R N Harris Elementary School

My daughter is finished Kindergarten at R.N. Harris in June & will be starting in August for 1st grade. She absolutely loves school & is always looking foward to what they'll be doing. I couldn't belive the work she was coming home with in Kindergarten, but it makes me feel that much more confident that she is getting a great education.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a 2nd grade child that goes to R. N. Harris Magnet School and all I can say is WoW! My husband and I previously toured the school with the principal before applying and were impressed then. The principal, the staff and the teachers are friendly, caring yet efficent when it comes to my daughter's needs from the bus transporting her to having her in an accelarated class. The Core knowledge Curriculm is so much better than the traditional alone that most schools only offer. And I know first hand because I am an educator myself. My Daughter also loves the strings program and dance that is offered weekly as well. Thank you R.N. Harris for educating my little one to be better equipped for the world ahead! Proud Parents of R. N Harris Magnet School!
--Submitted by a parent

Best secret in Durham! My son has attended this school for 3.2 years. I love the Core Knowledge curriculum. Core incorporates social studies into daily learning. Instead of social studies and history being a separate subject, (which rarely happens at the elementary level) it is included in daily study of math, reading,and art. For example, (in second grade) during math time the kids had an Indian bizarre. Students brought in 10 items to 'sell' to each other for rupees. Many lessons were learned in this activity, such as managing money, negotiation, relating to others, understanding of a different culture, not to mention math. How cool is that? And that was not the only creative in-class learning event like that that year. They also had a Chinese New years celebration which involved building and constructing a dragon for a parade, a tai chi demonstration, sampling Chinese food with chopsticks. *Small close-knit*
--Submitted by Catherine Caroon, a parent

This school is a hidden jewel. My child transferred to RN Harris mid year. The principal and administrative staff were very friendly and welcomed my child. The school creates and maintains a positive behavior support atmosphere. It appears that the teachers and other staff work there as a team. This school creates one of few environments where the secretary actually answers the phone (instead of sending you to voice mail) and the principal knows your child by name. Additionally, this school partners with local universities to provide extra curricular activities to the school and assist with academics. It has been a wonderful experience for my child and I am a proud parent of an R N Harris student.
--Submitted by a parent