Hermitage Elementary School

1701 Pleasure House Road

School District

VA Beach City Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for VA Beach City Public Schools

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 09, 2024

Some amazing teachers but one star based mainly on the current Principal. Our School Bd rep pulled her family member out of this school. Our class dealt with a severe behavioral issue. Principal coddled a student to the determent of others. Gifted Services is a joke, no accountability and extremely poor communication. Many families did not know about ODS Visual Arts and Dance program (they buried it at the bottom of an e-newsletter). Unacceptable! Our kid missed the chance to apply which was a dagger thru my heart as was recognized elsewhere for art ability & everyone deserves a chance to compete for a spot. Our school is 70% military affiliated which I love (we are not military but have a proud military tradition), some NATO which is great. Extremely transient vs. a private or small town public school. Many need tutoring so not ideal for gifted learners. Kids definitely over use Chromebooks. Old Donation (gifted magnet school) gets better resources and curriculum. Dr. Robertson seems like a good Supt. We have good local school bd reps who get it. Hopefully some changes ASAP to improve our #38 out of #55 ranking VB Elementary Schools.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2024

It pains me to write a negative review of Hermitage as I know there are still a few good teachers and administrators here. However, turnover- transfers (to other schools in the city)- burnout- individual teacher political differences- heavy reliance on tech/screen time, etc have all taken their toll on the classroom learning experience. Hermitage does what it needs to do to check the boxes for the city's interests and for the state's SOLs (Standards of Learning), but not much else from what it would appear. Also, communication with parents as to their child's progress or about any classroom incidents (both of a positive or negative nature) also seems to be discouraged practice. Some of these issues are probably universal across the city, but with Hermitage's higher than average transient student population (due to the nexus between military base proximity & affordable housing), this provides the sense that maintaining consistency and fostering parent engagement is a lower than average priority.
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2023

I dont recommend this school to anybody looking to send their child there. Not a well run school....period
Submitted by parent on July 30, 2023

Kindergarten has been wonderful. My daughter is thriving and is challenged. Her teachers always responded to and questions or concerns in an open and quick fashion. My only complaint would be that I would have liked a little more communication from the office about information regarding early dismissal or events. But I didn’t feel this was a lack of caring, more a lack of maybe not realizing the info isn’t being shared effectively.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2022

Horrible school. School does not do well with bullying! The principal and staff are not educated in kids with autism or special needs!
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2022

We've had a very positive experience with Hermitage in the past year, despite the many challenges navigating a pandemic can bring. One of the school's strengths has been over communication whether it's through apps, emails, texts or phone calls. Our son's teacher is easily accessible and helps answers all our questions and concerns at any given time. We have witnessed our son's transformation both academically and socially since the first day of school; he continues to excel. He has made many friends and looks forward to going to school. We also love the fact that the school rewards good behavior and teaches kindness and respect towards one another. The school also hosts and participates numerous events throughout the year that help bring the school and community together. Overall, we've been very happy with the school and amazing staff and would highly recommend the school.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2022

My son has been in the school for 4 years and every single teacher, has been caring and sweet. We still have a relationship with them and the third grade teacher still check on my son who is in 5th grade.He has special need, and I can not be more grateful with his Special Ed teacher, who even send me a pictures or concerns during the day.The secret, just to be involve with the school, volunteer, call your teachers, work with them, we are a team.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2021

Students with disabilities are left behind. They will claim to give help and resources for these students and make you sign documents stating they are doing this yet do not follow through. We have dealt with this school for 4 years now with zero change. **I HIGHLY DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL IF YOUR CHILD HAS ANY LEARNING DIFFICULTIES.
Submitted by other on February 03, 2020

Teachers who roll their eyes at their students. Kids are reprimanded while waiting to use the bathroom. Teachers show preferential treatment only to the students with the best grades. No support for struggling students. Teachers with poor attitudes towards students but smile and laugh with the parents like everything is fine when it's not. Unsanitary environment with health code violations everywhere. Unenthusiastic non-teacher staff who are short spoken, short tempered and clearly hate dealing with the student body. Yes! I'd say there are way better schools with emotionally stable staff all around, and just an all around healthier environment for students.
Submitted by parent on January 21, 2020

