Hugh Mercer Elementary School

Posted: August 27, 2026

School Experience Review


I attended this school as a child, and unfortunately, I was not happy with my experience then. Now that my first child attends the same school, I have unfortunately experienced many of the same frustrations, and in some cases, even more concerning issues.
When I attended the school, I felt that I was treated unfairly because of my background. I was placed in ESL despite not speaking Spanish, which was completely inappropriate for my situation. Years later, I experienced something very similar with my own child. The school attempted to place my child in ESL and claimed that I had signed a form stating that she only spoke Spanish. When I asked them to review the form again, they realized they were mistaken. What was especially frustrating was that there was no apology or meaningful acknowledgment of the error.

Communication with the school has also been extremely difficult. The school strongly encourages parents to use the parent portal, but I have repeatedly had trouble accessing it. I have gone directly to the school and spoken with teachers and staff for assistance, yet no one seems to know how to help resolve the issue. I have also specifically asked to be contacted by phone or email regarding my child, but nothing ever came from those requests. When I eventually tried reaching out to teachers directly using my personal email, I still did not receive responses.

Even when trying to get basic information or assistance, it often feels like no one knows what is going on. This includes trying to get answers from transportation and other school-related departments. Instead of receiving clear guidance, parents can be met with dismissive or defensive attitudes, including being spoken over when simply trying to ask questions and understand how to keep their children safe and supported.

Overall, my concern is not about expecting perfection. It is about expecting basic communication, accountability, respect, and appropriate support for children and their families. Having attended this school myself and now having my own child attend, it is extremely disappointing to see many of the same issues continue. Parents should not have to repeatedly fight to be heard, correct inaccurate information about their children, or navigate multiple departments just to receive basic answers and support.

Posted: August 27, 2026

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Posted: August 20, 2024

Children are absolutely not safe here. Not on the bus, recess, the classroom or bathrooms

Posted: August 20, 2024

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Posted: July 25, 2024

i was not happy when i went to this school, i always felt like i was being judged when i went here. other students often broke the rules and it was really boring.

Posted: July 25, 2024

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Posted: December 10, 2022

Great school and very nice and supportive teachers

Posted: December 10, 2022

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Posted: March 25, 2021

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Posted: March 25, 2021

We've been very happy with city schools. Our oldest just moved to LUES from HM. Hugh Mercer was a terrific school. She had absolutely fantastic teachers for K and 1st. 2nd was a drop off, but that's going to happen and it was a good learning opportunity. The administration has been responsive and supportive, and the community involvement is terrific. There's really seems to be a sense of family in the city. The students all progress vertically as there is only 1 lower elem (HM K-2), 1 upper elem (LUES 3-5), 1 middle school (WG) and 1 high school (JM).

We're paying for our youngest to attend private school for KG, but that is Covid related and not a reflection on our feelings about HM. I'm hopeful that city schools will operate on a more normal (read as not virtual) setting next year and we can re-enroll him.

Posted: May 19, 2019

The principal is very involved with an open door policy and more.

Posted: May 19, 2019

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Posted: May 19, 2019

My Kindergarteners receives his homework packet on Monday and has until Friday to complete it. It is nice practice and a good introduction to having the responsibility of doing homework down the road.

Posted: May 19, 2019

We have only had one teacher and she a kindergarten teacher. We are very happy with her.

Posted: May 19, 2019

The is an IB school which teaches the children all sorts of ways to better themselves as a person.

Posted: May 19, 2019

I am very happy with this school overall. The teachers are very supportive and attentive. I have great communication with our teacher and principle.

Posted: May 27, 2018

Mrs. T is so engaged. The students know her, and she shows up to special programs and events. She expresses gratitude to the parents and the hard work of the teachers. She also has a weekly phone message which goes out on Sundays that recaps recent activities, upcoming activities and allows parents to get to know her as a human, not just someone in a position of power.

Posted: May 27, 2018

I cannot speak to how they address problems in learning, but they have done a great job encouraging and challenging my above average student beyond kindergarten content.

Posted: May 27, 2018

I.B. schools actively address issues in bullying, and I have heard my child talk about the content they cover at school, but I have not had any personal experience with an actual bully.

Posted: May 27, 2018

My daughter is in Kindergarten, and she is reading at a 2nd grade level. As a parent of a smart child, it is always a concern that because she is at the end of the bell curve her needs would not be met. However, her teacher has gone out of her way to challenge my child both academically and socially. The school is an International Baccalaureate candidate school, and while I have seen some horrible reviews from about 8 years ago, I think the work they have done to become an IB school has had a huge impact on the quality of education the students are getting.

Posted: May 27, 2018

If you know about the International Baccalaureate values, you know that there is a huge emphasis on building character and relationships.

