Graham A Barden Elementary School

Some of the staff were okay, I dealt with gossip teachers talking infront parents about other students not to mention the principal when she handled situations with kids she has certain children she punished and the other party she didn't . She was very unprofessional. when it came to interact with parents.. would confront her staff infront of parents and other staff.... Its a very disturbing situation for my children and I So my children now will be going to their district school she chose to not reassign my friends children because she felt she was guilty by association when she did nothing wrong... if you choose to go there just be careful please...And i didn't rate the principal leadership because she has no leadership... And May God bless...
—Submitted by a parent

I thought the teachers and especially the new principal were good. I think GAB was rated a 6 when we were there and is now an 8 which really says something. At the same time, Arthur Edwards and Gurganus were 9's I believe and are now 8's as well. However, I agree with the previous poster. Our son was advanced and I felt we had to push too hard just to get him some extra stimulation. At one point he started saying he didn't want to go to school and he was bored. Finally they created a special reading group with the top 3 readers from each class in his grade. There is a gifted program but it doesn't start until 3rd grade. There seems to be a lot more emphasis on the lower SES kids, and the school draws a lot from the junior enlisted housing area. The school desperately needs some facility and playground upgrades. The PTO was non-existent when we were there.
—Submitted by a parent

It is hard to judge, since my first grader has only attended GAB, but we have mixed reviews. It is an older school that is in need of some upgrades (which are supposedly in the works). The teachers that my son has had have seemed to try hard, but they lean heavily on under qualified assistants due to the 22 to 1 student-to-teacher ratio. The school claims to have an accelerated program to help accelerated students, but all that my son has received is a trip to a higher grades to read and a couple extra worksheets sent home more than his peers. After multiple requests to keep my son engaged in school, there remains little change. I sympathize that some of the 21 other students need the attention to get to the necessary levels, but I don t feel my son should be held back. Both years the solution has been suggested to move him to the next grade, but being the youngest in your grade through each year has a stigma too. It doesn t seem too much to ask for my son, regardless of what level he came to GAB, to continue to learn and be engaged. Most of my fellow Marines dismiss it as the NC school system seriously?
—Submitted by a parent

We've been in the Havelock three years and my children have been students at Graham A. Barden since 2007. Every year we've had excellent and very compitent instructors. The principle is almost always accesible and the staff around the school is always smiling and eager to greet parents as well the students. They have a very remarkable security system. Its a little congested during pickup time during the first few days as the teachers and assistants try to learn the faces of the parents for the various children. The school does encourage parents to be as active as they would like to be in their childrens academic career. Remarkable school....and as my family and I get ready to move to a new state I will be very saddened to have to find another school as warm and familiar as GAB!!
—Submitted by a parent

Good school and a well-rounded curriculum being taught to my child. The teachers are caring and very willing to work with the parents of a student who is experiencing any difficulties. My child enjoys the school and the teachers he has on a day to day basis. Likes his 3rd grade teacher and really enjoys his gym teacher and the librarian. The school performances during PTO nights are a joy to watch and the music teacher involves all of the children. It's impressive! I recommend this school to anyone living in this district.
—Submitted by a parent

A good school which offers a substantial and quality education to my children. The staff is very capable and will go the extra mile to meet the needs of the student. The resource programs are very efficient at meeting the objectives as are the classroom teachers who teach the standard course of study to the students. My children love going to school and enjoy their teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

We are very unhappy with the teachers we have this year in the school. THey do not let them play outside, and refuse to give Outstanding for children who are getting 100% on all math assessments as well as reading past the next grade level. We will be pulling our child out. Some staff are excellent, but unfortunately it's the bad apples that ruin the overall picture. Several parents have complained about the teacher, but apparently she is one of the favorites of the higher up despite parental concerns. I've been told by two other parents that they attempted to pull the children from the class early in the year, but were refused.
—Submitted by a parent

My children love this school and so do I! The staff is very professional and they tend to go the extra mile for the sake of the children. My kids rant and rave about their P.E. teacher! And they also like the overall staff and activities. They're usually excited about going to school! Which is a big plus!
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. The staff is always there for anything and my kids love it there. I would recommend this school to everyone.
—Submitted by a parent