Greathouse Shryock Traditional

Their Test scores speak for themselves. Always a long waiting list wanting to go there.

Hello All, I am a parent of a fourth grader and she is currently waiting on her results to see if she will be admitted into a gifted program. However, we do live in the district for GSTE. I would like to know if anyone can give me any tips or suggestions in getting my daughter transferred to this school. We are not satisfied with her current school and there lack of quality teachers and teaching curriculum. She was also bullied several times and the situation was not handled very well by the school staff. Please let me know anything you can share to make this process a success. Thank you in advance!
—Submitted by a parent

My child is in kindergarten at Greathouse and I couldn't be more satisfied with what he is learning. My son went to pre school for two years and his first month at Greathouse he had to adjust to some of the rules about behavior. He now knows what to expect and is enjoying school every single day. I enjoy hearing him tell me about his day at school and what he is learned. Just the other day he told me why there are 50 stars on the American flag and 13 stripes. Greathouse is a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

My student left this school extremely well-prepared for middle school. I was told upfront what to expect in this program and it was my decision to buy in and to support the philosophy of the program. Academics are number one in the school, but all of my child's needs were addressed. I was concerned that there wasn't an advanced program, but she was definitely challenged. Caring teachers, great administration-greathouse is a great school, but like others have also said it is not for everyone!
—Submitted by a parent

This is my first year at Greathouse and my children love it! I have a daughter in 4th grade and a son in kindergarten, and I have been very impressed. My daughter learned more in the first six weeks here than she did the whole year at her last school. It is definitely not just sitting at a desk doing papers. They do many different things, and both my children have so much to tell me when they get home each afternoon. It is true that your children have to behave, or they will get in trouble. It allows the teachers to teach rather than spending time trying to control the class. I volunteer at the school as much as I can and every time I am thanked by many staff members. When I volunteer I see happy, well-behaved children. Traditional school may not be for everyone, but my children feel secure, are learning a lot, and are happy to be there.
—Submitted by a parent

My son, who is considered "active" by those who know him, is currently enrolled at Greathouse and we love it. He has thrived with the routine and structure and we are very happy with the teachers, principal and staff. Yes, this is a structured environment, but my child is by no means sitting in a chair for the entire day. He loves it and I know that we made a great choice for him. I also enjoy that parents are encouraged to volunteer at the school, so I feel like I can volunteer and get a "behind the scenes" look at the school which I am always impressed with. I am a firm believer that not every school is for every child, but Greathouse has been a wonderful choice for us.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended this school before we couldn't take it anymore and moved him to another school. Greathouse is a great school if you hope to raise a narrow-minded, non-thinking, but mostly well-disciplined child. Many of these reviews say the school is not a great match for those with learning disabilities. I agree with that. It is also a poor choice for those who are at the other end of the spectrum. Greathouse focuses on extreme discipline, lots of homework that is mostly busywork, rote memorization, and standardized test prep. They do not allow gifted children to get ahead nor do they do much by way of encouraging critical thinking. Having different ideas or beliefs is discouraged. It is a great school if you're child is average academically and you would like them to work unnecessarily hard and get yelled at so much that they stop asking questions -- even the ones that would allow them to grow their brains.
—Submitted by a parent

