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[quote=Anonymous]We have an 8th grader. 6th grade was all iPad all the time. Intensified classes had not yet been introduced, there was no homework (other than iXL) and most classes were a repeat of what she learned in the 5th grade. My understanding is that whole situation has changed for the better for the 6th grade, but I would talk to a current 6th grade parent to confirm. Just by the tone of your question, you would not have been happy with the 6th grade experience that my daughter had.

7th grade and now 8th grade, each year has brought less iPad time. The ability to take intensified classes has also helped. If your student wants or needs a challenge, you need to make sure they are placed in the intensified classes. The non-intensified options are very entry level. Texts in English class have only been in book form (not online). They may, but do not have to, pick their independent reading from the e-reader app on their iPad. Most classes they don't open the iPad at all. Notes are taken on paper. But they still use iXL as their primary homework in math, which means most kids we know supplement with a tutor. However, if you are looking for your student to bring home a backpack full of text books and memorize info, you're not going to get that. By the 8th grade, they have homework more or less daily.

Each grade has very strong teachers so your student is unlikely to encounter too many issues there. I've been really impressed by several of the teachers not only as teachers but as genuinely good people. I don't know that I'd be such a great person if I was trapped all day with a room of middle school students...they can be horrible.

But there are definitely gaps and there are few teachers who do not belong in teaching or really in any kind of professional setting. Truly one of the worst humans I've ever encountered teaches at DHMS.

I can't say anything overly good or bad about the administration and we've had to meet with them several times. I do not get a feeling that they play favorites or engage in any of those kinds of shenanigans. I do think that they are really only hitting their stride this year, because they opened right before closing for Covid. It seems like this year there is a sense of planning ahead, rather than reacting. [/quote]

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