Guilford

As a parent, I couldn’t be happier with Forest Ridge Elementary School. From the moment you walk in, you feel the warmth and sense of community that makes this school special. The staff and leadership team truly care about every child—they go above and beyond to make sure students are safe, supported, and excited about learning.Academically, the school sets high expectations while also providing the right support so that every child can succeed. Teachers are creative, dedicated, and keep families in the loop about progress. I love how much emphasis they place on both academics and social-emotional growth. Programs like the Zones of Regulation help students learn how to manage their feelings and build positive relationships.Forest Ridge also shines when it comes to diversity and inclusivity. The student body reflects so many cultures and backgrounds, and the school celebrates that in meaningful ways through events, activities, and curriculum. It’s wonderful to see children learning in such an accepting and respectful environment.Communication from the school is excellent, with regular newsletters and updates so parents always know what’s happening. There’s also a strong partnership with the PTA, which plans family-friendly events that bring everyone together.Most importantly, my child feels happy and proud to be a FRES Eagle. The school’s values of Focus, Respect, Empathy, and Safety are more than just words - they are lived out daily. Forest Ridge Elementary truly is a place where students can soar to success!

We are a military family on a 2-3yr PCS cycle. This school is fantastic!!!!! The teachers, staff, admin and parents are great. My middle and youngest children attended and were supported with IEPs and 504s. They worked with us before school and during to be sure the kids felt ready and comfortable. They worked with me as a team to teach the kids how to advocate for themselves. They were knowledgeable and had great suggestions and ideas to help with adjustments. I am so thankful that we were able to spend the time here that we did!!! I hope they receive a Blue Star rating for being military friendly.

Principals, teachers, support staff here lack the understanding of developmental stages and the ability to work with students that require them. They are in need of educational support to understand that children with behavioral and learning needs are not managed the way they manage their own personal family issues and will never meet the standards or expectations of a caring community or village. They are not equipped to provide a safe learning environment for children and need to be vetted on their safety protocols and implementation of educational support for children with 504s and IEPs.

I have had two children who have gone through their fair share of challenges this year. Having Mrs. Katie Carter as the principal has been extremely amazing for our family and our community. She is the best principal I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and engaging with. She is responsive and takes action every time and makes our community a better place. Safety and professionalism is her priority and you can tell she cares for the students, her staff and parents. SFES kindergarten and 1st grade teachers are all also amazing and caring. Our children are fortunate to have had them this school year.

My kids want to attend the best school system, where they can also gain good knowledge.