Dillard Drive Middle in Raleigh | Military Town Advisor

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	5/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 North Carolina End-of-Course Tests data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, and using 2025 North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Student Growth	9/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2024 Student growth data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Posted: May 10, 2026

Trash school the worst one I've went to ever went to. worst teachers ever except for the mariners and Mr Martin

Posted: May 10, 2026

Posted: October 2, 2025

I have two 6th graders and we are very happy with DDMMS so far. I love the core principles they follow and instill into the kids, I love how it is phone-free during school hours, and I have had nothing but good interactions with all staff who are very friendly and helpful. They also have fun club options - mine are loving Dungeons & Dragons club and Chess club - and look forward to the Minecraft/gaming/coding club. I actually wish they were MORE strict with things, such as dress code for example (I've seen a few too may crop tops and pajama pants than I'd like), but that is on parents more than a school to teach better basics.

I'd say to be weary of older reviews because the school has apparently changed very much for the good over the years, with new principal, staff, and magnet status. Also know that this is a large school that feeds from three elementary schools, so it has all the same basic problems as all schools with underpaid teachers, underpaid bus drivers & shortage, underfunded food program, and you will always have poorly-behaved children. PLEASE do everything YOU can at home as a parent and a fellow citizen to support our public schools (especially with your vote ;) otherwise you cannot complain. We are all in this education and parenting thing together! :)

Posted: October 2, 2025

Posted: May 21, 2025

This school is shady, and it's not safe (Or i feel that way)

Posted: September 12, 2024

DDMS is struggling with mediocrity. My kids were loaded up with low-quality learning tasks filling workbooks, hand-copying pages of printed materials, tedious online (glitchy) learning games, autopilot homework mandates (eg quiz apps to be done twice a day every day). A few teachers were engaging, creative & organized but most were not. A few had thick accents my kids could not understand, causing them low scores due to unclear assignments & vague test instructions. My kids saw violence, vaping and bullying. DD does try hard to hold programs & clubs aimed at inclusion. Principal is engaged, & school officials helped troubleshoot problems with an outright mean teacher, but it was overall a stressful experience.

Posted: March 28, 2023

When I think of Dillard Drive, I think of my friends, the people, and the teachers who are my best friends as if they were family. The downsides: no "clean language," drama/fights, and not to mention the secret vaping in the bathrooms.

In 6th grade, there are so many fun activities and moments that you will never forget. Most of the teachers are fun and sweet, and there are lots of celebrations, as well as getting you used to REAL WORK.

In 7th grade, things are more of a challenge educationally and emotionally, but you will be more used to the school dn how it works, as well as know everyone and all the grades. There is still time for fun, as long as you do your work.

And finally, 8th grade is more mature but exposing, and on task for high school workwise.

Dillard Drive is like a second home where there WILL be struggles, and you WILL run into trouble, but it will make middle school one you will not forget.

-A student

Posted: March 28, 2023

Posted: October 26, 2022

Our son and daughter absolutely love Dillard Drive middle. The low scores and other ratings do not in any way reflect our experience. The principal, Mrs. Feldman, balances compassions with a level of discipline that has made this an incredible experience for us. Our kids are strong academically, and their teachers challenge them. Theres also an impressively low level of bullying. Mix in the socioeconomic and ethnic diversity as well, and we honestly wouldnt even remotely consider sending our kids anywhere else.

Posted: October 26, 2022

Posted: June 5, 2022

Children are not motivated to do their work and the school just allows it to happen, hence the low test scores. Many fights break out and children have even vaped in class. This school is dangerous to not only children but staff as well.

Posted: June 5, 2022

Posted: April 20, 2022

T. E. R. R. I. B. L. E.

Posted: April 20, 2022

Posted: January 29, 2022

Recently moved here; school worked for us.

Posted: January 29, 2022

Posted: December 18, 2021

This school sucks Miss Feldman the principal she is horrible for the love of God please do not let your child go here

Posted: December 18, 2021

Posted: May 20, 2021

This has been our first year at DDMMS and we have really enjoyed the year (even with Covid and all the craziness that ensued). Communication from administration has been excellent! My child actually wants to behave and make good choices so they dont disappoint Mrs. Feldman (coming from a typical middle schooler who likes to goof off, what?!? Thats a major win in my book!). Core and elective teachers have been effective, communicative, and helpful. My only complaint is with our ICR teacher. Major lack of communication (parent has had to request progress reports each quarter, request annual IEP meeting to be held, and not following accommodations as stated in IEP). Otherwise great work DDMMS!

