Clermont Elementary School

Kids: great Parents: great PTA: very active Teachers: most good, but seem very frustrated with the administration Administration: awful Office staff: unfriendly From a military family perspective, this principal does not want to hear from parents (or teachers). The GT program that they claim to have is non existent, don't be fooled. We attended another FCPS elementary school last time we were in VA and it was like night and day to this school. We are anxiously awaiting our move next spring and would not return to Clermont.
--Submitted by a parent

Clermont is a small school with less than 500 children attending K-6th. My kids love the school! The teachers are awesome! While teaching to standards, they also ensure those that are more advanced are challenged. ...talk about dedication! It is not uncommon for the teachers to teach 3 different skill levels within one class. If children are found to be more advanced the school takes those kids to meet/receive instruction from the advanced academics teacher (2nd grade). Keep in mind my kids are young (2nd and K). I have been very impressed by the administration and the teachers ability to identify and encourage academic learning! The foreign language instruction starts in 1st grade. This school teaches Mandarin Chinese. This is so impressive! Annually the kids put on a celebration for Chinese New Year. They sing songs, learn to read and write with more challenging curriculm as the students advance. I also want to commend the parents in the community. They are VERY active and supportive. All around, I am extremely happy with the school.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great school with outstanding facilities. The best outdoor athletic fields associated with any elementary school in the area.

Both of my children attended Clermont Elem and both received an outstanding education which enabled them to succeed in there early adult years.
--Submitted by a parent

The administration at Clermont is awful. The teachers & PTA are great, but seem to be slipping each year as they tire of admin. politics. The budget is poorly handled and rarely appropriately accounted for. The administration is rarely approachable and often very defensive. After 4 years, I'd hoped it would improve, but am sorry to say it has not. I am truly surprised that with such a strong parental involvement that more has not been done to expose the issues at Clermont. It's too bad. It has the makings for a great school, but it's like a well decorated house that's burning to the ground. Doesn't matter how pretty it is if it's destroying itself.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with the previous parent. This school has a great potential, wonderful PTA, very nice parents, a few very good teachers. Unfortunately the 'administrator' in question is not interested in anything else but self promotion. 'Mediocrity doesn't mean average intelligence, it means an average intelligence that resents and envies its betters'.
--Submitted by a parent

I had a child at Clermont Elementary for her KDG & 1st Grade years before we decided to enroll her in a private school. I loved Clermont's small community feel, the children, and found the PTA and the parents top notch and dedicated to their children's success. Unfortunately I found the teachers inexperienced, unenthusiastic, disorganized, and lacking with parental communication. Luckily, my daughter learns easily or I would be very worried about the academic skills she obtained while at Clermont. One of the administrators is very inapproachable and often had numerous grammatical and spelling mistakes with parental letters as well as errors with content (names, dates, etc.). I am surprised with such strong parental involvement that FCPS hasn't been alerted to the weak administration and staff.
--Submitted by a parent

Awesome school, fantastic cirriculum, very caring and courteous staff and counselor!!! We love this school!
--Submitted by a parent

I have a son finishing up 3rd grade, and we love the school. We were unhappy with the 'combo classes' in the 07-08 school year, but that has thankfully gone away. The parents are very involved, the PTA provides a lot of extras to the schools, and we have been very pleased with all of the teachers. The only downside is the I do find the administrators, (well, only one really) unapproachable and defensive. But I still stand by my excellent rating!
--Submitted by a parent

My child has thrived since leaving Clermont. I only have respect for a couple of teachers and staff.
--Submitted by a parent