REVIEW OF Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S. BY parent, Sam Ravi

(5) Student Experience

Our daughter has immense appreciation for the teaching staff here and the level of effort they put into her education. We have floated the idea several times to switch her school now that her foundation in education is solid, and she has refused every single request, citing the same reason: she loves her teachers from every year. She has had a steady turnover of her friends, all leaving for other schools, but she has stayed on. Our daughter appreciates the level of one-on-one attention she gets. She is never afraid to ask questions and is encouraged to participate even in areas of interest that she may not necessarily align with. She is a bit more artistic and musically inclined, but has, over time, evolved to appreciate the sciences, and we think that is strictly due to the efforts of the teachers in the school. We may love to see more hands-on classes like Shop class, which might be beneficial for kids in the future, but that isn't necessarily a deal breaker for us.

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

We had reviewed a couple of different schools and attended a few open houses. We were floored by Mrs. Mason's dedication, and during our open house, she picked a child at random in Senior Kindergarten as he was running around and playing in class to solve a complex math question, and the kid used simple STEM techniques to answer, and then went on his merry way. No complaints, no hesitation, just problem-solving and then moving to fun. We wanted that for our child!

Expectations vs. Reality

We wanted a strong STEM background for our daughter and her education grounded in scientific methods instead of any political or religious influence in the education syllabus, and this school does exactly that! There hasn't been much of a divergence from our expectations, they could improve their paperwork and communication methods to to software rather than paper hard copies but that's more of a nice to have or us as parents rather than an issue with education for our child.

Your Advice

If you want your child to have a strong foundational structure in STEM, this is the place to be. As the world changes and we springboard straight into AI, a STEM foundation is what your child will need to compete in the real world in the future.

(5) School Leadership

The School leadership and administration have profound interest in the child's education and future. Their actions are directly indicative of this. They respond to problems appropriately quickly and effectively. They foster a positive school environment and any early stages of bullying is caught immediately and corrected at the source. Our daughter had a small instance of this and the perpetrator was immediately addressed and our daughter was cared for instantly. They handle disciplinary issues fairly and judiciously with plenty of communication with the parents in an effective and expedient manner

(5) Teaching

We are very happy with the quality of instruction. STEM education is right at their core, and the teachers are passionate and knowledgeable about their subject. Communicating effectively and providing constructive feedback is helpful for both the child and the parents to understand the education pathway for the child and address any struggles effectively. Our daughter receives both the challenges and the support that are required, and the level of education keeps her constantly engaged at a high level. She has evolved year over year in every aspect of her education, including the ways she engages with her peers and the society at large. Her social skills are constantly evolving, and that, in part, is due to the way her teachers make her engage in school and with her peers. Health competition, while being respectful, is encouraged, and we can see that in her!

(5) Academics

The school's academic strength is STEM. The level of technology and math is above average and engages our daughter's reasoning acuity. There aren't any real weaknesses, maybe a few shop classes in woodwork and building might be nice to improve their trades skills, but that isn't really a weakness per sé. The academic culture and atmosphere in the school can best be described as the development of intellectual curiosity with an emphasis on peer support and a combination of individual and team-based performance. I believe this school is setting the stage for a very successful future for our daughter as she begins to traverse the complex world, while staying true to our inclusivity and cultural responsiveness. Her academic excellence is well balanced alongside her mental and emotional well-being, combined with her character growth. We feel there is a holistic learning that happens here for our daughter.

(5) Extracurriculars

There are several extracurricular opportunities offered in the school. Our daughter has engaged in sports activities such as basketball, volleyball, Volleyball, Soccer and field hockey. She has also participated in coding camps, STEM camps and chemistry classes after school. There are adequate competitions in sports day activities combined with well-rounded concepts of environmentalism and habitat protection. The school engages in community-based activities, and the children participate in those as well.

(5) Students

It feels like an intimate and tight-knit student body. You can't walk down a hall without saying hello to at least 2 teachers and a few students from different grades who might know your child from choir, band, or student club activities. There is a strong sense of accountability and belonging. The children generally care for one another, and there are some incredible reading and budding activities that higher-grade students participate in with primary school kids, which fosters communal bonding and sharing of intellect. The school gives a small town vibe instead of a bustling city energy, where the focus is on fostering partnerships and communal growth instead of competitive individual performance. That being said, the school still produces incredible chess masters and spelling bee winners who participate at high levels and have won a few medals and tournaments at a provincial level and the country level as well!

(5) School Life

Our daughter loves to go to school here. She refuses to miss a day, even if we approve missing a day off for a family event or trips; she refuses to and ensures that we schedule our personal lives outside of her school activities so she does not miss school. Her reasoning is predicated on the strong sense of community, and she often says, "I don't want to be the reason my teacher has to repeat lessons or material because I was away". That sense of global citizenship is immensely important for us as parents. I can't think of a single or multitude of ways how the school can improve the quality of life for my daughter, as every aspect of her life has been enhanced because of this school!

(5) Community

Our experience with the parent community has been immensely helpful to us. My wife and I are first-generation immigrants, and we finished our post-secondary university education before we migrated to Canada. The education system in schools in Canada is very new to us, and we were extremely nervous about not making the right decision for our Daughter. I am happy to say that the parent community of this school have been very courteous and kind to us, and on more than one occasion, they have engaged with us on the whys and wherefores when we seem stuck in a decision tree. Parents are welcome to be involved in the life of the school, and Mrs. Mason allows us to forward ideas for camps and even day trips, and on more than one occasion, the children have been on such suggested trips.

(5) School Location

The school is in a secure location with plenty of access to nature and greenery, but within the confines of a safe environment. Students don't venture beyond school grounds and are well protected and cared for. They do get several chances to go on day trips with their teachers and peers. The neighbourhood and community are well nestled within the vicinity of fire stations and police stations, should the need arise for assistance.

(5) Admissions

Our advice to someone planning on applying for admission is to visit the school and take the tours. You can experience a real-world scenario of what your child might go through and witness firsthand your child's learning environment. The application process was seamless, and we did not find it stressful at all. Mrs. Mason worked hard to understand what we were looking for and if this school was the right fit for the type of education we wanted to give to our child.