Dufief Elementary School

Posted: February 17, 2026

Hidden Gem, amazing school. The teachers care and the principal knows EVERYONES name

Posted: February 17, 2026

Posted: February 17, 2026

Posted: February 17, 2026

Posted: February 17, 2026

Posted: February 17, 2026

Posted: February 17, 2026

Posted: February 17, 2026

Posted: August 15, 2025

Posted: August 15, 2025

Posted: August 15, 2025

Posted: August 15, 2025

Posted: August 15, 2025

Posted: August 15, 2025

Posted: August 15, 2025

Posted: August 15, 2025

I cannot figure out why DuFief Elementary only has a rating of 6 out of 10. Our son, who has attended since 1st grade and is now starting 5th grade, has had nothing but a great experience. He is on an IEP program. His IEP counselor is a caring individual who helps with individual instruction for him and regular updates at IEP meetings. The teachers are caring and maintain a culture of inclusion. Bullying is not tolerated. The class size has always been small, averaging fewer than 20 students each year my son has attended. The principal is incredibly caring and on top of everything. He knows the names of all of the students and actively seeks to develop relationships with them. The school is now 50 years old and was slated to be remodeled but funding has fallen through, at least for now. The school is nevertheless clean and well-maintained. I seldom write reviews but thought it was important to take the time to write this one in support of the school.

Posted: June 18, 2024

Posted: June 18, 2024

Posted: June 18, 2024

Posted: June 18, 2024

Posted: June 18, 2024

Posted: June 18, 2024

Posted: June 18, 2024

Posted: June 18, 2024

That low rating on equity and inclusion is inaccurate and doesn't reflect our experience at Dufief. Both of my boys who are of Haitian decent went to this school from 1st to 5th grade. They had a wonderful experience. The exceptional principal, teachers and staff were supportive, kind, and respectful towards us. They were inclusive and equitable in every way.

We have fond memories of this school and are grateful to everyone there.

Posted: April 22, 2017

Posted: April 22, 2017

Posted: April 22, 2017

Posted: April 22, 2017

The school really focuses on inclusion of all students and teaches students to become welcoming.

Posted: April 22, 2017

Teachers are great! Many become friends. They are extremely caring.

Posted: April 22, 2017

Posted: April 22, 2017

All 3 of my kids have attended or are attending Dufief. We have lived in the community for over 20 years. Dufief is an excellent school with small class sizes. The staff is excellent and the community is great! I would definitely recommend this school to my friends and family.

Posted: March 21, 2016

My son had a wonderful experience at Dufief. The teachers and the social environment were great.

Posted: March 21, 2016

Posted: March 21, 2016

Posted: March 21, 2016

Posted: July 13, 2015

Ok so some teachers are good and some are bad. For example one time a teacher took my son and told him to stay for the recess in the lunch room my son got sad and I wasn't happy with this...

Posted: July 13, 2015

My son went to DuFief and sometimes when he came home from school he was mad. The teacher made him go to the principal office for getting out of the lunch. There are way more explanations...

Posted: April 25, 2015

We love the school. Great teachers!!!!! Low student to teacher ratio. New principal is making great changes in schools. We also have special Ed classes and the teachers are simply amazing and dedicated. Wonder why school rates lower than other schools in the neighboring area.

Posted: January 25, 2015

All 3 Kids had a great experience. Two have graduated college. One in college. Dufief prepared them for the future

Posted: January 25, 2015

Great neighborhood school. New Principal has embraced new technology and kids have access to loads of updated resources. Music teacher (band/coral) - is awesome. Would like to see all schools in the area embrace language education opportunities before middle school.

Posted: January 25, 2015

Great teachers, warm and caring environment, smart and happy kids. Dufief is great! We are so proud to have our 3 girls attend such a wonderful school!

Posted: September 22, 2014

My son graduated from Dufief last year, great school!!! excellent education He is well prepared for Frost MS

Posted: September 20, 2014

Our daughter has really excelled since starting at Dufief elemenatary. The teachers are fantastic, and are really attentive to the kids needs. The new curriculum challenges the children, but in a good way. The PTA is active but not pushy. The new principal Mr. Mascot is friendly and has brought good energry to the school. He always has a smile on his face and the children like him. A rating of 5/10 is completely wrong. The school is easily a 9 or 10!

Posted: September 11, 2014

We sent two kids to Dufief where they received outstanding education. Both kids are in top Ivy league colleges. Thanks to Dufief for helping them build a strong foundation. Neither my wife nor I spent any time tutoring our kids. The teachers at Dufief played this role. We shall be eternally grateful to the teachers at Dufief.

Posted: September 5, 2014

This school should definitely be rated higher. We sent our two kids to this school and the oldest just moved to Robert Frost and he is doing very good, a testament to the good education at Dufief. The teachers are great and very dedicated.

Posted: August 23, 2014

I cannot understand how this school rating decreased from 7 to 5 it is said that it has improved with the new principal who's come with new ideas and dynamism. Both my children (2nd and 5th) were new to the state and the school last year and we felt welcome by the staff and the families. My 2nd yr old received a lot of support from the school counselor Ms Pope. She was great and so were my children's teachers. Very few times I felt that my teachers really know my children. 2013-2014 was one of our best years. We are very thankful to the dedication and support received. The school rating does not reflect the school's character and quality. The lowest I would rate this school is 9. We attended a Montgomery County school rated 9-10 last year and the environment was nothing like the family, small community we feel at DuFief. I am not in the PTA but I know the PTA is very active. I've enjoyed a number of extracurricular activities that they organized including a free Geography Club. The PTA is great, very committed parents.

Posted: August 6, 2013

The scoring system is biased. It is unfair to the dedication and hard work of all the teachers of this school. It is extremely unfair to blame the former principle. This school has a special program for students with special needs. This is why there are about 10% of students are just at basic level.

Posted: September 6, 2012

Principal is really checked out. We generally don't have very much direct interaction with the principals of the schools our children attend, but in this case we actively avoid school management. It's a shame, really, and could probably be corrected with more dynamic leadership.

Posted: March 6, 2011

Super school! The teachers are caring and challenging. They take their time to return calls or meet with the parents. The principal and new vice principal are very visible and willing to speak with parents. My child has recieved a great education thus far.

Posted: January 27, 2011

This school is EXCELLENT. The teachers really challenge the students, the activities are great and unique and the parents in the community are very involved. We are happy with the school and the community (Westleigh). I highly recommend this school.

Posted: January 12, 2011

Excellent School, Great Staff! I've sent two of my children to DuFief and I'm thrilled with the quality of education they have received. The teachers my kids have had are truly excellent. I am grateful for their passion and enthusiasm. The PTA and parent involvement is high - leading to a community feeling that I am proud to be a part of. Overall, I couldn't be happier!

Posted: December 1, 2010

I have two children in the school and we have been very happy with the teachers that they have had. The PTA is incredibly active and supportive of the school. Our biggest complaint has been the amount of homework they receive, but it has all ways been a reinforcement of what they are learning and I have never felt it was being used to teach.

Posted: February 21, 2007