Grace Episcopal Day School

156 Kingsley Avenue

Orange Park, FL 32073

20 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by student on January 11, 2024

It’s pretty good we learn a lot and enjoy going here!
Submitted by parent on December 03, 2023

In the beginning, pre-Covid the school was amazing. Pk4-Kindegarten we found the teachers to be supportive and truly looking out for our child's best interest and well being. Very child centered and challenging. Everything we had looked for in a school. As things began to transition post-Covid, we notice there was quite a bit of turnover in teachers. Which was happening everywhere, except as we reached first grade the environment had strongly changed to a very authoritative environment. Children were punished for simply being kids. The more serious things such as bullying were not addressed even in more serious situations. I agree with other reviews where discipline for the young men is quite lenient. The philosophy of boys will be boys regardless of the situation. In more serious cases those are swept under the rug with the attitude of don't ask don't tell. This also happens with those that have favor with the administration. Preschool - 1st grade is great. Use caution and ask around when it comes to the upper grades. Ask lots of questions and not just the ones suggested you speak to. I have seen too many leave in disappointment once in the upper grades.
Submitted by other on August 18, 2023

This is the best school around. It is PreK through middle school. The school, staff and admin are amazing. If you are searching for a place for your child, PreK through 8th grade, look into Grace. Arrange for a tour and you’ll see why it’s the best.
Submitted by other on November 08, 2021

We are very pleased to have found such a wonderful and caring Christian school. So many things to love about Grace, and at the top of this list is clear communication and a real dedication to academics and character building. We have seen how character development is weaved seamlessly into and across various classes. This results in a school community that feels like family. As for the teachers, we are thrilled that our child is given personalized attention and age appropriate work. We love the classrooms here too. They are clean, roomy, and organized! Our family toured more than ten schools before selecting Grace and are confident we made the right decision for our child. Our family is thankful to be part of such an amazing school. Not a surprised at all that Grace keeps winning “Best of Clay” in the private school category. The education and care that students receive here on a daily basis is priceless. We plan for and hope that our family can a part of the Grace family for many years to come.
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2021

GEDS has provided our child with a safe, fun, and loving environment. We could not ask for more! Leadership team is caring, classes are challenging without being stressful, and every teacher our child has goes above and beyond. The cherry on top is the beautiful, well-maintained campus and the diverse resource classes offered. The best part about the school is how inclusive GEDS is. Prior to enrolling our child here, we struggled to find a private school in the area that is truly welcoming to all families and we have luckily found this spirit of inclusion here. Friends had raved about how much their kids love GEDS, that it’s a “home away from home” for their family and we are now blessed to experience the same thing first hand. We just adore this school! When it comes to blending top notch academics with a genuinely caring community, this school is the real deal. It speaks volumes that families are transferring from other schools in the area. It is because GEDS actually delivers what they promise families. We are so thankful to be able to provide our child with such an amazing school experience.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2021

they don’t deal with bullying and racism. people (only BOYS) got away with doing things. they said that if the GIRLS wore shorts that were above your fingertips the boys would get distracted and tell all their friends that they saw a girls leg and go home and tell their parents. but of course the boys can wear short tight and see through shorts and get away with it. SEE THROUGH shorts while girls are getting in trouble for not having shorts go down to their knees. they favor students and exempt them from dress code and other rules which is very unfair. i think this school is homophobic, mysogonistic and racist.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2021

This school is is not something I would EVER recommend to anyone that I care about. They DON’T deal with racism and bulling. They are also very sexist in the fact that the males at the school do not get in trouble or have very low punishments for their actions. They also are very strict about how girls can not wear shorts unless they are to the knee or if they wear leggings their shirt has to be as long as the shorts would be. While the BOYS can wear tight and see through shorts and get away with it. While they also let their “favorite” students break the dress code.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2021

Grace has the perfect blend of strong academics, caring staff, and communicative administration. We are so pleased with the wonderful education our child is receiving - not only in the classroom, but also in life! Students here are encouraged to treat each other with kindness and respect, all while learning at a fast & age-appropriate pace in a close-knit & warm environment. The curriculum is unique and engaging, it fosters critical thinking skills and challenges kids to go beyond their comfort zone. Success at this school is real and warranted, and parents can be proud when their child brings home good marks as opposed to other schools where an “A” is easily given out to all. We are very impressed with the Resource classes here as well. All teachers go above and beyond. The song that the children sing “Happiness is Grace Episcopal” could not be more true. Our son is excited to go to school every day, and we are just thrilled. Thank you Grace!
Submitted by parent on March 16, 2020

This was a great place for my son!
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2020

Had a horrible experience with this school the administration is unchristian and mean to our child.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2016

