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Hardy Elementary School

Smithfield, VA 23430

Phone: (757) 357-3204
District: Isle Of Wight County Public Schools

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GreatSchools Rating

public • Grades PK,KG,1,2,3,4 • 649 students

Hardy Elementary School, a public school located in Smithfield, VA, serves grades PK-4 in the Isle Of Wight County Public Schools.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 6 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.

Hardy Elementary School is a public school located in Smithfield, VA. 649 students attend Hardy Elementary School.

School Ratings

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	6/10	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 Virginia Standards of Learning data from Virginia Department of Education, and using 2025 Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course data from Virginia Department of Education.
Student Growth	6/10	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 2025 Student growth data from Virginia Department of Education.

Posted: August 15, 2025

Hardy Elementary School is not a safe place for special education students or their families. The principal is a bully who pushes around staff and parents and threatens anyone who speaks out against her. She is a mean, vindictive person. Teachers will lie about your childs success in the classroom so they do not have to face her wrath when their performance justifies the students need for an IEP. The abuse and mistreatment of special education students is horrific.

Posted: August 11, 2025

As a member of the community for over 20 years, a SHS graduate and 3 children in this school system from high school to 3rd grade. We have had the worst experience with T. Gilchrist and S. Denson. Both are unprofessional and do not care for the needs of ALL children. Document every phone with a follow up email.

Posted: June 8, 2025

I had a great experience with the teachers and staff. The Special Education Committee was very helpful in ensuring that my child received the services needed for a healthy learning environment. This suggestion made a world of difference in my child's educational development. I have noticed a significant improvement since these services began. The principals were also helpful and supportive throughout the process. Thank you again, Hardy Elementary School!

Posted: May 22, 2025

Both of my children have attended Hardy Elementary, and I couldnt be more pleased with our experience. Over the years, weve had nothing but positive interactions with the entire stafffrom the dedicated teachers to the supportive office staff and caring administrators. Everyone at Hardy goes above and beyond to create a welcoming, nurturing, and effective learning environment. Communication has always been clear and consistent, and Ive never encountered a single issue. Its evident that the staff genuinely cares about the students success and well-being. Im so grateful for the foundation this school has provided for my kids. Highly recommend!

Posted: May 21, 2025

Hardy Elementary is an exceptional school! I have nothing but praise for the dedicated teachers and staff. The administrators are attentive, compassionate, and truly responsive to our childrens needs. The PTA is incredibly active, organizing a variety of events and consistently advocating for our students. The office staff are warm, welcoming, and always go above and beyond to make everyone feel at home. Were so grateful to be part of such a caring and supportive school community.

Posted: April 23, 2024

This administration at this school is a joke. The principal does not communicate with parents and when she has to you can hear and see her annoyance. My child is special needs and every chance Denson can she will suspend my child for their behavior issues but has allowed teachers and children alike to get by Scott free for bullying and/or harming my child. She has done nothing but make excuses or plain out ignore us. My child does not like school anymore and gets frustrated quite easily. My child has also been forgotten a couple times when it comes to putting them on their bus in the afternoon. They have staff that will not even read my child's IEP which clearly says do not put your hands on them, it's a trigger of my child's. Not all the staff are bad individuals, they have some great ones but it's time to start at the top by replacing Denson with someone who actually cares about "ALL" the children in their care.

Posted: September 28, 2023

I have grown disappointed in this school. It comes off as if they dont trust the parents. I feel the parent/school relationship is terrible. I dont think Denson and Summit are right for this school. They make it very hard on the parents if your child is sick. If you dont send your child to school that day you have the pressure on you to make a doctors appointment. That can be stressful to do every time. When I was in school all my mom had to do was call or send in an excuse note. She only needed a doctors note if I was very sick and going to be out for a couple days. Last year my oldest was bullied and it was very difficult sending her to school. She begged me to homeschool her. She wanted me to come visit her class. I feel the school is unfriendly to allow such a thing. Yes, they have events you can volunteer but to actually visit a class and observe is not welcome. This put me in an uncomfortable place and I had anxiety every day sending my oldest to school. So far this year things seem to be going better.

Posted: May 17, 2023

This elementary school is horrible. It's been a horrible two years at this school. I'm pulling my kids out after this year and either home schooling or getting an exemption for another district. Teachers are rude and don't even seem to teach. The art teacher is a piece of work and can't even bother to say a half decent thing to you even during open house or school events. My kids say their teachers sit on their personal during class half the time and have them do busy work. There is no homework except reading and online games that don't count for anything grade wise. Students whose parents are teachers get special treatment. Emails and phone calls are ignored and staff doesn't even follow their own protocol.

Posted: October 27, 2022

I had high hopes for this school based off what other parents/my childs preschool told me. Wrong. Driveway? Potholes that havent been filled in years. Staff? Rude. They wont say their names, let alone let you get a word in if you have a concern. Ive been approached by staff who had nothing but rude things to say (park across the street and WALK across Old Stage? Yeah, they said that). The front staff other than one woman is rude, and acts as though you are bothering them by existing. My daughter is withdrawn when she comes home and angry. Changing her schools, and I hope this place gets a major rework with staff. - also, homework is a mere 30 minutes of reading. Nothing else.

