Hollin Meadows Elementary School

Moving here in August of 2011 we were hesitant about sending our kids to HM. Having come from a 10 rated school with a very different racial and socio-economic mix of students we were not sure what to expect. This year has been a wonderful year for my three children! As with all schools, no matter the ranking, a child s experience often depends on their teacher. I LOVE all of kid s teachers. All three are strong, thoughtful, caring, organized teachers who have developed a positive classroom environment, which has helped my children grown academically and socially. Being a Title One school HM has many reading and math specialists who move from classroom to classroom allowing for more attention for each student. I love the diversity my children see every day with both the students and teachers. I volunteer at the school for several hours each week and highly enjoy my time there. Cons: If you have a high achieving student they may not be pushed as hard as you might like, not all parents are involved and classroom volunteers tend to be the same parents over and over, there is only one teacher overseeing the lunch room which makes it noisy and chaotic.
--Submitted by a parent

Fantastic school! Top, caring teachers, strong academics, active PTA, many extracurricular activities. Encourages parents in the schools -- from walking children to classroom door in morning, to volunteering in art class, library, cafeteria, and more. Positive environment for learning, fosters sense of community and responsibility in children. My child loves HM -- his teachers and friends alike. We are looking forward to sending our next child there also.
--Submitted by a parent

The overall tone of this school is harsh and controlling. The amount of yelling on a daily basis is terrible. While there are a couple of reasonable parts, it is an overall depressing place to be. My children aren't learning much except that teachers scream and school is frightening and boring. So sad.
--Submitted by a parent

School just named 2011 Intel School of Distinction in Math. This school is much more than the scoring indicates. I just graduated a 6th Grader who went since K and have third grader. It has an authentic hands-on method of teaching that is getting real results in math and reading scores. It is a special school with involved community, teachers and administration.
--Submitted by a parent

My children and I LOVE Hollin Meadows. We came from Prince Georges School and seen a BIG difference. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK HOLLIN MEADOWS !!!!
--Submitted by a parent

We are military and moved into Hollin Meadows area in the middle of the year. We have since moved again and will be back in the Alexandria area in 2011. Our kids absolutely LOVED the school. The best was the diversity -- there are kids there from all over the world, literally. The multi-cultural fair, the Renaissance fair for 5th graders, the gardens, the science program, the literacy program, arts and music are all integrated so kids in every grade are having similar lessons on their grade level. We can't WAIT to get back to Hollin Meadows.
--Submitted by a parent

How can you not love Hollin Meadows. The teachers and staff are a one of a kind group of people who are so devoted to their work. They go above and beyond their requirements each and every day.
--Submitted by a parent

Hollin Meadows is an exceptional school offering top-notch, dedicated teachers and a professional, involved administration. We have the means to send our two elmentary-aged children to private schools but opted to send them to HM and have NEVER been disappointed we made this decision. They have a beautiful garden--which Mrs. Obama saw when she visited the school in November 2009!--and an excellent math and science curriculm. My children are thriving and learning things that I'm pretty confident will help them throughout their lives. A+
--Submitted by a parent

Hollin Meadows is an Excellent school. Very professional and caring teachers, very active PTA. Peaceful enviroment. I love it
--Submitted by a parent

Hollin Meadows is a wonderful school. My two children love all of the their teachers and the activities they are involved in at school. The sense of community at Hollin Meadows is wonderful and every day at school we make new friends both children and parents. We are very proud of our library and all of it's resources, our outdoor garden which is also used in combination with science activities and our clubs, like running club, chess club, and drama. It is a joy to be a part of Hollin Meadows and the teachers, staff, PTA, kids and families are what makes it such a neat place to be a part of!
--Submitted by a parent