Fox Hollow Elementary School

Unfortunately this school is hopeless as long as the district insists on allowing the current administration to remain in control. One of the reasons they are removing D Track is that the Catholic church up the street is opening a school and neighborhood families are opting to go there and many other families are opting for magnet and charter schools. Good families are leaving in droves. I have had at least one child in this school for the last 10 years. The principal has driven away all the good teachers and behavioral issues go unchecked. My youngest will be in 5th grade next year, but I have found another school, like many of my friends. Very sad considering how great the school once was just 5 or 6 years ago. The district should be ashamed of how they have let this school go downhill.
—Submitted by a parent

It's official- 30+ kids per classroom next year. We are losing one track next year and they are shoving all of those kids into the remaining classes. Even the best teachers (those who won't lose their jobs, that is!) will be overwhelmed. Pathetic. Who plans this?
—Submitted by a parent

I have to agree with the recent posts that our school is getting worse every year. We have had some great teachers over the last 2 years but now it seems like every year is in transition. I am not sure I am willing to waste another year while teachers are getting used to figuring out a routine. I have a had issues with bullying with my son and It just doesn't seem to be getting any better. The principal is terrible and doesn't seem to be very concerned that things are on the decline. We are looking for a new home in the next year before my kids really end up being miserable..
—Submitted by a parent

My son has ADHD been n school 2 yrs. last school A's & B's most turned around student. Fox hollow has been a night mare. Bullied, failing grades, nothing put in the planer, no graded work sent home. Son gets hit with sticks. Not only have I, other parents and my daughter has gone to school to address and nothing happens. Teacher states meds do not work at home he is fine infact he is very comm. I have switched meds only for the teacher to say last meds better. In 2 years, 3 different meds. Now I refuse to change again. Teacher calls everyday I have called school told them to have her stop calling my phone while I am working. Talking to teacher or assist prince all they want to do is talk about his meds not any other issue. They are not dr. I am currently looking to switch schools cause the things that are needing to be address aren t and my son has been suffering from depression and has gotten to wear he does not even like going to school anymore. He uses to love school. It hurts to see my son so hurt, upset and not getting the attention a student deserves.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a child who has attended this school for 2 years now (we moved from out of state). While I find some teachers to be extremely great, we had a bad year last year, where the teacher was overwhelmed by the class. This was due to many trouble students being placed on the same track instead of dispersed throughout the tracks. In addition, the administration did not support this teacher when they requested additional assistance, including behavioral improvement plans. Fast forward to this year and now the teachers are dealing with additional students from an out of community area who are wrecking havoc and causing emotional and physical (yes, physical) abuse on children who belong to this school's neighborhood and the teachers are not getting support from administration. Weekly, my child is being bullied, but the administration turns a blind eye to it, or punishments are not effective enough to warrant change. Several parents have elevated complaints to the teachers then to the administration. The teachers have their hands tied (or are doing the best they can) and the administration is ignoring claims. Bottom line - teachers are great, administration is poor.
—Submitted by a parent

We are so lucky to be in the Fox Hollow Community. We have a son with special learning needs and some behavioral concerns. I love the way that he has learned from mistakes and is being helped educationally. He is really come a long way and I know most of that is due to the wonderful teachers and special ed staff. His third grade teacher is amazing and truly cares about my son as if it were her own. It is hard to believe some of the negative comments posted in earlier dates! You would really never know that our enrollment is high because the students seem to thrive! My daughter is in Kindergarten and getting the support and love that she needs from the wonderful C Track teacher. They are really on top of it at Fo Hollow! The PTO is wonderful along with all of the parents. We are lucky to live in such a wonderful and supportive community!
—Submitted by a parent

