Hartwood Elementary School, nestled in southwestern Stafford County, is the school division's most rural school and reflects a diverse population, K-5. Hartwood is the only county elementary school offering two different formats of classroom organization for Kindergarten and first grade. I multi-aged classes in which approximately half of the class is composed of Kindergarten students and half is first graders. Primary I students stay with the same teacher for two years.
Parents have their choice of enrolling their child in either a standard or multi-age classroom.
Underscoring the school's belief that all adults within the school are responsible for assisting all children in their learning, instructional teaming and inclusion for special education services are standard procedures for all grade levels. Curriculum, K-5, is based on the Virginia Standards of Learning and is approached from an integrated, interdisciplinary focus. Language Arts instruction incorporates phonics, good literature, word study, sight vocabulary, oral language, and the writing process. Math manipulatives assist students in developing mathematical concepts and thinking. Problem solving and application of skills are stressed in both the math and science programs.