Perry W Harrison Elementary

2655 Hamlets Chapel Road

School District

Chatham County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:10
Type

public

School Map for Chatham 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 May 16, 2023

The school did some redistricting which has been great. Class sizes are small, every teacher k owe my child’s name and are warm and inviting. My 6yo is excited to go to school, get books from the library, do music and PE so I can’t complain!
Submitted by teacher on February 14, 2020

Great school! Fully endorse sending your children to this school. Not only is the admin caring and competent, the teachers are what really make the school shine.
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2019

It is a decent school. There seems to be an emphasis on math and science. I think Language Arts is lacking a bit. For example, there are no weekly spelling and vocabulary tests. There also wasn't a lot of writing down. I also didn't see a lot of depth in teaching reading.
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2019

Our experience this year has been pretty bad. We had a substitute for 2 1/2 months who was older than the rivers and had zero communication via email or using a computer. When we got the actual teacher she did nothing but pass the buck and keep saying that she didn’t get turn over and that after December she will be giving the kids more of a challenge and so on. My child says he is so bored in her class he doesn’t know what to do and I have told her that. She still doesn’t do anything to help him learn on a deeper level. I am extremely not happy with my child second grade teacher and I’m hopeful that third grade is way way way better.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2019

Outstanding, caring, warm and effective, this school provides an experience that is a cut above.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2018

I absolutely love this school. I have found teachers, assistants, and the principal all to be working toward a common goal of teaching students as best as they can. There are certainly moments when I haven't agreed with policies or priorities in the school, but I have found the principal to be willing to listen to my criticism and to work through to find options that could solve the issue. The teachers for learning differences like speech, reading, or EC are phenomenal. My child has flourished at this school.
Submitted by student on January 23, 2018

It was a very lovley experince. All of the teachers there are very nice and understand how to help different students with different learing levels. There is a kid in my son's class with autism and he told me that the kid with autism is treated nicely. The great thing about the school is that they have multiple specialty teachers for different things. They have a ESL (English Second Language) teacher, two reading teachers, 2 A.I.G (Academically or Intellectually Gifted) teachers, and two teachers who help with learning disabilities. My children love everything about the school and don't want to leave when graduating to middle school.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2017

VERY bad experience with this school and district as a whole. Terribly overcrowded and they don't care. Some teachers are good while others are nothing but babysitters. The leadership is awful and this school will continue to decline until they fix the overcrowding and poor leadership. District office superintendents are completely aware as they get complaints often, but appear to either don't care or turn a blind eye. DO NOT put your kids in Chatham County Schools.....WAY BEHIND
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2017

A very disappointing and overcrowded school. When I first checked Great Schools in 2013, this school was rated a 7, however now it’s rated a 5, if that tells you anything. I attribute the decline to the leadership (or rather lack of). Until that changes, this school will continue to lack the progress and improvements it so greatly needs. The school has a lot of potential, but until the administration is improved this school will continue to decline. I would recommend That you select another school to send your child to if you have the choice.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2017

10/10 great team of teachers, great organizing. My kids love their school
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2017

As a parent of 3 children in this school, I'm impressed with the dedication of the teachers and positive spirit that comes from the building. The environment is warm and the community is strong. The school offers a great public school education for my children. The local area is growing so rapid change is on the horizon.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2015

The administration at this school is terrible. If you bring concerns to the principal she just yes's you and never accomplishes anything she says. When trying to help better our child's classroom ,that's in a trailer and been sitting empty for years, we were told that we weren't allowed to. Who doesn't allow parents to spend their own time trying to make the place their child learns a better place? This is a poor County and it shows with their poor choice in Principals and lack of resources. The person that posted about dyslexia and not supporting their child, they are 100% correct. I know two people that have children with learning disabilities and they both had trouble getting the support they need from this school. One left and the other is looking for a way to leave. The school is overcrowded with no plans to address it. Chatham is a poor County and a large County and it shows with this school and the fact that they don't plan to build another elementary school until 2022. We left the Chapel Hill School District where they have smart boards, here our teacher can't even get an HDMI cable to hook up her lap top to the overhead projector. We are also looking into ways to get our child out of this school. Maybe if the leadership of the school were to change things might be better but it still won't change the fact that they have no money or resources. But it might make a difference in the way the school is run.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2014

