16173 Pug Swamp Ln
Beaverdam, VA 23015

BES is truly the BEST school in Hanover county. We have had a wonderful experience and are truly blessed with amazing teachers who care about their students and a principal who stays involved and makes the best decisions for ALL.

A very select few of teachers legitimately try and help their students understand the criteria they’re learning. However, students don’t even need to pay attention in class in order to pass the grade. Because of this, students don’t attempt to try their best, knowing they can just easily retake a test and get full credit. But for the students who are falling behind, there are little to no tutors to help them. There is so much bullying at this school and the Hanover County School Board refuses to give any punishment to those children other than a minor slap on the wrist and being told not to do it again. If a bully happens to have a BIP (Behavior Intervention Plan) or 504, they get off scott-free and are given little to no punishment. There are almost always rumors of children handling or smuggling drugs or other tobacco products into the school bathrooms. For instance, a kid on my bus was found vaping. Another was doing it as well, but it was just out of sight of the cameras and they never got caught. I could go on about the school and its many flaws, especially with the students, but I’ll keep it short. Do not send your child here.

I have been involved in this school for more than 25 years. This school truly embraces their PHamily values, but like any real family there are problems. The school is old and like any older facility it needs upgrades, but the custodians and admin do their best at staying up with repairs. Overwhelmingly, the faculty help out students and one another while challenging the students where they are academically. The diversity of the school is astounding, when one looks beyond merely race demographics. Every socio-economic group is present, every learning group from profound special needs, ELL, standard and advanced levels to IB, AP, and dual enrollment are available with everything in between. Course offerings are incredible. There is a strong Arts department (both performing and visual) JROTC, Agriculture Science has three instructors, African American history is offered, Art and Film History, and students can leave campus for an even wider array of courses at Hanover School for the Trades. My daughter got everything she needed to prepare herself for success at UVA from PH and thoroughly enjoyed her experiences in the classroom while pursuing a wide array of extra curricular activities. PH will exceed your expectations IF you put forth effort and enthusiasm. If you just float through school expecting things to come to you, or you can't accept that this is a public school with flaws, you won't be happy. But if you seek out rigor and exercise your own agency, you will be well positioned for life.