Overview

Grades
Roque De Duprey serves students in grades 1-8.

Curriculum
Roque De Duprey offers a strong curriculum that challenges every student. At De Duprey, everyone is involved in the learning process, including administrators, teachers, students, and parents. Teachers participate in ongoing professional development to prepare themselves in these various programs and initiatives. As a small school, De Duprey is able to offer more personalization in a positive learning environment. Sixth, seventh and eighth grades are departmentalized, with content area specialists teaching the core curriculum areas.

Uniform and mascot
The uniform is a maroon polo shirt and khaki pants or skirt. The school mascot is the dolphin. We are on the regular school calendar. School hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. for students.

Location
De Duprey is located in the West Town community.

Building
De Duprey is a small school located in the Von Humboldt Campus, with the amenities of a large campus: a large gym, auditorium, playground, a cooking cafeteria. The facility is undergoing extensive renovations, including new windows. The freshly painted halls and new floors are bright and cheerful. De Duprey has internet access in every classroom, a computer lab, a science lab, and an automated library.

Programs

As a Math and Science Magnet Cluster School, De Duprey has a strong focus on math and science instruction. All teachers have received training and coaching on the use of the Chicago Math and Science Initiative (CMSI) curricula for both math and science. The school offers high school algebra with the use of technology, chess, and after-school science club.

Other activities
Math & Science Night, museum partnerships, and science fairs to emphasize our magnet cluster specialty area.

Arts
Music instruction for all students, band for students who qualify based on audition, Art Resources in Teaching (ART) Program, arts integration with the content areas, video production in partnership with Street Level Youth Media.

Other clubs and activities
History Fair, Student Council, sports, recycling, school garden

Awards and recognition

Awards
Awarded the ISBE 2006 Academic Improvement Award
2009 Sharing the Dream Grant from the National Association of Elementary School Principals

Test scores
Student performance on the ISAT composite has almost doubled since 2004 and more than doubled in math.

Attendance/pass rates
Attendance surpassed citywide average at 95.4%. Algebra pass rate in high school was 100%, exceeding citywide average.

Survey info
Student Connection survey responses were higher than citywide in Safe Climate, Extracurricular Activities, and Rigor.

Teaching awards
One teacher achieved National Board Certification last year.

Testimonials

None available at this time.

Safety

What makes De Duprey a safe school?

Eduardo Benitez, security officer, De Duprey

Programs and policies

•PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Supports) implemented throughout school

•Second Step violence prevention initiative throughout school curriculum

•Teachers teach students “calm classroom” techniques, which focuses on yoga-like techniques of breathing and stretching.

•Security cameras in various locations

•Behavior “check-in” and “check-out” for all students on a daily basis

•Rigid sign-in and sign-out process for visiting adults

•Parent volunteers and security staff participate in school dismissal procedures

In their words

•“What makes us unique is we’ve been working for years on safety, creating a warm, nurturing climate.  Also, I could count on my hand how many suspensions we’ve had this year – it’s low.”

-Gloria Roman, Principal

•“I feel this school is safe.  When it comes to discipline, we are on it all the time.”

-Eduardo Benitez, security officer

•“There are responsible adults around here, and there are responsible teachers who love the children as if they are theirs.”

-Juanita Garcia, parent volunteer and local school council vice-president