Thomas Dale High School

I am bequeathing to Thomas Dale the maximum five-star(excellent) rating. I truly believe the school deserves the recognition. I am a student of the 2011 graduating class, and if I had the choice of any school in the county I would still pick Thomas Dale. I was not involved in any extracurricular activities, but the teachers were huge inspirations to me. My 11th grade Honors English teacher was phenomenal. The work load was outrageous for a high school student, but boy did it prepare me for college. I am much more capable of doing research than most of my collegiate counterparts because of her rigorous and precise papers. To be honest, all of the English teachers I had were great. I believe there is something to be said about the History department as a whole. I am a lover of all history. Each and every one of my history teachers, I feel, were very influential and devoted to the subject. I would hate to leave out the other departments, but History is easier for me to compliment because I thoroughly enjoyed the classes. There really is a warming sense of unity amongst Thomas Dale graduates.
—Submitted by a student

When are they going to build a new school for these kids. This school is the biggest in Central VA and way overcrowded!!! It has two campuses!!! A ninth grade campus and a 10-12 campus. I just dont think this is right or fair to the kids! A new school board rep for the Berumuda will hopefully mean we will get a new high school in Chester for our kids!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I have had 3 kids go through this high school. I would love to rate it higher..however there are issues that can not be ignored. Although all 3 were stellar students, it wasn't easy. But nothing in life is easy. However, my largest complaint would be how rude and unfriendly the front desk staff is. This was a topic of countless discussions among many other parents who shared the same experience of condescending attitudes. We have the right to expect more. We are the parents of the students we entrust them with. We do deserve mutual respect. I have been ignored standing at the front desk, rudely spoken to and often talked to as if I should know what to do. However, most of us do not. I have great kids, never in trouble, with no need to hardly have to visit the school, of course I would not know where to sign in and who specifically I need to speak to regarding various issues or questions. All I ask is for the staff to be welcoming and realize we are on the same side...which should be the well being of our kids at their school!
—Submitted by a parent

I would rate this school a -5 they dont even care what goes on in the school. Some of the teachers are horrible and can't (don't) teach. They expect the students to get good grades and high scores on the SOL with out their time being sent .
—Submitted by a parent

This is my first year at Thomas Dale and I expected more from it than it is. Some of the teachers are horrible and can't (don't) teach. They expect us to get good grades and high scores on the SOL but the don't teach us anything that's on it. There are a lot of bugs in the school. One week there was basically an infestation of gnats, everywhere we would go there were gnats. Other than that, the school is just okay.
—Submitted by a student

Some of the teachers have chosen the wrong career. They have more interests in power and control than the success of the students!
—Submitted by a parent

I am new to the area and very impressed with both the curriculum and the staff. It was really easy to enroll and the staff was very friendly. So far my child has had a very positive experience.
—Submitted by a parent

All four of my children graduated from Thomas Dale High School, and I also taught there for three years. I was so impressed with the level of dedication on the part of the teachers and administration. They are old school in that they believe in going the extra mile to really make a difference in kid's lives. Many of the teachers have been at this school for years and years, and yet they are still constantly making changes and improvements to the curriculum to stay abreast of innovations in education. I couldn't have asked for a better education for my children. Three of my kids went on to college, and one into the Air Force. One was just accepted into the Mason School of Business at William and Mary which has a very demanding curriculum. I feel like this school really prepared my kids for success in life. Thanks to all the dedicated Thomas Dale teachers, guidance counselors, and administrators who helped them along the way!
—Submitted by a parent

I have two kids at Thomas Dale High School. This year they raised the cost of the food at lunch and the administration is horrible. Very over crowded and needs tons of work.
—Submitted by a parent

It is overpopulated, but so is every other school in the Chesterfield district from high schools to elementary schools. The administration does the best they can with the ever increasing student load, and from personal experience I can attest that they do their best to form relationships with as many of the students as possible (even those with discipline problems). The teachers are all knowledgeable, most having masters. Good school if your children are into the arts. SOL scores improve with every entering freshmen class.

My kids (2 have gone here) have gotten a great education. The administration is tough on rules and kids who might misbehave and I appreciate that. My kids played sports and played in marching band, jazz band, and show choir. They were always around 'good' kids. Thumbs up TDHS!
—Submitted by a parent

I moved here last year and found friends quickly. I find the teachers willing to give extra help to students who are trying. There are also lots of opportunities in sports, the arts, clubs, community service. It was a good move for me!
—Submitted by a student

Excellent caring staff , lots of academic and artistic opportunities for top students. My son loves TDHS.
—Submitted by a parent

I am in the best theatre program! I can't imagine being anywhere else. Even though I am unsure at this time what my college major will be, I know I have been challenged, excited and motivated being in this program. I've learned to organize my time and meet goals and had the most amazing performances. It's a Specialty Center program. We have one for dance, music and visual arts too. The best kids in the county audition for it.
—Submitted by a student

Thomas Dale is a top notch school. The teachers strive to improve our minds and our grades. Of course, work is expected of us students, which seems to cause some aggravation. 'Oh, BAAAWW! I have homework to do! I hate my teacher because he's preparing me for college! Oh noes!' I've heard it all, and I have to say, there are two groups of students at Thomas Dale. The 'I want to improve myself and someday earn a college degree' students and the 'LAWL I HATE TDHS I WANT 2 B GANGSTA!' students. If your child is the former, then Thomas Dale will provide him or her with a spectacular education (granted that they work to achieve it). If your child is the latter, then prepare yourself for a tidal wave of angst and drama.
—Submitted by a parent

this school is unsafe and unorganized!!!!
—Submitted by a student

Too many students for the size of the school. The education received is good but I am very unhappy with administration, particularly the principal.
—Submitted by a parent

There is a problem here! With students dicipline, with quality of teachers. If you have kids that have always been A,B students they will probably do fine. If your kids have good dicipline at home and you are getting them to do their homework and study, but still manage to get C grades, good luck. This school will not motivate your average child to do better in class, but it will cram information @ end of the yr to show how good their sol scores are.
—Submitted by a parent

Thomas Dale has been magnificent for my children-I wouldnt have sent them anywhere else. It is a public school and growing every second, but the entire staff at the school is so very dedicated and loyal to their students. They work well with parents and work to please both parents and students. Thomas Dale is by far the best school in the county, if not the state. I am so proud to say my children have graduated from such an esteemed institution!
—Submitted by a former student

Decent school, but not top notch. Has lots of room for improvement, especially with regard to the strength of extracurricular activities. Sports are pretty good, but student clubs and student council programs are weak, substandard, and treated as unimportant. Academics are decent, but students have to be willing to supplement their learning to keep up with those from the very best schools. They are currently putting resources into building a strong music program and that seems to be working. If you graduate in top 10% it probably won't be a problem getting into a good college from TD, and students in the top 3-5% tend to get into some of the best in the country.
—Submitted by a parent