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Ballentine Elementary

Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

Phone: (919) 557-1120
Fax: (919) 557-1144
District: Wake County School District

School Review
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GreatSchools Rating

public • Grades PK,KG,1,2,3,4,5 • 733 students

Ballentine Elementary, a public school located in Fuquay-Varina, NC, serves grades PK-5 in the Wake County School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 9 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.

Ballentine Elementary is a public school located in Fuquay-Varina, NC. 733 students attend Ballentine Elementary.

School Ratings

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	9/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 North Carolina End-of-Course Tests data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, and using 2025 North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Student Growth	9/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2024 Student growth data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Posted: April 7, 2026

We absolutely recommend this school. Our kids have been here for about four years, and weve seen such a positive change, especially since Mr. Hackman became principal. The environment feels more supportive, organized, and welcoming.
You can really tell that the teachers enjoy being there. They are respectful, engaged, and genuinely care about the kids. It also means a lot that many of them know the students personally. Mr. Hackman is present every morning, welcoming students at the door, which says a lot about the culture of the school.
Academically, weve been very happy, but what stands out the most is the strong focus on social-emotional support. The teachers do a great job creating a safe and positive environment for the children, which is so important at this age.
Our kids enjoy going to Ballentine, and weve had a consistently great experience.

Posted: September 6, 2023

Hackmann makes a great principal. Almost all the staff knows our child by name and recognizes us when were in the building. Amazing communication from teachers.

Posted: August 15, 2022

Ballentine is an absolutely wonderful school with incredible staff who seem to work together as a team to provide the best academics program in the area. The school is located within a neighborhood and has a loving small town feel. I have a child with ADHD and every teacher we've had has given us all the resources we needed to navigate his needs while also pushing my child to excel. We were with Ballentine throughout the pandemic and our virtual school experience was fantastic. The grades seemed to work together to give children everything they needed to keep school positive and and as close to "normal" as possible. I will forever be grateful we were with Ballentine during that time. Outside of the daily curriculum Ballentine has great extension programs as well as multiple club choices and even a Lego League for children to learn about robotics. This school begins every morning with "The Positivity Project." Just a small portion of the children's day but a consistent, effective discussion about the importance of character strengths and positive relationships. This is such an incredible program for our children and just another example of how the staff at Ballentine do so much extra for their students. I truly believe Ballentine sets an example that other schools in the county should follow.

Posted: May 19, 2022

If you are foreign in this country I highly DO NOT recommend bring your kids to this school. I am having many problems with the principal but now, she really crossed the line. We are moving out the country, and my Country requested a letter from the principal to give references about the kids and the family. The answer from Mrs. Dove was "it's Spanish." My understanding is that in the school provides with many language, it says so on the website. its courtesy between colleagues and if a college sends a request from another country by courtesy you should respond. there are cultural and policy differences and this lady was very rude about this topic because she had to answer a letter that she didn't want in Spanish although she could easily write it in English for them as they would understand due to the fact it is a bilingual place. there are no complaints about the teachers, the vice principal or the ladies of the front office. very polite people. Si eres Extranjero NO traigas tus Hijos a esta Escuela

Posted: March 30, 2022

Highly recommend this elementary school, great curriculum, environment, and staff. Every teacher my child has had, has been nothing less of amazing, supportive, kind, and patient.

Posted: March 30, 2022

Posted: June 25, 2018

Get ride of the principal. Moral is horrible at this school. Teachers and administration are bullies. Returning parents are cliquish and maintain inappropriate gossipy relationship with teacher and admin. This is an elementary school... its sad what occurs here. Shut the doors or get ride of the principle.

Posted: June 25, 2018

Research thia school before sending your child. Talk to people in the community. Older reviews are still very much accurate.

Posted: August 8, 2017

Just get rid of the principal and half the teaching staff and this school may stand a fighting chance. Whatever they are doing just isn't working and parents aren't heard

Posted: June 19, 2017

We absolutely love Ballentine Elementary School. We have been
in this building for 8 years with 3 children. Each and every teacher my children have had have been nothing short of wonderful. I get pictures of them doing everyday things as well as special events. We have weekly updates about what is going on academically as well as other classroom activities. I have been welcomed to come in to volunteer every year. There are so many ways to become involved in the students learning here:) We will be very sad when our last child is promoted onto middle school and we aren't attending Ballentine Elementary anymore.

