Fort Hunt Elementary School

Again, the rating is not an accurate reflection of FHES. My children have had excellent teachers and the poor ones are no longer there. Their teachers provide great, experience rich in-class and at home assignments that help ensure the education/information "sticks". We are in the immersion program and am very pleased with the level of understanding and ability my kids have. The parent community is fantastic ... involved, helpful.
—Submitted by a parent

This rating makes Ft Hunt look worse than it is. Ft Hunt is a wonderful school. Parents are very involved, most of the teachers are caring and capable. Whenever I have contacted the administration or teachers concerning any issues/concerns, they have been highly responsive. We tried the Spanish immersion option, but it did not work for our kids, their math skills started to wane. This might be part of the problem with test scores. But in the non-Spanish track my kids have had some of THE best Math teachers we've ever encountered.
—Submitted by a parent

When I got back to VA after two years in a different country, I forgot almost all of my english. The formal principle took my brother and I under her wing and guided us through the school year. She put me in the ESOL program and introduced me to my current best friends.

Kindergarten and admin are wonderful! The campus has a lot of space. The neighborhood is also excellent.
—Submitted by a parent

It's our second year in FHES, and we love it, but they can be much better. My son had an amazing kindergarten teacher, but she left with other good teachers, I don't understand why. If we want to have the best school, the best teachers should be kept. The PTA is great!
—Submitted by a parent

Fort Hunt has always been an excellent school with challenging academic programs such as Spanish immersion, strings in 3rd grade, and Wordmasters. The PTA is extremely active, and with a new principal, Fort Hunt is on the rise again. The neighborhood parents are demanding, so there will always be a few disgruntled ones, but the proof is in the high test scores and the success of the rising 7th graders in middle school.
—Submitted by a parent

The new principal is working hard to improve the school. This means change, which can be difficult. So far, I have been impressed with her and the changes. Spanish immersion does inolve more work at home, but in our opinion is definitely worth it. Both of our children have done well there and we are very happy with the school.
—Submitted by a parent

As with any school there are great teachers and not so great teachers. Fort Hunt is being pushed, just like all other FCPS schools, to 'teach to the test' because of No Child Left Behind. This reduces the ability of the great teachers to do their magic since the focus is on facts not on thinking. The administration is not supportive of new methods of teaching; the admin is very risk adverse because of NCLB.
—Submitted by a parent

Fort Hunt Spanish Immersion is a joke. They market the Spanish program too much. The kids in Spanish immersion aren't getting the basic curriculum needed and the kids not in Spanish immersion are being short changed because resources are too focused on the other programs (rather than reading, writing, arithmatic). The kids in Spanish immersion are not coming out ahead of the kids taking Spanish as an extra curriculum. It jeopardizes their math and science aptitude. The reality is Spanish Immersion isn't going to make your child fluent or conversant in Spanish anymore than watching Dora. Fort Hunt Spanish Immersion is too hyped! P.S. I speak Spanish fluently as a 2nd language and I didn't learn it starting in 1st grade.
—Submitted by a parent

Fort Hunt is a great schhol with terrific parent and teacher support. The bilingual education is a fantastic feature.
—Submitted by a parent

I withdrew my child from this school, broke my lease and moved to get away from this school. My child had two different teachers who both assigned homework in first grade like they were the only teacher. My child was overwhelmed. The principal is 150% behind her teachers, before even hearing parents out. We ran from that school to another in the county where my child has flourished.
—Submitted by a parent

We visited five private schools and two public schools in the search for the right fit. We chose Ft. Hunt, hands-down, and four years later we're still very happy. In fact, like many Ft. Hunt families, even though our child has qualified to go to the GT center at Stratford, we've chosen to keep her at Ft. Hunt. The Spanish Immersion program has been great for both of our kids, providing a higher overall challenge level in addition to the obvious language benefit. Years ago the principal pushed to have Ft. Hunt designated as a 'fine arts focus' school, so it gets extra funding for music and art. The teachers are trained by the Kennedy Center on how to use the arts to teach the curriculum in a more interesting way. The full-time computer teacher is fabulous. The parents are incredibly nice, interesting, and engaged -- without being hyper-competitive.
—Submitted by a parent

