Flint Hill Elementary School

This is the worst school that my children have ever attended, in terms of atmosphere and attitude toward the children. We have been exposed to numerous schools, as we are a military family. There is a feeling of oppression here; kids are definitely not allowed to be kids. If your child drops their silverware in the cafeteria, they will not be allowed to get up and get a clean one - the staff will let them go hungry instead. This happened to my friend's child. 3rd graders get 15 minutes of recess per day. My son's class not until the very end of the day. During this "free time", the kids are told that they have to run laps. The office staff is very rude - they do not even greet people who come in. The principal will not discuss any parental concerns; Parents feel that he does not care about the kids. My child was treated so badly by his 2nd grade teacher that he emerged from last year feeling that he is stupid and bad. Almost constant yelling at the kids, sarcasm, and even extremely loud whistle blowing. This actually happened when I was in the classroom. A lot of emotional damage was done to him which we are now struggling to repair. Would move my kids if I could.
—Submitted by a parent

My children had the best experience at Flint Hill Elementary. Teachers from FCPS are clamoring to get into this school as the PTA is so supportive. We are a community of "movers and shakers" so the PTA knows how to make things happen. All the teachers are super professional. Now the school has full day kindergarten. The principal also persuaded the school board to have a full gifted center within the school.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been a student at this school for 4 years. The experience has been very positive. The teachers have been excellent and the level of parent involvement is almost intimidating. The principal is always willing to hear concerns from parents but will always do what is right even if it not what the parent wants. My son has excelled here and has learned so much more than friends and relatives in nearby private schools. We have not encountered bullying. On the contrary we have found the school has created a very nurturing environment.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids visit Flint Hill since 3 years now and they love each and every day. They receive first class education. All teachers (advisories and classroom) consider the strengths of the individual and leverage those strengths. Engagement, motivation and fun is part of each and every day. The principal as well as the headmasters of the lower, middle and upper school are examples in character and earn the respect of the kids. I would recommend this school to parents who want their kids to be challenged in a kind and supportive way. I don't recommend this school for parents with kids who want their teachers to do their work. Finally: if I would have one recommendation for Flint Hill school. Take Spanish as a course serious and up-level the curriculum similar to all the other courses the school is offering.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids are in this school since the last few years and if I could change things, I would have never put my kids in this school. There is too much bullying and the Principal and the Vice Principal are known for just ignoring it and brushing it aside. They pretend that it does not exist in their school. They have good scrores as they focus all their learning on test taking and not educating the kids. The office staff acts as though you are a total hindrance in their day. None of them will even smile and say hello to you. Some of the teachers are good, but that is overpowered by all the negative that are very much present in that school on a day or day basis. I ownt recommend this school to any parent.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school. Great teaching staff. Prinicpal is good, but doesn't cater to the parents, so it upsets those zealous parents who want to control what goes on. He's a principal for the teachers, which is why the test scores are so high. It's a high quality education and a pleasant, inviting school to attend for my children.
—Submitted by a parent

In comparison with all the other elementary schools my 1st child had attended, Flint Hill Elementary has been a total satisfactory to us. My little one loves to go to her class each day and her learning has been fantastic. Caring teachers with a program tailored somewhat to each kid's capability and well mannered friendly classmates are what you can count on from this school. Unlike some other negative comments on the principal, we think the principal has done a very decent job within his limit. The only thing on our wish list is that the principal would help to convince the Fairfax County to augment the SACC program on this site so my daughter can get in.
—Submitted by a parent

All three of my children have attended (are attending) this school. The teachers are wonderful, the parent association is very active and productive and the resources available to the children are wonderful. In particular, the Special Education Department is very well run. We have attended other schools, so I do have a comparison, and Flint Hill rates above them all.
—Submitted by a parent

I cann't coment on the adminastration of the school but having come here from abroad were my 2nd grader had already had 2 years of full time education by the time she went into 1st grade we felt very welcomed and my daughter is well supported loves going to school,has a fantastic teacher, who she has followed into 2nd grade,and the whole 2nd grade team are wonderful.my son who we intended to keep in his privare school in our last year here is desparate to go to the school and we have decided to let him dispte this meaning he will have 3 changes of school system in 1 year.why does this school not have full time kindergarton what a same.
—Submitted by a parent

We are really happy with Flint Hill. My daughters 2nd grade teacher is one of the best. She is really excelling because of their dedication and ability. It is a joke that kindergarten is only 1/2 day. What a waste of a childs first year.
—Submitted by a parent

Flint Hill is very disappointing; not the teachers, but the principal. He has failed to assume a role of leadership and has alienated the parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Very week leadership and poor management. Some teachers are good, some just don't know what they are doing. It depends on your child luck to fall into which teacher. Parent can't change the kid's teacher or a classroom.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall, I have been very pleased with my experience at Flint Hill. Overall, my kids have had very caring teachers, provided with a good education, and it is always a pleasure to visit the school. I was particularly impressed with the professionalism of the recent school musical that was held at the school by 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. It gave my 6th grader memories to last the rest of her life. There is heavy parent involvement. My only concern would probably be that the administration is not as strong as I would like but the PTA and school volunteers more than make up for that.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall, I would recommend the school. It is cheerful and positive and the children are extremely well-behaved. This is my daughter's 2nd year here, and because of many moves, I have had a chance to observe 3 different elementary schools. For the last several years, the kids have put on a musical that is a wonderful experience and very professionally done. The one warning I would offer potential mothers is that the majority of kids seem to have stay-at-home mothers, so if you work, you might feel a little out of your element. Also, there are some very wealthy neighborhoods in the school's vicinity, so if your child has insecurities about 'stuff' it might not be the best place for him or her.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my fourth year as a parent, son graduated last year and daughter is going to 2nd grade. I am very satisfied. Good staff, morale is pretty good, students create a very good environment, which may be more due to the quality of their home life rather than the school. The school facilties are fine, the library is especially good. Parent involvement makes a big difference, even though it can be a pain for the staff, it's a good pain. Flint Hill has high parent involvement and staff are striving to make the school good. This is saying a lot, I think. I've had issues and complaints over the years, but I would highly recommend the school.
—Submitted by Karen, a parent

I now have my 5th child attending this school and it is outstanding! We have considered moving several times, but the decision to stay put always came back to the quality of the elementary school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children that have been attending this school throughout their elementary education. My husband and all of his siblings also attended this school and had a wonderful experience. I grew up in the Fairfax County school system and assumed that the elementary schools in Fairfax County were all some of the best in the country. This is not true. At one point we moved to another school in the county and it was a huge mistake! We moved back to Flint Hill and I realized that it takes great talent and organization for the teachers to get the children to learn and not make them feel like it is work. My children have been taught to love learning. At this age, I think it is imperative that the love of learning and knowlege is instilled. They have so many fun and educational experiences that they hate to miss school. I am grateful for the wonderful environment that I get to send my children into everyday. I feel great peace knowing that they are not only getting an exceptional education but they are in a loving and respectful environment.
—Submitted by Paige Heninger, a parent

Firstly, this school is not to be confused with the private school of the same name. Although this school is part of a strong public school district, it is probably the worst run school in the county. Flint Hill has strong community involvement through its PTA. However, the school administration is extremely weak. There have been a number of state and federal violations in regards to special ed and discipline. Further, its gifted program is very selective and poorly managed. Overall the PTA is strong in bringing in the tools needed to teach the students but the staff struggles to manage even the minor details of education. The perception that Flint Hill offers is of a well run, strong academic school , but it is very much a disappointment!
—Submitted by Vanessa Brownley, a parent