Posted: June 6, 2017

Great, my kindergartener is learning so much! Her teacher is very compassionate and smart, and loves her job. Leadership is strong with great "extension" classes like art and music. I would highly recommend this school.

Posted: June 6, 2017

Posted: April 25, 2017

I moved my child to this school from another WCPSS elementary school that other raved about. The teachers here care for all students more than test scores even within the constraints of forced government curriculum. My child has grown in confidence and self esteem which in turn has increased the academic growth. I'm not sure why the other post says that the teachers are bullies, I do not see that in any way at all. I see very caring individuals who try in many ways to help students in any way possible.

Posted: March 11, 2017

Both of my kids attend and are happy with their day. They enjoy all facets of the programs Ballentine provides. The staff are organized and friendly.

Posted: March 11, 2017

Posted: January 27, 2017

Most of the staff is snooty, the principal speaks to you like you're an idiot. My 2nd grader was bullied with little to nothing done. He struggles to focus yet the teacher refuses to do much to help him. very disappointed.

Posted: January 27, 2017

An effective approach to homework? Doing worksheets every day is effective?! Since when!

Posted: September 19, 2016

This is such a beautiful school with great teachers. We couldn't ask for more. I highly recommend this school.

Posted: December 2, 2015

Staff and students have positive interactions every day. This school is small enough to allow a family/village feel to it.

Posted: December 2, 2015

Ballentine teachers are amazing. They are smart, creative and hardworking. They are limited in time due to the over-testing they are required to do. I think these teachers need the freedom to teach they way they know how to do.

Posted: December 2, 2015

The younger kids have a little too much. Kindergarten is not like it used to be. The older grades need it to prepare them for middle school.

Posted: December 2, 2015

Integrity is more important than test scores. Our principal is strongly concerned that each child, regardless of social status, be treated with the same fairness.

Posted: December 2, 2015

Intelligent, caring staff. AG program that is outstanding. Approachable teachers, they are more like family than teachers, really.

Posted: December 2, 2015

This school is small but mighty. Our teachers work hard and our kids are loved.

Posted: December 2, 2015

From what I know of everyone who works at Ballentine, they thrive to be the best they can be.

Posted: December 2, 2015

We love this school, the only thing we would like to change is for the kids to be able to celebrate holidays and birthdays.

Posted: October 16, 2015

Ballentine is a small, neighborhood elementary school with a solid reputation for academics. It has an award-winning First Lego League adviser in Mrs. Clarke, the AG teacher, and the vast majority of teachers are delightful and engaging. All schools are struggling with the rigor of test-based learning and some teachers have been better than others in handling this, but my overall experience has been a good one. I would caution anyone looking at reviews from a few years ago as a lot has improved since then.

Posted: October 16, 2015

I think it differs from teacher to teachers. Some are excellent and everyone loves them and others are a little less so. There are more good ones than less than good ones.

Posted: October 16, 2015

The school's motto is formed around many of these traits and the GLOW patrol (4th and 5th graders who help at school) are championing this.

Posted: October 14, 2015

My child has been a student at Ballentine since kindergarten. We have had a very positive experience. The teachers are warm and caring and always willing to work in partnership with me for my child's success. I highly recommend this school.

Posted: October 14, 2015

My child has been very prepared for each grade level and has been sufficiently challenged. He is well rounded and gets along well with others.

Posted: October 14, 2015

The teachers are dedicated to teaching students how to be productive , caring members of the school community and beyond the school doors. Students are well behaved.

Posted: January 21, 2015

Ballentine puts up a good front of being this great school. They promote the teamwork between school and parents. It is really the opposite of that. Ballentine staff, including the principal, could care less what you have to say to contribute towards your child's education. They make major decisions about your child's education without communicating it with you. They are concerned more about stats than common sense. I have tried and I just give up. Don't put your child in this school.

