My children attended DMS for many years. The campus is
beautiful and the waldorf curriculum is fantastic. However, it seems to
be filled with empty promises and lack of follow through. They preach
alot of collaboration and community, however, the adults in the
community, especially the administration and faculty have alot of
growing up to do. They shirk away from any type of conflict, try to
ignore it and as a result many families leave after years of trying to
work in their 'collaborative community' model. They are not interested
in what the parents want, they simply want to push their own personal
agendas. I want a school that walks their own talk!!
I was disgruntled for five years. For five years I
thought those people at Desert Marigold were not meeting my children's
needs. This past year a teacher reprimanded me for taking my child home
early. What nerve. Now my children are at different schools. I feel
they are conforming more, and meet the state standards for education.
Still, I am beginning to wonder if there is more to life than meeting
these standards and I wish I had found a way to work out my differences
with the administration at Desert Marigold.
If you are looking for a true Waldorf education, you
will not find it here. There is a loose use of the Waldorf methods,
when they are used at all. I found my children received more of a
waldorf style of education by enrolling them in a traditional public
school. The head administrator is also painfully absent from all of the
daily activities. My advice would be to look elsewhere.
I had my children in DMS for 4 years and
every year it became more and more disappointing. I tried to remain
hopeful because I believe in the Waldorf philosophy of child development
and education, but that is not what is being offered at DMS. My
children made great friends while at DMS, but when we left and entered a
more traditional school system I realized how ill equipped they were
academically. When I think back on how situations concerning my children
and myself were handled, I am angry at myself for keeping the children
in such a dysfunctional environment. My advice is to proceed with
caution.
During the time 5 years that my children attended DMS,
the quality of education decreased drastically. There was an issue
with one of my children and the teacher involved & administration
where not very professional.
We placed our son into DMS 6 years ago as
an alternative to public school. Though I do believe he thrived
psychologically from the waldorf principles taught at DMS we felt the
academics were sorely lacking. We placed our younger son in DMS 3 years
ago and while his math skills seemed adequate he was not taught to
read. The administrator at this school is rarely seen and obviously
cares little about meeting the state standards in academics. The
communication between teachers and parents is completely lacking except
if the teachers need volunteers or fund raising.
I went to Desert Marigold for middle school. After graduating
from 8th grade I went to a regular public high school. I felt really
behind academically from the other kids. I made some great friends at
Desert Marigold but I really wish I had gone to a regular middle school.
Desert Marigold has good extracurricular activities such as
sewing,gardening,and art but, they lack academics especially math. I
wouldn't suggest sending your child to the middle school.
This school needs to chose quality teachers that really care
about the education they are trying to get across to the children. We
have been at this school for 6 yrs. Its great for younger children the
upper grades very disappointing.
We have attended DMS for the past 5 years and
are leaving disappointmented in a program of education that we believe,
when done right, offers the best education for a child. I urge anyone
who is interested in this school to request the right to observe the
teacher and classroom their child will be joining. Lack of discipline,
educated teachers and classroom management skills is a problem in many
of the grades. If you encounter problems do not expect a resolution,
from administration or faculty, in a timely or satisfactory manner. I
admire what this school is trying to offer but if they are to move
forward and become a model for charter Waldorf schools they need to
start taking decisive action towards removing administrative and faculty
members that are not advancing the growth of the school. Unfortunately
that means making difficult decisions that are not made entirely with
the heart.
Instruction in the arts is varied and adequate, instruction in
math, reading and writing is mediocre to poor. If you choose this
school be prepared to supplement your child's core academics. In the 6
years that I have been associated with Desert Marigold I only remain
hopeful, not convinced, that this school can provide sound educational
opportunities for children. We will not return next year.
My child and I were greatly disappointed with this school.It
seems to pay more attention to Mythical objects and Faerie Tales even
up into the higher grades. My child said that she felt like she wasn't
learning anything.
I have had my child at DMS since 3rd grade.
The academics scores have plummeted since entering middle school. The
administrator is rarely in the classroom and does not do much to help
the children who are failing. I feel since my child has entered 6th
grade she has been let down and is now far behind state standards. My
child will be attending DMS next year do to the lack of academics needs.