Posted: May 27, 2018

Every parent has a different set of values, but what I love most about H.M. is that they recognize diversity as being a strength, rather than an excuse for sub-par performance. Demographically there are a wide range of incomes, races and ethnicities. I encourage anyone considering this school to go and look at the International Baccalaureate school program criteria. The opportunity for your child to receive this type of education starting in KINDERGARTEN, is invaluable. In my opinion, your child will "learn how to learn," and will value differences, human connection and critical thinking.

Posted: June 11, 2017

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Posted: June 11, 2017

My daughter has an IEP for behavior issues and anxity. She was classified autistic. Instead of avoiding her triggers the teacher only made them worse by contacting to push her after she was already upset.

Posted: June 11, 2017

Posted: June 11, 2017

In the beginning I liked it. After my daughter who has emotional problems was given an IEP Things got worse. It seemed like every week she was in icc. In school suspension. My daughter was classified as autistic by the school. She has severe anxiety when she is overwhelmed and will lash out. The teacher kept pushing her when she was already upset and it only mad it worse. The principal was constantly telling her she need to straighten up and do better. She lacks the ability to control her emotions but it didn't seem like the principle cared.

Posted: February 6, 2017

The teachers are wonderful here at Hugh Mercer...they do their best to juggle a huge amount of students with an incredibly broad spectrum of capabilities. I was warned by another parent in the area that I would have to really be an advocate for my child's education in such a big school district and the warning was right. The school does however seem to really take into account concerns of parents.

Posted: February 5, 2017

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Posted: May 18, 2016

Hugh Mercer is an excellent elementary school led by one of the best principals in the region, Marjorie Tankersley. The student population is diverse from a socio-economic standpoint, and the staff does an excellent job in meeting that challenge. Class sizes are small compared to other regional school districts, and the teachers are engaged and do their best to go beyond teaching to the SOL tests. (The state needs to find a better way to measure progress.) We chose to pay tuition to send our children to the city schools for several years before moving into the city.

Posted: June 2, 2015

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Posted: June 2, 2015

Hugh Mercer is an excellent elementary school. I went there when I was a child and I think it has gotten even better from what I have seen. My son is just wrapping up his 1st grade year. He went to Kindergarten at a private school and when we moved back into the area, we enrolled him at HMES for first grade. All I can say is WOW. He was unable to read or do much math as the private school he attended still viewed Kindergarten as a time for socialization and not academics. His teacher, along with other staff members who run programs within the school, had him caught up to grade level within 2.5 months. That says a lot. His teacher took time out of her busy schedule to work with him three mornings a week before school started. The teachers at this school are committed and want the children to succeed. My son has had an incredible year. Looking forward to see what 2nd grade brings.

Posted: March 31, 2014

Hugh Mercer is a good school. My child is in second grade, so this is our third year here. It is a big school population-wise- 900 children in three grades. think the administration does a good job of maintaining an organized learning environment. My child's first grade teacher was EXCELLENT! and her second grade teacher is awesome too. I am amazed at the material she is learning and the way they are presenting difficult concepts. Yes, there is too much testing, but I think that is just the way of the world at public schools these days. I have been VERY PLEASED with the teacher- student ratio. My daughter has 18 children in her class this year with an aide half of the day. They offer after school clubs in STEM and Chess among other things. Art teacher is creative. Music performances are always well done. PE teachers get kids excited about fitness. No school is perfect for every kid all of the time. If that is what you are trying to find...good luck. From my experience Hugh Mercer has been a positive, friendly, academic learning environment for my child. I have two more kids heading to school in the next few years and I am looking forward to sending them to HMES.

Posted: February 17, 2014

This school is great! And to clarify comments about the NR rating these are based on State Standardized testing which doesn't start until the 3rd grade and HMES is only K-2nd. The City of Fredericksburg Public Schools are only one of 39 school divisions in the state of Virginia that has all of the schools fully accredited from K-12th! See for yourself before you judge. Meet the teachers, tour the schools. Make your own decisions.

Posted: January 29, 2014

Hugh Mercer Elementary School. I loved my child's first and second grade teacher! Excellent in understanding his needs and discussing what should be done next. Great ADVOCATES for my child. Front office staff is rude and disrespectful. I have been told to take my conversation to the hallway, I am distracting. Well, who are you? Administrative staff is okay, but I don't like the disciplinarian. You can't threaten a child to be good and that's what they do with her.

Posted: August 16, 2013

If you're thinking of moving to the City of Fredericksburg, don't, unless private school is an option. This school is absolutely horrible, especially the principal Mrs. Tankersley. The school is over populated and they are just going to keep building mobile trailers instead of a new school. I've also noticed that if you have the "right" last name you will get the best teachers. No one is friendly in the main office. It almost feels it's an inconvenience to be at the school. Poor management, plain and simple!