Posted: August 13, 2013

I can not wait to move my child from this school. I was warned of the enrollment decline and dissatisfaction by other parents who have since removed their children as well. The principal is stale, disconnected, and impersonal. Myself and a majority of parents in my sons class are very sad and disheartened at the lack of attention to our concerns and have been met with a sour and blunt response to our suggestions. Enrollment is down, pressure to conform overshadows the needs of the child. My son's class has only 16 students in a county that has an overcrowding problem? 22 last year, 16 this year. Myself, as well as several others are removing our children from this school after this year, if we dont end up homeschooling them first. The atmosphere is sour and far from a positive environment.

Posted: July 30, 2013

My child went to Ballentine for 1 year after moving from out of state. We learned very quickly that the principal was not interested in making sure that each child is challenged. If your child is in the top or bottom 10%, I would highly recommend you look for another school. We have since transferred to another local school and the difference is amazing. Time for the school board to look into dropping test scores, enrollment, poor teacher morale, etc.

Posted: July 1, 2013

This school needs major improvement on how it handles bullying and giving the teachers skills to use when they see or hear it happen from a student. The teachers are very good here when it comes to educating but towards the end of my child's last years here it was a constant worry that the grades would drop due to bullying. Suggestion for this school is to look at new ways to show zero tolerance for bullying in their school.

Posted: February 28, 2013

If your child is on the top10% or lower 20% of the curve, your experience here could prove challenging. Public schools tend to cater to the majority at or near average, but exceptions here seem more of a nuisance than elsewhere. This school seems firmly focused on one thing - teaching material directly tied to measured objectives and EOGs. Our child attended Kindergarten through 2nd grade. Kindergarten provided some of the caring needed but little academic challenge. First grade was better, with a good mix of nurturing and academics. Second grade was an eye opener. Caring was replaced by pressure to conform and meet timed standards. Beyond that, something changed for the worse at this school somewhere between 2010-2011. Notice the absence of glowing reviews since then? Enrollment dropped and teachers just didn't seem as happy or fulfilled as they once were. Spirit, participation and fun at school events slumped. Some of the enrollment decline could be related to the neighborhood around the school growing up, but I personally know almost as many parents who pulled their children to go private as I do those who have graduated. Count me among those who went private.

Reviews provided by GreatSchools^™

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Eagle Ridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Raleigh	NC	6.5 mi
2	Winston Pointe	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Clayton	NC	14.5 mi
3	Hedingham	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Raleigh	NC	18.4 mi
4	Forest Oaks	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Bunnlevel	NC	23.8 mi
5	Anderson Creek Club	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Spring Lake	NC	25.1 mi
6	The Summit	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Sanford	NC	25.5 mi
7	Sunset Ridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Sanford	NC	25.9 mi
8	Overhills Creek	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Spring Lake	NC	26.8 mi
9	Ellerslie Subdivision	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fayetteville	NC	27.3 mi
10	Castlebrooke	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Linden	NC	27.7 mi
11	Carolina Seasons	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Cameron	NC	28.9 mi
12	Forest Ridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Cameron	NC	29.2 mi
13	Deerfield	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Spring Lake	NC	30.9 mi
14	Kings Grant	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fayetteville	NC	31 mi
15	Inverness	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fayetteville	NC	32.4 mi
16	Patriot Park Village	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fayetteville	NC	32.4 mi
17	Stonegate Apartments	Apartment Complex	Spring Lake	NC	32.5 mi
18	Kinwood	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fayetteville	NC	33.3 mi
19	College Lakes	Area of Town	Fayetteville	NC	33.8 mi
20	Woodlake	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Vass	NC	35.4 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	North Ramsey Road	Fayetteville	NC	29 mi
2	Spring Lake	Spring Lake	NC	32.7 mi
3	Spring Lake by Ft Bragg Base	Spring Lake	NC	33 mi
4	Princeton	Princeton	NC	35.7 mi
5	Eastwood Ave & Kentberry Ct.	Fayetteville	NC	36.2 mi

Base	Distance
Raleigh National Guard	14 mi.
Pope Field	33.2 mi.
Fort Bragg	39.7 mi.
Seymour Johnson AFB	48.7 mi.

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Ballentine Elementary

Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

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