Posted: May 20, 2022

This school is HORRIBLE. The principal does not care about these students. She doesnt listen to the students when they are having issues with another student. Totally belittles the children. No interaction with the parents AT ALL. She needs to go and Mrs. DeWees should be the principal.

Posted: May 4, 2019

Hardy may be old and not look like much from the outside, but the professionals in this school are dedicated, team players and offer excellent educational and personal opportunities for student achievement and growth.

Posted: May 4, 2019

Posted: March 29, 2019

Bullying is rampant and goes without punishment. Children fight in bathrooms, hallways, and physical assaults and threats go unpunished in school, on the bus, and even if your child is at the bus stop.

Posted: March 29, 2019

Previous principal did a much better job than Ms. Denson. School has gone down hill dramatically since she came.

Posted: March 29, 2019

Computerized testing for all children unless you have an IEP or 504 plan. Some children do not do well with computer tests or iPad tests, but no accommodations or option to opt out for pencil and paper.

Posted: March 29, 2019

Bullying is rampant and goes without punishment. Children fight in bathrooms, hallways, and physical assaults and threats go unpunished in school, on the bus, and even if your child is at the bus stop.

Posted: March 29, 2019

Terrible. Used to love this school division and school. No more.

Posted: March 29, 2019

There is no homework. Only 20 minutes of reading a night.

Posted: June 19, 2015

I have to admit, I was really worried about sending my kids here. We are a military family and moved here right before the school year last year. My oldest was in a brand new, updated school and we loved it. Then we came here. My first impression was horrible. At first glance the school looks extremely old and run down. It also gets extremely hot inside. However, the teachers my kids had this year were amazing! My 2nd grader is reading well beyond her grade level, when she started the year she was a little under grade level. My 1st grader is at grade level now too. This school really encourages reading and the kids work really hard to be able to go to the reading carnival at the end of the year. I would definitely recommend that anyone who is checking out this school to meet some of the amazing people working here before jumping to conclusions like I did!

Posted: February 5, 2013

My child's teacher is great and that is the only nice thing I can say about this school. The principal is awful and they don't want parents involved at school at all!

Reviews provided by GreatSchools^™

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Eagle Harbor	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Carrollton	VA	6.6 mi
2	Shore Park	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Newport News	VA	8 mi
3	Carriage Hills	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Newport News	VA	9.1 mi
4	Stoneybrook Estates	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Newport News	VA	9.8 mi
5	Courtney Trace	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Newport News	VA	10.4 mi
6	Brick Kiln	Apartment Complex	Newport News	VA	11 mi
7	Morgan's Trace	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Newport News	VA	11.6 mi
8	Tabb Lakes	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Yorktown	VA	11.9 mi
9	Denbigh	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Newport News	VA	12.2 mi
10	Riverfront at Harbour View	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Suffolk	VA	13.7 mi
11	Steeplechase	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Suffolk	VA	14.6 mi
12	Burbage Grant	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Suffolk	VA	15.1 mi
13	Residences at Hampton Roads Crossing	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Suffolk	VA	15.2 mi
14	Long Point	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Portsmouth	VA	15.6 mi
15	Merrimac Landing	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Chesapeake	VA	15.6 mi
16	Kingsmill	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Williamsburg	VA	15.7 mi
17	Wellington	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Chesapeake	VA	15.9 mi
18	Regency Estates	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Suffolk	VA	17.2 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Smithfield	Smithfield	VA	2.1 mi
2	Carrollton	Carrollton	VA	6.2 mi
3	Fort Eustis	Newport News	VA	10.1 mi
4	Tabb	Tabb	VA	12.2 mi
5	Harbour View Area	Suffolk	VA	13.6 mi
6	Yorktown Beach	Yorktown	VA	16.9 mi
7	Poquoson	Poquoson	VA	17.5 mi

Base	Distance
Fort Eustis	10.6 mi.
Joint Staff J7 Suffolk	14.6 mi.
Langley AFB	15.3 mi.
Coast Guard Yorktown	16.5 mi.
Yorktown Naval Weapons Station	17.4 mi.
Coast Guard Portsmouth VA	17.5 mi.
Fort Monroe	17.8 mi.
Norfolk Naval Base	19.7 mi.
Portsmouth Naval Medical Center	21.3 mi.
Norfolk Naval Shipyard	22.9 mi.
Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base	27.4 mi.
Fort Story	35.2 mi.
Oceana NAS	36.1 mi.
Coast Guard Station Milford Haven	37.3 mi.
NSA Northwest Annex	37.3 mi.
Dam Neck Naval Station	40.4 mi.
Fort Lee	41.6 mi.

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Hardy Elementary School

Smithfield, VA 23430

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