Highcroft Elementary

5415 Highcroft Drive

School District

Wake County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Wake 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 October 10, 2024

My children have an excellent experience at school.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2024

While the coming year will see great change for our family as the Special Education Teachers leave to go to a new school, I recognize that there is opportunity to grow our child as an individual at this school.This school has the potential to be excellent. We arrived from New Jersey with a hefty IEP. The team in place at the time 2 years ago did an incredible job engaging and supporting my daughter with significant support needs. Unfortunately, the school lacks in understanding and education about inclusive practices and I believe that is mostly driven by the population of parents. I believe there is opportunity for growth. Last year they allowed me to help create a Field Day "soft start" for the children with special needs and not one face wasn't smiling. Teacher, Volunteer, Children alike.The inclusion teachers that engage with the special education population such as Mrs. Paige and Ms. McMillian are excellent, and the administration is working hard with a diverse population that all has high expectations. It is my hope in the coming years that ALL children will be included at this school in the coming years. I believe that the team of administrators in place now wants to see that happen!
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2023

I have had three kids in HDE, and each child has had a wonderful experience so far. Teachers have been great and have really cared about the kids, sense of community is wonderful, and academics are good. Our experiences with AIG program have been okay - ELA has been a better experience than math in terms of quality and rigor of assignments, and it seemed like our child had more in person classroom instruction with ELA AIG than math AIG. Homework in lower grades is minimal and focuses mostly on reading at home with parents, as reading with parents and having family dinner has the most statistical likelihood to improve learning for children (not homework in lower grades - no conclusive evidence it helps kids learn in younger grades). Math homework does begin to pick up around grade 2, but is not overwhelming. Concepts are taught well to give kids good number sense to think through the logic of problem solving, rather than rote memorization. Overall, a wonderful experience for our kids. We feel so blessed to live in the school district for HDE and look forward to the remaining years our family has here.
Submitted by parent on July 15, 2020

Great school!! The faculty are motivated and push students to excel.
Submitted by parent on December 29, 2019

I have 2 kids at HDES, and have been a parent there for 5 years. The teachers at the school are happy and enjoy their jobs. You can see that in their interactions with the students. Most of them use flexible seating, and are flexible with students with different learning styles. The kids are kind to one another and adults. The leadership is strong, but flexible in allowing teachers freedom to make choices for their students.
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2019

It's a fancy school with strong PTA funding. Not so much for true learning inside the classrooms. Do not get impressed by report cards. Parents are focused on their children in good neighborhood schools. There's very less effort put in by the teachers. There's a lot of focus on tech nowadays and effort is to improve device ratio. As a result, more screen time and minimal paperback books and pushing pencils on paper. If you just want a happy kid who loves to socialize and not so much worried about actual learning, this school is for you but if you want your child to perform and be motivated and appreciated for his intelligence and effort, find some other school. Most reviews here and on other websites are a part of manipulating the image of the school. It's an average school for average expectations. Take your pick!
Submitted by parent on March 21, 2018

I have a 3rd grader and Kindergartener and very happy with the teachers and school atmosphere. Overall an excellent school.
Submitted by parent on November 10, 2017

We have been part of the Highcroft community for only about 2 years, but the teachers are very responsive and my child loves going to school each day. We have only communicated with the principal once, but he was very responsive and welcoming. There are special events such as the Book Fair, Walk to School day, and Spring Carnival. Some of the comments below do not match our experiences. Isn't principal spelled wrong? And it looks like one person keeps writing the same negative comments. Come see this school for yourself and don't let one person ruin the reputation of a school.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2017

This school is awful. I have a special needs child that has not been officially evaluated (but needs to) and I can't get answers from anyone. The principle won't reply to my emails and the teacher keeps telling me to "talk to him." In the meantime, my daughter is struggling without an IEP. Worst principle and admin ever. Very disappointed in a Cary, NC school considering the price we paid for our home here.
Submitted by parent on July 25, 2017

Our son started here his 2nd grade last year and we feel he's improved a lot in academic and behavior. The teachers are nice and available to meet with a short notice for any questions/ concerns. Hope it continues to be the best around.
Submitted by parent on June 29, 2017

The principle is awful and hard to reach. The school's appearance is nice but admin and office staff are rude an unaccomodating. So happy my children got re-zoned to a new school.
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2017

HDE is an excellent school. There is great communication between parents and teachers and if a parent is on top of things at home, it is impossible for a student to get lost or left behind. I love that part! Also, the homework is clear and based on WCPPS policy, so I feel like my child is getting enough homework as a review, but not too much!
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2017

My son went to Highcroft from first to 5th (now in 7th) and my daughter started in K. The school has gone downhill the past few years. My daughter has the minimal amount of homework (if any). There are very few checks and balances - to teach kids how to be organized and on top of their work. Teachers go rogue - and do their own thing. No consistency from teacher to teacher or grade to grade. Very excited to have two in Mills Park Middle - LOVE that school!
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2017

Excellent, the teachers are wonderful is like any place there are some bad ones but over all great school.
Submitted by other on May 24, 2017

Horrible! Absolutely no concern for any student that cannot further their tests scores. No leadership or partnering with parents. Teachers have nasty attitudes of entitlement and a chip about not being paid enough. Their attitudes are reflected in the students attitudes. Never seen such a unprofessional group. There are a couple of good teachers left there, but they are all quitting and moving on.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2017

Highcroft is horrible. The teachers are totally apathetic and complain about their pay constantly. In all fairness to the teachers, teacher pay in the state is among the lowest in the country which is something one should consider prior to moving to NC. Teachers teach to the test and don't care about teaching kids to think. Highcroft, like most schools in West Cary are grossly overcrowded. The school is disorganized and communication to parents is almost non-existent. Look elsewhere if education is a priority for you.
Submitted by parent on June 26, 2015

I love OCE. The tracks feel like private school and the teachers are high caliber. I welcome all of the transition to the new school scotts ridge so that our class sizes are smaller, and more intimate. I love and trust OCE. Mrs. Lavery is tough but she is fair. Can't wait to watch OCE grow and thrive with the smaller class numbers.
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2014

HDE offers a lot of positive things, including a solid understanding and commitment to core instruction. However, it lacks in quality of its special classes and few extracurricular clubs compared to surrounding elementary schools. Although the principal exhibits strong leadership and the school boasts an active PTA, the front office presents an unfriendly and almost negative first impression of the culture of the school. More positive presences would be welcome in a children's learning environment.
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2013

I like the school very much ,it has lot of good qualities to tell about the school.The number one about the school is it has good rating about from the beginning of the school and the other is good teachers and the principal who monitors the school very good rating and even the parents also show the same responsibility.they even has good reputation for the high croft school.My son likes the school which is so important as a parent,
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2013

Highcroft Elementary School has done a phenomenal job preparing my child for middle school. A great neighborhood school with a strong sense of community, the teachers build strong study habits in the children and a love for learning. Couldn't be more pleased.