Hunter Elementary School

I have two children currently at Hunter and have been very pleased with their experiences there. The teaching staff is dedicated, focused on meeting each student s needs, and has been responsive to my questions/concerns. Some of the teachers are beyond fabulous. I m astounded at how great they are. My children have had phenomenal experiences in some of the electives too. Those experiences, in addition to the solid core instruction, have made the bumps we ve encountered well worth being at Hunter. Hunter also has an amazingly strong PTA that supports the teachers and organizes a number of enrichment experiences for the students. In reading the previous posts, it seems that Hunter suffers from unrealistic expectations. It s a wonderful school for a variety of students, but it isn t perfect. I can t imagine that any school is perfect.
—Submitted by a parent

Our family has supported Hunter for over a decade. We love the school. The teachers are committed, talented and gifted. Jenni Johnson, the amazing magnet coordinator, speaks the truth during her impressive tours. The electives are impressive and our children took advantage of trying new things. After six years of elementary education, our children were prepared and excited to start middle school with the ability to work well with others and a sense of community purpose. Hunter is a REAL world school. Thank you for a great start to life long learning.
—Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately, Hunter is no longr the school it once was. Leadership means everything, and it is definitely lacking in this school. The new principal hasn't made one bit of difference at Hunter. She's rarely visible, and her style isn't for a school setting, but more for Dancing With The Stars! Teachers are stressed, and cannot provide a quality education in this environment. Kids that are not AG are swept under the rug. The last 3 three years have gotten worse, worst, and worser! Fortunately, my child will be finishing up this horrible experience in two months time, and this place will be history. I would never recommend this school to anyone - AG or not. It has visibly deteriorated at an accelerated pace. If this were not my child's last year I would be taking him out!
—Submitted by a parent

Agree with the review posted December 3, 2012. We used to love Hunter Elementary. We are now on our third principal in four years, and there have been too many changes. With a new principal that is never visible, and the elimination of cluster grouping, if your child is not on the AG track, forget it. The regular classrooms are full of children who are do not behave well. The teachers have their hands tied with discipline. I also question the safety of the students, and how many behavior/fighting incidents are going unreported. If you are willing to put up with all of this just to get the electives (which are wonderful), then go for it.
—Submitted by a parent

Hunter has an amazing history as the flagship magnet school in Wake County. In recent years, the school has had to weather some challenges, through no fault of its own, but it is persevering and still thriving. The teachers are still excellent, the classroom learning is still far more dynamic and creative than average, and the arts are fantastic. Hunter deserves a lot of credit for serving a diverse student population that includes some of the brightest kids in the county alongside some kids who come to school with many challenges. The leadership has stabilized and the school seems to be heading in the right direction. Come see for yourself.
—Submitted by a parent

Awesome electives and AG classes. The teachers are very motivated and encouraging.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two boys at Hunter and have been there for six years. It has been an amazing experience! The teachers and parents are deeply committed and passionate about providing the best educational experience, in all ways (academic, cultural, artistic, & humanitarian). I cannot say enough positive things about this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son had the opportunity to attend this school as a magnet student for two years. What an amazing experience it was for our entire family! The former principal, faculty and office staff made it more of a second home for our son than a school. Parent involvement is welcomed and appreciated, both in and out of the classroom. The vast selection of elective courses available to the students, and the passion with which the teachers deliver their lessons are only a small part of the school's charm. Our family has lived in Georgia, Iowa, North Carolina and most recently, New York. As a result we have had the chance to be a part of several school communities, and to date, Hunter's excellence remains unparalleled!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended Hunter for four years and we are thrilled with programs at this school
—Submitted by a parent

A couple of parents got togther and decide that we would post our feeling about this school. So what ever I leave out I'm sure they will touch on it. Where can I begin Hunter is not all what I thought it would be. This school needs to be called out staff is rude you can never get in contact with the princple and having to deal with them is like haveing to take candy form a baby in posibble. This school is one sided the attention lays only on the kids that are not even zone for this school base kids will never get what they need from this school. We all know that teachers cant do it by them selfs but when they make kids feel like nothing you tell me how kids would react to the school less more the teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Good day to all I am a parent who indeed has kids that attend this school. I would most diffently have to agree with the post made on Oct 21, 2008. We have been waiting in line to get in this school we finally got in I thought this school was going to be the best but I have to say it is by far not. We are the kind of parents that attend all meeting and volunteer as much as possible what we have seen with our own eyes would shock you. Some of the things we have heard by some of the teachers would shock you as well. This is not a great school this school is only for the lottery picked kids I've sat in class and show how the teachers over look the base kids that attend there We have decide to pull our kids... GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

