Halley Elementary School

Posted: March 21, 2025

We love Halley's principal, teachers, and the PTO. The school provides a sense of community and identity for my kids, who love going to school each day. No school is perfect but Halley does an incredible job with its diverse mix of kids. Don't let the ratings sway you away - talk to a Halley parent for real insight.

Posted: March 21, 2025

Posted: March 21, 2025

Posted: March 21, 2025

Posted: March 21, 2025

Posted: March 21, 2025

Posted: September 16, 2021

I am so impressed with this school and the dedication of the staff. It is a very diverse population, and teachers have more challenges than at other schools in affluent areas. But the dedication to learning shows. I’m appalled by parents talking about “the bad kids… bussed in from other areas” aka, not as privileged. Disgusting. If you want a school full of perfect snowflakes, pay for private school.
One of my children is on the spectrum and gets the best treatment here. Teachers and students alike are kind and accepting.

Posted: September 16, 2021

Posted: September 16, 2021

Posted: September 16, 2021

Posted: September 16, 2021

Posted: September 16, 2021

Posted: September 16, 2021

Posted: September 16, 2021

Posted: February 9, 2021

The bad kids in this school ruin the learning opportunity for the kids that want to learn, and more than half of the kids are bussed in from a good distance away. Truth hurts I know, Silverbrook is much better than Halley.

Posted: February 9, 2021

Posted: February 9, 2021

Posted: February 9, 2021

Posted: February 9, 2021

Posted: February 9, 2021

Posted: February 9, 2021

Posted: February 9, 2021

Posted: June 16, 2018

We have had a very positive experience at Halley. I do not believe this website's scores do the school justice. Halley has a very diverse population of students. There are a good number of students who are special needs/education (Halley is one of the few FCPS with a special needs pre-school) and who are ESOL. If you look at the VA state SOL scores, these are the population groups who most lag on SOL scores, especially in elementary school. The scores for these groups are not a reflection of the school, teachers, or even the students; but rather on the SOL's themselves. Halley has something for everyone, including a Level IV Advanced Academics program.

Posted: June 16, 2018

Posted: June 16, 2018

Posted: June 16, 2018

Posted: June 16, 2018

Posted: June 16, 2018

Halley has a special needs pre-school and has a strong program for helping children with special needs all the way through elementary school. Their work with Autism is especially noted. In addition they do a wonderful job working with children who are learning english as a second language.

Posted: June 16, 2018

Posted: March 4, 2018

Posted: March 4, 2018

The “no homework policy” does not work for certain subjects specifically math. It requires practice to reinforce the materials learned.

Posted: March 4, 2018

A lot of difference from teacher to teacher which makes a huge difference in student’s perception and liking of the subjects, more standardized processes should be introduced.

Posted: March 4, 2018

Posted: March 4, 2018

Posted: March 4, 2018

The AAP IV program allows kids to learn at a diff pace and I appreciate that the teachers place unofficial scored students into the advanced groups based on capability and not just a test result.

Posted: March 4, 2018

We’ve been at this school for 6 years and the diversity of student population is wonderful as it reflects the real world. Teacher turnover is worrying which affects the students as well.

Posted: April 21, 2017

Posted: April 21, 2017

Posted: April 21, 2017

Posted: April 21, 2017

Posted: April 21, 2017

Posted: April 21, 2017

Posted: April 21, 2017

We moved to the area during the school year and have been really impressed with Halley. Our boys are challenged but have all the support they need in the classroom and homework is very manageable. My boys teachers are responsive and classroom sizes are much smaller than many of the other schools. Overall we have had a great experience so far....

Posted: March 23, 2017

Posted: March 23, 2017

Posted: March 23, 2017

Posted: March 23, 2017

Not this year they haven't. I've heard about bullying from September til now.

Posted: March 23, 2017

My sons only homework has been a detailed project on Jamestown in December. And strings to practice

Posted: March 23, 2017

this is our first and last year at Halley. Due to the list I have I will just list the issues I have come across or encountered. Bullying for months, lack of control in the classroom, kids that have attitudes pulling their pants down to ahow their shirts underneath( this is elementary school, dress codes for a reason. The office and SACC administration is great. I have not been happy with the school, and I think that when a child is depressed about school this young, and prays that certain students don't come to school. Their is a problem. Should I mention that the school counselor never attended to a student in need even at the request of a parent. How about a child who has now been slated with a disability has been overlooked all year ( until February) and her teacher sits on the panel for determining ....

Posted: May 6, 2015

Halley is a wonderful school with a strong academic program, a dedicated staff, a strong PTO, a diverse population, and beautiful facility. The GS rating does not do justice to Halley. The principle is outstanding and the teachers are 1st rate. Unfortunately, standardized testing scores take a hit for a variety of reasons. which the principle is more than willing to discuss. Here's what great schools doesn't tell you: WHES Problem Solvers have competed at the international level for the last two years, the AAP program is strong, the principle is excellent at balancing the needs between disadvantaged and regular students so that no one is left behind or slowed down in their learning progress, every student has access to STEM class, parents are always welcome in the school and the teachers are superb at adapting to each student s needs and finding new ways to challenge and educate them. No matter what school you select in the end your ability to parent is going to be the biggest factor in your child's success. You will not regret having your child attend WHES.

Posted: June 18, 2014

The GreatSchools Rating does not correctly reflect the academic level of this school. This school has special education classes which tends to bring down the overall standard test scores but, general classes do very well.

Posted: November 25, 2013

I have a Kindergartner at Halley. His teacher, Ms. Cerami is amazing and the staffs have been very nice and helpful. My kid loves it there!

Posted: October 14, 2013

This is an amazing school, my two kids studied there and we are so happy that they belonged to this school. Teachers, staff and all the organization is so good, it has been a very good experience having our kids there.

Posted: May 30, 2013

Poor comminication from school, no attention from teachers. It's our second year and really disappointed so far. If you have that choice, consider going to one of AP schools in the area. The difference is huge in our experience.

Posted: January 16, 2013

We love this school. Our children have attended Halley for more than two years now and we really think highly of the teachers, staff and students. The school has a fantastic PTO, a strong curriculum, friendly staff and plenty of opportunities for advanced academic study. We feel very lucky to have our children at this school.

Posted: January 15, 2013

We moved here from Colorado Springs, I was disappointed with the school my kids attended there and it was rated a 7. What I have quickly learned is schools in this area are at a different level than the rest of the country. A 6 here has got to be a 9 back in CO. I love Halley! My daughter is being challenged and she has such an amazing third grade teacher that inspires her to be in the advanced classes. I have seen my daughter come home proud to be moved up into advanced math and Language Arts. I am impressed with how organized the school is and how parent friendly it is. My first grader loves school too and his teacher is very good. Very surprised this school rates a 6. I have yet to meet a parent unhappy with this school. They look at each child and place them accordingly. Whether they are advanced or not. Very happy.

Posted: April 23, 2012

This is school is wonderful and has extremely high school spirit especially when considering surrounding schools. The school rating is a bit skewed if you compare against nearby schools such as Silverbrook elemetary. Halley's ratings for Math are extremely high, more so that surrounding schools, yet Reading is somewhat lower. This is due to the higher diversity and children whom speak more than one language. It is an extremely well rounded school and am extremely happy with it.