Douglas Elementary

600 Ortega Road

School District

Wake County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
Type

public

School Map for Wake 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 14, 2024

We’re only in our second year at Douglas but so far are very happy with the quality of staff and overall education. My daughter who’s in first grade absolutely loves going to school every day and gets so excited by the variety of specials the school offers (e.g., dance, drama, music, art, science, etc). Communication with parents is great as well and I always feel in the loop. We are frequently made aware of how our child is doing academically, socially, behaviorally, emotionally, developmentally, etc. Could not be happier with our school family at Douglas!
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2023

My children hated it here they did not help them with anything we left after 2nd grade to go to AB Combs Leadership Magnet Elementary School. I would not recommend it to you.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2018

Fantastic! My children thrived there, and they are totally opposite in needs and personality!
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2017

We trasferred our son into Douglas in the 2016-2017 school year, for 2nd grade and we are absolutely thrilled with our experience. Principal Burns is AMAZING, the teachers are kind, positive and supportive, the school environment is nurturing and engaging for students and the PTA is active and incredible. There is an organic garden, where students receive regular instruction, Lego walls, a musical playground, a creativity cave, think tank and the kids spend a lot of time outside. My son LOVES Douglas and we feel so lucky to be a part of this incredible school community. My son is thriving at Douglas in every way. Douglas won the award for #1 Magnet School in America in 2015-16 and we can easily see why. I highly recommend Douglas.
Submitted by parent on June 27, 2017

We transferred our son in his first grade year and he has loved it. The curriculum is very engaging and he doesn't feel like he is doing "work" but he's still passing all of the milestones set by the district for his age. As parents we are very happy with our decision to move him to Douglas. I hate the parent from 4 years ago had such a bad run in with a teacher there because our experience with them has been quite the opposite. All the teachers my son has had and the ones we don't know we pass in the hallways have been very engaging and friendly. We highly recommend Douglas!
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2013

Our kindergarten bound daughter started here a week ago and the experience has been terrific. She comes home tired but very happy and they are challenging her mind already. The questions she asks are far more creative and deep than they were just a few months ago. She has made new friends and looks forward to going every morning.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2013

The staff is rude, unwelcoming, inpatient, and not helpful at all. I have not had a good experience with my son in this school so far and he was in Kintergarden. This year he will be in first grade and I want to switch him to another school, but I work so I need the bus to drop him off to the babysitters which is very close to Douglas. If it wasn't for this reason I would have switched him already. Teachers there are so rude and have no patience with the kids. Ifyour going to be a teacher and work with other peoples children you have to have patience and to love being around kids. I am so ready to get him out of this school.
Submitted by parent on June 21, 2013

My son is special needs and just completed his second year at Douglas. Last year he was in the afternoon Pre-K with Ms Beth, and this year in the CCK class with Mr Cerveny. What a great experience my son has had, and he actually learned a lot this year! He adored his teachers and really tried hard to learn and please them. His teachers were also great with communication and relating issues with me with a positive outlook. My son's year wasn't easy, but with patience and understanding, he came through and made progress, and never felt pressured or ashamed. I also felt when it came to my son's path with his IEP, I was very fortunate to have two teachers that listened and understood where I was coming from and also respected decisions I made for my son. On a lot of issues, we were on the same page, and I always felt supported - by the teacher, the asst. teacher, the principle and any staff I encountered. On more than one occasion I was able to attend field trips and my son's class would team up with mainstream classes. On these trips I observed the other students (who were used to my son coming into their classroom for specials) cheering on and supporting my son!! Amazing!
Submitted by other on October 30, 2012

I went to Douglas K-5 and i absolutely loved it. The teachers there seemed to honestly care about how i did in school and my happiness at home. They were very supportive. The magnet program added a lot to the school. The electives like art, dance, and music really made it fun to go to school. We had and extra science class that was very hands on and added a lot to the whole experience. There were a lot of extra curricular activities like Oddessy of the Mind, Lego Club, a dance and art club and a club about service projects. It's a super safe environment. There were never any fights or problems and I never saw much bullying. I loved this school- it really makes you think!
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2012

