Graham A. Barden Elementary

200 Cedar Drive

School District

Craven County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Craven County 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 parent on March 06, 2019

Teachers are over worked and under paid. They are doing the best they can with what they have. Problematic areas get more attention and take away from other kids which turns into some getting away with bad behavior while the others can do no right. Teacher to student ratio is incorrect because one child is 21:1 and the other is 17:1
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2018

Excellent. We love Graham Barden. We are so thankful that our daughter, and soon our son, can attend. The staff is kind and passionate about education and the school culture makes it easy for parents to be involved. Wouldn't change our school district for anything!
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2017

My daughter really loves G.A.B. and especially her kindergarten teacher and teacher's assistant. I visit the school often and have lunch with my daughter. Every time I have visited I find my little one in a cheerful mood and always excited to tell me about lessons learned or stories read. She loves to show off her math skills. I have seen so much encouraging of the students and also a lot of firm yet not intimidating or demeaning correction of students when they need to be corrected and disciplined. I myself am glad to see that. We want our daughter to know right from wrong, we want her to understand repercussions of misbehavior, and the rewards of good behavior. She is smart and well mannered and G.A.B. Is a big part of our raising her to be exceptional. I am grateful for all the effort on behalf of the staff to enrich and enlighten the children's education. The entire staff work hard to encourage the children and to make them feel smart and proud. They all seem genuinely interested in the kids well being and considerate of their feelings. For example, today was a special award presentation for students who have been using fairness with others. As the ceremony was held early in the school day only a small amount of parents were present. All the children were praised and esteemed equally by the guidance counselor who presented the certificates and when it was time for us parents to say goodbye to our kids the counselor took time to hug each child without a parent present and tell them how special and amazing they are and how proud she and the staff and their families are of them. Overall I am proud to call G.A.B. "our" school.
Submitted by teacher on April 06, 2014

I am a Speech language pathologist that loves this school. It is mentally stimulating, amazing students, great staff, and a wonderful office/work environment (not to mention good coffee:). This is an awesome school that cares about the students and staff. The school staff make you feel apart of their "family" which is a very caring environment.Thankfully this was my first job out of college that I can honestly say I feel lucky to have. It is a wonderful job. If you get a job here you will be grateful for time you can spend here and dedicate to the kids . The GAB family is so AWESOME!
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2011

Some of the staff were okay, I dealt with gossip teachers talking infront parents about other students not to mention the principal when she handled situations with kids she has certain children she punished and the other party she didn't . She was very unprofessional. when it came to interact with parents.. would confront her staff infront of parents and other staff.... Its a very disturbing situation for my children and I So my children now will be going to their district school she chose to not reassign my friends children because she felt she was guilty by association when she did nothing wrong... if you choose to go there just be careful please...And i didn't rate the principal leadership because she has no leadership... And May God bless...
Submitted by parent on December 31, 2009

It is hard to judge, since my first grader has only attended GAB, but we have mixed reviews. It is an older school that is in need of some upgrades (which are supposedly in the works). The teachers that my son has had have seemed to try hard, but they lean heavily on under qualified assistants due to the 22 to 1 student-to-teacher ratio. The school claims to have an accelerated program to help accelerated students, but all that my son has received is a trip to a higher grades to read and a couple extra worksheets sent home more than his peers. After multiple requests to keep my son engaged in school, there remains little change. I sympathize that some of the 21 other students need the attention to get to the necessary levels, but I don t feel my son should be held back. Both years the solution has been suggested to move him to the next grade, but being the youngest in your grade through each year has a stigma too. It doesn t seem too much to ask for my son, regardless of what level he came to GAB, to continue to learn and be engaged. Most of my fellow Marines dismiss it as the NC school system seriously?