Alexander W Dreyfoos Jr School in West Palm Beach, Florida

“My son came to this school from one of the top private middle schools in the county. This is a great school, particularly for out-of-the-box, creative kids. The campus is open and not built in that post-Colombine prison-lock-down style in which most new Palm Beach high schools are being constructed. Mrs. VanArsdale, the principal, sets a high bar academically along with the arts programs. The band program is a student Grammy winner. The concert and jazz bands and the classical orchestra are the best in Florida. In 2009 the school had a 100% graduation rate, and more than $18 million in scholarships. Students audition for entry and it is very competitive. With budget cutbacks in the Palm Beach School DIstrict, the number of 9th grade entry slots into band dropped to 27 in 2009 from somewhere in the 30s the years before. If your student gets in, they will love it.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter is a freshman in the Communicatio Arts Department. She absolutely loves this school! Her instructors challenge her and it's obvious that they love teaching. The academic standards are high and students must do well in their art area or they risk being put on academic probation and asked to leave if they don't shape up! My daughter takes all honor courses with one AP course; she has straight A's not because it's easy by any means but because she wants to perform well and go on to an Ivy League school!! A very safe environment - students have a respect for one another and for the faculty - bullying, agression & prblems that plague other school don't seem to exist here and if they did, the faculty would deal with it immediately and put an end to it. am 100% pleased with this school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“A beautiful school, like nothing i have ever experienced before, this school is like a summer camp, i look forward to coming and have no anxieties when coming here, i feel very very safe, and i have lots of fun.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I go to Dreyfoos and i am graduating this year. Dreyfoos has opened so many doors of opportunity for me, and has paved the way for me to become the successful individual I now know myself to be. It is so safe, and creates a great safe haven, I would encourage any parent to send their child if they're able.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I am not afraid when my son goes to school. It is a safe environment with lots of kids who really enjoy attending the school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“i love my school and i am very pround”
This review was posted by a student.

“This is an amazing school. It gives us students a way to express, build and exploit our artistic talent. All of the teachers understand this and work tirelessly with their students to ensure their success.”
This review was posted by a student.

“What a great educational environment for kids. I have two boys in Dreyfoos. One a senior, and the other a sophmore, both theatre majors. The have both had a positive experience with their teachers and classes. They have learned alot in both academics and life lessons. Some lessons were easier than others...”
This review was posted by a parent.

“As a current student entering my Junior year at Dreyfoos as a theater major I am proud to say I am a part of this school. I came in lacking experience and confidence in many areas of my art and have grown immensely in the two years I have already experienced. The core curriculum is solid and I feel that most academic teachers are preparing us for the world to come but the greatest benefits come from the art teachers. After taking many state tests and reading and writing I can enter my theater classes expecting a dose of reality and another challenge. It is a pleasure knowing I have something to look forward to every day of my high school career.”
This review was posted by a student.

“My youngest child is about to graduate from Dreyfoos and my older graduated a few years ago. Both had wonderful experiences. The school is a safe environment and the art and academic teachers - with very few exceptions - are outstanding! Funding to maintain the school's arts programs continues to be challenge. Know that the school needs your financial and volunteer support to maintain excellence in both the arts and academics.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Dreyfoos is an overall good performing arts high school. The core curriculum is strong, the academic level is reasonably good and the yearly trips are culturally diverse. However, I can not believe they do not have private instructors assigned for each instrument. My daughter is a flute major and we had to find an instructor outside the school for her.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Dreyfoos is a school that prides itself on the fact that they are an arts school, but their teachers don't know what in G-d's name they are doing. They are creating a box for each student and saying 'you have this much potential'. Dreyfoos is not going to be friendly to the student who was always the lead in the school play, they will purposely make you a stagehand to show that you only have 'this much' potential.”
This review was posted by a other.

“I graduated from Dreyfoos in 2002. Now I teach at a high school in Orlando. I also went to local high school for one year in Boca. My experiences from the other schools has shown me that Dreyfoos is one in a million. The music program, I played the flute in band and orchestra, was outstanding. We went to Atlanta and Chicago. I also went to Europe in the summer of 2001. I got to play in London, Paris, and Lucerne. I would not have had these opportunites if it weren't for Dreyfoos. The teachers I had there were first rate. If you are considering sending your child to Dreyfoos and they have to ride the Tri-Rail or a bus a long distance to get there, do not let that sway your decision. You will not find that caliber of students and teachers anywhere else.”
This review was posted by a student.

“An excellent school for truly creative kids to get the support they need to excell. Excellent boost academically - really prepares the student for post secondary education.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The acadmeic program was of the highest quality with a high rate of students taking AP course and others being dual enrolled with the local community college. Many of the students were accepted to Ivy League colleges and the most respected sought after schools of Arts. Of course, the Arts program was equal to none in the SouthEast, offering Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual and Communications Arts with many specialties in those areas. Parent involvement was high and the students were very highly motivated, enthusiatic and very happy!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great school, massive art programs (obviously) Very good curricullium.”
This review was posted by a student.

“What an incredible lifelong learning experience the art schools in this area have afforded our students! We are truly blessed to be a part of the DSOA family. My daughter will graduate this year and I am going to miss being involved with her activities; chaperoning, attending concerts and talking with faculty members. The people at DSOA (teachers, parents and students) really 'know' each other, some as long as ten years or more. I am re-thinking my current role in as much as continuing to volunteer DSOA after my daughter goes off to college. I believe we have all grown, not just the students, but parents as well. We will sorely miss everyone!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school has been the greatest experience in my son's school life, having transferred here in here in his junior year, mid semester. We came from a great Texas school district, then to another school within Palm Beach county the 1st semester, which was a nightmare! Not only is the art education outstanding at Dreyfoos, but the core education is outstanding as well. The teachers and faculty truly care for the students and it shows. And one of the most important aspects of the school to me, is the kids are trusted and respected, which other schools no longer do. The kids have to give it back or face consequences, and ultimately they do, proving, given a chance, most kids WILL respond to these important elements of life. Thank you for giving my son such an outstanding education and life experience!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“As an alum from Dreyfoos I have to give only high praise. It is an excellent school compared to others in the district and the state. The opportunities are a wealth and a commodity that are rare at a public school. Dreyfoos offers a premiere education in the five areas of the arts as well as a great liberal arts core. Any student who attends should definitely recognize the institution and the quality that it upholds.”
This review was posted by a other.

“My child is in this school for Drama and having the best time of her life. This school will diffently get my child ready for college. I recommend this school to anyone who is serious about learning.”
This review was posted by a parent.