Holly Ridge Elementary School

So far, we have had a positive experience and a great 4th grade teacher that has kept my son challenged.
—Submitted by a parent

In 2009, my oldest daughter started kindergarten. I had all the apprehension of a parent sending their child to school for the first time. My concerns were calmed the minute I stepped into school. The office staff was welcoming, the leadership was visible and accessible, and the teachers truly love and care about the children. I now have a second child At Holly Ridge and I can say things have only gotten better. Mrs. Gorman and Mrs. Proux are a dynamic team. We have had 4 years of teacher looking after the academic, social, and emotional needs of my kids. The PTA is active and their is a ton of parent support. My kids are happy and thriving because of the entire staff at this school. I could not be happier!
—Submitted by a parent

We have had several children attend Holly Ridge Elementary over the past six years. HRES is a wonderful school that has awesome teachers and staff. In the past year there have been many positive changes that have only added to the quality of this school. I cannot say enough about the quality teachers that pour their heart into educating our kids! The PTA is highly involved and very supportive! The staff, parents, and administration truely work together to create a community school.
—Submitted by a parent

We have two children who are students at Holly Ridge Elementary and we started attending in 2008 when our oldest started kindergarten. It is a wonderful school and we couldn't ask for better educators or administrators! The entire staff is just excellent and we are extremely pleased with the level of dedication the teachers have for each student. The PTA at HRE is also wonderful ! Very welcoming to new members and the activities and events that they bring in for the students are amazing. This PTA does a lot for its school community ! Way to go Holly Ridge Elementary.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had 2 children attend Holly Ridge Elementary. It's a wonderful school; filled with dedicated, creative, hard working teachers and staff. It has a welcoming environment that you feel as soon as you walk through the front doors. The PTA at Holly Ridge is very involved, they have many events throughout the year that my kids love!! We love HRE!
—Submitted by a parent

I have a daughter that attended to this school from K through 5th grade and another daughter that has been there from K and is now in 3rd grade. Love, love this school and all the teachers we have had...
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter completed Kindergarten and is enjoying her first week in First Grade. Our experience so far has been a good one.
—Submitted by a parent

i see how teachers are very involved with teaching their students. they are very good at helping kids raise their grades. principal makes sure her students are safe. lots of fun school activities fund raisers and more! if you are parent looking for a school to your kid get good grades, you have now found the perfect school! wonderful PTA! all you parents out there... i highly recomend this school!!!

I find that the teachers are dedicated and concerned about each individual student, they use many methods to teach and bring out the talents in students, which gives the students a great deal of confidence. They are open to all suggestions and involve students and parents in the classroom experience. I am extremely pleased with this school and when I relocated from Ny, I chose my home according to the school district. Congratulations to Holly Springs elementary's teachers, staff, administration, students and parents. Job well done!
—Submitted by a parent

We relocate frequently. Consequently, my children have attended multiple schools. Holly Ridge will forever be remembered as the worst school we have attended. The majority of the office staff seem annoyed with parents & kids. The 'teachers aides' speak to the children with disdain & disrespect (I have personally witnessed this, multiple times). The school routinely punishes the 'entire group' for bad behavior rather than promoting personal accountability. If everyone is punished, then there's is no reason to behave & follow the rules. It does feel like a military school. This school also has a policy not to acknowledge or celebrate common holidays. I was told that because the schools are so diverse, the risk for 'offense' is too high. It seems that the risk of 'offense', wake county's agenda and the 'Iron Fist' mentality seems to be the priority at Holly Ridge.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very disappointed in this school. It is not a child friendly environmewnt at all. I would agrree with the other parents it is run like a prison or military boot camp. This is our first year with a not great teacher. She expects average and therfore gets slightly less than that. Prior to this the teachers had a high level of expectation and my child rose to the occassion. When I asked her about this, she just shrugged her shoulders. I hear at other schools that their children can have fun events during the year. This is definitely frowned upon at this school. These are my fond memories of school and what made learning fun and enjoyable. The leadership at this school apperently does not think learning should be fun too. There are many other parents who feel the same way who just haven't written.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our fifth year at this school. The leadership at this school needs to be replaced. I feel like I send my children tyo prison everyday. Learning should be fun. It is not at this school. It has a high turnover of teachers because of the leadership andn creativity is frowned upon. Our teachers have been great though. I am disappointed that the main office will not do something about this environment despite parent complaints.
—Submitted by a parent

Very sad to see no books being used for Science, Social Studies,Vocabulary. My child had 2 workbooks and a reading book that has NOT been used all year. When I asked questions about the agenda for the week it was never explained to me. Had NO idea what my child was learning and homework was very seldom brought home. We need books for our kids to study from just like I had in school. Sorry to say I am very unhappy with this school system.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our second year at Holly Ridge Elementary school. Currently I have a 2nd & a 5th grader in this school. I have been very disappointed with the overall ability of the school to meet the needs of it's students. Both my children have had great teachers however the leadership of the school and the atmosphere is severely lacking. It is run more like a military boot camp instead of a child friendly environment for learning.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a relatively new school that offers nice facilities. Yes, there are 4 classes in the 'trailers'/'cottages'. Although the teaching staff is on the younger side much energy is projected.
—Submitted by a parent