Durham Nativity School

Just a word of caution if you expect "Montessori", what you'll find instead: so much testing. The current administration is obsessed with testing. Students have a test every Friday and they practice for standardized tests a lot. They also do a lot of worksheets. They have so many worksheet packets that they have to do on their own because the teacher has to teach 2 or 3 grade levels in each class. What this means in practice is that students are given worksheet packets and complete them at their own pace in mostly loud and chaotic classrooms. The packets are graded too, which is too early in 1st and 2nd grade. The AIG program isn't consistent either. In our previous school, kids would get pulled out consistently in small groups. Here, all the groups seem to focus on testing techniques or more worksheets. There is no longer a separate science program at the school because the position was apparently cut. The Spanish class is just more worksheets and cartoons that are shown in English, not Spanish. The teachers are mostly very caring and the classroom assistants are fantastic but there is a high turnover. Curriculum wise, it has been a disappointing experience and we wish we had not been redistricted. The PTA is the saving grace because they are fantastic, truly above and beyond, and provide a lot of enrichment opportunities after school. The parent community really lifts up the school. Overall it's an OK school if you live in the base zone and many students walk or bike. It's also small and that is probably the best thing about the school, though that is changing because enrollment is growing, but I would think twice about accepting a lottery seat there if you expect a Montessori experience. Unless you get one of the very few Montessori trained teachers, and even then, that's not what you'll get because of standardized testing and dps curriculum requirements.

Burnt out teachers and admin that can’t solve problems.

This is review of admission and communication process. One of two of my kids were accepted and offered admission. Zero empathy or response from the principal, impersonal and canned communications from admissions director. Would absolutely NOT recommend this school.

I am giving two stars because the school is inclusive and welcomes children with a wide range of needs. That is the only positive I can offer.What I witnessed regarding student safety is deeply alarming. A serious incident occurred involving a younger student and an older student something of a physical and deeply personal nature that no child should ever experience at school. The school's response was a failure. There was no meaningful accountability. Communication with families was almost nonexistent. The affected child's safety and well-being were not prioritized. Instead of hearing from the school, parents learned what had happened from their own children. That is unacceptable.Even more concerning: the student responsible faced no consequences I am aware of and is still attending the school. Any parent sending their child here needs to know that.I also found a troubling lack of independent oversight. The staff is very small, and many have close personal or professional ties to leadership. This makes it nearly impossible to trust that serious concerns will be handled fairly or transparently. The school appeared understaffed, and staff seemed burned out.Academically, the school fell short as well. Education did not feel like the priority. For younger students, there was little consistent instruction mostly chores and free play. The outdoor area is a backyard with mulch and milk crates. Children regularly escape through holes in the fence. The nearby park is often occupied by homeless individuals, making it an unsafe option for young children.For older students, learning was largely self-directed on laptops with minimal direct teaching. I saw no evidence of a strong academic foundation being built.Families considering this school: ask very hard questions about how they handle incidents of a serious personal nature between students, whether any independent oversight exists, and what real consequences look like. Based on what I witnessed, I cannot recommend this school to anyone who values their child's safety, transparency, or a real education.Please talk with your children. Ask them about their safety and anything that may have happened to them that felt wrong or uncomfortable. Do not assume the school will tell you the truth.