Freedom Park Elementary School

345 42nd St Bldg 43400

School District

Richmond County
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Richmond 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 other on January 04, 2024

This school's education system is awful, students aren't properly dealt with. A teacher falsely got a multitude of students in trouble just because their computers were having issues booting up. The teachers do a awful job on fairly punishing certain students. And overall, the school-education wise, isn't great, but it is SOMETIMES fun. And teachers give us a bit to much homework on certain days.
Submitted by parent on November 16, 2023

This school is probably the only better choice out of all the schools in the area. I had a bad experience with most of the staff my kids interact with. There are a few nice teachers. We love Mrs. Hastings. Mrs. Burgees in the front office is also very welcoming and helpful. There is entirely too much homework. It makes you wonder what in the world was your child learning all day if they are still coming home with this much homework at the end of the day. I have went in to speak with the principle once an she was very understanding with my concern, however the next few times I wanted to speak with her she once blew me off and then the next times she was never present at the actual school. About the only thing I like about this school is the diversity, my kids have other kids that they have much in common with. They can relate when they travel often. I don’t have many good things to say other than that. Parents are not even allowed in the school. They have morning work that students required to complete but they want the kids in school before the bell rings to do it. So why is school not officially started until 7:25 but you want my kids in class by 6:50-7’oclock so they can start on morning work. I don’t like that. I would recommend Columbia County School District. It seems they are more considerate with parents and consistent with test results and do better overall academically.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2023

We have three children. All three had an amazing experience.
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2020

The school is poor. The administration makes very little effort to improve the school because they know the families are military families and they often don’t attend the school for very long.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2019

Worst school my children have ever attended. We have children in 1st, 3rd & 5th grade at this school and they will not be going back next year. Communication is terrible, the actual teaching that goes on is terrible and the little kids in this school don't even get a recess. They're kids! They need time outside! 5 thumbs down.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2018

Great! I would definitely recommend this school to anyone in the area.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2017

My daughter spent most of Kindergarten at Freedom Park. Mrs. Fickling, and Mrs. Dallas were amazing for her. She always had a smile on her face and was excited to go to school to see her teachers and friends. The front office is very responsive, up beat, helpful and friendly. We were sad to leave.
Submitted by teacher on December 15, 2014

Freedom Park has a new principal this year. She is very responsive to parents and children's needs. The teachers are excellent overall and the supportive staff is good as well. I have been assigned to many schools all over the county over the years and can say confidentially that Freedom Park is an exceptional school.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2014

The complaints about this school are spot on accurate. The teachers don't seem to care. The principal does nothing to keep the teachers in check.My sons have been to many schools, and Freedom Park ranks one of the lowest that they have ever attended. I don't feel that you can properly teach children through yelling and humilation. I took my son out of that school to homeschool him because he was not learning. How can you learn in a hostile enviroment? Between the students bullying and the teachers using humiation in order to keep the students in line, it's a wonder anyone at that school can focus.
Submitted by parent on August 08, 2014

I had two children in there. one in 4th grade, and 8th. the math and ELA teachers were awesome. the other two....well, they need to be replaced. The 4th grade teacher didnt see eye to eye as I have a child with a diagnosis of adhd and other issues, overall she did a great job teaching him, however, the staff is rude, yell, and basically do not care. Kids get bullied and smoke pot, and get a pat on the wrist and keep coming back. If you can, stay out Richmond County schools. My children didnt feel safe there, bullied, and they DO NOT LIKE PARENT INVOLVEMENT OF ANY SORT! Who knows what really goes on in there! Scary!
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2014

Like a previous post said the teachers attitudes are very poor. Teachers get all up in your children's face , and I think the children there are scared to report the teachers. My neighbors child has a child which is in middle school , has a teacher there who gets in there faces and yells' and talks to them like that is HER child . I think that if teachers want respect they have to give respect , and that is that. Teachers tell students to shutup which is rude and all they do is gossip about other teachers , and talk to other teachers all day. And that is my only problem with freedom park. So if your child goes to Freedom Park I might suggest a parent teacher conference before.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2014

