Fannie W. Fitzgerald Elementary School

Posted: May 8, 2025

I am both a parent of students that attend Fitzgerald and an employee for 3 years now. My children have loved Fitzgerald since they first started in August of 2022. They always come home excited to explain what they learned or the activities/ projects that were taught that day. My children love their teachers and their report/ progress report always reflects this. I am grateful for these individuals.

As an employee, I have never worked in an environment where the staff is not only very knowledgeable, but supportive and kind to one another. If an individual is unable to answer your question or concern, they will point you in the direction of someone who can. No question is a silly question. I appreciate this because I am just beginning my career in education. I do not plan on working at any other school. Also, there are plenty of Professional Development trainings where employees are able to continue learning more effective teaching strategies and resources to better support our students.

Administration is amazing. I believe that they support staff and students in the best and fairest way that they are able. We are a big school, so timely responses aren't always possible but the issue is always taken care of. Administration takes the mental capacity of students and staff seriously. They are supportive of mental health days and whatever else staff may need to ensure that we are at our best so that we can best instruct and support the students. Administration are always honest, direct and clear with their critique and intentions for the school year. I love Fitzgerald!

Posted: May 8, 2025

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Posted: February 14, 2024

We are from New Mexico originally so went through the elementary system there. But moved here from Las Vegas Nevada. I will say this my son attended here two years 4th and 5th. My daughter is still here and she still has another year. Some of their teachers have been great. Some just ok, lack communication, won’t email back, or will but days later. The school lacks culture diversity. I am sorry but there are so many children from different races and ethnicities that attend this school and it seems to be that one is just represented. This school also lacks community all around. My son goes to Rippon now and seeing the programs there, the parent engagement, the communication, the principal also communicates and is very diverse. This is what Fitzgerald is lacking. My question is why has nothing been done? It also lacks arts.. my daughter hates going to art because the art teacher never does his job. He then lies on the report card that he teachers certain things like 2D, 3D, or clay and she has done none of it. I don’t understand how this elementary has not been checked on and how it goes under the radar or how the principal is praised for being mediocre.

I guess I am used to the elementary schools in the southwest states being more culturally inclusive and having more parent involvement and community.

Posted: July 30, 2023

There are so many schools like this in this area. Not provide good education for kids assigned to go to this school "poor kids they have to go to this horrible school, just because they don't have any other option to choose/go." My question is if this schools are ranked lowest for multiple years, and not a great place for so many kids to learn and grow, why the county and state bords choose to do nothing. I felt like no one cares about our kids. Because, as long as they work for PWCPS they can transfer their kids to the school of their choice (This is one on the criteria to transfer student to another school out of the base school).

I hope all parent whose kids are assigned to this school would like the school changed. But the power to change is on the hand of PWCPS bord of supervisor. Please, instead of ignoring it with their chronic problem can anyone look those terribly below average archiver schools do something for the Seak of our poor kids assigned by the board to go those base schools.
Hope waiting to hear some good news toward this, by someone who cares about our kids.

Posted: July 30, 2023

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Posted: November 10, 2022

This year after COVID it has been very difficult to adapt to new administration, new teachers, and late buses. My student is trying to adapt to new teachers and is missing his old teachers like awesome art teacher Dr. Cherry and PE Mr. Long , Mr. Raines. My child tells me about his day and is not very excited about some of the encore classes like Art. He said we do not do art. Its not the same like before. I am wondering why. I hope that the new administration take better handle of what is going on. I know discipline is an issue And I hope that the administration hold parents accountable for their child actions. The front office are helpful but sometimes parents do not help by yelling at the ones that are trying to help. We all need to work together to help our school to make improvements and be better for the siblings that are coming into the school behind the ones that are there.

Posted: November 10, 2022

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Posted: November 3, 2022

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Posted: November 3, 2022

Very helpful school .

Both my kids go here and they are cooperative and keep us up to date to the progress of kids in class

Posted: November 3, 2022

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Posted: August 23, 2022

THIS SCHOOL SHOULD BE REPORTED! They lost my niece on her first week of school in Kindergarten. Not only that, they take no responsibility for it and constantly blame it on transportation. This is the fourth time in two days that her bus was late to pick her up. Monday, the first day of school the bus was late in the morning and again in the afternoon. Same thing on Tuesday, except this time when my niece’s bus came at 5, an hour after school ended, she was not on it! This school needs to take accountability!!!

Posted: August 23, 2022

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Posted: February 11, 2022

Me: How was your day today?
My daughter: Bad again.

