Flint Hill Elementary

I am a former Flint Hill parent whose last child recently moved on to middle school. Having had 4 children go through Flint Hill, I can honestly say that the teachers and administration are top notch. My son’s last two years at Flint Hill were even his best years. His teachers were amazing!

Parents, if you don’t have middle school or high school students, you will soon understand how spoiled you are by the communication and transparency at Flint Hill. While I know it is very different at elementary school than secondary, the communication between home and school really helps you understand what is going on. It’s a gift.

As a parent, and community member, I feel the need to address the negative review below.

Overall, instruction and assessment has improved in every way the past few years.

To your point regarding parental involvement, volunteerism seems to be prominent in my children’s classrooms, and, as one who participates in the PTA and volunteers frequently, I think it’s important to acknowledge that unfortunately, in a changing economy, we have more families than ever that must rely on two parent incomes. Sometimes, people choose to work. Not everyone can afford, or wants to stay home, in our area. To those families who want to volunteer, there is always an opportunity. New events are being added to foster community engagement each year, like the Art Gala last year. I really enjoyed it! I like that our school tries new things. Of course, now that we are in a pandemic, things are different, but I expect that we will return to these endeavors when we return to normal.

Regarding communication. Yes, there is a template that teachers follow, but the information included relates to what is going to be taught that week. A framework makes certain there is consistent communication across grade levels. Your comment suggesting it is the same message across grade levels diminishes our teachers’ efforts.

The school uses multiple resources to address learning needs. It is important to recognize that textbooks and other resources are often online. It’s 2020. The county uses content specific books, like read-alouds and trade books in primary (I am a former third grade teacher at another school not in FCPS), but there is no science textbook, for example. If you want rote learning and memorizing facts, you are correct, you can go to private school. As I shared, I’m a former teacher, so forgive me for sharing my expertise. I’ve taught in both private and public settings in this area. I’m speaking from experience.

The materials you want shared are proprietary. Asking a teacher for test questions is inappropriate and unnecessary. Asking a teacher for the type of question your child missed is best. I have asked this of multiple teachers at Flint Hill, and all teachers have complied—even meeting with my child to support during lunch, as well as before and after school. I have never been unable to meet with my child’s teacher for a conference. I get it. School looks different than when you went to school. Perhaps, it’s time to accept this notion.

I had a fourth grader last year, so let me address Colonial Day. This was a county decision, not a school decision. The fourth grade team shared this in a letter to the community. Apparently, it was replaced by Virginia Day. The county is seeking appropriate, anti-racist ways of teaching American history, and therefore, Virginia history. It’s inevitable that improvements are being made within social studies to be relevant, truthful, and equitable. Look what is going on in our society! To your point about changing songs in the Veteran’s Day celebration, I say amen! I’ve heard the same songs year after year. These songs were, to my knowledge, incorporated for over three decades before a change was made. Long overdue if you ask me. The changes have nothing to do with politics. Maybe it was just time to change the songs. Have you considered this perspective or only your own?

This school priorities advanced academics for all students. It uses relevant research to guide instruction, and the administration works hard to make decisions that require the use of resources and materials that make learning fun and engaging. I am grateful that administration makes every attempt to share about these resources and teaching methods in their weekly newsletter to the community, as well as during PTA meetings.

Bottom line, if you want innovation, engagement, enthusiastic and dedicated teachers, you’re home. Flint Hill is a superior school that would be best shed of parents who complain about things they know nothing about.

Sincerely,
A Grateful Flint Hill Parent

Very good teachers in a positive and safe environment. Unfortunately, FHES does not really focus much on academics and we are slowly starting to see falling test scores. The administration does not welcome parental involvement (unless it is to raise money through the PTA). All communication between teachers and parents is prepared by the administration (if you have children in different grades you will notice that the two teachers send you identical weekly updates from their classrooms). The weekly newsletters are too vague to be of use if you want to support your learner at home by reinforcing lessons or concepts. If you are a parent who would like to know what your children are working on, you'll have to work to figure that out because they have a system to bring home schoolwork once per week. There are, of course, no textbooks, and if a child misses a key concept or is struggling with key vocabulary in a social studies or science lesson, you can't help them at home because you have very little information on what content is being taught. Math and Virginia Studies are notable exceptions. The administration claims licensing restrictions that prevent them from sharing with parents teaching materials and even some test questions that your child missed. The administration has also been getting rid of traditions that have been important in community building and have made this school successful in the past, like Colonial Days and traditional songs in a wonderful Veteran's Day program, in favor of politically correct replacements. Overall a good school that is going through changes. If you prioritize academic achievement you should consider private options.

Great school! Caring administration, teachers, and wonderful instruction for my children. Doesn't get any better!

This school is a dream! Outstanding teachers and administration. The principal has been here a little over a year, and she has really moved this school to new heights. There is a positive energy in the building that hits you the moment you walk through the door. Love it here!

100% agree with other poor review. Not only was the school slow to respond to my emails and phone calls, but when they finally got back to me they wouldn't give me clear information that really answered my questions about my daughter. They answered some questions with broad and generalized statements (similar to a form letter) and other questions they ignored completely. Worst school ever.

I was shocked to find out that the majority of the teachers and administration at Flint Hill Elementary School aren't focused on teaching our children. The school and county websites practically suggest that believe the relationship between parents and teachers to be extremely valuable and critical to a child's success, yet Mr. Rivera got rid of yearly parent/teacher meetings and said if the parent wants a conference they need to initiate contact with the teacher!! While that is easy to do, it was a clear indication to me that the school didn't WANT to HAVE to meet with parents. My communication with my students teachers was difficult to put it mildly. I would ask questions about my children so that I could help them at home when they were not at school and they were NOT forthcoming, helpful or dependable with the frequency of their information. I was not expecting a detailed report on how fast it took my child to digest an ice cream sandwich, I was asking about subjects that my child needs improvement in and a little bit of guidance and suggestions. The teachers want NONE of it.

TEACHERS DO NOT WANT TO TALK TO YOU PARENTS AND IF THEY DO, THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW YOUR CHILD IS DOING!! WHY?!!! BECAUSE THEY

a) DON'T KNOW DUE TO THE LACK OF ATTENTION THEY REALLY PAY YOUR CHILD AS THEY ARE TOO BUSY CHECKING THEIR FACEBOOK WHILE EXPECTING YOUR CHILD TO LEARN ON THEIR OWN OR

b) THEY DON'T WANT TO HELP YOU REVEAL THE BIG SECRET THAT THEY HAVEN'T REALLY BEING TEACHING YOUR CHILD OTHER THAN SPEEDING THROUGH A BILLION BORING PREMADE POWERPOINT SLIDES!!!!!

IF THERE ARE TEACHERS THAT TRULY CARE ABOUT THEIR STUDENTS THERE, I HAVE NOT MET ONE!! THEY ARE TEACHERS BECAUSE FAIRFAX COUNTY VA TEACHERS ARE PAID WELL FOR MINIMALLY TALENTED LAZINESS AND RECEIVE GREAT BENEFITS AND HUGE VACATIONS FOR THEIR MEDIOCRITY!