2425 Seminary Church Loop
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219

I attended Dryden Elementary School from 1st -5th grade and I can say that I loved every day of it. The teachers are very nice and hands on. I have 2 little brothers that both started attending DES this school year, in head-start and kindergarten. They love school and they are always telling me stories of what they do in class and how much fun they have. They look forward to school every day. I recently went to a few after-school functions and it is clearly apparent that the teachers really love their jobs and the kids that they teach.

Why is there no summer school I saw the books online. Pleàse t e iur

Elydale middle is a good school that would be well for students who are prepared to go through it students who are struggling or kids that have problems paying attention in class like ADHD can cause some things like this and may cause problems academically learning I used to be considered a bad kid going to the school and at the end of my year the last year I went there my least favorite teachers were now my favorite teacher is and I was their favorite student I had changed so much over the years and I love this school there is a few issues which almost every school has like kids hating the dress code and I used to be one of those kids personally I think of it as academically preparing for future dress codes and jobs but students have defined their self students have to find what they want to dress like that what they want to look like how they want to act. The staff members are personally amazing there and they try to urge their students to become better academically. I speak from personal experience I would suggest this school the teachers were fun and the security officer was very friendly. If it is a kid's first time at the school they should pay attention well and make good connections with their teachers and the teachers make good connections with the students easily. Their discipline when it comes to certain situations are amazing. I don't think I would have been able to graduate Middle School without the teachers I had. I used to be a terrible student and I was getting into some bad habits and my teachers lifted me to my feet basically when I was going through some things and they helped me through it. A few teachers may be strict but I fully respect everybody that works there.

My daughters K teacher has been fabulous so far and the staff has been excellent. The doors are secured and you have to be buzzed in . I'm a very happy first time PTO member.

Overall, the school has improved this year. They finally did get a new textbook for 7th Grade Math. However, the book is difficult to understand. A new State law has put kids with behavioral issues in with normal kids and so this is causing some issues with holding back higher functioning kids. There is still an issue with a lack of recess and forcing kids into assigned seats at lunch, lack of non-GMO lunch food and fruit looking inedible. Cafeteria leader needs to Go according to a recent survey of kids! She should not be in the Spelling Bee due to conflict of interest issues. They are still refusing to adopt an IPM for Lee County Schools which would prohibit or severely limit pesticides/herbicides being sprayed on school campuses. Lastly, 5 minutes in between classes is not enough time to allow kids to go to lockers and get to the next class. Too much focus on scholastics, no free time. School Board members of Lee County are inaccessible and refuse to respond to parents concerns.

This a terrific school where children will thrive in the nurturing environment. There is a hands on science lab for all grades from Kindergarten through 8th Grade. The PTO is so involved in focusing on the education, growth and development of all of the kids. The PTO has an amazing presence at the school and the involvement of each of the teachers with the parents is heartwarming and real. The teacher's really get to know the kids and the families. The opportunity to learn Spanish in Kindergarten throughout 8th grade is an enormous benefit to a child's education. The focus on a science and math education as the kids enter middle school is just what I was looking for in my child's education.

I am currently going to Thomas Walker High, 9th grade. The teachers here are okay, but they have favorites are usually treated differently and get different treatment. Besides that you school is okay. It could be better but I feel that that won't happen any time soon.

Also did i mention someone found mold in their cheese at this school??