This is our conversation starts every single day. This school has been very very unfair to her. She has been dealing with a terrible kid in her class. This distracts her in class, makes fun of her, calls her names, and YES hits her. One days my daughter explained she has a headache because he kept tapping her head. I've asked my daughter is she tells her teacher. She said she used to but not anymore because she always says "thanks for letting me know". I spoke to the teacher and while she acknowledged and acknowledged that the leadership is aware of the behavior from the other student, the most concerning part is that, she said, my daughter is smart enough to know that nothing will ever happen so she stopped complaining to me. How are the leaders aware of this since day 1 and not do anything to solve this problem. Just today my daughter told me while at lunch 2 kids were sliding a lunch tray to each other and after a few moments one of the kids decided to slide it over to my daughter, food and drinks falling on her. She started to cry and told the teacher what happen. Once again she got "thanks foretting me know, but [students name] told me already".

This is not the type of actions I expect from educators and leaders of the school. Calls and emails to the principal George are left unanswered. George has no idea how to lead a school.

As a parent it is heartbreaking to see their child struggle in school. My daughter has asked me many times if she can go back to virtual school. Ive asked my daughter to stay positive and remain calm. Hopefully things will change soon. At this point, I will be getting in contact with the district leadership and if nothing happens. I will be looking into transferring her to a private school or do home schooling.

It is very sad to see the leaders destroy this school.

Posted: February 11, 2022

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Posted: November 1, 2019

My kindergartener has daily reading assignment, also assignments on computer. Every month they have a theme with a hands-on project assigned to be completed with parents.

Posted: November 1, 2019

Highly effective! My son used to have speech delay. And after 2.5 months at this school, he is reciting several poems! Two days ago, he counted 1-100 without making a single mistake (he counted to 29 when he first started)! They also started cultivating critical thinking skills in kindergarten. My son recently had a “sink or float” class activity where he made the hypothesis first (several objects in water, salt water or water with vinegar), then experiment it and make observations. As a scientist, I just love it! They also did a pumpkin experiment last week. All the concepts are taught through hands-on activities. Learning and fun are merged seamlessly in the class. My son looks forward to go to school every day.

Posted: November 1, 2019

Since day one, they implemented class rules and were teaching what are good choices and what are bad choices. When my son has a minor issue with his friend last time, I asked why his friend hit him, he responded because he made bad choices!! I was totally expecting something like “he is a bad child “ or “he doesn’t like me” kind of answers. Every meeting has a Spanish translator. All take home sheets have Spanish versions attached. There’s a ESL teacher in the classroom for the extra support when needed. The speech therapist is fantastic.

Posted: November 1, 2019

The principal is very enthusiastic and has creative ideas for the school. Every class has a drone that the students can name. It’s great to have the children learn about robotics at a young age.

Posted: November 1, 2019

The daily learning assignments are catered to each child’s level. For example, you are assigned reading material according to your level at the time.

Posted: November 1, 2019

Haven’t experienced bullying. Can’t comment on this.

Posted: November 1, 2019

We originally wanted to sent our child to a private school but after touring this school, we wanted to give this school a chance (the building is beautiful, the teachers appear to be loving and professional). Best decision ever! Love the school!

Posted: June 14, 2019

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Posted: June 14, 2019

This is one of the worse elementary schools in Prince William County. The school board needs to intervene and do something to enhance the learning environment for the students.

Posted: December 26, 2018

They dont send anything for homework for second grade i asked so manytimes to get homework every night they said just read..... this is an acceptable i dont know what to work with my daughter. Im so worried about my daughter. Cant wait to get her in a better school.

Posted: December 26, 2018

They are not open to do better.

Posted: December 26, 2018

My daughter got bad on everything since she attempted this bad school.

Posted: December 26, 2018

Very disappointed and bad. Kids also so bad because school not doing their job right

Posted: June 2, 2017

My son has attended this school since Kindergarten and will be entering the 4th Grade here next year. I absolutely love it. The Teachers are great and there is a serious focus on education and a bully-free learning environment.

Posted: June 2, 2017

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Posted: March 26, 2017

The staff at this school cares a lot about the students. In response to the comment about the homework. PWCS has a policy on how much homework a teacher can send home nightly based on the grade your child is in.

Posted: March 26, 2017

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Teachers volunteer their time to work with students who are struggling before and after school.

Posted: March 26, 2017

The administration at this school work hard to support the teachers, students and parents at this school.

Posted: March 26, 2017

Posted: March 26, 2017

The teachers at this school work to support the students even volunteering their time before and after school to work with them.

Posted: March 26, 2017

This school is following the PWCS homework policy.