I have two children who attend Perry Harrison Elementary. It is a WONDERFUL school and we couldn't be more pleased. Academically rigorous, STEM focused, many opportunities for recognizing students' achievement, almost zero behavior concerns in the classroom, and truly wonderful teachers and staff. We have enjoyed watching our children progress in their academics, and even receive honors such at the Academic All-Stars game at UNC v Duke, or seeing their art on display at the Chatham Artists Guild. One of the many reasons we moved to this area (and out of Apex/Wake Co) was for the stable, solid schools here in N. Chatham. We are VERY pleased.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2014

When it comes to identifying, remediating and supporting dyslexic students, this school gets zero stars. This school did everything it could NOT to support my dyslexic child. If you have any doubt, try to get the school to use the word "dyslexia" instead of "specific learning disabilities (SLD)". They want to keep "SLD" so that they can get out of giving Orton-Gillingham based instruction. If your child is dyslexic and needs a reading teacher who is knowledgeable in Orton- Gillingham based instruction you will be met with resistance at every turn. Don't waste time. Document everything and file for "due process". This school will not a lift a finger without the threat of court. You don't need a lawyer, learn the law and file yourself. Best of luck! Please see http://www.wrightslaw.com/
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2013

We moved from a high-preforming school district in Georgia to Chapel Hill, NC. We chose this particular school and corresponding middle and high schools because of the newer area and STEM program. We have not been disappointed at all! The kids love it and my husband and I feel it not only compares with the district we left but offers the students a true love of learning. They are definitely not teaching to the test here but teaching for the love of learning. As with every growing area, there have been growing pains especially involving the bus situations but the positives of this energy filled environment far outweigh the negatives.
Submitted by parent on July 12, 2013

We had a fifth grader honor student and a kindergarten special-needs student transfer here last year. My fifth grader was not challenged, never had homework, and quickly lost interest in anything beyond socializing. His grades dropped from A's to all B's, and I believe it was boredom. My kindergartener had major issues with this school, and the staff and administration did not know how to properly handle the situations, many times causing unnecessary escalations and once even resulting in my child being physically restrained and isolated in a locked room. In three years of public school, my daughter has NEVER had issues like this before. We will not be returning to this school, even if I have to stay at home and homeschool. Period.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2013

Our child attends Perry Harrison and we are very pleased with the school. We've especially been impressed with the professionalism of the teaching staff and the amount of personalized attention the teachers have given to each student. The school undertook a STEM focus this year and that has energized everyone. We listened to the teachers talk about the STEM curriculum for next year, they are excited and have big plans - as one teacher said, it is all about teaching the kids "how to become thinkers and not just expect things to be handed to them." Right on! We also really love the family environment at PHS, there is a lot of parent involvement at all levels and we feel like everyone is welcomed. Bottom line, my child loves his teachers and is excited to tell me what he learned each day... to me, that says it all!
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2012

This is our first year here, and see most of the reviews are older! We have had a horrible time. The classes are overcrowded, the teacher seems very disorganized. I am more than displeased with our experience here. We are pursuing charter schools and private schools. We will not be attending this school next year. I have spent time volunteering in my daughter's class, and the chaos was unremarkable!
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2011

My daughter has spent 1 year at PHS and spent 2 years at Seawell in CH. She actually prefers PHS and has had a brilliant year!!!
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2011

We have been attending this school now for 2 yrs and our first yr was a disapointment. The teachers so far seem rushed to do what they are being told needs to be done and getting a bit frustrated with their job. I do hope this situation changes or we will be forced to look into alternative schools like so many others have done that we know in the area.