Forest View is a beautiful school in a pastoral setting across the street from the Waller Farm, the site of many field trips. Our classrooms are bright, open and sunny with lots of windows. The creativity of the learning environment is evident as you walk through halls filled with student art or explore the outdoor gardens and learning centers.

Preparing your child for global citizenship
Forest View Elementary School’s student body is reflective of today’s global economy. More than 25 countries are represented in our student body. This gives our school a unique flavor and gives you and your child exposure to families from different cultures and backgrounds. Through friendships and classroom study your child will develop the international worldview that will define their future success.

Creativity and problem solving
The Forest View curriculum emphasizes creativity and problem solving over rote memorization. An important goal of our school is to provide children with the life skills and the life-long love of learning they need to live in an ever-changing world.

Our teachers are excellent and we value them
Forest View Teachers are special. We have the highest number of Nationally Board Certified teachers and the highest number of staff with post-graduate education in the Durham public elementary schools. According to the Governor’s Survey of Teacher Satisfaction, we have one of the highest rates of teacher satisfaction in the state. We also have an excellent teacher retention rate. We value our teachers and it shows.

A science focus
Forest View is a science focus school. From the first days of kindergarten to fifth grade graduation, we recognize and value the importance of teaching the principles of scientific thought. Teachers infuse their lesson plans with scientific teaching, exploration and hands-on experimentation. We also have an excellent science lab, outdoor learning centers, and on-going partnerships with Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment, the Duke Observatory, and several Duke science departments who develop and lead units for our students and teachers in each grade level to extend the science curriculum in exciting new ways.

The arts at Forest View
The Forest View curriculum utilizes an integrated approach to weekly classes in music, art, dance and physical education, so that what is taught in the classroom is enhanced with a variety of learning experiences. Forest View students are savvy users of various media and technology and love showing off what they’ve learned on FVTV, our student run television network.

Field trips
Forest View is located in an area rich with educational resources. The North Carolina Museum of Life and Science, the Waller family farm, New Hope Creek, The Morehead Planetarium, the Ackland Art Museum, The Duke Homestead, The Bennett Place Homestead, The North Carolina Museum of Natural Science, The Eno River State Park, The North Carolina Museum of Life and Sciences, The Durham Bulls Athletic Park, The NC Museum of Natural History, and the Exploris Museum all partner with Forest View to extended the learning experience. These excellent museums, natural areas and historic sites offer Forest View students interactive exhibits and displays that are nationally recognized. Further from home, Fourth and Fifth grade students travel to the mountains and the coasts of North Carolina and Colonial Williamsburg to enhance classroom learning with hands-on experience.

Each child is challenged to grow
At Forest View, we believe it is crucial to meet each child where they are and we are committed to helping them realize their full potential. Forest View teachers utilize differentiated instructional learning techniques to teach to each child’s strengths and needs. We also offer a full range of services for children - from special needs to academically and/or intellectually gifted learners.

Programs for exceptional children
Forest View offers special services to students with special needs. If a child is struggling at school, our team of teachers observes and reviews the area(s) of concern. If a student is determined to qualify for Exceptional Children's services as stated by the North Carolina guidelines, the options will be discussed by the student's parents and the Individual Education Plan (IEP) team. The IEP team and the child’s parents will then work together to develop a specialized plan for learning so that the child can reach their full potential as a student.

An atmosphere of personal responsibility and discipline
Forest View has received widespread acclaim and become a national model for its school-wide Positive Behavioral System which encourages respect for self and others and self-control. As a result, our teachers are able to teach and our students are able to learn in an atmosphere that fosters personal responsibility and self-esteem.

Site-based decision-making
Site-based decision-making plays a critical role in the success of the school. School committees, community decisions, and parental input provide the governance team with information to make policy decisions that drive student achievement.