REVIEW OF Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S. BY parent, Joy Molina

(5) Student Experience

My son has excelled at this school. His teachers challenge him, yet are very supportive. The school is welcoming and has a warm, friendly environment. It is a wonderful place for young children to learn and grow. They create fun and creative activities that help kids learn through play, stories, art, and music. The classrooms are clean, safe, and welcoming, which makes children feel comfortable and happy. I also appreciate how the school encourages kindness, sharing, and respect between classmates. Communication with parents is clear and helpful, so families feel included in their child’s learning. My child has become more confident, social, and excited about going to school every day. Overall, this school provides a positive, supportive environment that helps children build strong skills and happy memories for their future learning.

Why Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S.?

It has a programming that we like. We love the staff. The number of kids is less compared to the other school, which makes the children thrive.

Expectations vs. Reality

The school has exceeded all my expectations. The program was really exceptional, and the teaching style was beyond the highest standard that we expected. My son loves being in this school.

Your Advice

I highly recommend this school. The staff is amazing, and your kids will thrive in this school. I have seen my son flourish since he started.

(5) School Leadership

The school administrator is supportive, organized, and helpful. They communicate clearly, listen to families and staff, and create a safe, positive environment where children succeed together.

(5) Teaching

The teaching at Durham Elementary, Durham Academy, and G.B.M.S. has been very positive overall. The teachers are caring, passionate, and knowledgeable about their subjects, and they show genuine interest in helping each student succeed. They communicate clearly with parents through updates, reminder apps, and meetings, and they provide helpful, constructive feedback that supports improvement. I feel happy with the quality of instruction because my child is both challenged academically and supported emotionally. The schools create a safe, encouraging environment where students can build confidence, stay motivated, and continue growing in their learning every day.

(5) Academics

The academic programs at Durham Elementary, Durham Academy, and G.B.M.S. are well-rounded and supportive of different learning needs. The schools focus on strong foundations in literacy, math, science, and social studies while also including arts, technology, and physical education. Their main strengths are caring teachers, clear communication with families, and a positive learning environment that encourages curiosity and confidence. Students are supported through extra help when needed and are challenged with projects and activities that build critical thinking.

(5) Extracurriculars

At Durham Elementary, Durham Academy, and G.B.M.S., there are a good number of extracurricular opportunities that support both fun and friendly competition. Students can join activities like sports, arts, clubs, and school events, which help them build confidence, teamwork, and creativity. Most children are able to participate and feel included, and the schools encourage trying new things while also supporting students who want to compete and grow their skills. Overall, the schools provide a positive environment that helps develop well-rounded students socially, emotionally, and academically

(5) Students

At Durham Elementary, Durham Academy, and G.B.M.S., the student body feels welcoming, diverse, and friendly. The school sizes feel comfortable, not too big or overwhelming, so students can build real friendships and feel known by their teachers. What stands out most is the positive spirit among students. They are respectful, helpful, and supportive of each other during class activities, sports, and school events. Students generally interact well and include others in games and group work. Older students often help younger ones, which builds a sense of community. There is a culture of kindness, teamwork, and encouragement, and conflicts are handled calmly with guidance from staff.

(5) School Life

The overall student life at Durham Elementary Private School, Durham Academy, and G.B.M.S. feels caring, positive, and supportive. My child enjoys going to school because they feel safe, welcomed, and encouraged by both teachers and classmates. They look forward to activities, learning projects, and spending time with friends, which shows that the schools create a happy and engaging environment. The staff try to meet students’ emotional and academic needs, and this helps children feel confident and motivated. To improve student life, the schools could offer more extracurricular clubs, leadership opportunities, and enrichment programs for different interests. More field trips, creative arts programs, and academic competitions would also help students explore their strengths. For prospective families, it’s important to know that these schools focus on kindness, communication with parents, and building confidence in children. The schools provide a supportive community where students can grow socially, emotionally, and academically while enjoying their school experience.

(5) Community

The broader community at Durham Elementary, Durham Academy, and G.B.M.S. feels warm, welcoming, and supportive. Parents are friendly and respectful, and there is a strong sense that families care about helping the schools succeed. From my experience, parents are invited to events like meetings, performances, and school celebrations, and communication from staff makes families feel included and informed. It’s clear that the schools value partnerships with parents and want us to be part of our children’s learning journey. The schools could still provide more opportunities for parental involvement, such as volunteer programs, parent committees, or classroom support days. More chances to share ideas and connect with other families would help strengthen the community even more. The parent community is positive and engaged, and with a few more involvement opportunities, it could become even stronger and more connected.

(N/A) School Location

The surrounding neighbourhood of Durham Elementary, Durham Academy, and G.B.M.S. feels safe, convenient, and family-oriented. The area is generally quiet, with nearby parks and community spaces that add to the welcoming atmosphere. What stands out most is that the schools feel secure and well-situated, making drop-off and pick-up smooth for families. For the most part, students spend their time within the school grounds during the regular day, which creates a focused and structured environment. However, there are occasional field trips and community-based activities that allow students to explore beyond the school.

(5) Admissions

For someone planning to apply to Durham Elementary, Durham Academy, or G.B.M.S., my advice would be to start the application process early and be prepared with all required documents, such as previous school records, recommendations, and any assessments. From my experience, the admissions process was organized, and the staff were very supportive. They took the time to answer questions, explain the process clearly, and ensure that the school would be a good fit for my child’s needs. While it can feel a little stressful at first, especially gathering materials and preparing for interviews, the staff’s guidance made the process much easier. The admissions team is helpful, friendly, and genuinely focused on finding the best match between student and school.