My child was enrolled at Greathouse from 2005-2009. Although she made good grades and tested well, she was not thriving in the school. The school strips children of their individuality, tends to focus on negatives rather than strengths, lacks diversity and is strict to a fault. The teachers are incredible but they are stifled by a militant principal who is not supportive of teacher, student and parent needs. If your measure of success is test scores, send your child to Greathouse. We moved our daughter (she was not kicked out or asked to leave) and we are now seeing her grow into a well-rounded student and citizen. Her love of school has returned and she is much happier.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a student at greathouse and we LOVE IT!!!! The school had a meeting before the school year even started stating that this is not a school for everyone. This is a tradition program and it is optional. The reason parents put there child in these types of programs is because they do not want them to have to go the school and be disrupted by the students who are not acting correctly at school. As the other reviews stated this is a strict school....which to me is great...why should my child have to suffer because your child needs "individual attention"??? If you are not a parent that is willing or able to have a structured home and lots of rules for your child then this is not the school for you...if you are a parent who wants this for your child then this is the best school!!!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is finishing kindergarten at Greathouse and I have very pleased with the quality of her teacher, the school facilities, the PTA, staff and principal. My daughter loves school and is already looking forward to first grade. I have the read the unfavorable reviews and am surprised by them. This is not a Montessori school, this is a traditional school - expect it to be very similar to what it was like when we went to school in the 80's. There goal is to take an average group of kids and help them reach their full potential. I would not send my child there if they had any type of learning disability. The principal had a meeting before school started and set very reasonable expectations on how she ran the school and how things were done. I felt very prepared for the school year and simply obeyed the rules.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel that Greathouse is like a military school. Way too disciplined and structured. Learning here is about sitting at a desk and writing. Very little hands on learing. They don't make learning fun for the kids. The school also focuses on what the children do wrong, not on how they can improve.
—Submitted by a parent

Greathouse prides themself on test scores, but where they lack is in helping the children that need a little extra attention to achieve. Their extremely strict rules and guidelines are not suitable for all children. If your child falls behind, they may have trouble catching back up. i felt that my child did not recieve enough individual attention to fully get ahead and learn. As she fell behind, she was teased by the other children. It was very difficult for her to make friends and to feel welcome. She grew to hate school and had to transfer.
—Submitted by a parent

I felt this school is unable to handle the needs of children with disabilities. Their overly strict structure does not lead to condusive learning for all types of children. My child did not get the hands on attention he needed to strive. After transfering schools, his grades improved and is now an honor roll student. He no longer cries when it is time to go to school.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter goes to Greathouse for two years and we have to leave the school because we moved. Its a fantastic school, rigid but necessary as kids need the dicipline in order to advance. But my daughter still have fun at the school and she is very sad that she has to go to a new school. Also, the teachers are caring and they are willing to work with the kids that need help if the parents are committed it.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter just started Greathouse and so far we love it! We chose Greathouse for a few different reasons. First being the great academics and Second because they are so strict. Our daughter is not one to get in trouble, but it's good to know that other children that are prone to will be dealt with right away....and if the behavior or actions continue the child will no longer be able to attend Greathouse. With these types of policies in place I know my child is getting the most out of her classroom time because the teacher doesn't have to continually stop class to reprimand students with habitual behavioral issues.
—Submitted by a parent

Greathouse has very high standards for everyone involved from the staff to the children and it truly shows. They do strive for high tests scores as does every other school in JCPS. They have very high expectations which I have set at home for my children as well. I agree that they could be a little more nuturing, but as far as education goes, there is no other public school that matches its quality. As previously stated, it is not suited for everyone, and you do have the opportunity to take your child out of the school if dissatisfied. There are 200-300 kids waiting to fill each vacant spot!
—Submitted by a parent

Greathouse is not for everyone. My child really loves the school and the challenges. If your child has academic issues or behavior issues, Greathouse may not be the place for you as you can see from some of the other comments. The administration makes these points very clear from the beginning. Families with little discipline and structure in their homes should not be surprised when their child struggles with discipline and structure at a school such as Greathouse. One of the benefits is that it feeds into Barrett Middle School which is one of the few middle schools in the county that excel.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the two prior reviews. I feel like the school is teaching as though it is an advanced program - which it is not. They are very good at telling you what is wrong with your child but not how to solve the problem. I wish I had not based my decision to go there on the tests scores. Although, the school gets good scores, they are so lacking in most areas. Its true. All they talk about are the tests scores. My children used to love school but since attending Greathouse, they now hate it. I have found this school to unnurturing and rigid. It is their way or the highway and you are constantly reminded of this.
—Submitted by a parent

School administration is obsessed with standardized test scores. Mandatory homework Mon-Thurs. Strong discipline. This is a traditional school.
—Submitted by a parent

Greathouse is a military school. They teach our way or no way. I believe in structure and discipline but you need to know when you've gone to far. I am pulling my child from the school. They have destroyed his self confidence and individuality. The only thing the school is worried about is academic scores not the care of the children.
—Submitted by a parent