Round Hill Elementary stands out among some other schools in western Loudoun County.

It houses the only Futura program for gifted fourth- and fifth-graders and is one of two elementary schools with an ESL program in western Loudoun.

“Our children that are ESL students are fully involved in everything we do,” principal Nancy McManus said.

She said technology is an integral part of the curriculum at Round Hill Elementary. She said the school strongly supports visual learning.

“We work very hard to make sure we’re implementing instructional best practices in everything we do,” she said.

Information from the school district indicates the school has test scores that surpass the Loudoun County average.

For example, 91 percent of fifth-graders were proficient in 2005 in reading, math and science, although the district average is about 87 percent.

Round Hill Elementary also has the first elementary school arts teacher ever employed at Loudoun County Public Schools, McManus said.

The school’s PTA sponsors Bingo night, a spring-fling carnival and a breakfast with Santa event. McManus praised the PTA and the community for being supportive of the school.

“We’re always trying to include families and the PTA is wonderful at doing that,” she said.

McManus said the school selects a theme each year, then uses that theme to motivate students to find academic success. One recent theme was “The Best of the West” – the school is in western Loudoun County – that had a western theme.

In the end, McManus said, it comes down to each student’s achievement.

“I want to make sure every child is successful at Round Hill,” she said.