5131 McCarthy Rd
Avondale, CO 81022

While passing through this charming rural town 10 years ago, I noticed this beautiful school and imagined my child playing outside with friends at recess, with the forest and mountains surrounding her. Very different from the asphalt school yards I grew up with across the country. We bought a home here when my child was 3 months old for this reason. When it was time for school to start, I watched as the teachers rallied through COVID to make sure the children at this school still received the best educational experience they could provide and not fall behind. Since returning to the classroom, my child has thrived. They know every teacher and staff member and someone is always there to help. They were on the honor roll last semester. I am confident that they are not only receiving the best education in the county, but also receiving a strong foundation built by the members of this community. Additionally, the opportunities for outdoor education are such a unique bonus! So proud to be a part of this school and community!

My 2 years at this school was the worst after I came to Beulah school there was this kid and he called my family words I will not repeat. Some teachers are nice but there are teachers that have favorites. I caught this one kid kicking my friends shins and the teachers were on the blacktop talking to each other (not monerting the field) so I had to deal with it because no one cared so I walked up to him and socked him. In 5th grade he started to bully the autistic kid and kept making passive aggressive comments and the teachers didn't care.

I DON'T LIKE THIS SCHOOL AT ALL. Not only do the teachers give so much work, mainly classwork and homework to students, which is normal. But they expect the work to be done in A SINGLE WEEKEND, the only time where students get to have a single break for once. Give students more time to work on what they need to do. The school nurse doesn't do anything, either. All they'll do is give you a single ice pack or a mint and send you back to class as if it's made with holy water and the blood of God. The teacher aids and some certain teachers are great helpers, but other teachers don't and think you can depend on something you just learned about and still processing. Drama isn't good, but neither is the "help for it". When teachers hear about the drama, the principal would send the kids involved in it and just yell at them, like THAT'S gonna solve the problem. Being yelled at isn't gonna help the fact that someone is being involved in drama with a bunch of other kids, it's gonna boost the problem and make the kids not want to go to school anymore because they feel that teachers won't help or support. The dress code is always targeted towards girls, saying that those clothes are "too distracting for boys and other students". THE BOYS ARE MORE ATTRACTED TO EACH OTHER THAN THE ACTUAL GIRLS. At least let them wear tank tops and shorts and let them have freedom to wear whatever. THE BOYS WEAR SHORT SHORTS AND THEY DON'T GET DRESS CODED? Their shorts are literally so short that their underpants show. And the fact that they wear shorts IN THE WINTER WITHOUT GETTING DRESS CODED EITHER? what the heck. I highly do not recommend, unless you want your kid to have a bad mental state.

The school is the worst school ever. My daughter used to love school now it’s nothing but a fight she scream cry’s. Can’t even walk my daughter up to school. First the start way too early. They shouldn’t be starting school till 8:30. They only go 4 days a week, so the schools don’t even go by the law if 171 contact days. The student pick up drop off is a complete joke. The whole district as a whole is a joke. Worst school districts in the whole state of Colorado.

The school has a welcoming environment and a positive atmosphere

Hiring staff here needs more oversight and their staff needs held to higher standards. Sports coaches are condescending and do nothing to teach the kids how to improve. All they know how to do is nitpick and destroy a child's self esteem. They expect the athletes to be at a professional level and think they're coaching professional teams. Kids come here to learn how to get better and the coaches here should be ashamed of themselves considering how they treat students trying to become better. There is a reason why they haven't won any championships lately. Building team morale is non-existent. Hot headed sports coaches that think they're better than everyone else. Overall the school's curriculum is decent. The organizational group makes sure the kids have a social avenue to get them away from their comfort zones with after-school activities etc. The school's "kid loop" recently implemented was designed by someone who apparently did not study traffic. They spent hundreds of thousands to revamp it. The end result is a more dysfunctional system that wastes the parents time.

Unless you're besties with administration you receive no support. Your concerns don't matter and heaven forbid if you disagree with them. They aren't looking for teachers to challenge and do what's best for the students. They are looking for yes men.

The school is an amazing school. My 3 children have attended and they have had the utmost great experience. I would definitely recommend to the community that if you are looking for a place whose teachers have the biggest hearts DSE is the place to attend

I would urge parents to carefully consider this school before enrolling. While there are caring teachers and a supportive community, there are serious concerns regarding how leadership handles student safety and behavioral issues.Based on our experience, there was a lack of consistent action and accountability when addressing bullying. A safe and responsive environment is essential for students, and that expectation was not met.Families should ask detailed questions about how concerns are handled and what follow-through they can expect. We ultimately chose a different school due to these ongoing issues.

My kid has been in Prairie Winds elementary since 3rd grade. Excellent teachers, a lot of support and help for kids. We are very pleased.