I couldn't say more wonderful things about the principal and teachers of Fort Hunt. They are exceptional. They work long hard hours and try to be creative in every way. We live in pampered and spoiled Northern Virginia where the parents hover over their children and don't like them to be disciplined. As for the school of Fort Hunt, I have consistently heard teachers at our High School and Middle School say that no school prepares their students better year after year for what to expect at the next grade levels. Hats off to the principal and teachers for trying to deal with very obviously difficult to deal with parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Fort Hunt is a great school. It always has been, always will be. They deserve respect.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at Fort Hunt for 3 years and it has been a somewhat positive experience. I am very disappointed in the teachers lack of nurturing starting with kindergarten. I also agree that the principle has gotten to comfortable in her position and is not as effective as she needs to be. The class sizes tend to be on the large size. They have a great involvement with the Kennedy Center and do a lot in the way of performing arts. If you are interested in Spanish immersion it is a great concept but not a great fit for everyone.
—Submitted by a parent

I have to agree with the last review regarding everything. After 3 years at Fort Hunt we have found the same things - negative discipline (even towards the parents!), a principal just hanging in until she leaves, the loss of the only positive influence, the previous assistant principal, etc. The GT pull-out program is poorly run, poorly taught. THe SOLs (this could be true for any school) weigh too heavily on the third graders all year and influence ALL homework and lessons. THe PTA does GREAT work however and the parents are mostly a great group. In the area, it's one of the best though as it draws such a big population of dedicated families for the spanish program.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my third year at Fort Hunt and I wish there were a better option for our children. But, as we're eager to expand Spanish further than our homelife, this is all we have. The school is not a happy school, the teachers lack respect for their students (you will hear a teacher snap at a student well before you hear a positive word). The principal lacks motiviation. She is in a holding pattern rather than eager to move forward with ideas and concepts. The school lost its only positive force last year: its assitant principal who moved on to another school. I have children in other FCPS locations and much prefer the atmospheres there. Academically, it is decent, though could do more with its international focus. Perhaps, provide bilingual communication. It is in dire need of a pep-talk and drive forward. Fort Hunt is a rigid institution.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has it all - diversity, an amazing arts program (2 fine arts teachers, lots of interaction with Kennedy Center staff, a museum-in-progress program) Spanish Partial-Immersion, strings in 3rd grade, band, chorus, running club, video club, young astronauts (run by a NASA scientist/parent!), GT pull-out (most of the kids who place into the GT center stay at Ft. Hunt which makes the classes challenging), great administration and teachers! Furthermore, the environment at Fort Hunt is very positive, focusing on improvement and growth rather than negative discipline. Also, the PTA is very active and there are a lot of great family activities like Get Fit Night and Barn Dance. Overall, it's been a fantastic experience for my kids!
—Submitted by a parent

One of the best, if not the very best, elementary school in Northern Virginia. The Administration is organized and efficient. The teachers are motivated, enthusiastic, excited. The students are happy and energetic. It all makes for a great school environment. Fort Hunt offers all sorts of innovative programs, such as Spanish Immersion, Gifted and Talented options, and an art emphasis. I also like the fact that, if a parent chooses to do so, she can have the child tested and placed into the Gifted and Talented program at another school. Fort Hunt offers everything, but mostly a school environment that promotes learning, respect for others, and inspiration to achieve.
—Submitted by a parent

We have sent two kids through FHES, and have been more than happy with the school. The Principal, Asst Principal, and teachers are, across the board, superb. The school is very, very well run, and children are encouraged to reach to their potential, given the tools to do that, and afforded every opportunity to do so. FHES allows each and every student to do his or her best--offering opportunity consistent with the student's and the student's parents' desires. Simply a great Fairfax Co. School. The best, by far, in the Mount Vernon area.
—Submitted by a parent