I have two children that have attended Freedom Park Elementary and have done so well. There are some very good teachers at this school, and I have been fortunate that my children had really good teachers. Of course, parents have to be involved and participate in their children's education and not just expect that the school will do every thing. However they could improve on streamlining the complaint and feedback process. The principal should take more responsibility in addressing issues instead of letting individual teachers dictate on matters of concern to parents. A couple of times we called to talk to the principal on unfainess issues and the principal just reffered us to the teacher in question!
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2014

I am disappointed with this school. I find the attitudes of the teachers very poor. There have been several times they have spoken to students in a mean tone and my kids have never been around that type of attitude before. They're grading system is sub-par, but Im assuming that is due to common core being instituted. All around it's a disappointment. If you can live off post in a different district you should for your kids.
Submitted by parent on October 10, 2013

There are some great teachers at this school. When you get a bad one it makes yours and your child's experience bad. When you complain, the care of your child will get no better. Rest for sure that your complain it will be passed on from Principal (Mrs. Andrews) from teacher, and to everyone else in the school so that your business between you and the responsible party is no longer private and you are being asked questions by other people at the school. It is sad, but true. Make sure to REPORT, DOCUMENT, and continue to FOLLOW-UP on all complaints. Some of these people are in the school for a check and not the students and it shows. If parents only complain to each other and to other new residents of this base what good is that doing???? The only way the military will step is to hear your complaints. This is not a DOD School it is a Richmond County School. OUR MILITARY CHILDREN are important. PRAY for your children daily.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2013

If you need evidence of exactly what they don't teach, read the post below from a former student who is now in high school and still can't spell. No offense to you hon, it's not your fault that you were at this school from K-5 and they didn't teach you what you needed to know.
Submitted by other on April 17, 2013

This was my Favoriate school when i lived in Georgia and they tought me everything I needed to know and I have turned out just fine and I wnet there from K-5 and now I am a high school sopomore there has probably been one major change and that would be the principal I was there when Mrs. Rita Bradley was there and she did a lot for the students I am an army brat and i will be coming back to GA in July
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2012

I do not have a single positive thing to say about this school. My 6 yr old was allowed to WALK HOME ALONE during the middle of a school event and no one noticed! Even worse, NOTHING has been done about it. When I confronted the principal and teacher all I got were excuses. At one time I was told "The teacher is not obligated to keep track of all her students" Um, what?! The administration is apathetic and useless and in my opinion, unqualified for the job. This is supposed to be the "best school in the district"? What a joke.
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2012

We are a military family with a child that has been bullied by peers and the teachers do nothing.I agree with all the parents in that the leadership at the school, i.e. the faculty are horrible. I wish I could home school my child . I pay out of pocket for my child to go to SYLVAN because she is behind in her lessons. She has ADHD and her teacher last year told her she didn't. The outrageousness of the school is shocking. We are also still waiting for an IEP over 1 year. The children at Ft.Gordon deserve better than this ! Don't send your child there if at all possible. It's been a nightmare since the first week of school last year.
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2011

I agree with some parents in the regards of lack of communication from the school staff and the fact that the teachers constantly use slang language when instructing our children. It's no wonder that the children are far below average when it comes to their education level compared to that of other schools nationally. And the posting from a teacher accusing the military families for their inadequacies is appalling. I can understand why parents have wanted the middle school to be taught on post especially since majority of the Richmond County Schools are failing academically and there is an elevated concern about gang and drug related issues in the county. In my opinion this school needs a lot of improvements starting with the board of education.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2011

My family and I have been at Ft. Gordon for the last three years. We have been very happy with the education, discipline and compassion towards those who live/work on Ft. Gordon. FPS is a quality school with dedicated teachers and administrative staff. It has made AYP every year since opening eight years ago. The school campus will also open it's new middle school wing and new gym in Feb 2012. Some complain about organization skills but I will say they do a tremendous job considering the large number of students who move on and off post 12 months out of the year, not to mention the deployments most parents and families deal with. The one thing I see lacking is more parent involvement. FPS is a GREAT SCHOOL !!!