Holly Springs Elementary

Posted: May 29, 2023

We have had an amazing experience at HSES. My daughter is wrapping up her Kindergarten year and we have had nothing but positive experiences with her teacher and the administration! The new principal is wonderful, friendly, and cares deeply about the success of her students. Any issues are dealt with swiftly, and the communication from the school to parents has been excellent. My daughter goes to school excited to learn every day. As a parent, I am so thankful she feels safe and happy at school, not to mention how much she has learned and grown over this past year. I have nothing but great things to say about this school!

Posted: May 29, 2023

Posted: May 29, 2023

Posted: May 29, 2023

Posted: May 29, 2023

Posted: May 29, 2023

Posted: May 29, 2023

Posted: May 29, 2023

Posted: April 17, 2023

Posted: April 17, 2023

Posted: April 17, 2023

Posted: April 17, 2023

Posted: April 17, 2023

Posted: April 17, 2023

Posted: April 17, 2023

Posted: April 17, 2023

They never send any email for what they are teaching and any updates. Poor communication from staff teacher. They didn't inform you (parents) if dentist is coming for check up. They don't ask parents for permission if dentists or physical therapy can see your kids. They are more judging on food and lunch and what kids are eating. You should more focus on education. Car pool : staffs will not treat you properly if your kid is not unlocking belt.

Posted: January 11, 2023

i talked to the the responsible many times to get updated by email , for the hall year i did not got any thig by email or call, i have to call them to get updated

Posted: August 12, 2022

Posted: August 12, 2022

Despite being less than a mile from the school, we're not allowed to walk home because they don't have staff... Yet the carpool frequently has inadequate staffing. The carpool staff won't always help children so I have had to get out to open/close the door when my child struggled. In the mornings, the carpool staff will randomly close the door before 9:20 (start of school) so that children need to be signed in. That's not to mention the road rage observed at carpool.
When your child needs to be moved from another child, the teacher won't split them and administration won't step in. If your child has any special needs, be prepared that they may not get their full lunchtime. Instead, you'll pick them up and they feel horrible (stomachache, headache, nauseated). Earlier this week, the cafeteria ran out of food and my child only got a yogurt and fruit. If I pack lunch, half returns home because my child didn't get the full lunchtime. The first two years at this school my child would cry and beg not to go. Now my child goes and I thought things were better, but the above has all happened since the fall semester started. To be fair, the carpool and not being allowed to walk home had been an ongoing issue since day one at the school.

Posted: August 12, 2022

Posted: August 12, 2022

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Posted: July 31, 2018

Posted: July 31, 2018

Posted: July 31, 2018

Posted: July 31, 2018

Posted: July 31, 2018

Posted: July 31, 2018

Posted: July 31, 2018

The lady in the front office is terrible, she is rude and inconsiderate. She has an attitude the moment you walk in. Doesn’t greet you. The teachers don’t communicate with parents on a weekly basis. It’s just horrible.

Posted: April 19, 2018

The administration turns a blind eye to kids who systematically bully over many years.

Posted: April 19, 2018

Posted: April 19, 2018

Posted: April 19, 2018

Posted: April 19, 2018

Posted: February 25, 2018

Posted: February 25, 2018

Posted: February 25, 2018

Posted: February 25, 2018

Posted: February 25, 2018

Posted: February 25, 2018

Posted: February 25, 2018

Love the amount of activities the school provides for the children year round.

Posted: June 1, 2017

Posted: June 1, 2017

Posted: June 1, 2017

Posted: June 1, 2017

Posted: June 1, 2017

Posted: June 1, 2017

Posted: June 1, 2017

We have been at HSES for four years and are extremely pleased with all of our interactions from the carpool line to the front office to the dedicated teachers which are the heart and soul of HSES. The front office staff are incredibly competent and the Principal, Mrs. Clark, couldn't be anymore engaging. Her communications skills are top notch from her weekly messages to following up on calls and emails in a shockingly efficient manner. This is a safe, caring environment with a growth mindset that starts with the administration and is followed up by solid teachers. I can only hope that the next two years are as good as the last four years!

Posted: April 13, 2017

Teachers have been great but I agree with other reviews- front office staff is HORRIBLE. They are very cold and act like you are bothering them. I've yet to see the secretary smile in the 3 years I've been here. It makes you feel terrible when you need to go inside. Also, carpool staff are pretty unfriendly and do rudely wave you on even though you are just trying to slowly drive as there are kids everywhere. Nice school but support staff needs an attitude adjustment.