Posted: July 28, 2013

I LOVE Hugh Mercer! My 3 children have all gone their (my youngest is still there going into first) We have had our children taught by 7 different teachers so far and they have all been FABULOUS! Our 2 older children scoured in the highest levels of the SOL''s when they got to 3rd grade, they loved their teachers, they went above and beyond to help my children whenever they needed it, I volunteered in their rooms at different points and was always happy to see the different activities they were doing, lots of hands on activities and positive reinforcement. Its a great school, my children have received a great education, learned a lot about character and being a good citizen and have had so many amazing activities and family nights. I could go on and on! please don't be swayed by other negative reviews, our children have been there over the past 6 years in total, and will be there for 2 more. Its been great and even when our middle son had some behavioral issues, I was so embarrassed and they were so kind and helpful, he pulled out of it with in 2 months because of their constant encouragement. Mrs. Tankersly the Principal is amazing, and available. Hugh Mercer is a great school!

Posted: July 7, 2013

This school is absolutely horrible. The curriculum is less than mediocre, there is no one on one or special attention to children's individual needs, nor the chance of exploring different learning styles for needs of the children. I feel that aside from a select few, the staff is incompetent to do their job as a teacher/supervisory role. My son went there from kindergarten through second and I moved specifically so that he could have a chance at a better education and my youngest who is going into kindergarten this upcoming year wouldn't have to experience this poor excuse for a teaching facility. As of a couple of months ago they had a score on this site of a 3 out of 10... now they aren't even rated. They shouldn't be allowed to teach because the children aren't even getting a quality education when they fail this epically. Very disappointed with the school overall and the efforts made by the babysitters there, they certainly aren't worthy of being called teachers.

Posted: May 2, 2013

I think this school is great. My oldest son went to the school and enjoyed every minute, he has moved on to another school. I currently have 2 children enrolled and they love their teachers. The staff is caring and positive. The classrooms are lively and encourage learning through fun activities. Great PTA events, Great field trips, Great communication. Teachers have telephones in the classroom and you can contact them anytime. They usually respond right away via phone or email. The school is clean and the playgrounds are nice. The classrooms have a couple of computers for interactive learning. The students are held to a high standard and are expected to show respect for their surroundings and their peers. I absolutely love this school, it is a pity we will be moving this summer, wish I could take this school with me. Perhaps the student/ teacher ratio is tad high, however the teachers show genuine care for the students. I never write reviews but I had to express what a wonderful experience my family has had there.

Posted: March 20, 2013

I love this school.Great teachers and staff.I wish the SOL would go away and they had more time for Art.Over all the school is excellent.

Posted: March 19, 2013

My son in in Kindergarden and although I do not agree with SOL testing I can say that the teachers are very attentative as well as the staff.

Posted: March 4, 2013

Excellent elementary school. We toured several of the local options for Kindergarten and were most impressed with Hugh Mercer. We are glad we enrolled our child here for Kindergarten as his teacher has always been attentive and caring. We are very satisfied with the progress our child has made. Several of the Kindergarten classes have newer interactive teaching equipment which began this year. The children are well-behaved and very disciplined. We have been very pleased with the level of education and the attention to detail. Everyone else in our neighborhood who sends their children to Hugh Mercer is also very happy with the quality of education. Rather than making a decision just based on online reviews, visit the school yourself and you will be equally impressed.

Posted: September 8, 2011

we just transferred 2 of our daughters from Conway Ele. And our experience with the admissions staff was less than pleasant...almost like we were bothering them...plus...they refused to let us walk our girls to their 1st day off class...nor give us their teachers names..and refused to give us any email contacts...we felt VERY apprehensive even leaving our children in their care and we are certainly looking at other options.

Posted: February 21, 2011

This school has great teachers and a great administration. However, it is an inner-city school! My son went to Kindergarten there, and I would never send him back despite the fact that he had a wonderful teacher. All the kids are behind, and the parents just don't care. It is a typical Title 1 school that gets lots of funding and for families who don't appreciate any of it. I think my son was the only one who ever paid full price for lunch, too. PLEASE do your research. This school looks great on paper, but you don't want your child to come home from Kindergarten asking questions about why so-and-so's mom/dad stabbed their boyfriend/girlfriend. True story. :(

Posted: June 17, 2010

Huge disappointment. I've heard and read lovely things about this school, I wish had good things to say as well. But I don't. My daughter's kindergarten year has been one big disaster. She was given candy daily, no comments on the report cards or interim reports, she was sent home on the bus when she was supposed to stay for an after-school event, she was told she couldn't move the front of the class when she was having trouble seeing, they were told to "run wild" at field day, the list goes on and on. But to top it off, the class was told, (at an event where my husband was present) and I quote, "some kids need to learn from pier pressure and humiliation". I am appalled. Thank goodness the year is over. We will not be returning, and I will NEVER EVER recommend this school to anyone.

Posted: January 11, 2010