David Fairchild Elementary School

As a current teacher and Alumni of CGHS, this is, without a doubt, the worst school I have ever taught and studied at. The primary factor for this is the teachers, especially Diana Van-Wyk. She is the "IB Coordinator" of the school, who demonstrates clear favoritism, laziness, apathy, and sexism. As a counsellor and coordinator of such a prestige program such as the IB, I would expect her to care for her students and support them fully through their academic journey, as would most people. However, since she has joined this school years ago, I have seen a noticeable decline in student mental health, overall happiness, and communication with teachers. This is what inspired me to become a teacher, so I could be everything she isn't. Furthermore, I have received multiple student complaints about her, and her failure of communication as well as her stubbornness. I don't think she understands that the students she deals with are socially maturer than most, perhaps indicating why she refuses to admit she's wrong. It is in the best interest of the school to remove her as a faculty.

I'm not sure why some comments are of angry "only get money" approach. This school has very affordable tuition prices along with Step Up scholarships that help cut tuition costs tremendously. There is a capital campaign to build a new multipurpose center. The school is only making it better for the families. The family environment is wonderful and people feel safe.

In Miami, there are few schools like Our International Academy (OIA). They truly stand out for their human approach and commitment to quality education, where family is a top priority. The small class sizes—no more than 18 students per room—allow for personalized attention and a higher standard of education. As part of their curriculum, they include extracurricular classes such as orchestra, performing arts, and sports, which enrich my children’s learning experience.The school uses a project-based learning approach, which makes the lessons interactive, engaging, and structured, ensuring meaningful learning. As a mother of three boys, I particularly appreciate that they don’t assign homework, which allows me to spend quality time with my kids, enjoy their childhood, and create beautiful memories together. Despite not having homework, the academic level is excellent and perfectly aligned with my children’s developmental stages.Another aspect I love is that OIA has a sister school, Bright Bridge Preparatory, which focuses on children with special needs. This has taught my kids a valuable life lesson: understanding and respecting that we are all different. It’s beautiful to see how they’ve developed empathy and acceptance through this connection.Although the school is not close to my home, I happily make the drive knowing it’s the ideal environment for my children to grow, learn, and thrive. OIA is more than a school—it’s a second family and a community I’m proud to be part of.