Mildred Helms Elementary School

Fuguitt is a great school. My children have attended the school for years. I appreciate the caring teachers and staff.

I just put my daughter in this school and just by walking in I loved what I saw kids being young adults looked responsible n respectful I just know now my daughter will do great here

My daughter started at Ponce this year and she is flourishing! She loves going to school everyday, her teachers are amazing! They go out of their way to keep me informed and always have an answer when I need insight!

My student attended both general education and the gifted program in this school for a year and a half. The teachers and administration were engaged, supportive and responsive.Some of the students (probably only around 10%) have difficult home lives, are disruptive, contentious and difficult to socialise with. The teachers who are able to maintain order have enjoyable classes and it isn’t hard for kids to learn, make friends and feel safe. My student had one of these teachers and also had one (substitute) that would not or could not maintain order. This second situation was more difficult and my student did not feel safe in class. Nothing was learned that semester. This problem is compounded by lack of funding for the school. Teachers could not be found and when hired, they left to take higher paying jobs at nearby schools.Luckily, we were able to test for gifted and leave the substitute teacher and rough classmates. The gifted program has amazing teachers and very smart students. It is an overall excellent program. There isn’t much homework in the gifted program and gifted students do not mix with the general education students. If this is the kind of program you are looking for, I would recommend it. If you want your child in general education to socialise with “regular people” then any child with a reasonable public school background should be able to attend here with few problems.

If you don't fit their mold - Don't even bother. This "school" offers nothing more than a public school curriculum for a private school education. They hide behind the veil of private school to offer less resources than public schools provide. Additionally they can hire staff with less credentials, education or experience. They have increased tuition nearly 15% each year over the last three years and are investing it in only capital improvements and not investing it in the tools necessary to support their student body. The emphasis is on money, capital improvements and high school sport facilities. None of which truly enrich the life of your student and the education they receive. The only pro is the safety on campus. There are no mental health counselors on staff, for a K2-12 campus it is an extreme disservice to all students on campus. Bullying runs rampant in all facets of the campus. Additionally, teachers and directors refuse to share parent feedback to administration because it goes nowhere. Administration is choosing the wrong priorities and its heartbreaking to hear from other parents that they need to "keep their head down" to stay off radar until they can find other accommodations for their child(ren). There is a reason that families are leaving in droves.

Great church and school. Love being a part of the school family.