James Hurst Elementary School

Posted: April 20, 2026

Posted: April 20, 2026

Posted: April 20, 2026

Posted: April 20, 2026

Horribly organized, they send out mass text at 11pm telling what you child needs the next day, if you’re planning to go to any awards ceremony for your children don’t they will change it in the same day tell you to comeback tomorrow as if you don’t work then laugh at your frustration no resolution through the school board you’re better off just finding a different address to get your child in a different school to avoid the migraine

Posted: April 20, 2026

Posted: April 20, 2026

Posted: April 20, 2026

Posted: April 20, 2026

Posted: January 26, 2026

Absolute awful school. Staff are extremely rude and unprofessional. I am worried that my child will not make it home every day due to the negligence going on there. A lot of sketchy stuff going on.

Posted: January 26, 2026

Posted: January 26, 2026

Posted: January 26, 2026

Posted: January 26, 2026

Posted: January 26, 2026

Posted: January 26, 2026

Posted: January 26, 2026

Posted: January 22, 2023

Great School, this neighborhood and schools have turned around a lot that last few years and the ratings are biased by the area. My family loves it and we aren’t from here, we are military implants.

Posted: January 22, 2023

Posted: August 29, 2018

Wish it was not mandatory by district.

Posted: August 29, 2018

They have no homework. My nephew goes here and he never comes home with homework.

Posted: August 29, 2018

Failed my nephew until the very end of school year. He miraculously passed all state exams with flying colors.

Posted: August 29, 2018

They must develop it in their staff first.

Posted: August 29, 2018

Do not know if there is any leadership.

Posted: August 29, 2018

You either pass of fail. No other options.

Posted: August 29, 2018

Don't even know where to begin on this one.

Posted: September 21, 2017

This is my son's 2nd year at James Hurst. Kindergarten and 1 month into 1st Grade. I have zero issues with the school. Faculty is polite and helpful and welcomed him by name on his first day back. What really matters is that he is being educated. This was my fear when I realized he would be attending this school. The stats were not ideal. He excelled at everything he does. He read a book tonight and I was shocked at his new level and confidence. I do homework with him every afternoon. I do not expect his school to be his only source of learning, that's also my job!

Posted: September 21, 2017

Posted: September 21, 2017

Posted: September 21, 2017

Posted: September 21, 2017

Posted: September 21, 2017

Posted: September 21, 2017

Posted: August 2, 2017

Worse school ever! Do NOT move into this school zone, if you can avoid it. If you have no other choice, homeschool, request a zone waiver, send your kids to private school.

Posted: August 2, 2017

Posted: August 2, 2017

Most of the teachers were bullies. Telling kids to put their book, pencil, etc. down or you will throw it out of the window IS bullying! Telling kids to SHUT UP is not polite or well mannered, so how can you expect these kids to be polite and well mannered in return. Respect begets respect.

Posted: August 2, 2017

This school destroys character, while making these children scared and fearful of the teachers and administration. There is no respect from facilty, and definitely none from most students. Unfortunately, respecting others personal space and belongings is not taught at home or school for most students. As my kids were bullied, had belongings stolen and dealt with mean, foul-mouthed students. Compassion? None of that existed, except in the Assistant Principal...who retired.
Integrity can not exist when there is none of the above!

Posted: August 2, 2017

Posted: August 2, 2017

Posted: October 1, 2015

Posted: October 1, 2015

Posted: October 1, 2015

Posted: April 15, 2015

I am a parent of an elementary student and would never send my child to a school that would serve inedible lunches to my child as shown in the news. The picture on the news is a disgrace to America, and shows the low/no attention to detail, concern for health, concern for the well being, and protection this school has for it's children. The old fish, hard roll and brown dried corn is NOT a suitable lunch for children to eat. The excuse given was that there were other choices (cold) and poor lighting. What a pathetic excuse for a human being to say this!! These are children elementary children and some of them 5-6 years old. How disgusting this staff is at this school. I hope the people in charge are immediately dismissed!

Posted: April 30, 2014

My child is recently new to James Hurst elementary. I have yet to have a bad experience with any of the faculty as of yet. Her teacher is aware of certain problems she's having and she along with after school tutoring is really helping her be prepared as possible for the SOL testing coming up. I believe that being a helpful parent and being involved in your child's schooling will make for a great partnership.

