Durham Academy

DA's outdoor campus makes it one of the most special school environments that I have ever seen. It is such a great place to not only learn, but to make friends, play sports, and just interact with all members of the DA community. Everyone is very accepting of new students and tries to get them involved with everyone. Not only are the teachers great and smart, but so are the students. There are very few students here that aren't above average or higher in terms of intellectual prowess. It's college placement of seniors speaks for itself. Overall, it is an incredible place to be.

As a DA alumni, my appreciation for my experience at Durham Academy grows more as tome goes on. DA provided me with the most academically challenging experience of my life. DA taught me how to think critically and understand my strongest learning modalities (and how to capitalize on them). I have since gone on to get a Bachelors and Masters degree, and never once did I feel as challenged in my post-secondary education as I did at DA. I am a teacher now, and looking back, with my insider's perspective on education, this school completely astounds me. The passion of the teachers, the focus on critical thinking, the development of writing skills, and the expeditionary learning are simply unparalleled. I still keep in touch with many of my wonderful teachers, who I am thankful to have as mentors still today!

I am a student at Durham Academy currently in the Middle School. I think it's a really good school. The teachers are nice and seem to really care about you. The campus is really creative and outdoorsy. The library and technology programs are excellent. And so are the academic programs. DA makes learning fun.

Everything is top of the line and the regular school environment is great as well as their athletics program. They are also top of the line when it comes to education too. Most of the kids who go here, go to Harvard, Yale, Duke, M.I.T, Dartmoth and other great schools.
--Submitted by a student

Overall, my experience at this school has been average. I am one of several new students here at DA. The academics are rigorous, but not intriguing. I sometimes find myself bored, not out of the lack of rigor, but out of the lack of interest from the whole room, including the teacher. Now let me address the social issue. It is extremely hard for me to fit in. I find myself home all the time, not included in virtually everything. And the worst part of that is that I've signed up and I continue to participate in clubs during and after school. I also am in the sports program. What else can I do to fit in?! I keep trying, and I'm still not being accepted. Clearly, the social thing is not going to change. And that does not help my liking of the school any better.
--Submitted by a student

I have had my daughter at DA for 2 years now, and our experience has been excellent. Kindergarten is exceptional; kind, loving teachers who really care about the families that join the school, small class sizes, great resources and great special teachers. The Lower School has some star teachers, some very good teachers, and some good teachers, but the real value is the special teachers and their programs (PE, Art, Music, Drama, Spanish, Math, Science), and the small class sizes and resources that are available that give the students the excellent education that they are paying for.
--Submitted by a parent

As a student, I cant say that this is really a happy place to go to school. The quality of teachers is extremely variable and often times their best teaching methods and kindest care are saved for the students with the most influential parents in the community. Many teachers play 'favorites' and ignore those that are not of their liking. The campus needs a LOT more lovin' and it is hard to figure out where all the tuition money goes when the campus looks so terrible. In all fairness, the cacdemics are quite good and they do prepare students for college and the outside world...but definitely not in the social scene.
--Submitted by a student

The middle school is excellent, although there is some variability among teachers in their quality. Glass (Spanish), Parry (English), Harger (Science) and Wilson (Math) are outstanding in the 5th and 6th grades. The Lower School is much more uneven in quality. There will be a new director at the Middle School starting in 2008-2009. The four years at the Middle School are critical ones, and I hope that the new administrator is more aggressive at building better communications with parents. In general communications between the administration and the parents are poor. For the money we are paying, I would expect it to much more personalized. As for DA's success in getting students into top colleges, rememberth
--Submitted by a parent

I have absolutely loved this school for my children. From Pre-K through the Upper School, my kids have been well-served by a wonderful core of teachers and caring administrators. I know that my children are well prepared for college and for life. I think the school gives children a strong moral foundation (with planned community service activities) and the academics are simply unparalleled (and my husband and I attended two other independent schools!). DA is the best.
--Submitted by a parent

The LS does not meet my high expectations (which it should). The teaching methods in the core classroom are weak. The enrichment classes are good. Science and Spanish are the best.
--Submitted by a parent