This school lacks academics. It's arts are fairly good but
the academics are very poor. Such basics such as math,reading,and
writing are taught terribly or bearly taught . Especially the middle
school lacks academics. I am glad to say I am taking my child out. If
you seek academic success this school is not for you.
The Waldorf Education system is wonderful, but administration at this
school lacks the business know how to execute it fully. The school has
great potential, the campus and teachers are very special, but the
quality of education for each child is hit and miss. This is due to
administrative issues - specifically, their lack of support for
teachers, parents, and supplies/tools needed in classrooms. More
organization within administration would help bridge this gap, plus if
administrative staff had more business experience in running the school,
the program would improve. Finally, the director needs to be more
connected and active within this school - specifically by making making
rounds and seeing firsthand how each class is doing and taking active
steps to improve existing problems. Overall the school has some great
qualities, but if you are seeking a consistent education for your child,
research this school carefully before enrolling.
I love the lack of concrete, the trees, the garden
and wide open spaces. I love the idea of this school. However, there
is a definite lack of discipline in the upper elementary grades. The
good things about the school are about breaking even now with the
negatives. I don't know if I'll put my child in for next year. But it
has so much potential it is heartbreaking.
This school reminds me of the dark ages, long ankle
length dresses and all the students are all sang their instructions. My
child did not learn anything in the 6 months he attended.
The strengths of the school are a Waldorf inspired philosophy
and curriculum, and the high level of parent involvement. A nice plus
is the farm setting. Overall, the children are allowed to be kids, and
are treated as divine souls worthy of the utmost respect. However, the
school lacks leadership, a more reliable discipline structure, and a
more consistent and experienced staff. It is great for the little ones;
I have some concern for the older grades. If you want your middle
schooler to be prepared for an Ivy League, keep looking.
We've been with DMS since my child was 18 mos,
for playgroup and preschool. The arts, spiritual, & physical
aspects of the child are nurtured well, and there is a lot of love. But
the school is run by the teachers, an eclectic group who all have
strengths but some severe shortcomings which strongly sway campus life.
The campus is beautiful; the community of parents, the lack of
commercialism, the organic environment, and the nurturing of the child
as a strong and free being are why we came. The abstract, overly right
brained processes are why we are leaving. I feel our daughter has done
well, but is not challenged. She comes home and wants to do traditional
schoolwork. As a preschooler it helped her grow into her body
comfortably, but her mind is left wandering. Lack of social structure
and discipline has often upset her. We'll miss the parents.
by a parent
Friday, June 04, 2010
Friday, June 04, 2010
My
Children have been attending DMS "desert marigold school" for 3 years,
in that time my children have been in grades: kindergarten, first,
second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, eighth, and ninthPROS
more accepting of developmentally delayed children
emotionally supportive
lovely campus (this is the best and only thing significantly positive thing about DMS)
CONS
over 90% of the student body is intellectually or emotionally disabled (the healthy students leave)
no advanced classes (the good teachers usually leave within a year)
no average classes (there is literally a basket weaving class for high school)
poor teaching
special ed school
some verbal bullies
Here are two samples of their standardized test scores:
In 2009 the third grade had a 23 percent passing rate, sixth grade had a 36 percent passing rate; 60% to 80% of all students in these grades are failing to pass the bare minimum standards set by the state. These students are failing miserably.
Now compare these numbers with a school that has good teachers, I have found that teachers are the most critical factor, a great teacher with a bad administration still teaches well.
For 2009 every grade at Basis had a 97% or higher passing rate, you can't even begin to compare the top scores of desert marigold vs Basis, its like comparing monkeys with humans.
Some other considerations:
While visiting school in 2010 I found drug paraphernalia (a joint and papers) in the bathroom
My average ability child was the top student in his class
Teachers are supposed to teach the same students from first through eighth grade but it rarely happens
Do not do what I did and waste your children’s precious formative years with a school like DMS, try schools that have much higher quality teachers and students, here is a list of the top schools:
http://phoenix.about.com/library/blschoolscharter.htm
For example:
Villa Montessori - Phoenix Campus
Great Hearts
Tempe Prepatory Academy
If you have a child that is severely disabled: autism, chemical abuse, aspergers, and functioning at 2 or more grades below level, then DMS may be a great fit, but if you have an average or above average child, you will be harming them by sending them to desert marigold school.
