FANCY GAP — Fancy Gap Elementary School has earned the praise of United States Senator Mark Warner for being ranked 23 out of Virginia’s 1,037 elementary schools on United States News and World Report’s 2024 Best Virginia Elementary Schools list.
“This honor exemplifies the pride that you take in educating the Commonwealth’s children. You have created a welcoming school environment where students have the support they need and learning is fun,” wrote Warner to Principal Carrie Davis. “Your efforts have enabled your students to score at high levels on state assessments and have allowed them to build the skills and knowledge that they will need as they continue their academic careers. I commend you for your tremendous service. On this important occasion, it gives me great pleasure to join your community in saluting your school’s accomplishments and wishing you a successful 2024-2025 school year.”
Davis said staff, faculty and volunteers at the school had no idea the commendation from Warner was coming. She said they were aware though testing they had done well as a school.
“As far as being ranked twenty-third....out of the state...we didn’t know about that. As far as the whys.....it’s the incredible dedication of our entire staff, families and our students,” said Davis. “That includes the hours this past year our teachers spent during and after school doing tutoring to support our students. I just can’t go on enough about the amount of time they put into that.”
She said her opinion is FGES really maintains high expectations of themselves, students and families, and that sets the school apart from others.
“We strive for unity in the community for the sake of our students’ education and we are blessed with a supportive community. That means a lot for maintaining a great environment for a school,” Davis said. “We were recognized as a Blue Ribbon school in 2023 and our goal is to continue to do that in 2026. We are headed in that direction! We are very excited and honored.”
She pointed out she wishes the letter hadn’t been addressed to just her and feels it should have read “Dear Fancy Gap Elementary” instead because it is a team effort.
“I didn’t do this.....this school team made it happen....all the way from top to the bottom, our teachers and our community helped make this possible,” said Davis. “I realize without doubt this isn’t always the norm....to have the support we do. The size of this school is such a wonderful thing. We know every single student by name and their circumstances. That’s for every staff member. Planning a new school year, this is the most exciting thing to do as a principal...knowing what you’re walking into. We are most definitely blessed.....We’d also love for Senator to come by anytime!”
Fancy Gap typically has a motto for each new school year and fittingly, this school year’s theme involves trees with the motto “strongly rooted” embodied by tree inspired displays throughout the school.
David Broyles may be reached at 276-779-4013 or on “X” at CarrollNewsDave
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