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GreatSchools Rating

William Ramsay Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 829 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
No new ratings

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5 reviews of this school


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Posted March 6, 2012

Ramsay has had issues with lack of parent involvement for many years. The school has had 3 principles in the past 5 years. Teacher morale has been decreasing in the past 2 yrs. The PTA has a skeleton crew (I'm talking 3-5 people) of active members who have to work very hard to get anything done. The school does have some "fun" activities, but academic progress has been lacking for quite some time. The students are happy, yet oblivious to the declining reputation of the school. It is overpopulated with 750+ this year, with growth expected to continue. A lot of resources are used on ELL programs and improving reading levels. Afterschool enrichment programs are limited to teacher taught 'clubs' . The school's physical environment is dim, not like the brightly colored halls of the other ACPS elementary schools. The dumpsters are located right at the entrance of the school. Their playground is the least maintained in the entire ACPS system and the advertised Rec Center and Nature Center do not belong to the school and are not useable for school functions outside of school hours. One of the lowest ranking schools in ACPS for a reson.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 1, 2011

I love William Ramsay ! It is a great school to go to. I love the teachers because they teach very good and if I don't get something they will CLEARLY explain that problem. They food is O.K. but i like the cheese sticks the most. They treat all kids with respect and do their job right. Make sure you see the school first. But I think you will FALL IN LOVE with it.


Posted September 19, 2006

Hello- my name is jeevana wells. My son started kindergarten this year. I really like that fact that they had a kindergarten -prep program. That really helped my son learn the new teachers and helper's. He seems to like the food there. He like s the pizza on friday's.He likes the libary and also the nature center. [He] also goes to the capanga school before and after school. They always have great activities and snacks. Jeevana wells
—Submitted by JEEVANA WELLS, a parent


Posted August 30, 2005

i liked this school very much. im not a parent but i attended a school i felt very safe. the academic programs are great they are activities that can keep kids out of gangs and drugs. Music teachers and other teachers are great people they help you out on any task. Parent involement is OK my oarent wasnt involed in any of the PTA meetings or anything but other parents were which is a good thing. Overall, this school is a good, safe, and diverse school i felt very safe here if you want to transfer to another elementary school choose William Ramsey, a good choice.
—Submitted by lidia zelaya, a student


Posted August 5, 2005

The staff and teachers at this school are fantastic. The principal is so wonderful, affable, and pays attention to detail. The school is run like a tight ship and is neat as a pin. My daughter learned a lot and always felt happy and safe there. The PTO is terribly small and there are very few volunteers. This can get old. Many of the children do not partake in play dates and birthday parties.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
English: Reading

The state average for English: Reading was 86% in 2012.

101 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
78%

2009

 
 
75%

2008

 
 
77%
History and Social Science

The state average for History and Social Science was 87% in 2012.

100 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
69%

2011

 
 
62%

2010

 
 
84%

2009

 
 
80%

2008

 
 
83%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

98 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
50%

2011

 
 
79%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
72%

2008

 
 
72%
Science

The state average for Science was 90% in 2012.

102 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
85%

2009

 
 
73%

2008

 
 
69%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

The state average for English: Reading was 88% in 2012.

112 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
80%

2009

 
 
85%

2008

 
 
75%
History and Social Science

The state average for History and Social Science was 84% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 70% in 2012.

104 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
40%

2011

 
 
82%

2010

 
 
83%

2009

 
 
70%

2008

 
 
63%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

The state average for English: Reading was 89% in 2012.

112 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
84%

2010

 
 
87%

2009

 
 
88%

2008

 
 
83%
English: Writing

The state average for English: Writing was 87% in 2012.

112 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
73%

2008

 
 
84%
History and Social Science

The state average for History and Social Science was 89% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 67% in 2012.

100 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
53%

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
86%

2008

 
 
80%
Science

The state average for Science was 88% in 2012.

110 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
62%

2011

 
 
69%

2010

 
 
62%

2009

 
 
74%

2008

 
 
72%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

All Students76%
Female students79%
Male students73%
Black students82%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic68%
White students100%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged73%
Not economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Students without disabilities79%
Limited English proficient students75%
Proficient in English79%
Not migrant76%

History and Social Science

All Students69%
Female students67%
Male students72%
Black students75%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic63%
White students91%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged65%
Not economically disadvantaged85%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Students without disabilities73%
Limited English proficient students67%
Proficient in English74%
Not migrant69%

Math

All Students50%
Female students48%
Male students52%
Black students47%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic38%
White students100%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged42%
Not economically disadvantaged84%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Students without disabilities51%
Limited English proficient students46%
Proficient in English60%
Not migrant50%

Science

All Students76%
Female students74%
Male students79%
Black students73%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic71%
White students100%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged73%
Not economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilities50%
Students without disabilities79%
Limited English proficient students77%
Proficient in English76%
Not migrant76%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. Data is not reported when there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

All Students83%
Female students88%
Male students78%
Black students83%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic82%
White studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantaged82%
Not economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Students without disabilities86%
Limited English proficient students81%
Proficient in English86%
Not migrant83%

History and Social Science

All Studentsn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Not migrantn/a

Math

All Students40%
Female students43%
Male students38%
Black students32%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic40%
White studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantaged39%
Not economically disadvantaged50%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Students without disabilities42%
Limited English proficient students38%
Proficient in English44%
Not migrant40%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. Data is not reported when there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

All Students88%
Female students94%
Male students83%
Black students86%
Asian students93%
Hispanic87%
White studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantaged88%
Not economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disabilities55%
Students without disabilities91%
Limited English proficient students88%
Proficient in English88%
Not migrant88%

English: Writing

All Students77%
Female students87%
Male students69%
Black students83%
Asian students93%
Hispanic68%
American Indian studentsn/a
White studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantaged76%
Not economically disadvantaged83%
Students with disabilities42%
Students without disabilities81%
Limited English proficient students71%
Proficient in English87%
Not migrant77%

History and Social Science

All Studentsn/a
Male studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Proficient in Englishn/a
Not migrantn/a

Math

All Students53%
Female students61%
Male students47%
Black students52%
Asian students77%
Hispanic49%
White studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantaged54%
Not economically disadvantaged40%
Students with disabilities18%
Students without disabilities57%
Limited English proficient students54%
Proficient in English52%
Not migrant53%

Science

All Students62%
Female students61%
Male students63%
Black students64%
Asian students73%
Hispanic62%
White studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantaged61%
Not economically disadvantaged67%
Students with disabilities27%
Students without disabilities66%
Limited English proficient students51%
Proficient in English80%
Not migrant62%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. Data is not reported when there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

  • In 2009-2010, this school was rated "Fully Accredited".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was rated "Fully Accredited".
  • In 2007-2008, this school was rated "Fully Accredited".

About the tests


Virginia school accreditation ratings reflect student achievement on Standards of Learning (SOL) tests and other assessments in English, history/social science, math and science. The 2009-2010 ratings are based on passing rates on tests taken during the 2008-2009 school year or on overall achievement during the three most recent years. Schools are identified as either Fully Accredited, Accredited with Warning, Conditionally Accredited or Accreditation Denied.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Hispanic 44% 9%
Black 39% 26%
Asian/Pacific Islander 11% 6%
White 6% 57%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 68%N/A33%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 15N/A17
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

5700 Sanger Ave
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone: (703) 824-6950

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