I'm very disappointed in my experience with school leadership and the teachers I have encountered. My advice to anyone attending this school is to ask lots of questions, observe your child's classroom and teacher(s). Keep records of everything. Make sure you know what your child is working on daily and weekly. Inquire about the type of class your child is in. As I read through the comments, I have had many of the same negative experiences. As parents, we are in a vulnerable position when we send our kids to school. Hermitage was not a safe place emotionally or academically for my child nor for having a peace of mind as a parent. If you do decide to attend this school, be very involved.
Submitted by other on August 15, 2018

Good, but very concerned about the educational environment for 2018-2021 as Thouroughgood Elementary shares the property while Thouroughgood is rebuilt. The learning environment at Hermitage will be negatively affected. Crowded building, shared library, traffic concerns, teacher morale, less space available for small group work, much less room for outdoor PE, increased security concerns and more will make a difference in Hermitage’s academic success.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2018

The school does not deal with bullying properly. I am currently waiting to see results. I wish I had seen the reviews on here instead of the ones on renting sites.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2018

All 3 of our daughters attended HES and had a amazing experience. From 1 daughter with a severe learning disability incl dyslexia to 1 with a uncommon medical condition for her age they were both given the support and guidance needed for them to move forward and accomplish things others told them they would not be able to.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2018

I am very sad my children spent the time they did here. I wish I seen the signs earlier and removed them. They are now both at another VB school and excelling loving school like they should. Listen to your kids. Don't be fooled by the "military friendly" and SOL scores!!
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2016

I would give it a lower score if allowed. This school allows bullying and does nothing about it but passes it off as kids being kids even though hitting is involved. When you the parent addresses the situation they try to intimidate you by bringing everyone in the room while you just requested to speak with just the principal. The principal is the worst. She tries to patronize you by attempting to insult your intelligence. Save yourself the trouble and stay away from this school. It doesnt even support social activities and teaches only towards SOLs. Just bad all around.
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2015

We are so happy here at hermitage! My children love it and everyone in the building are always so welcoming anytime I need to pop by!
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2015

I had high hopes for this school district as we moved from neighboring Thoroughgood Elementary (which we LOVED!). My very gifted child (she is 7 and reads/comprehends at a 5th grade level, if not beyond) is basically having to dumb herself down for her classroom. She has attention problems in class- and yet no one has recognized that this is because she is BORED. Thoroughgood was amazing at pulling her out and working with her one-on-one to keep her challenged and motivated. She is receiving just mediocre marks in music and art- which are two of her best subjects. I'm so disappointed in having moved into Navy housing - and losing Thoroughgood in comparison to this school. We completely believe that education starts in the home and all that she has learned has come from us- not her teacher, who is a lovely person and whom I hold no ill-will towards, but she isn't recognizing what my child needs at all in the sea of other students she teaches.
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2014

We have been at this school for a 2 years now. My children are now in 2nd and 5th. My 2nd grader has 3 hours of homework nightly when spoke to the teacher I'm told they just don't have time in class and its needed for SOL's next year. As for my 5th grader, she is an honor roll strudent but will not be noticed as one this quarter due to an absence and tardy. Highly disappointed and FINALLY moving out of this school zone!! As for the principal I can say in two years I have seen her a total of 3 times in the halls. The assistant principal here does not get the credit he deserves. Blue ribbon or not we are moving!
Submitted by parent on June 24, 2014

The principal doesn't support after school enrichment activities such as clubs and programs designed to support growth and development for students outside of the classroom. She doesn't respond to parent emails, questions or concerns. Her only concern is supporting SOL tests. While maintaining these scores is important, she fails to realize how experiences out of the classroom can support core standards. Parent involvement suffers because she is so difficult to work with. There are many amazing teachers at this school, but a few that might want to review the importance of not screaming at students or calling them names.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2014

My kids currently attend this school and I am not impressed. They went to Kempsville Elementay before here, and this school has nothing on them. Kempsville was warm and inviting. Kempsville felt like a family and I feel like that is important. The PTA here has nothing on Kempsville. The PTA doesn't do much. Dad's were a lot more involved at Kempsville. They even had a special PTA for them. I can go on and on. I don't even want to get started on the teachers. All I'm saying is that the rating doesn't always mean much and now I know this.