Posted: March 27, 2016

I have three children @ HSES. We relocated here from New York and were a little worried about the transition from northern parochial school to public school here . The administration made it very easy for us and worked with us during a very confusing and difficult time . All three teachers understood our situation and gave our kids the extra attention they needed during the transition and kept constant contact with us. And their classmates were all terrific .. Not one problem . They made friends immediately. They are all three doing well in school both academically and socially . It's a great little neighborhood school that gave us the warmest of welcomes. The teachers and administration have been very respondent to any of our kids needs .
WhT more can you ask for . ?
JM in HS from NYC.

Posted: November 20, 2015

Posted: November 20, 2015

HSES chooses attributes to focus on and they give "cheetah spots" when students display those attributes. There is a constant communication with students about honesty, integrity, and respect. They even wear colors to represent some of the attributes and have special days they encourage everyone to participate.

Posted: November 20, 2015

My kids have been at Holly Springs Elementary for 3 years now and I love it here. We moved from Maryland where they attended a small private school with a classical curriculum. There have been things we have had to get use to in NC - common core, grading on a scale of 1-4, and the different way of teaching but even with so many changes my children have done well and have had great teachers every year. The office staff is nice, I'm not sure why they have all of the negative feedback. They are always pretty busy as it is a school of over 1,000 kids. Parental involvement is encouraged and appreciated, even through 5th grade. The carpool line isn't the best, but there isn't really anything they can do to change it.

Posted: January 23, 2015

My son went to this school and despite all we heard about the excellence of Wake County schools we did not find it up to the quality we were used to. Also found the office staff extremely cold and not at all interested in parent involvement in the school. I am confused by the high rating considering the low test scores indicated here. Perhaps this school is a step up from some locations but we were sadly disappointed after having high hopes. I also believe the area would benefit from smaller districts that are not trying to meet the needs of such diverse schools.

Posted: March 8, 2014

I love this school. My son has gone here for 2 yrs now. We have lived in Hudson County , Nj and Las Vegas . This is by far the best experience. The staff is friendly and my son is genuinely happy here. The only complaint is the school food but that's an issue nation wide. They get a great education for being a public school. They deal with any issues you might have as a parent quickly and respectfully. It's the first time I can relax and know my son is in good hands. Most of the teachers seem genuinely happy to be there which can mean a lot in the daily life of the students. They get an A+ for safety!

Posted: November 1, 2013

This is the 3rd yr my children attend HSES and of all schools they have been (total of 3 ES) I found the front office staff not very friendly at Holly Springs, cold people and saying "dont bother much" with their body languange. I had to send a letter to their attention in order to see little better attitude from them. Dr Steinbeck the principal is very sweet and great person! Most of the teachers are awesome and professional. If I have to move, I dont think we will loose much.

Posted: June 22, 2013

My son will be to the second grade in July, he has been going there since kindergarten. We both absolutely LOVE this school. I have never met a teacher or front desk employee that has not been 100% helpful. I now refuse to move away from Holly Springs, one of the main reasons being I want all my children to go to HSES! I'm not too sure why the parent from back in November complained about carpool, it works like a machine. They will easily have 80 cars in the line and have all the kids safely in the cars in under 20 minutes. GO CHEETAHS!!!

Posted: April 28, 2013

Small school feel, they do a tremendous amount for the kids. Always have family activities throughout the year. We know everyone in the office by first name. They are all extremely nice and will go out of their way to ensure the kids are learning in a safe environment.

Posted: November 1, 2011

They do a lot that doesn't make sense. The car pool is a mess, all the do is constantly wave at everyone to pull up even when the cars are stopped and you cant pull up. When at the cross walk to let a child pass the teacher who is suppose to be the crossing guard is waving me to pull forward anyway. I stop at cross walks on school grounds, they can get over it. If the staff was a little less concerned about waving everyone forward, and actually just unload/load the kids in front of them things would move faster. I tried walk to get her on nice days, but I am not allowed since she is not in the "walk zone" even though we live .4 miles from the school. If we want to walk we have to send a note that day in the morning or call the school, I cant just decide to walk because it is nice. Then they want to check my ID, but not in the carpool. I think a kidnapper would drive before they walk One day a month my child has a day to bring snacks to the whole class, I put them in her book bag, but her teacher does not think to look there and instead sends a note home saying we forgot. She is in Kindergarden, so I she doesn't remember. Now I have to make sure she tells them to look in her bag.

Posted: February 22, 2011

WOW! What a wonderful school. New asst Principal is o.k. This school is loaded with great teachers. Like Ms. M. in 1st, Ms. P. in 2nd, and Mr. T. in 3rd. Overall, great school.