Taylor Elementary School

One star for the principal. He's likes to be seen and pretends to listen, but, don't be fooled, his image is everything to him. The teachers are very motivated and dedicated, the parents are very motivated and dedicated, and as a result, the students do very well for a public school. Basically, the principal looks good because the community makes him look good. When you really start to ask around, you will start to hear the truth. Parents are little hesitant at first, but you'll hear the truth sooner or later. Keep asking and listening at soccer games and the pool. The truth is out there.
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers, caring administration and wonderful students! Large campus but doesn't feel overwhelming. Very neighborhood focused.
—Submitted by a parent

It is the reason we bought a house in the Taylor catchment area! Great staff, great principal, best school in Arlington by far.
—Submitted by a parent

Taylor is a school with top teachers and top leadership. The PTA is strong and has a voice and is involved with the school in a way that makes it beneficial to all (parents & staff).
—Submitted by a parent

The leadership of the principle sets the tone for this amazing school. He is everywhere, I see him outside as children are dropped off/picked up, at school events, talking to parents and easily interacting with kindergartners and 5th graders. He and his staff make a difference everyday. We are a military family and have relocated frequently; have experienced a wide spectrum of schools. Two of our boys have attended Taylor; each child learns so differently -- it was a relief to see how the teachers brought the best out of each child. This school fosters a sense of community, fun learning environment while challenging the kids to reach their potential. The Extended Day Program is dynamic and well run also. The wow factor of this school is certainly not in its old facilities; rather it is made up by the leadership of the staff and amazing, dedicated teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

I moved to the neighborhood to send my 3 kids to Taylor. The Principal is excellent, so attracts top teachers. Some of those teachers are amazing -- they seem to understand and care about the kids. My kids of different ability levels and learning styles, and the curriculum seems to fit all 3. It's a place to thrive and gain confidence. Your kids learn to dance confidently, too. Imagine a 5th grader who can confidently dance a waltz, tango, and folk dances from different cultures, etc? They don't even seem embarrassed to hold hands with their dance partners.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved from Chicago several years ago and I interviewed three other Arlington school principals in search of the right place for my child with special needs. Taylor was clearly the right place for him: demanding that he make an effort but forgiving when he faltered, and invested in both his emotional and academic development. He has flourished due to great teaching and terrific services, and a school environment that truly cares for him. There is very little socio-economic or ethnic diversity at Taylor, which was a drawback for us. But the principal acknowledged this when we first spoke and said that the school practices inclusion by focusing on acceptance of those students with special needs. We have found this to be absolutely the case. As working mother, I do sometimes feel in the minority, but I am deeply appreciative of all the volunteers who give their time and effort to support the school. There are a wide range of volunteering opportunities that I have been able to take advantage of that allows me to feel that I am doing my part as well.
—Submitted by a parent

gosh! i missed this school so much. i was in this school 11 years ago! always loved it!

We have been extremely pleased with the outstanding staff at Taylor. The principal is a gem and the staff are truly engaged with the students. It is clear from the number of veteran teachers who return year after yeat that Taylor offers a good environment both in which for students to learn and teachers to teach. In fact, Taylor was one of only 10 Arlington schools to have earned a 2012 Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) awards-- specifically, the 2012 Board of Education Excellence Award. My child has received an excellent education to date. I have been actively involved both in the PTA and other parent activities and found the Taylor community to be nothing but welcoming, inclusive, and dedicated to helping Taylor meet its goals.
—Submitted by a parent

To the parent who blasts other parents at Taylor - if you are unhappy with us, you have many other choices in the area and you know where they are, so leave. As a parent who works hard for that school, I have no idea what parents you are talking about. Desperate housewives don't work as hard as the parents I have met and quite frankly, how much money we all make is none of your business. You must be a parent who never volunteers or hangs out at the playground after school. Otherwise, you would meet the same dedicated parents that I have who make that school great. The staff is good, but they couldn't do it without the parents who constantly volunteer their time with little thanks. (You, by the way, are a beneficiary of the rich who donate so stop complaining.) WE put in the time to raise money, give money, volunteer to teach, go on field trips, throw parties and collect gifts for the teachers. When we go, the school goes. So, why don't you jump in and make a few friends. You might be surprised at what you find. In the meantime, you can go on being "superficially tolerant" of the rest of us when you are standing next to us watching us work.
—Submitted by a parent

The principal, teachers other staff are all great at this school. It s the parents that are the problem at Taylor Elementary. If you are privileged, rich (or mainly a rich wannabe), only superficially tolerant of other s differences and strive for the desperate housewives kind of faux perfect life, then you would probably love having your kids at this school. On the other hand, if you are a person/family who honestly cares about others, seeks to be non-judgmental, is on the more liberal side of the political spectrum, and doesn t fit the 1950s family prototype with 2.4 perfect children then you may want to look elsewhere in Arlington (and probably not further north). The teachers at Taylor are saints for putting up with many of these parents. I would give the school administration and staff 4.5 stars, and the lovely community of families 2 stars at best. Let s call it 3 overall.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved here from California over the summer and I was very concerned about the transition for my first and third graders. We toured nearly all of the North Arlington schools and were impressed by many. We ended up (by chance) at Taylor. My third grader is thriving. He loves the environment, the kids, teachers, Admin, classes have all exceeded our expectations. Our first grader is a little behind by Taylor standards in reading and writing but has been met with extraordinary teachers to help him along at an individual pace. He is finding the schoolwork to be challenging, but in a good way. Taylor has a lot of transient families coming into the area for work and military and school is well equipt to deal with the transition. Kids at this school are used to new kids and my boys have found it easy to make friends.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved from Alexandria three years ago to attend this school and it was worth the cost and the effort. The principal, assistant principal, teachers, clinic aids, and counselors have all been outstanding. They deal with the challenges of each student on an individual level and the kids are thriving!
—Submitted by a parent

Great, network of students, friends and educators! Outstanding staff, great principal!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter goes to this school and thinks it is great!!
—Submitted by a parent

This school exceeded my expectations. The curriculum improves annually--the substantive level of the courses offered my 5th grader (just promoted) exceeded that of my daughter who graduated only 3 years earlier. More diverse ethnically than other north Arlington schools, the school has excellent resources to help special needs and ESOL students succeed, while still challenging students who can handle work beyond their grade level. Having different teachers for various subjects and moving among classrooms is great for the kids and makes the transition to middle school quite easy. Also, as of this writing, there are no crowding issues which is an issue at many other north Arlington schools.
—Submitted by a parent

Taylor is an excellent school with a very dedicated team of teachers. The level of caring and engaged teaching is commendable. However, not all is perfect. The extended day program is not what it once was under a previous long-term director, after-school enrichment activities are limited, and anything 'outside the box' is very, very limited at Taylor.
—Submitted by a parent

Taylor has been a fantastic school for all of my children. I have enjoyed every aspect of it. I went to many other schools in the area before I chose Taylor. It has everything you want and need for your child. Now that my kids are older, I have seen that the education and social skills that they received at Taylor were excellent and have helped them succeed in middle school.
—Submitted by a parent

From the grounds, to the very active PTA and terrific teachers, this is a great school and a wonderful community.
—Submitted by a parent

Best elementary school in the D.C. area -- we've shopped around. Excellent teachers, challenging coursework, great hands-on science program.
—Submitted by a parent