Welcome to Durham Academy's Lower School! There is a special spirit in our division on which guests frequently comment when they visit. Our students are busy and engaged, and they have a warm relationship with their teachers and classmates. What is our recipe for success? First, we have a dedicated faculty who seek first to build a rapport with students so that they can set the bar high for academics and behavior. Our teachers take a special interest in each student seeking to understand what motivates a child and then supporting each child for success.
Second, we consider all we know about the Lower School child and create a curriculum and program that best meets the needs of this age. We build a supportive community in the classroom giving children the time and opportunity they need to practice important social skills. We promote student independence and ownership often giving children choice in the topics about which they read, write, and do their research. Our academic program is full of enrichment opportunities in the fine arts (visual arts, music, drama), physical education, and foreign language. Our children learn to think like scientists as they work in the lab or in the garden, and they effectively utilize technology to research, synthesize, and present information.
Most importantly, we partner with families who have like goals— parents who want their children to be both loved and understood but also motivated and challenged. We creatively integrate character education and service into the fabric of our daily activities so that our students understand our individual and collective responsibility to give back to our community. The Lower School at Durham Academy is a special place to be, and we appreciate your interest in learning more about our school.