Voyager Academy

I have two children at Voyager Elementary and it is an excellent school. The teachers are extremely dedicated and there is significant parental involvement. (For the first field trip 14 of 20 kids in my daughter's class had a parent attend) There are 20 kids per class (100 per grade) and Voyager is committed to keeping the class sizes small. My children come home each night with books selected just for them and various other fun learning tools (time flashcards, multiplication tables, etc.) When I visit the classroom, I am amazed at how advanced the lessons are and how engaged the kids seem to be. Each quarter, the classes do a project based on a theme and other lessons (reading, writing, etc.) center around the theme. Last quarter, Kindergarten students performed a fairy tale with a set they created in art and a song they practiced during music. Monday is early release so you can participate in optional enrichment activities on-site (Spanish, basketball skills, dance, etc.). The peers have been great so far, and my kids are excited to go to school each day. If you are lucky enough to get a lottery spot, I highly recommend Voyager Academy.
—Submitted by a parent

We had such high hopes for Voyager Academy. My child has been there 5 years and it's been pretty good until this year. Most of the teachers have been great but I suppose there will always be a couple that will ruin it for the rest of them. It's like the "mean girls" grew up and became teachers. The best way I can describe it is the use of sarcasm to humiliate a child in front of the class. My child says that there are times when they can't even bring themselves to look at the teacher after a humiliating outburst. The administration turns a blind eye and it doesn't get addressed. I think that most schools deal with this to a certain extent, I was naive to think Voyager would be different.

My child attended this school for one week. She was upset every afternoon for the week. We had a choice of Voyager and another school. So, We decided to leave Voyager to attend the other school. She has been much happier at the other school. I think that the school needs to have more activities for the students to mingle. A new student attending has a hard time interracting with the kids that have been at the school for so long.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is not good at all. Because, it does not give you the freedom that other schools might have. By the way I am a student at Voyager Academy. This school has no good quality at all. If you want your child to be successful in life I would not recommend this school. Take my advice on this one because I am student at the school. And, it is nothing like when people describe it to be.

Great school, we are very happy !!! Best of all our son loves going to school, that says a lot about it !!!!!! We love our teachers dedication.
—Submitted by a parent

Hello, my name is Idara and I go to this school. Now they are building a elementary school and the grades next year are going to be K-12. This is an AWESOME School to.

Finding this school was a God-send, allowing us to escape the nightmare of the Durham Public School system. We have three boys at Voyager, and they have attended various stretches of grades from 4 - 9 so far. Teachers are excellent. Admin seems to be always on mission. Downers: Transportation (no buses; no attempt at organizing rides). Insane middle school car line arrangement and design. "Business management" theme is a bit self-limiting: specifically limits student exploration more deeply into science and arts. No band or music outside of playing recorder or paid courses in guitar or rock band. The only administrative issue has been the pervasive assumption that parents are so wired and so flexible, that an e-mail announcement sent the day before (or even the day of!) a required meeting is sufficient (this is most true in the athletics department, where required try-outs and changes in schedule are consistently very poorly advertised). Fortunately, low diversity (noted by others) is changing as more parents apply.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been at Voyager Academy since they opened their doors. I've been pleased with the parents, administration, and teachers. Is the school perfect? No. Is it better than the alternative in Durham? By far! To the parent that said there is not diversity, I beg to differ. It's not an all white school. This same parent mentioned there was no black history month. No true. My daughter has had to complete assignments on black history every year since being there. If you need more than that, then I'm glad you went back to DPS. As for the parent who lost their child during car line, I'm sorry to hear you were scared as any parent would be. However, that car line has been running for 4 years and they have it down to a science now. I'm just saying. I wouldn't trade VA for any school around here!!!
—Submitted by a parent

On 3rd day of school the staff "lost" my child. The car line didn't go well and there was no info given on Open House to address car line procedures. After giving an apology and explanation for my panic, I was told I was banned from campus and subject to arrest if I returned. There was no time limit put on this, just indefinitely. Also they threatened to take me to court for what I do not know. WE WILL NOT BE BACK TO VOYAGER ACADEMY!
—Submitted by a parent

My wife & I have been incredibly impressed with the efforts made by Voyager's staff to help our son who struggles academically. Our son has a learning disability and we were unsuccessful @ getting him much help through the Durham Public School he was @ the previous year. While he was in the DPS system we did everything we could think of and were promised many things that never happened - many of the actions taken seemed to be counter-productive. With that said, DPS staff's hands are "tied" in some situations due to policies, etc set by DPS administration. Our gifted daughter, who will be a Senior this year @ DSA, has thrived very well in Durham Public Schools but our son needed something more that we were not getting from DPS. PS - We are an average middle-class family, basic "nobodies", & not part of any Country Club.
—Submitted by a parent

Incredible school, and faculty. Refreshing to see so much parental involvement on a daily basis.
—Submitted by a parent

I will be so glad when my daughter gets out of this school. Nepotism reighs, country-club parents are catered to and gossip of students, parents and staff is never ending. If you aren't a part of 'the click' you don't belong and are looked down upon from their long noses. The administration doen't seem to run this school, rather the complaining parents. I have a concern of padded scores. Scores can be inflated but EOG's won't lie. We'll see how it turns out. There is no diversity, no Black History month. Be prepared to open your pocketbook or wallet. Everytime you trun around you will be asked for money, and I'm not talking nickle and dimes.I'm looking forward to returning to Durham Public Schools. Ensuring stability for our dauthter was the only reason we continued enrollment. Take a good hard look at this school before you decide to
—Submitted by a parent

After two years in Voyager, we are concerned with the lack of discipline. The teachers and administration do not enforce their own stated policies, particularly when it comes to bullying. The handbook lists specific disciplinary actions which will be taken to address undesirable behaviors such as 'obscenity' and bullying, but we (and other parents in our acquaintance) have noted the absence of enforcement. The administration seems more concerned with whether or not students' shirts have collars than if they are bullied. In short, they talk a good game about building character, but the glaring inconsistencies in their approach to discipline leaves a great deal to be desired.
—Submitted by a parent

Voyager Academy is the best school i think i have ever in my hole life .Yes where is a dress code but it is not that bad almost very friday we get to ware what we want to jeans and words on you'r shirt you have pe,music,art,computer and spanish that also lots of fun. you and pay money to get chic-fil-a very thursdaywe have spirt week .if i was you i would want to come to voyager!
—Submitted by a student

I have a rising 8th grader, and we were previously at a Durham Public Middle School. I am so greatful for Voyager. My only complaint is that they do not go through High School. We have the BEST OF THE BEST teachers in North Carolina. My son went to Mangum for K-5 and I never thought I would find a school equal to that. Then Voyager kame along. I tell my friends that Voyager is an upper grade level(6-8) of Mangum. One Big family.
—Submitted by a parent

Voyager Academy provides a caring and nurturing enviroment for grades 4-8. I have 2 girls that are rising 5th and 7th grader. they had an awesome first year at Voyager. The staff and administration are committed and very approachable.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a 6th and 7th grade teacher at Voyager Academy. I have taught for 14 years in the public school system, and this is by far the best school in which I have been privileged to work. Morale is high because of an excellent administration. Teachers are dedicated to helping the children learn all they can through projects and hands-on activities. Students are engaged and actively learning. Parents are happy and involved with the school. Who could ask for more?
—Submitted by a teacher

My daughter is in the 6 grade at Voyager. I am very happy with the direction that the school is going on. The principle and other staff members are just awesome. They really care about our children.
—Submitted by a parent