teachers lack support. The leadership doesn't follow through. This year was a big let down.

Pulling my kids out of DCE was the best decision that I have ever made for their education. During our one year there, we felt like cattle being hauled through convoluted common core curriculum and high pressure standardized testing. Math was a particularly confusing area where we found ourselves reteaching after school. My children were stressed by expectations, pressure and developmentally inappropriate curriculum. The teachers teach to test, not test to teach.I must also mention that this is NOT a school for a dyslexic child. I had one foot out the door after discussing my child's needs with the ESE teacher at our first IEP meeting. I use the term "discussing" very loosely because this teacher interrupted and spoke over me each and every time I opened my mouth (often before I even said a single word). The teacher authored the IEP in advance and refused 99% of my requests and input at the meeting. As a parent, I felt bullied and it was clear to me that it was her way or the highway. She also sat down at the table with my child and me at lunch one day and loudly "discussed" (more like talked at me) whether my daughter would be retained at the end of the year. Privacy was of no concern to this teacher, but more importantly neither was my child's feelings. My child heard every word that she said and completely shut down after a lengthy anxiety attack. I had both feet out the door after the second IEP meeting where the Director of ESE from St. Johns County attended (Lisa Bell). She engaged in a heated argument with my private psychologist (shouting was involved). Ms. Bell appeared more interested in a personal issue with him than in my child. At one point, she vehemently argued with me over using a simple sticker chart to motivate my child to speak louder (she also completely ignored two teachers who were in agreement with me). But the most shocking and memorable statement from Ms. Bell came when she dismissed my child's problem with anxiety as an issue that "all quiet children have." She refused to acknowledge anxiety as a genuine problem that interfered with my child's academic potential. I was astonished by her coldness and unprofessionalism.This isn't a school for a child with a learning difference or a parent who wishes to be involved.

My daughter was in the very first kindergarten class when DCE was just built back in 2003. She is now a Senior at Creekside High and has received nothing short of a phenomenal education. My son just graduated from DCE and is now at Fruit Cove Middle, another great school. If you are reading some of the negative reviews, all I can say is those people need to get a friggin' clue. Is everything always perfect? No. But, compared to almost any of the schools in Florida, DCE and all of the other schools in the 32259 area code are nothing short of the best. You won't get a better public education, and probably not any better of a private education. The schools are tops, the teachers and administrators are among the best and the schools are safe and among the best academically in the state and the country....additionally, this area is a great place to raise a family...great churches, sports programs & competition, and parent involvement and volunteerism is of the highest standards....Don't believe some of the negative comments, it truly doesn't get much better....

Durbin creek is a outstanding school. My son is not a reader! Hates it, to say the least. The school is very aware of his struggle with reading. While I really hate hearing about the things my son is not good at, I do like the fact they take notice and take couple of steps to help. The school does have a great extended program ran my Ms PVH & she is awesome with the students. I would personally like to see more educational after school courses offered. My daughter is the opposite, she can read 10 books in a week, however needs extra help with other subjects. With two working parents it is very difficult to find tutoring or extra help. Opition extra academic could help the students & PTO.