Easley Elementary

302 Lebanon Circle

School District

Durham Public
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Durham Public School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by other on June 05, 2023

We have a first grader and third grader and have been at Easley throughout their elementary education. We cannot say enough good things about the teachers, administrators and student body at Easley. It is a wonderful place to learn, is growing in its equity work, and creates a safe environment for its students. Teachers are accessible as is the administration and very proactive in their communication. We love Easley!
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2023

Our family has been with Easley for four years, including our youngest's Kindergarten year ending online due to the pandemic. The teachers are so thoughtful, attentive, organized, communicative, and professional. The administration is warm and approachable. The school values equity, community, and a growth mindset. I can't imagine a private or charter school comparing to our experience at Easley, we're so grateful for our school and city's school system.
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2023

We have a 6 year old at Easley and we have been very pleased. The year-round schedule has been great and the teachers and prinicpal have exceeded our expectations. The 'extras' teachers (music/STEM/art/PE) are fabulous as well!
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2020

My son is in 1st grade at Easley and is flourishing! We love Easley!
Submitted by parent on July 26, 2017

My son loves Easley, he has grown so much there. The best teachers!!
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2016

I am so glad that I pulled my son out of Eno Valley Elementary school and placed him into this school. His class last year at Eno went through 6 teachers in one year! The last teacher was fresh out of college, obviously with no de-escalating experience. My son was bullied the entire year, with the principal not really wanting to do anything but punish my son. They were very inconsistent in dealing with that problem. The kids there are uncontrolled, rowdy and rude. I have been outside and heard them out there cursing. My son was involved in several fights because of bullies. I have since moved him to Easley where the teachers actually care about his well-being. He is starting to thrive and now is finally getting his apprehensions about school under control. He spent all year fighting for his safety and he can finally relax. Eno needs to get it together. I don't care what kind of demographics they have going on in that school, every school can be excellent when the staff actually cares about their students and Easley is proof of that. The teachers and support staff keep their promises and are very good at keeping in contact with me about any issues that happen in school. As far as I know, his teacher and after-school staff have been very transparent with me about what has happened with him during the day and have worked with me on controlling any situations. This has helped my son be a much more productive student and has been helping in controlling the attitude that he acquired from going to Eno.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2016

Teacher and student diversity is extremely poor. This school is in need of a serious cultural diversity make-over in every way.There has only been one general education teacher of color at this school since my children have been here in 2012. The new principal lacks experience and has a know- it- all mentality. The classroom sizes are overcrowded and the school did a poor job implementing common core. They are quick to label children before examining poor teaching and poor educational setting. The curriculum is inconsistent and they pick and choose which standards to do each nine weeks. Parents do not get to see if their child improved in the standards that were taught the nine weeks before. They bombard students the last month of school with EOG preparation with content and concepts that were not covered during the school year. This school is highly overrated.
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2016

My son is a graduating fifth grader at Easley, I can say that this school has been instrumental in the young person he is today. The opportunities here are endless because the teachers and staff believe in every student. He has loved coming here for the past six years and being an Eagle! :)
Submitted by other on June 05, 2014

As a student at Easley, I can say that it is a WONDERFUL school. I would not want to go anywhere else. I haven't had a single teacher that didn't impress both me and my parents. Everyone there is so kind. Teachers are committed to giving us all a great education. They will help you one-on-one with anything you have trouble with, take time to listen to your questions, and make learning fun and entertaining. We are provided with MANY extracurricular opportunities including chorus, jump-roping club, running club, and many other activities. We have several specials taught outside of the classroom: art, music, technology, media, and physical education. We are provided with so much at Easley. It is a fun, family-friendly environment. I love it there and highly recommend it!
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2013

Parent involvement is wonderful, so I gave that 5 stars. Teacher quality and leadership -- 2 stars; however, our experience is only with one teacher. When we enrolled our child 2 years ago, we were overwhelmed by the class sizes and the rudeness of the kindergarten teacher, and underwhelmed by the support and response received when we attempted to contact the principal. We pulled our child out of kindergarten after 2 days and decided to homeschool that year. Fortunately, we moved to another state and realized that public elementary schools can operate in a supportive and respectful manner. I will never get over how that teacher made her hate school so quickly. I hope the other teachers are more respectful and refined, no child deserves to be humiliated.
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2012

My son attended Easley for three years. Each year our experience was worse and worse until we finally left. My son's day consisted of worksheet after worksheet after worksheet. No creative thought, no writing. At the end of the year I asked my son what he learned. After thinking about it, his reply was that he taught himself multiplication while riding the school,bus to/from school. After hearing that, I pulled him out of that horrible place.
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2012

No field trips all year in order to "spend time preparing" for testing. Each week testing, drilling, pre-testing, re-testing. A principal far more interested in rule-following and control than in promoting a love of learning. Our child had some kind teachers, but that's not enough. Completely and utterly about "in the box" thinking. Lackluster and uninspiring. No thanks..
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2012

Teaching is hard work if done well. Many Easley teachers are caring educators, and for that we are grateful. Unfortunately, testing and practice and drill to prepare for testing overshadows everything else. The principal seems to care more about following the rules and scoring high among other schools than he does about provide a truly outstanding learning environment. We are quite disappointed. Perhaps a three out of five stars.
Submitted by parent on November 16, 2010

You may notice that Easley has lower parent ratings than many of the other schools in Durham, schools that have lower test scores. If you're an educated parent with kids for whom you also have high hopes, you may feel that your interactions with staff ought to go your way. After all, you matter, and you're used to most things in life going your way. Easley parents are one of the best things about the school. The PTA is active, parents volunteer in various ways, fundraisers are well-patronized, and appeals to the parents for various supplies seem to also elicit positive responses. There may be some mediocre teachers at Easley, but Easley is known as a school where many teachers at DPS would like to work. You should also be aware that Easley is a year-round school. For some folks, this is great, particularly if you like to take vacations at off-peak times of year. It does not get much better than Easley, at least in Durham. If you really want your child to attend this school, don't take a chance with the lottery: buy a house in the Easley zone (which you can find on the DPS website), not one where it is simply they "year-round option."
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2010

We have loved every teacher that our two boys have had at Easley. The principal is amazing and creates a great environment for teachers, students and parents. Parental involvement is encouraged and there is a real feeling of community.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2010

Best year round school, best specials teachers, great kids, active parents. we love Easley!!