Research Estes Hills Elementary School public Schools in Durham, North Carolina

“The school would be rated much higher not only in parents opinions but in academic standards if not for the new principal. She is basically running a huge daycare and has shown no interest when concerned parents approach her about the curriculm being 'dumbed down' for many students. Her response when students are ahead of her given curriculm is for the children to stop learning for a few years. She has a habit of wanting to show people she is in control and has power over them rather than trying to actually help. It is very frustrating.”

“I am a parent of 2 children in this school and I have been very unsatisfied. One of my children has special needs and the every person from the classroom teacher to the principal were unresponsive. There doesn't seem to be much teacher accountability in this school”

“We have two boys who have attended Estes Hills. Chapel Hill Schools are truly outstanding, and Estes Hills is no exception. We have been thrilled with all but one of their teachers. The teachers invest time in learning how to motivate each child individually, and they do an excellent job giving children the freedom to pursue their own academic interests. I do agree with one parent's concern that gifted kids are sometimes ignored (this is partially due to a separate program for 'extremely highly gifted children'), and our experience is unfortunately also that the new principal (2008) is somewhat dismissive of parent inquiries, though hopefully that will improve with time. Overall, though, we are very happy with the district.”

“I volunteer at this school through a program I am involved with at the local university. Having taught in Durham for approx. 3 years, I can only say wonderful things aboutt Estes. Unlike many schools in Durham, parents and staff at Estes share a mutual respect for one another and are truly looking out for the benefit of the child. Awesome school!”

“We came from a large school district in another state, and I'm just blown away by the level of individual attention kids get at Estes Hills. Great staff, good resources, excellent PTA.”

“We've been at this school for 2 years -- my daughter is in 3rd grade. We moved to Chapel Hill from an area well-known for the high caliber schools. Estes is a good, solid, traditional, elementary school. The facility is old (probably dating back to the '50's), and the teaching is solid and old-fashioned. We don't have a TV studio , rock climbing wall, or Rennaissance Garden like we did in our previous school, but the teachers we've had have been superb. We've been very satisfied. The principal/vice-principal do a good job hiring good teachers, but aren't quite as strong in making the parents feel heard and valued -- that is an area in which there is much room for improvement. I'd recommend Estes for average and above average kids - the school does seem to struggle with meeting the needs of exceptional students at both ends of the spectrum.”