E Melvin Honeycutt Elementary School

Being a military family, we move around a lot, so have many schools to compare to. This is not he worst, but also not the best. We feel blessed to have had very kind teachers this year. but feel the curriculum is lacking. Neither of our children seem very challenged, but especially the 1st grader. They have a K-1 program which is supposed to help the students model and mentor to the younger students and though she may have done this, it is almost like kindergarten for her all over again. They have free time to play a few days a week and she gets a reward of candy, if she plays nicely! If rewards are given, shouldn't it be for academics, not just playing nicely? I have spoken many times with the teachers and they seem to work to resolve any issues we have had, but aren't always willing to go the extra mile to give the more challenging type work to the kids. I know as a parent it is important to be involved and make my children the #1 priority, so am involved in the classroom, so appreciate that opportunity, but wish there was a little more given the the kids who achieve academically and not just to the ones who struggle. Aren't they supposed to teach to all levels?
--Submitted by a parent

I absolutely LOVE this school! For the past six years I have had at least one of my three children at Honeycutt! I have never had an issue with this school. If I had a concern about my child I made sure to talk to the teacher about it and the situation would get resolved. I am very involved with this school and have been a part of the PTA for 5 out of the 6 years. Having so many parents being involved in this school has helped to make it one of the best elementary schools in the area! Outstanding staff, wonderful and caring teachers and let's not forget the awesome ladies in the front office!! It will be hard to find another school like it when we have to move!!
--Submitted by a parent

My children have attended Honeycutt since 2007, prior to that we attended a school on a military installation and that is the sum total of my/our experience as parents of children in the public education system. Not to long ago Honeycutt was awarded recognition of being a National Honor School of Excellence. I don't believe that achievement was a mistake and after witnessing the devotion of teachers and even more importantly the parents to ensure our children succeed I believe it is within reach in the future. Like any school there is always room for progress and most of the staff are receptive to any suggestions made. I love Honeycutt, I love the teachers, I love the staff but most importantly my children love Honeycutt.
--Submitted by a parent

My daugher attended Honeycutt for K/1st grade. I will admit that she did have problems with keeping her hands to herself, talking, and sitting in her seat. Her teachers decided the best way to deal with her would be to turn her desk around to face the wall for months. She was never given the chance to start a new day with a clean slate. Shortly after, my daughter was suspended for fighting. She told me that it was self defense. I asked the principal to review the survellience tape on the bus. She claimed she would but when questioned a couple of days later she said she didn't because she knew my daughter was lying. After spending a day in her class I learned that the learning environment was appalling. The teacher did no form of actual teaching. They simple shuffled the kids from table to table and tossed worksheets to them. There was no smiles or happiness in the classroom at all. The teachers and principal at Honeycutt have no clue how to deal with disruptions in class. There only answer was to push them aside and ignore them. I have since decided to homeschool her and now she is doing great.
--Submitted by a parent

I have a child with an IEP and she continued to struggle through the school year. I met w/ her teachers and principal on several occassions and was told that my child was getting everything the school had to offer. At the awards ceremony at the end of the school year, her teacher had the lowest grades in that grade. I was very disappointed. I think her teacher did what she could with what she had. I think the school could have nipped things in the bud, as they have award ceremonies at the end of each marking period. If they saw that her kids were struggling early on, they should have offered to switched some of the struggling students into the other classes that didn't have so many. Therefore, the school DID NOT do all they could for my child. Therefore, we are moving before this school year starts.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great school! The atmosphere is fantastic. The administration supports the teachers, and the students are all expected to excel. The students are well-behaved, in general. Just walk in sometime - you can be sure you won't see any loud, ill-behaved, unsupervised kids in the halls. Winter Wonderland, Field Day, Spring Fling, lots of fun activities for student and family involvement. I love this school!
--Submitted by a teacher

My daughter attended this school from kindergarten to fourth grade. She is now in fourth grade and the school year so far has not been good. Her third grade year in school was very good. She loved her teacher and excelled in the classroom. I am trying to keep a positive attitude and encourage her to do her best. All teachers have different teaching styles and some teachers styles work a little better than others. Overall, I think E. Melvin Honeycutt is a great school but it is getting a little overcrowded because everyone wants their children to attend this school.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is great! The principal and the teachers are very eager for your children to do the best they can. Its a safe school, and the children are very well behaved. This school LOVES parent involvment! I would recommend this school to anyone.
--Submitted by a parent

Yes, of course this school is great! Academic wise,.....however, let us lay off the Accelerated Reading program a bit. Geez, my kids used to love to read, but now, they are just about forced to! This school has 'Media Nights' on Wednesdays where the kids can take tests on the books. God forbid they do not make a hundred on it. You should hear some of the reactions from other parents, not to mention the looks on their kids faces. I'm all about being a school of excellence and what not, but when reading becomes a chore,....let's simmer down.
--Submitted by a parent

The parent teacher involvement in this school is unbelievable. There are not many schools across the country someone could walk into and see so many people happy to be there. This is true from the principal down to the students, custodians, and parents. We are blessed to have such a great environment for our children.
--Submitted by a parent