Canterbury Woods Elementary School

This is our second year at CWES. We are very impressed. We came from another local Elementary school and the difference is night and day. Not only does Canterbury have Cued Speech, Kennedy Center CETA Program, Advanced Academic Program but they continually go above and beyond to add new programs to benefit the kids. For example all the teachers are required to study and practice Responsive Classroom. Most teachers take advantage of after school teacher training programs. The school strives for improvement all the time and is often picked for pilot programs - they were a year ahead of other Fairfax schools converting to online SOL testing and the new letter grade system. They seek out parent involvement (not a standard among all schools). The PTA is highly successful and sponsors great events and raises money responsibly (this year they eliminated their biggest fundraiser because they had too much money carried over from the previous year). Parental participation is outstanding. This is an exceptional school that is always asking 'how can we be better...'
—Submitted by a parent

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Not sure what a previous reviewer said about rude office staff. They are the friendliest group I've ever met. If they want to see rude staff, swing by Frost middle school. That reviewer will be in for a 'rude' awakening. This is a top tiered school and deservedly so. We bought our home in this area for that very reason. GT program is awesome and the school is consistently ranked very high. Again deservedly so. They have a partnership with the Kennedy Center's CETA program, almost all of the teacher enroll in after school continual enrichment and learning programs on their own time. Incredible school and great Principal who encourages both student and staff to do better and strive for higher goals. PTA is incredible and do so much for the school and kids. We are very happy.
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Office people are really rude. And PTA are already set up with friends. My kid was treated as criminal by other kids and punished so hard by the teacher. If you are not in GT class, no homework and teacher really does not care about the student. Really rally a bad school.
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We just love this school! Our child just finished the second year at this school and the transition has been wonderful. The school counselors (including Ms. Dodds) are wonderful and supportive, and the teachers are high energy and striving to do their very best for each student. The strings program is very, very well run. The SACC teachers do a fabulous job with the program as well, with the older students grouped together separately from the younger students. There is a strong PTA with many after-school activities, including Girls on the Run, Odyssey of the Mind, chess club, scouting programs, and foreign language classes.
—Submitted by a parent

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