I've had nothing but good experiences with the staff at this school. The only problems we've had in the past four years is with one incident of bullying which was investigated & dealt with quickly. All of my child's teachers have been wonderful.They've communicated with parents about what the children are currently studying, they make themselves available if parents have questions or concerns. I have nothing but respect for them. They've been great. The principal of the school is very visible, friendly and approachable. Perhaps my favorite thing is the fact that they have what I will call fluid math and reading groups within a gradelevel. As a child improves they can get moved up to a higher group or if they need to work at a slower pace they can be moved down to a group that is working slower. There is no rigid structure where the teacher is limited for the whole year teaching to the student that is having the most problems while the ones are the top spend that class bored out of their minds.
Submitted by other on March 12, 2012

Was thrilled to get my child out of this school. Lack of communication, support, patience, and teaching strategies caused frustration. Elementary schools should be fun, loving, safe, and friendly. That was not our experience here.
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2012

The school offers great advanced classes and student structure, but I have three complaints. 1) There is no computer lab (actually just no teacher) class for students to use on a daily/weekly basis. 2) There is lack of communication regarding the cirriculumn (besides the homework sent home). 3) I feel that the office adminstration is rather unwelcoming and unfriendly (whether I'm there to volunteer, check out my child or join my child for lunch). I have considered transferring my child back to Joyner Elementary, which I highly recommend to any parent!
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2011

This a a great school. I am satisfied that I transferred him into this school. The teachers are caring and actually show you that they wanna help your child do better in learning and following the many rules they have. I respect their rules for the children of all ages because it forms discipline and helps to control them even when leaving school. I have no regrets in comparision to Wilburn which is a horrible school. A new building won't change the interior of the place.
Submitted by parent on July 05, 2011

Douglas has been such a blessing. My son is ADD and quite smart. However, he was really struggling in our neighborhood school and the staff just wanted "more meds". All the staff have helped my boy to be above grade level in all areas, now. They seem to understand how he learns and the teaching philosophy makes school interesting for him. We love the teachers, support staff and the administration.
Submitted by parent on July 02, 2011

I was very disappointed in this school and dont recommend it for anyone.My child was advanced at his other school and challenged and when we came to Douglas it was a total disappointment! They are poor in academics and we are very excited to be leaving!
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2010

Because everyone there seems to really care about what is best for the kids!
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2010

Douglas was a God send for us and our children. We had been at another school when one of my children was diagnosed with ADD andwas having problems. We applied at Douglas and got in. Both of my children have thrived at Douglas. Their methodology and theology of teaching have made my children excel far beyond what I imagined. And the ADD child is now in AG/gifted classes! We are so happy with the teaching staff at Douglas they are all wonderfully gifted and talented!! We feel blessed!
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2010

We moved took our children out of their base school because it didn't/wasn't working for us. One of my 2 children was diagnosed with ADD and was having a hard time with the way the base regular school taught. Douglas is a Creative Arts and Science Magnet. Their theory of multiple intelligences teaching been a blessing for us. Both of my children are thriving at Douglas. The way they incorporate every theme and topic that they are learning about in their 'specials' like dance, drama and art in great! They literately/figuratively danced up a storm and hurricane complete with wind and clouds, like cumulus, was genius! To combine Science with Dance, Art and Drama is amazing and makes learning fun for the kids! Which is the way it should be. The principal, teachers and stall are all wonderful. Each with their own unique qualities that bring allot of knowledge to the table. From going Green to helping in the community Douglas is a great place to learn.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2010

Douglas is a small, neighborhood elementary with a true, old fashioned, community atmosphere. Beautiful grounds, building and exceptional teachers and staff.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2010

I debated private school for my child but after learning what Douglas had to offer, decided to give it a try. Since, we have been extremely pleased with the magnet program in terms of development. We have a rising 2nd grader and she is learning foreign languages, arts, drama, science, computer skills, and so much more. Overall, the teachers are quite good and work as a group to help each student reach his/her potential. My daughter started Kindergarten at Douglas and is now headed into 2nd grade. So far, a positive experience in terms of catering to my child's learning style.