This is my fifth year with a child at Hunter, and it continues to be a wonderful experience. Our children have done many electives: Spanish, Folk Dance, Theatre Production, Behind the Scenes (technical theater & props), Orchestra and Band. Our 1st grader got pulled out to a higher math class starting in kindergarten. The principal is super, and the staff is highly motivated and dedicated.
—Submitted by a parent

Hunter is not good school. Leadership is not at all on a magent level. Kids are being over looked if they where not lottery pick kids to attend this school and if there parents do not have a ton of money. I am very ashamed that my kids have to attend a school like this. This is not at all a magent school.
—Submitted by a parent

Hunter is an amazing school with a very strong principal, dedicated, caring staff and great curriculum. Our son finally got in after three years of trying. He is academically gifted and he is being challenged. They care about and understand gifted kids and make sure their needs are served.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school, wonderfully differentiated curriculum (7 levels of groupings for reading and math starting in Kindergarten). Very happy to have finally gotten my son in to this school and am thrilled with the level of teacher involvement, quality of work (challenging), breadth of offerings (tons of electives which include academic, arts, music, pottery, journalism, etc). This is not your average Elementary school.
—Submitted by a parent

Came to NC with a snobby Yank's view of 'southern' education. Cluster of gifted/high performers is larger than at best regional private schools we closely examined. Composit test scores are often misunderstood-a 100% school doesn't mean much--but it soothes the masses. Hunter has offered our children a sizeable gifted peer group -- something we thought impossible to find without sending to boarding school. On the negative side, it's a public school with public school resources. However, its resources like college-style electives and orchestral program off-set the greater resources you might find at a private, and it's heterogeneous. This is the only school in Wake County that can provide a stimulating environment for the academically gifted that equals or outpaces top national private schools. Another potential negative: slow starts to school year, due to assessments. Doesn't fire on all cylinders until 2nd quarters. However, this is by far the best county school.
—Submitted by a parent

After visiting Ravenscroft, Wiley, Underwood, Lacy, Brassfield, Green Hope, Raleigh Montessori, Raleigh School, etc. searching for the school that would provide a diversity of rich experiences, cater to academically gifted students, while keeping their egos in check, Hunter is tops. The principal is energetic and flexible. He makes time for parents and ensures that every kid is challenged, even if that means pull-outs, clusters or new courses to meet needs. It's a pretty special place--but some who haven't spent time at other so-called 'good' schools in Wake County or elsewhere might not recognize. Teachers are strong and seek to teach there to access the AG population from across county that is attracted--which is a good, self-selecting phenomenon. Electives are fabulous. More $ would lower student/teacher ratios, but Hunter's ratio is equal or favorable to other Wake schools, but with pre-college curriculum.
—Submitted by a parent

Phenomenal! Our son is in his third year at Hunter and we don't regret the switch at all. He is getting a better education at Hunter than from the highly-rated private school that we left. He is in an academically-gifted program that really challenges him. This is balanced by his elective courses that he enjoys and that fulfill his creative side. added bonuses: Ligon Middle and Enloe High School are on the same track.
—Submitted by Susan, a parent

Parent of two at Hunter Elementary--5th grade son who has attended since kindergarten and daughter now in first grade. Drawn to this school by strong academic and arts programming. Environment is high energy with great enthusiasm for learning. Small group differentiated instruction is standard. High degree of individual attention. Administrators and teaching staff are passionate about education. Elective program allows for school day enriched beyond traditional curriculum--favorites include offerings in orchestra, science, PE, art and drama. Although their interests and personalities are quite different, both my son and my daughter love school and learning. Never bored. Their friends are diverse racially, religiously and economically--an invaluable part of a good education as well. Parent involvement is strong despite the fact that families live all over Wake County--some far from school. Also many volunteers from local colleges, universities and downtown businesses. Thrilled to be here--we've never regretted our choice.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children who attend Hunter and it has been a great gift to be able to attend this school. In addition to a fantastic & caring staff, they can take, and have taken such wonderful electives that outside the school would cost a lot of money and extra time in order to try them out. My son is in the academically gifted program & my daughter has taken tap dancing, spanish & even learned to play the violin quite well. I highly recommend this school if you are looking into Wake county magnet schools. The diversity, creativity of the staff & caring environment will ensure a wonderful academic experience for your children.
—Submitted by Nikole Nelson, a parent