Posted: May 20, 2021

Posted: March 6, 2021

My family has lived across the street from Dillard Drive Middle for the past 12 years and have seen a tremendous revival. The principal, Ms. Feldman, has really changed the culture. Now, with the school transitioning into a Magnet for international language, the funding and priorities will allow even more improvements. We have a 7th grader there now and have a rising 6th grader. Of all the options in Wake County, we choose to keep our children at DDMS. Keep up the great work DDMS Team!!

Posted: March 6, 2021

Posted: February 24, 2020

Horrible, scary, sickening, stressful, annoyed, unsafe, and I would tell parents to please look into other schools before having this be a final option. Totally a unsafe school

Posted: February 24, 2020

Tell just brush all bullying situations under the rug even if its so serious that evidence that guns has entered the school and because they dont see them its irrelevant.

Posted: May 7, 2018

If I had to summarize this school in one word, it would be meh. There are some good things and bad things, the majority of the teachers are pretty good, but it is mainly how the students act that is an issue.

Posted: March 15, 2018

This school has no structure. None of the administration listens to some parents. Don't send your kids here

Posted: March 15, 2018

Posted: March 1, 2018

Our 6th grader is thriving in this school! She has made new friends, has excellent teachers who push her to achieve, and loves playing in the band. The PTA is also very involved and works with administration to make improvements where it can. Very happy to be in the Dillard Drive Community!

Posted: July 18, 2016

Teachers seem to play favorites to some students while allowing other things to go on that should not. My son was in trouble a lot this year!.. just over 28 days suspended and in-school suspensions and was still passed against my request!!!! when I called for a conference it ended up taking over a month and a half to come up with dates that work for both of us during that conference they explain that he miraculously went from making an 18 percent in the class to 100 in the class now. you tell me what's wrong with that picture

Posted: May 25, 2016

My son attended DDMS for the 2014/2015 school year. He went from being a child that loved school and had perfect attendance throughout elementary school to a child who said he hated school and absolutely refused to get on the bus. I fought with him daily and he was constantly asking to be homeschooled. He would never tell me why he didn't want to go other than he just didn't like the school. In the last 2 weeks of school he was beat up on the bus and came home extremely angry and upset. When I went to the school the next day to report the problem, the administrators blamed my son for defending himself by trying to push the boy away and tried to give him a stricter punishment than the boy who beat him up. I will be the first person to admit that my son is far from well behaved. However I watched a child go from a happy friendly boy that had a smile for everyone to one that would run away rather than go to school. I believe that he was being bullied the entire year and was too embarrassed to admit it. I removed him from this school for the 2015/2016 school year and took him back to Va to go to school. As soon as he started at his new school in Va, he went back to the happy child he was in elementary school. And he has been on the A/B honor roll all year. He didn't get good grades in DDMS.

Posted: January 6, 2016

Opinion comes from what we experienced at the top, how the process was handled, etc.

Posted: January 6, 2016

We are parents to special needs at this school. I will give you the facts. There was a number of complaints we filed against the school. I hope that record is somewhere where parents can access it.

Posted: August 25, 2015

Our daughter just started 6th grade and we have been so impressed with the faculty and the principal thus far. She has transitioned wonderfully so far and has had GREAT days!

Posted: August 25, 2015

Posted: March 9, 2015

I have a child that is an Alum of Dillard Drive MS and we "had" a very positive experience and were excited to send my younger children to DDMS. This positive soon became "negative" once the new principal and vice principal (6th & 7th) came on board. Though the Principal has a standard for teachers to respond to parents w/in 48 hours she does not adhere to this standard. I also recognize classrooms are overcrowded but too many teachers are quick to label students. "Effective communication skills" and "Ethics training" is highly recommended for administration and teachers at DDMS. There are many good teachers at DDMS but this negative experience is casting a shadow over them. I am hopeful we will be able to transfer from DDMS.

