Ferrisburgh Central School

56 Little Chicago Road

School District

Addison Northwest Unified
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:9
Type

public

School Map for Addison Northwest Unified 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 April 22, 2024

The School and the district seem to be challenged with the same issues as noted in previous comments in this string over the last decade. The Ferrisburgh school building is surpassing 60 plus years of age and has long been demonstrating it has outlived its life cycle. Each year the local taxes continue to rise to support a system where the district has seen declining enrollment. Regrettably the area resists merging to save jobs and the academic offering at the classroom level. To compound the issue "unsettling clicks" of students, parents and teachers have formed to oppose any progressive movement to enhance, the mantra of "don't change and keep things the same" is the active thinking. If you are considering this area for relocation look deeper.
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2023

FCS is an absolutely fantastic school. Having moved from the west coast with our young children, we are continually absolutely blown away by the level of support and engagement and connection here. We have one child with special needs and I know for a fact he would have been cast out and fallen between the cracks in California’s school systems, but here he has an entire amazing support team and system in place. He is thriving and despite rough times has *never* been asked to leave the school, because the administrators and staff always want him to know that they *want* him here and that he is loved and supported no matter what. It has made all the difference. The nutrition program is phenomenal and universally free all students regardless of income, and all managed and prepared by N amazing chef and with as many locally grown products as possible. The educators are incredible, focused not only on maximizing curriculum efficacy but also equitable access to it for students of all needs. Restorative justice practices are immediately implemented upon student altercations or struggles. The kids are all learning so much and so thoroughly, and the staff is all focused as a team on making sure each student has what they need to thrive. They notice when someone is struggling and address it immediately. There is a ton of community engagement and participation facilitated by a fantastic, equity-and-inclusivity-minded principal who directly engages with students on their individual levels. I cannot say enough good things about this school and I am reminded every day of how lucky we feel to have happened to land in this particular community at this particular school.
Submitted by parent on November 02, 2018

FCS is fantastic. The teachers and administrators know how to leverage the strengths of being a small, rural school. Activities are very hands-on and are adapted well to small groups and classes. There is a strong outdoor focus, including an outdoor 'classroom' and a garden that the students maintain for the lunchroom.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2018

Excellent! The staff, teachers and admin, truly care about the students and strive to create an environment where each child thrives.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2018

My children love their school. They know and love all the teachers and staff. FCS has a great culture and supportive staff and many opportunities for parent involvement. FCS has an extensive garden that gets incorporated into the lunch program and the student's curriculum.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2018

We feel very fortunate to have found this school. There is a close community feel and the upper classes really look out for and care for the younger students. This is a great school and a great community!
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2018

Both of my kids attended from kindergarten to 6th grade. We had a great experience and really do miss it! Excellent school all around!!
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2018

Overall this school has been excellent. We feel fortunate to be sending our children here and are encouraged by the improvements that we continue to see. The art and music programs are outstanding. The school gardens and food program are amazing. The classroom teachers are very experienced and truly will do whatever is necessary to help students learn.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2018

We feel very fortunate to send our kids to FCS. We moved here from out-of-state hoping to find a school that had a very personalized approach to learning with teachers and an administration that was in line with our values. FCS is a small, strong school with an active PTO. We love the sense of community, the enormous school garden and healthy food program. There's an outdoor classroom, excellent music and art classes, and teachers who are committed, skilled and caring. Our kids are thriving in this environment and they love school. We look forward to seeing them progress through the upper grades.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2017

The 6th grade faculty has not prepared the students for middle school. They are very far behind. One of the teachers consistently utilizes abusive techniques. I.e. throwing erasers, squirting water at students, tipping over desk. Seldom is addressed when complaints are forwarded.
Submitted by parent on December 14, 2016

There is a wonderful sense of community at Ferrisburgh. Parents support the work done by the staff, their is a strong and active PTO, and children are offered numerous enrichment opportunities. As a parent who has multiple children at the school, I have always had a good relationship with the administration and the staff. I've lived in Addison County my entire life. We moved to Ferrisburgh specifically because of the school's reputation for excellence. Sure, every now and then you run into an issue, but you'll get this anywhere. As long as you are respectful and open to dialogue, there has never been an issue that we haven't been able to resolve. Our children all have different strengths and weaknesses and all of them have thrived at FCS.
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2016

I have had two children go through this school and it is a wonderful school! Small enough to be individualized and quality, but not too small to not have quality offerings. A terrific school with strong and caring teachers.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2015

I think the negative reviews here reflect people who have had conflict with the administration, and it's important to understand that this has as much to do with the families as the school. We have two kids in the school, and they have both had really good teachers, and we find that it is generally a very caring and supportive educational environment. It's not perfect by any stretch, but our kids are thriving here. I also really appreciate the way teachers and support staff have worked with "difficult" kids, and we've seen a couple of kids make big turnarounds with a lot of help.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2014

I've read the reviews below and do not agree with the negativeness. I find the middle school and the high school is where the issues lay. I find the administration to be responsive to issues. My son reads far beyond where I was at his age his spelling ability amazes me. Bulling there seems to be addressed aggressively and not tolerated. As for the tardiness comment below, they simply send a sticky not with the child to class to register the tardiness. Being picky about tardiness is reasonable. It's the parents issue as buses arrive on time and few kids walk to school. Do you want your child's being late for school continue in their professional life? Hows the boss going to like that? The field trips and party time is something I have not seen and I am at the school a fair amount. Talking to some teacher and they will tell you that some students rarely turn in home work. Could this be a reason some students are not ready for middle school? How much a parent is involved is critical to all students. " Significant student bullying with racial and relgious prejudice." In my experience this is a ridiculous statement although I know that some kid make fun of anything.
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2014

THE QUALITY OF THIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CONTINUES TO DECLINE. WILL BE PULLING MY CHILDREN FROM HERE AND GOING ELSE WHERE. MANY GOOD TEACHERS HAVE LEFT AND THE PRINCIPAL IS VERY DIFFICULT TO REASON WITH.
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2014

A very difficult school administration to deal with, the school board is not easy to work with when parents bring issues to the meetings. It is condesending and lip service at best. The Regional profiency score are low and have been on that trend. I am not very plased with the academics at this school.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2014

My daughter has been going here for two years. We have had a great experience so far. They seem to be a little picky on the tardy issue. My daughter is often a minute or so late, and they make way to big a deal out of it, but that is my only complaint so far. Teachers have been great.
Submitted by parent on December 21, 2013

The education at the school is marginally at best. My children struggled when they entered middle and high school. They were not well prepared at the 5th and 6th grade level. It was one "big party" with filed trips and funny story times. Many parents complained to the school admin and district admin, but we were ignored. Bullying is not addressed and the school board consist of castrated leadership. Be read to spend a lot of time with your child when they enter Middle and High. They will require the attention or end up getting frustrated and falling hopelessly behind. Regrettably this has gone on for so many years that the communtiy has generation of unprepared adult out there. So sad for a once nice little school.
Submitted by other on December 13, 2013

Somewhat disappointed in the quality of this school as there have been significant student bullying with racial and relgious prejudice. The adminstration and school board seem unprepared to work through and handle in a professional manner. Numerous families have pulled their children due to these issues over the past three years. To bad for what was once a quiet country school