Posted: March 9, 2017

They have a great assistant principal, and I highly disagree about the other comments about bad communication.
Sadly, the lady who was named after this school died around April 2016.

Posted: January 8, 2017

This school really needs some work on the turnover rate with the staff, communication, and overall workflow. The school has potential. This used to be a really great school with a lot to offer the children. I would love to see it get back to that.

Posted: January 8, 2017

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Children have little to no homework to reinforce what they have learned during the day.

Posted: June 10, 2015

The community member who reported that the school has been investigated by the Department of Justice has been misinformed. Fitzgerald Elementary is one of several Prince William County Schools selected at random to ensure English Language Learners are receiving the services promised to them by the Department of Justice. These visits may occur in any Prince William County School. You can read more by visiting this link: http://pwcs.schoolfusion.us/modules/cms/pages.phtml?sessionid=&pageid=301611&sessionid=10f6e6b7cd5e5ae0d1a2853f8cba3fbb

Posted: June 10, 2015

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Posted: May 28, 2015

The principal undermines the teachers and once they move on to other schools she gives them bad references for no reason at all. The teacher attrition rate is laughable at best. The principal is more worried about regulations and saving her own skin rather than trusting her teachers and doing what is right for the school as a whole. There is no support from her to the staff and she doesn't know how to treat people with common courtesy or respect.

Posted: February 12, 2015

This school has a very high teacher attrition rate. School staff does not trust the principle. Most teachers simply move onto another school. School has been investigated (DOJ) several times. Staff motivation is dismal.

Posted: July 31, 2014

I have a daughter going to third grade. She has been going to Fitzgerald for two years. The school is relatively new as other reviewers mentioned but the teachers teach the students important skills such as reading, maths, analyzing , and critical thinking. I'm happy that the school doesn't spend to much time for standard test prep. My daughter reads & do maths problems well above her grade level (4/5 th grade). My advice to the parnt will be to supplement what the school teach your children like make sure they read everyday & sign the reading log. And also check Wednesday weekly packages which inform the parents about previous week class work. The bottomline is the school is not as bad as some reviwers put it. However, there is a room for improvment & parents need to do their part. I hope this will help parents to get the best out of the school & share their experience.

Posted: May 23, 2014

I have had boys attend kindergarten, 1st & 5th grade here. To be fair we moved in at the end of the year and I didn't get a good feel for the 5th grade here. Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers and I have weathered through together with my son. He is not the easiest kid in the world and the communication with the teachers has been wonderful! The principal is understanding but fair. This school is still very new and the past few years it has gotten much better! The rating may not show it but this school is at least an 8 in my book!

Posted: October 19, 2013

I have a child that attends this school, he just started his 4th grade year. According to my son some of the teachers are nice and others are mean, I will refrain from saying names but I'm sure any parent who has knowledge of the teachers will easily be able to figure it out. He has some trouble with organization (as I'm sure many 4th graders might) however, he gets bounced around from room to room during the day because they have put all students in ability leveled groups for different subjects (math and reading only as far as I know....which we were not told about or informed of; communication is a big problem). I don't know what happened to a teacher having a class and building and fostering relationships with the kids while teaching them. My son now gets tossed around from room to room for various subjects....no wonder the test scores are horrible and many students seem ill tempered or confused on a daily basis, they don't have a connection with a teacher nor do they have a place at the school (like their classroom) which they can call their own. It seems to me like the main focus has become SOLs and the kids are just being herded like cattle from room to room for test prep.

Posted: September 11, 2013

I have had years of experience with this school and the teachers, so I can honestly say that I felt that I was sending my kids to a safe environment to learn in. They have had some good teachers in K-3rd, not so much in 4-5th; but the fact that the school may not be providing students with a quality education doesn't hit you as a parent until your kids enter the upper grades. Then you begin to realize (as I did) that they may not be able to compete in middle-school and on--unless you get them some type of supplemental education. I've hired tutors and did nighttime-homeschooling with my kids just to keep them on track. On another note, I like the fact that the kids are required to play an instrument in the 3rd-5th grades; the office staff is friendly and the teachers in the lower grades have been very responsive to calls and emails, however that has not been my experience from the upper grades--as they expect your child to be more independent. As a result of the change in leadership (principals) I think the focus has become more on passing the SOLs instead of providing students with a well-rounded education to help them be able to pass any standardized test.

Posted: May 20, 2013

Underated School. Great Experience. My kids are getting a grate education here. Nice, new facilities and repsonive teachers and staff have made the elementry school experience a breeze.

Posted: April 26, 2013

my little sister goes to this school and she does not have a very good education i would not recommend this school. some of the teachers are nice and have good teaching skills others are not so great.