Excelsior Classical Academy

4100 North Roxboro Street

School District

Excelsior Classical Academy
Grade

K-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

charter

School Map for Excelsior Classical Academy

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 October 07, 2024

I attended ECA from fourth grade all the way to twelfth grade. Throughout my education, ECA had teachers that were invested in my education and ensured that I succeeded. There were also plenty of extracurriculars, from clubs to sports to theater and musicals. Thankfully, there was also an excellent counselor, Mrs. Sebring, who helped prepare me for college. She provided plenty of helpful information on scholarships, applying to college, and even earning college credits through our local community college. While Excelsior is a newer school, the quality of your student’s experience can only continue to improve as the school develops and matures. Grammar and middle school have strong extracurriculars because they have been established longer, and high school will strengthen their academic programs as time goes on. Their most notable high school sport is currently men’s soccer. Overall, this is an excellent school to send your student, and it is much safer and friendlier than the other options available in Durham.
Submitted by other on September 19, 2024

We love this school! We have watched over the past several years as it has grown to a K-12 school, and our child just graduated from high school last spring in the first graduating class. He had a great experience over the years and in high school was able to take honors and AP classes and was in the dual enrollment program so he got both high school and college credit for those classes. He is off at college now and feels well prepared by ECA. He made life-long friends, participated in sports, and had great relationships with the wonderful teachers. There has always been a very active parent group that puts on great events, and ECA has clubs, student government, and the national honor society. No football, but lots of other sports. The teachers and administration work hard and take great care of the kids. We will miss being involved now that our child has moved on.
Submitted by student on July 31, 2024

As a student who currently attends this school, I can say that bullying is in fact a problem. There have been several issues in regards to one student who's always in the center of drama in upper school. She harasses people in their classes, in the hallways, and has even gone so far as to follow people around in the halls as an intimidation tactic. The schools policy says that they have "no tolerance for bullying," yet, every time someone tries to go to administration and inform them on what's happening with a bully, they always act like the victim is the problem. I've experienced it, and my friends have experienced it. Every time I would talk about what happened in class to my friends, a teacher would pull me aside and tell me that I'm causing more drama by talking about it with my friends. However, if you're not going to do something about it, of course I'm going to ask my friends for guidance. It is teachers and administrations job to keep students safe. How are students supposed to be safe and focus on their school work when they're being bullied? Administration loves to act like the bullying isn't really bullying, and that it's just "teenage drama." However, at some point you've got to realize that in most situations involving this bully, they're the one that harasses the victims. That student has caused fights, arguments, and distress among many other students..yet for some reason they're still allowed to attend the school. What teachers can sit back and watch their students get bullied and fail to do something about it? Don't send your child here if you truly value their happiness. This school does not care AT ALL about student's mental health, and it really shows time and time again.
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2024

This school does not have the best interest of ALL students. Their curriculum is fantastic, they have a great building and campus with lots of potential. However, they have their priorities all wrong. They are top heavy and discriminate against students with learning differences and difficulties. At this school people are given positions based on who they know, not what they know.
Submitted by parent on July 27, 2022

Our daughter has been at Excelsior 6 years or since the beginning of the school. Each year they have expanded programs, grades and improved. In Durham there aren't always great options for public school so Excelsior is a very welcome change.Is the school perfect... no.. however the staff and student body really takes pride in the school and improving it yearly. This year they are adding a new gym and each year has an additional grade added. When finished Excelsior will be K-12 in one very beautiful building.We're glad to be part of it as is our daughter.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2020

Withdrew my child due to the vast pervasiveness of bullying that went from administration on down.
Submitted by other on December 12, 2018

Class work is centered around building a solid foundation and continuing to dig in with breadth and depth unlike our previous traditional school experience. It covers the full span starting in K and layering each year. The pace is accelerated and keeps the children engaged, while the liberal arts are incorporated deeply unlike many traditional schools today. The incorporation of Singapore math gets the students approaching mathematical problems in an abstract way. They use a hands on and visual approach to introduce concepts that the kids truly gravitate toward. My son was in a traditional school as a gifted student and began to no longer be challenged. He is now challenged again and can grow at his own pace within his class. My daughter started in K here and has greater fluency in her reading in comparison to my son when he was in a traditional school. Our experience with open communication and weekly dialogue among the staff and teachers has been far better as well. You should select the environment that fits your child best, realizing every little person is unique in their own way. Good luck to you in your education hunt, but know this is a delightful school for growth, inclusion and citizenship.
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2017

The curriculum is fantastic and the students are learning and growing. The school's grade its first year was a D. In their second year, they moved up to a C, and 85% of the students met or exceeded growth. We expect great things as the school matures. Go Flyin' Lions!
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2017

We have been at ECA since its opening. Every eyar they have improved and my kids are very very happy to be part of the flying lyions community.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2017

Awesome charter school with a great curriculum.
Submitted by parent on July 24, 2017

The teachers are amazing my son started not knowing how to read or do math and now he is in a high level at reading and absolutely loves math thanks to excelsior
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2017

Awesome! My child is happy to learn and is reading classics.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2017

We've been at ECA since it opened and have always been impressed by the dedication of the teachers, involvement of parents, and the commitment of the school's administration. The Core Knowledge curriculum is both engaging and challenging. Daily Spanish instruction starts in kindergarten. Students also enjoy a variety of Specials, including Advise, which is led by the school counselor and teaches children "habits" that help them develop into thoughtful, productive young adults. Simply put: we love this school and feel thankful to be a part of it!
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2017

Wonderful experience at ECA for the last two years! We can't wait to see the school grow!