Heards Ferry Elementary School

6151 Powers Ferry Rd

School District

Fulton County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Fulton County School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 16, 2024

Have two kids at Heards Ferry and have been very pleased. Gave it a shot rather than private school and it’s far exceeded all expectations.
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2020

There are better schools with admin that believes in equity for all students regardless of socio-economics and race
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2020

Like a private-school without the cost. Unlike some of the private schools in the area, the kids are continually tested and can be advanced in math and reading above grade level. There’s also the TAG program which identifies exceptional students and provides additional academic experiences. What’s best about this school is the culture and environment (most parents are truly invested in their child’s education and involved). Yes, this is an upper-middle class to wealthy subset of parents who are mostly well educated (lots of Tesla’s in the carpool line), so not much racial or socioeconomic diversity and the hallways look a little homogeneous. But somehow the school still feels comfortable and you definitely get that sense of community. Overall, an A+ grade in my book.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2018

The school has great facilities (recently built) and a great parent community (generally well educated, affluent Sandy Springs parents who care a lot about their kids' education), so it has the potential to be great. However, I have been very disappointed in the spotty quality of certain teachers. The school is transitioning and for it to be great, they need to find teachers at the level of the facilities, parents and kids. A few have been fabulous, but if your child is stuck with a bad situation it is a nightmare. One recent class had a teacher that went on maternity leave at the beginning of the year (couldn't help that) but never came back, abandoned the kids, so the kids never had a full time teacher all year, just substitutes. There are some teachers with serious relationship issues w/ the kids and uninspired teaching (teaching for tests), which parents hear about from gossip from previous years and nothing has been done about those personnel. It is depressing to hear about. This is not reflective of all the teachers at the school, but if it is your kid, it doesn't matter, it is a nightmare and you wonder what your kid is missing out on. The school needs to learn to take action with the kids interest in mind first and foremost, not let stuff linger. It will not be in the league of the other top schools in Atlanta until it cleans up these situations..
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2018

Awesome school! We moved into this school district based on the rave reviews from friends and we love it! The building is brand new, both teachers and other parents seem enthusiastic and happy. All the students seem like good kids from good families, very warm and welcoming. Academics also seem great, accelerating children in math and reading above grade-level if they have the aptitude. Feels like a great close-knit neighborhood school!
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2018

I moved specifically for this school. Our children are thriving, my son is in "TAG" (talented and gifted), and the PTA is unparalleled. I am looking forward to my youngest daughter leaving her private school for Pre-K at Heards Ferry next year!
Submitted by other on March 31, 2018

Love the teachers and staff! But the families seem to be what makes this school strong. Parents are very engaged in the classroom, volunteer opportunities are eagerly and quickly filled-up, everyone including teachers and administrators are so enthusiastic about education, I couldn’t be happier about the experience my children have had so far at Heards Ferry!
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2017

Wonderful teachers, fantastic new building, strong parent-teacher organization!
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2017

We have two kids at Heards Ferry and have been very pleased so far. Parents are actively involved and teachers are dedicated. The only negative has been the lack of diversity, however the school is committed to becoming an IB program and the curriculum reflects international studies.
Submitted by other on March 03, 2017

Teachers are mean and incompetent alot of turnover here ... very rude staff Esp the new VP she needs an attitude adjustment . The curriculum is taught in a very robot type way . Send your kids to the private school around the corner if you can .
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2017

My child has been going to this school for three years and has had bad teachers for two of the three years. Those two particular teachers were angry, unmotivated, seemed like they hate(d) their jobs, did the bare minimum to meet paperwork requirements, and do/did not care about the students. Yes, the facility is new and pretty and the student body is made up of children from upper income families, so it is generally safe.
Submitted by parent on July 15, 2016

Student engagement is paramount at HFE. Teachers & staff go out of their way to work together towards kids' success.
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2016

Just added amazing new facilities and great teachers. Loved our experience at Heards Ferry elementary.
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2015

English is not our first language, while after the teacher's patience and help from the classmates, my son is able to make big progress and enjoy the school life within several months. It is amazing!
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2015

We moved from an elementary school in the APS district to Heards Ferry and the difference is night and day. I couldn't ask for anything more in an elementary school.
Submitted by parent on March 24, 2014

In regards to the 11/5 post saying teacher should park at the high school, that's just not an option. Parking is serverly limited at the high school as is. They have more teachers, as well as more students who rely on their cars as their only way to get to school.
Submitted by parent on July 02, 2013

My son just finished his first grade year here. We came from a private school for Pre-K and K, and had high expectations. HFE exceeding these expectations! Smaller class size, attentive teachers and wonderful art, and music program. Parents are very involved and it feels very much like an independent school. We are looking forward to another great year.
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2012

Excellent teaching staff and therapists. I have a speical needs child and the services (educational and speech) have been top notch. My child loves school and is excelling despite his delays. Thank you HF.
Submitted by parent on July 23, 2012

My son switched to Heards Ferry in third grade last year and the experience has been great. The families are involved and his friends are good students and enjoy learning. He looks forward to reading every right and is exceeding standards in all areas.The culture supports him being a good student and me an involved parent. Only complaint is the $125.00 PTA fee. That is excessive and I didn't even get a car sticker to show my school support!
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2012

Heards Ferry classes are not over crowded, in fact, they are well below the county class maximum sizes, and if one does get on the larger side, a student teacher is immediately brought in. The building is old, and the voters of fulton county voted last summer to build a new school, which we will have in the next two-three years. I cannot say that every single teacher at HFE is perfect, though I have been incredibly pleased each year we have been here. I also know a lot about the area's private schools and have numerous friends with nightmarish teacher experiences (my own experience with one of my children at our past private school drove us to try HFE, and I am so, so happy we did! This is a small, neighborhood school where each child matters, each one counts. But the peer group that each of my children has found has been the best possible aspect of picking this school. Their friends are good, the families are great, lots of involved parents, tons of fun extracurriculars--I love how this environment is positively shaping my children -- wouldn't write it if it wasn't true!!!