Posted: April 29, 2014

James Hurst is a horrible school. The administrators don't care at all about the students! The teachers are miserable which makes the kids miserable. They come home all wound up because they have been sitting in a classroom for 6 hours with no outside time or PE. Children need to get exercise and be allowed to play. The teachers and principal talk horrible to the kids and then wonder why they have behavioral problems. Communication with parents is awful. THE woes school by far!

Posted: April 27, 2014

My 11 year old little girl and my 10 year old son now both attend James Hurst Elementary since April 2,2014. We moved from Suffolk and they were bullied, harassed and extremely lonely. Not only was the staff more than kind and very efficient, within days my children were at peace and happy again.

Posted: October 22, 2013

For those children that continously misbehave, are the teachers communicating with the parents? Are the parents just not responding? Maybe in some cases, but I strongly believe that the teachers aren't communicating with the parents in an effective manner. My experience with this school was that the teachers rarely wanted to communicate. I felt that I was bothering them when I tried to convey my expectations. I had concerns that my son was not grasping the material, my response from the teacher "I don't have time to sit and cater to those that don't get the material. (as she was shaking her head at me) and uh I think he ADHD." This is exactly how she said it to me. This was a highly inappropriate response from a person that is supposed to be professional. Another teacher told me that my son was writing bad to make her angry. Is that a sane thing to say to a parent? Clinically, I would say that she has some issues and needs to speak to someone immediately about possibly getting on some medication. Everything about this school is appalling. The clientele, the teachers, administration. Just bad. Run away if you are thinking of moving to the area. Run fast or homeschool!

Posted: October 21, 2013

Ok see all the bad reports everyone puts up. Now let's get to where the problem start home. Teach your children respect they will most often get it in return, portsmouth and many other cities have the same problem, at what point did parents put all there faith that school was going to raise and teach there child(s) what they need to learn for there future, how to act,right from wrong ect. That parents decided to bring into this world wake up. As a parent one 30,27,24,17,13 and last but not least 6, It's my job to make sure they do learn at home as well as school and behave.so let's see if teachers and all at the school level just had to teach all would be good now right. Takes some responsibility for your children. Has to start somewhere how about home.

Posted: January 16, 2013

This is the worst school ever. Some of the teachers are bullies and liars and they feel like they can say and do whatever they want without consequences. They are disrespectful to parents and the principal is just as bad. She personally told me that she doesn't get paid enough to deal with drama. What are you a principal for? Hate is a very strong word but I HATE this school. The school board needs to do a clean up around that school. Some of the teachers and principal needs to be replaced. I wish I could give this school no stars!!!!

Posted: June 4, 2012

This school is a joke. The teachers there think they can do what ever they want to the students, and get away with it (ie. grabbing, and yelling)... but sadly this is not the case. They will eventually have to pay for their misconduct. I'm taking my child out of there A.S.A.P.. If you are moving to this area, please think twice before enrolling your child in this school. Parents beware. I would rate this school a negatve 0, but I have to rate it at least one start.

Posted: March 12, 2012

My child continues to be assaulted either at this school or on the bus. When a parent tries to bring it to their attention it is simply brushed off. Short of going back to school myself, what do I have to do to make sure my child is safe. Some parents should raise their children better and this sschool really needs to get the safety of students under control. This kind of stuff is what the 5:00pm news is made of. We need to protect our children from bullys and ignorant staff.

Posted: February 15, 2012

In the 100+ days that school has been in session my daughter has been without soy milk a total 6 weeks. It's a medical requirement due to an allergy yet the cafeteria ladies keep giving excuses why they don't have it. Plus my daughter as well as several other children have been assaulted by a male student in their class - Kindergarten - and the principal is doing nothing more then keeping the student in the office. What does a parent have to do to keep his/her child safe in the school? Even the board of education doesn't seem concerned with this, if this is how the schools are run then maybe it's time for a change! I question the principals abilities to run the school and keep our children safe. I've also heard some disturbing things about how the principal feels about extra curricular activities, not to mention the lack of a PTA and the inability to get one formed even though we have people willing to hold each position.