Having moved twice (two different states) in three years, it was a blessing that we found Grace. From our first "visit" to Grace, we've felt like part of the family. The staff, teachers, and administrators care about the students and it's evident by the smiles on kids faces. Our kids love going to school and have grown so much over the past two years. As an educator, I've been extremely impressed with the curicular program. We're excited to begin another school year at Grace!
Submitted by parent on June 17, 2014

This is the most amazing school. We have two children that have attended since they were in preschool. Every teacher has treated our children as their own. This is truly a loving and caring environment. This school may be small, but it is mighty. It is evident that God's presence is everywhere in this school. With all that being said, the academics are above par. The school follows a rigorous program which allows the children to move on at advance levels when they graduate Grace. This school has been an absolute blessing to our family.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2014

Happiness is Grace Episcopal! We are about to begin our seventh year at Grace, and we have three children enrolled. They are happy, they love school, they love to read, and we love knowing that the teachers love our children! The teachers at Grace become like family, and they know each child's personality and are able to teach them in the way that they learn. I have a child with severe food allergies, and the teachers place a high priority on both keeping him healthy and making sure he is included in all activities. Having him socially integrated while keeping him safe is so important to us, and we love that the Grace teachers care about it too. We also love the flexibility of the extended day after-hours-care program - the kids get their homework done, play outside, and play with their friends. Grace is a loving, caring environment filled with enrichment programs, arts and music, and academic excellence. Children are met where they are and challenged to excel, in a way that encourages them and builds them up. We love Grace!
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2014

My school, Grace Episcopal Day School is an amazing, hidden gem that fosters student independence and development through Christian principles. The leadership, teachers, and staff are truly the best! I never worry about my child when I send him to school because I know that he is in the best care outside of my own hands. Grace focuses on students by offering a varied curriculum, which includes Christian formation, art, music, Spanish, rigorous academics, and student enrichment. Students are also encouraged to use technology and I truly believed are prepared to compete globally when they leave Grace Episcopal Day School! I am also impressed that the tuition is affordable! It is truly money well spent for the best private education in town!!
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2014

Grace is an outstanding school. It provides a nurturing, supportive, safe environment for children, while offering a rigorous and child specific curriculum. The faculty and staff have gone above and beyond to cater to our children and their learning needs. I feel as if we have a partner in parenting at GEDS, and my children will be very well prepared for highschool and beyond. My children come home happy everyday, what more could I ask for??
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2014

Our family has had 2 children at this school. 1 is still there. We have been there for 13 years total. I can say that this school prepares the students via rigorous curriculum, but also through the loving teachers & their Christian formation training. Our older child has grown into a beautiful, confident & well-prepared young adult. The Grace Episcopal Spanish classes served her well & she was able to CLEP this subject and obtain college credits while still in high school. The Grace parents & staff are truly like family. It is very supportive. The teachers seem to know all of the children, not just their own class. The arts program is amazing as well. We have had some wonderful productions & concerts. The campus is safe & completely fenced, only 1 block or so from the police & fire station. My family is not Episcopalian & this was a concern at first but it's important to note that this is a Christian school & it is not expected that all are of the Episcopal faith. Expectations at Grace are that the students will learn character, faith, service, ethics, and much, much more for them to become a very confident and well-prepared adult. I can't imagine sending my children anywhere else.
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2014

Grace is a very nurturing, sweet school focusing on strong academics while teaching Christian values. Grades PK3-8th grade. Kind teachers and nice students who are happy! It is located near the river on a quiet, scenic street! We love GEDS!!
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2013

Grace Episcopal Day School is a warm, friendly, Christian environment. The students are taught responsibility, and character building along with academics.
Submitted by parent on January 03, 2013

Grace is such a phenomenal school! Our son attended for 2.5 years before a job transfer required us to move. While we have found good schools since, none compare to the top-notch education, personal attention, and love that Grace provides. The staff are all so kind and eager to help. I would highly recommend Grace Episcopal Day School!
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2012

This school is amazing, warm, caring and academically focused. The teachers pray for their students in the mornings. The chapel programs (especially in the younger years) are delightful! The headmaster Mrs. Milton is very loving and embodies Christian principles. I have compared the reading skills of the p-k through 1st graders with their counterparts at other private schools and have found many of the children to be more advanced. This is a feeder school for the top private high schools and/or IB/AICE programs in the public schools. This year the children are not only focused on academics however, but are spending time on character building traits and well as learning God's word. I would highly recommend this school to anyone who wants their child to grow up to be not only smart but caring and well rounded. I forgot to mention, my daughter did the after school ballet and it was adorable and high calibre. My son particularly likes the competition soccer matches that occur during recess. Music and art phenomenal as well- I particularly like the cartooning club. The teachers for extended day are super sweet, using all their energy to push children on swings. I could go on and on...