Upscale Education in Durham NC

In 1867, the U.S. Department of Education was founded, marking the beginning of public education as we know it today. No longer would the quality of education be decided by the resources and will of local authorities; under the new Department of Education, every community would be guaranteed a certain minimum standard for public education.  

It’s been over 150 years since the establishment of the public education system as we know it today. In that time, a lot has changed. Many of the public schools that were once a marked improvement over the existing schools are now plagued by poor administration, underpaid teachers and a host of other systemic ills. 

The plight of a parent seeking to provide their children with the best education possible is a difficult one indeed. In many school districts, to send your child to a public school is to all but deprive them of the resources they need to succeed in life. For those that find themselves in this situation, there is one clear solution: private school. 

Whether you’re considering moving to Durham NC and want to find out more about private schools in the area or already live there and are interested in exploring other education options for your child, we’re here to help. In this article we’ll discuss the best private schools in Durham and help you ascertain whether this is the option for you. If you’re interested in moving, you can contact the local real estate agents in Durham NC and see what’s on the market! 

Is private school right for your child? 

As you might expect, private school isn’t right for everyone. While it may be the most readily apparent option, there are certain caveats that you should be aware before choosing to send your child to a private school. Despite these caveats however, private schools remain a very viable choice for most families. 

The first of these caveats is one of the most obvious: cost. With education becoming more and more expensive each year, it’s no secret that private school is one of the most costly forms of education you can provide for your child. If cost is an issue, you may want to consider other options such as homeschooling or moving to a better school district. 

If you have a child with special needs such as autism or other learning disorders, another caveat of private schools is the possible lack of special accommodations for special needs kids. Although many private schools excel in this area, some do not. You should always do thorough research on any school you intend to enroll your special needs child in and explore other options such as homeschooling before making your final decision.   

Private schools in Durham NC

If you’ve weighed all the options and are certain that private school is the right course of action for your family, you’ll want to know a bit more about the options available when it comes to private school in Durham NC. In this section, we’ll go over some of the best private schools in Durham NC, and take a look at the various advantages of enrolling your child. 

For the purpose of determining the best all-around choice regarding private schools in Durham, we’ll be choosing our top pick for private schools at the elementary, middle and highschool levels. We’ll be weighing factors such as average test scores and median class sizes, as well as more abstract factors such as novel education approaches. Let’s begin! 

Southpoint Academy

First off, let’s take a look at one of our top choices among the private schools of Durham: the Southpoint Academy. This exceptional K-5 private school offers students a wide range of advantages when compared to public schools, and has excellent scores across the board when considering average class sizes, average grades and standardized test scores. 

Southpoint Academy has a small median class size of just ten students, which is substantially lower than the state and national averages. This means that students have much more one-on-one learning time with teachers, making it ideal for children with special needs such as autism or other learning disorders. 

In tandem with its other advantages, the small class sizes and novel, creative teaching methods have led to the school seeing higher-than-average median grades, as well as a generally positive perception by its students and their parents. If you’re moving to Durham or already live there, this should be a strong contender when it comes to your child’s education. 

Duke School 

Next up we have one of the most well regarded private schools in Durham: Duke School. This novel education facility differs from many other schools due to its K-8 age range, allowing you to keep your child in the same school from preschool up until highschool if you so choose. If you’ve recently moved or are moving to Durham in the near future and have a child in the 6th-8th grade range, then this might just be the school for you. 

Duke School is nationally renowned for its innovative teaching methods and excellent academic standing in the private school community. Its class sizes are small and its student-to-teacher ratio is nearly half that of the national average, ensuring that your child receives a learning experience specifically tailored to their needs. 

The school also offers a wide range of organized sports opportunities to its students, as well as an impressive list of extracurriculars, clubs and art programs. Furthermore, the school takes a very proactive approach to teaching students with special needs, so you can rest assured that your special needs child is in good hands here. 

Best High School: Durham Academy

Rounding out this list, we have our pick for the best private school in Durham NC: Durham Academy. This regal establishment has a sterling reputation in the academic community, and its tried-and-true teaching methods are among the best in the nation. With a host of advantages, perhaps the only downside of sending your child to this school is the high tuition cost. 

Durham Academy has a relatively large student body of over 1,200 students in the grades K-12. While this school is a solid choice for children in any age range, the school offers a wide variety of advanced placement courses that are best suited for highschool aged students, as well as a range of sports and extracurricular activities. 

The merits of this school are clearly visible in the empirical results in the lives of its students. With one of the highest average SAT and ACT scores of any school in the state, as well one of the smallest student to teacher ratios, enrolling your child in this school is a surefire way to prepare them for a successful adult life.

Conclusion

While it’s not the only option when it comes to giving your child a better education than they would receive in a public school, private school is one of the best. The results-focused and often novel approaches adopted by these learning institutions will equip your child with the tools needed to achieve success in life. We wish you the best of luck in choosing the right school for your child, and we hope we were of some help!