Darlington School

My daughter currently attends Darlington. Academics are the BEST in the area and the facilities are amazing. Expensive school but worth the money. The only reason I did not give it a full five stars is because Darlington can be very close minded when it comes to hiring "outside of the alumni". The school doesn't want to reach out to non-alumni who have a lot to offer with volunteering, ideas, or for hiring. When outsiders such as myself try to reach out to the upper management, we are ignored. Very hard to break into this school unless you are an alumni..wich is very sad.
--Submitted by a parent

I attended Darlington as a boarding student and graduated in '99. Darlington has a great tradition of preparing students to be ready for the next step, college. Darlington was also a huge athletic school. The facilitys are second to none. It is only fair to say that Darlington is the best all around boarding, day, coed school in the country!

The School here is filled with prejeduces. People are 2 faced and ecspecially the people that are in high office at this school. If you want you kids to be happy never send them here.

I hope I will someday get over my rage at how horribly I was treated at this institution. I would not send a farm animal to this school, much less a child. They sabotaged my chances of getting into a good college (which I did despite of them), but I will always have a permanent scar from my experience there. Thinking back to it I just want to cry at how horrifically I was treated by the administration. They put on a very good show, and let you pay lots and lots of money, and then completely turn they're back on you or treat you horribly when parents leave. The whole thing makes me sick. If you have any respect for your child, don't send them here. I am still in therapy for how bad my experience was, and I am not the only one.

Can't wait to graduate come May and get out of this place. Decent academics and all, but Its the deep South, we can't forget it. One token Black teacher, the rest are 'in their place' in the kitchen and grounds'. I'm embarrassed and uncomfortable, but we learn to 'keep our heads low', do the work and move on. The assumption if you are here and Black, you are on athletic scholarship, a few are on academic scholarship. A lot of rich spoiled kids from old slave money who still think like their grandfathers. Lot of rich Asian kids too. I could never get used to this town. If you're not careful, with the hair policy and dress policy, they'd knock the Black out of you. Still two systems for everything in this part of the world.

Our child is so fortunate to be on the receiving end of amazingly devoted, attentive, talented and dedicated teachers and coaches and the entire staff. She has received a multitude of opportunities to learn and experience and prepare for her future both in and out of the classroom. We trust the professionalism of the staff and their willingness to go above and beyond all that is expected of them from the parents and students. We feel confident in the knowledge that she is safe, secure and most certainly, happy, in her home away from home at Darlington. The academic growth and maturity we have seen in her in just one year has been absolutely stunning!
--Submitted by a parent

As a proud parent of 2 middle school students, I know that Darlington is an exceptional school. Yes, it has beautiful buildings and a brilliant campus, but it's what happens inside those those places that make the school so wonderful. The teachers are capable and extremely caring. Our children are happy to get up and go to school every day. They are learning not only about the world in which we live, but also about themselves. They never knew they had artistic ability until their art teacher helped them find it. They are involved in sports that they didn't play before because the coach/teacher encouraged them to try out. They are learning that even though they are the center of my world, there is a whole other world out there - and they are excited about making it a better place.
--Submitted by a parent

Darlington's Motto: Wisdom More Than Knowledge Service Beyond Self Honor Above Everything is embodied not only by the staff but by the students and parents. The entire Darlington Family (past and present) lives by these tenants. So, in addition to being an academically challenging environment, the students who attend leave with the knowledge that it is how they impact the world around them that holds the highest reward.
--Submitted by a parent

I have had one child graduate has done so well in college! It was a wonderful 13 years! going to law school now-I have other kids at Darlington-It is the best school in Rome by far and the teachers are wonderful-There is no comparison here to the lower school (pre k-4th) It is a warm place and each school at Darlington prepares you for the school ahead-My son that graduated was definantly prepared for college-went in with ease-This is not a school for children with learning disabilities but they are working to get there so if your child has any learning needs-I would recommend and outside tutor. Overall Darlington is a warm wonderful place with alot of parent involvement.
--Submitted by a parent

As an alumnus, I can tell you the experience was exceptional not only from a learning standpoint but a life preparation standpoint. I was well prepared for college and graduated in 3 years with honors. I have looked at the other comments and they left me scratching my head. Then I noticed they were comments from the parents. Regardless of wear you go or what you do, you get what you give and I would bet that the parents and their students put forth a sub-standard effort.