Posted: November 19, 2014

My family and I relocated from New Jersey to Cary for my work. I think it is important for people relocating to know of this school. Students have been trying to steal from my daughter multiple times. My daughter tells me she sees children smoke right outside the building and use fowl language constantly. We requested a transfer to Apex but have been denied. My daughter just has this year to finish out then high school. My son will not be going to this school. I would avoid this school if possible.

Posted: September 14, 2014

The teachers have a genuine care and concern for their students. The academically gifted program teacher wants your child to be challenged to their appropriate level. There are many terrific electives offered here that are not at neighboring schools.

Posted: June 9, 2014

I thought this school was the worst school ever. My child was bullied the whole time there and the teacher did nothing my child decided she wanted to come home and hurt herself. The teachers protected the bullies. I dont recommend no-one to send there child to ddms.. we got a new principal that makes 90,000 and she couldn't do nothing to help those kids the teachers dont care anyway. I very disappointed with this school and my kids will not be back. To the staff ,administration and the principal thank you for letting my child feel like she couldn't come to you when she really needed you.. Thank you for letting the bullies know it was ok to bully kids yall did an awesome job!!

Posted: June 7, 2014

Horrible staff, horrible students, horrible education, horrible school, horrible overall. I do not recommend this school for anybody.

Posted: April 7, 2014

My school is absolutely the worst school ever. I was bullied and then when I got jumped the girl got iss. She continued to bother me after this, so I fought her and I got suspended. Like how is that even okay? If you put your kid in this school, you are the worst parent ever.

Posted: December 26, 2013

Not pleased with this school. Haven't had a parent teacher conference since arriving at this school last year. Some teachers go above and beyond to help with student issues while others never respond to parent emails. Enrolled students in online math courses without discussing with parents or students prior to enrollment. Administration not responding to bullying appropriately - not listening to students who are being bullied and/or punishing students who are the victims of bullying.

Posted: September 7, 2013

Terrible school. I wad bullied every day, and the administrators protected the bullies! A kid tried to hurt me after I told him to stop messing with me. He proceeded to pound on me as I held my arms up in useless defense. The kid and I got the same 'punishment'. I dreaded going there every day, and the stress even caused medical problems. Better School in the Area: East Cary Middle School

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Eagle Ridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Raleigh	NC	6.5 mi
2	Hedingham	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Raleigh	NC	10.7 mi
3	Winston Pointe	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Clayton	NC	13.6 mi
4	Forest Oaks	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Bunnlevel	NC	33.6 mi
5	Anderson Creek Club	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Spring Lake	NC	34.8 mi
6	The Summit	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Sanford	NC	35 mi
7	Sunset Ridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Sanford	NC	35.4 mi
8	Overhills Creek	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Spring Lake	NC	36.7 mi
9	Ellerslie Subdivision	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fayetteville	NC	37.2 mi
10	Castlebrooke	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Linden	NC	37.6 mi
11	Carolina Seasons	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Cameron	NC	37.9 mi
12	Forest Ridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Cameron	NC	38.8 mi
13	Deerfield	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Spring Lake	NC	40.8 mi
14	Kings Grant	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fayetteville	NC	40.9 mi
15	Inverness	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fayetteville	NC	42.3 mi
16	Patriot Park Village	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fayetteville	NC	42.4 mi
17	Stonegate Apartments	Apartment Complex	Spring Lake	NC	42.4 mi
18	Kinwood	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fayetteville	NC	43.2 mi
19	College Lakes	Area of Town	Fayetteville	NC	43.7 mi
20	Woodlake	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Vass	NC	44.4 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Princeton	Princeton	NC	37.3 mi
2	North Ramsey Road	Fayetteville	NC	38.9 mi
3	Spring Lake	Spring Lake	NC	42.5 mi
4	Spring Lake by Ft Bragg Base	Spring Lake	NC	42.9 mi
5	Eastwood Ave & Kentberry Ct.	Fayetteville	NC	46 mi

Base	Distance
Raleigh National Guard	4.1 mi.
Pope Field	43.1 mi.
Fort Bragg	49.3 mi.

Dillard Drive Middle

Raleigh, NC 27606

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