My son has severe ADHD and was very far behind upon entering Fox Hollow in 1st grade. He could barely read and had no attention span. In the almost two years he has attended, he has been in remedial reading and is almost grade level now. The school has an amazing school psychologist that my hard-to-reach son absolutely loves. She has done wonders for his impulsivity and anger issues. His second grade teacher has been beyond wonderful, she takes time before and after school to work personally with my son in math to get him caught up. I don't love the principal, she is very hands off. And the new vice principal isn't great either in my experience. But the staff goes above and beyond for their student. I don't know how they are with advanced students, but for students behind or with some behavioral issues, I couldn't ask for a better school.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids have been going to Fox Hollow since 2004. We love that school. The curriculum is excelent and the teachers challenge the kids to learn new things. I had to move to another state and went to a "great" school district and I can see the difference. Fox Hollow is about 1-1 1/2 yrs AHEAD of the same grade levels here. My kids basically repeated everything they did a year before. Cherry Creek is an excellent choice for your kids. and Fox Hollow is very missed....ONLY DOWNSIDE is that some parents that are overly involed think that they can dictate what to do with their own children when it comes to the advanced classes. There are only a few kids that get selected because of class size. I know of some parents that had other kids kicked out in order to get their own kids in the class. Many may not agree but I know for a fact it happens!!! Whinning and begging seems to help.To clicky there with the parents! But it is an amazing school.
—Submitted by a parent

We recently have been moved to an additional track for 5th graders, this track has been added to keep the class size smaller. While I was not thrilled at moving tracks, it is in the best interest of the school. I feel that they are moving in the right direction. Every teacher that my child has had has been exceptional, and my child continues to thrive. I love the sense of community and am very happy with my experience at Fox Hollow.
—Submitted by a parent

This school used to be great. Enrollment is over 850 students right now and the principal allowed 30 kids from a failing school to enroll. All resources are now dedicated to interventions for these kids. So it is incredibly difficult for the kids for whom this is their home school to get any extra help in matth or reading or writing. Additionally, the GT program was cut to half time which is standard around the district, but most district elementary schools have about 250 less students. Find the parent of a first or second grader, most are looking for alternatives.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers at this school work very hard and are greatly appreciated. Volunteering in a class is sometimes hard because there are so many parents who want to volunteer. Our specials teachers rock. Our school pychologist, reading teachers, and special ed teachers are phenomenal. The PE teacher is one of the best and is a favorite among the students. The leadership in the front office needs some work. The parking lot is chaotic. The school is very crowded and more classrooms are needed. Overall, this is a great place to be because of the teachers and support staff.
—Submitted by a parent

I've read a few reviews that worried about security. I complete security assessments for the government and have to say the security of this school is better than some top-secret facilities. I am tired of reading reviews of parents that have no idea what they are talking about.
—Submitted by a parent

We are so pleased with the smooth and positive start to the new school year. This year started seamlessly, due to the strong leadership within the school. As a parent, I always feel welcome and comfortable. Whenever I am in the school, I really notice that students are treated with respect throughout the building from the principal, assistant principal, teachers, and other adults within the building. I feel last years change in leadership was a welcome one!!
—Submitted by a parent

The principal seems nice enough, but has made some odd choices which don't really benefit the students. Parents either really hate her or are ambivalent, I don't really know anyone who thinks she's doing a stellar job. I hope she gets her act together b/c the school is really a great school, but I know several really good teachers that are looking to leave and a lot of parents are looking at other schools.
—Submitted by a parent

Agree with prior poster, WAS a great school, the new principal desparately lacks the leadership of the old principal. She definitely seems cowed by male teachers. Had five, she fired two and one left for better pastures. Great teachers are already fleeing and the ones that haven't found a job are looking. If you are looking for a school with middle aged white female teachers, Fox Hollow is your place. I used to love to volunteer there, but the mood is very dark now. I'm just hoping the principal can hold it together for one more year and then my son will be done.
—Submitted by a parent

Good teachers, great PTO, parents are encouraged to be involved. New principal has ruined school in the 9 months or so she's been there. Had 40 parents complain about a decision she made to the Board of Ed and the principal and never addressed anyone, including the staff regarding the decision. My youngest is finishing up her last year at Fox Hollow, just in the nick of time.
—Submitted by a parent

The staff is very kind here. I feel there are sefety issues here due to the area and the large size of the school. Overall I would rate the school fair to good but surely not excellent.
—Submitted by a parent

My child's first school experience was here at Fox Hollow. She loved her teachers and they have proven to be of good stature. There are some areas of concern with regard to safety, which really needs to be further addressed. But overall it's part of a highly rated school district and the curriculum seems competitive with other schools across the country.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school. The teachers are wonderful. My kids are always happy to go to school.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall, I feel this school is a good school. Most teachers do enjoy what they are doing and it shows. I think the safety and discipline could be improved, but I'm sure this is common at every school. One other concern is what seems to be a lack of diversity of teachers/staff. It's music program is loved by many students.
—Submitted by a parent