S.P. Morton Elementary School

This school is absolutely horrid. My daughter's pre-k teacher was suspended due to failing a urinalysis, then reinstated due to the school board failing to follow proper protocol in her suspension. We were not formally informed that the teacher was suspended until the week before she was reinstated. The classrooms are filthy, the teachers yell at the students, there is no set schedule, and rarely do the children receive any actual instruction. My daughter has watched more Disney movies in the 7 months she has been at this school than in the first 4 years of her life at home. If we could legally pull her from the school so far from the end of the school year without risking truancy interference, we would. We will be moving prior to the start of next school year solely to prevent our daughter from another wretched year at this utterly subpar institution.
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers are dedicated to the children. Great organization and the most imoprtant thing, kids achieve the required knowledge and enjoy going there.
—Submitted by a parent

School is really good, teachers care for kids. School puts a lot of effort to help kids achieve their full potential. Had 3 kids go through. Only nice memories. Hopefully stays like that.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is now in the 1st grade at SPM. Before he started school, I had heard terrible stories about the school. My husband and I are believers in public schools, but we wanted to make sure we got the best for our son. We went to meet the principal before enrolling. He spent as much time as we wanted during his busy schedule to tell us about the school and we were free to visit the classrooms, library, etc. This was our first example of how much the school cares about the families. Since then we learned that family-oriented programs are the norm here, and that they go way beyond what other area schools do to provide opportunities for success. My son's kindergarten experience was tremendous. I couldn't have asked for more. His first grade so far is also very good.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 3 children going on their second year within this school. As a prior military family, I have been involved with 7 different elementary schools across the years, all over the country. That said, this is the worse school I have ever been involved with. The bullying and disrespect of teachers and fellow students are horrendous, the administration will not take students words for any incidents at school and will only go by what adults see. If an adult doesn't see it, it doesn't happen. I am seriously considering homeschooling my children just to get them away from this poisonous environment.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school! I love the ability that parents have to be involved with their child and their education, and wish more parents would take advantage of it.
—Submitted by a parent

I was skeptical when I had to enroll my children into S. P. Morton Elem. However, they have been there 2 years and I could not be more pleased. I do believe the more a parent is involved with the school the more the child gets out of school. I am involved and I am pleased overall. I enjoy the teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school, my daughter finished 5th grade with great SOL scores way up from the year before at a neighboring elementary school. I saw a wonderful improvement in her academic performance. Now my son is in Kindergarten and we are very happy with the wonderful teachers and staff.
—Submitted by a parent

Our Daughter is in 3rd Grade at SP Morton and we LOVE IT! We moved here two years ago and were mislead about the school, we actually placed her in a neighboring school system and paid tuition. We met a few parents and one of the OUTSTANDING Kindergarten teachers over the summer and decided we would try it and see. Well, there was no doubt that SP Morton was just as good if not BETTER then the one we were paying tuition for. The Principal and Assistant Principals are the most caring individuals I have seen in an Elementary School. The Teachers are FANTASTIC. We have a few students that are considered 'at-risk' and these teachers have them reading by the time they are finished with Kindergarten! I would rank SP Morton as one of the TOP Elementary Schools in Virginia!!!
—Submitted by Bobbi S., a parent

I have 2 children enrolled in this school.(2nd and 4th grade) I have been very pleased with their school experiences at SP Morton. My children are both in the gifted(TypeII) program and are constantly challenged academically. The principals and teachers all care a great deal about the students and families. The reading curriculum is outstanding as well as the gifted program. My children and I take great pride in their school and would highly recommend it for its variety of programs to support children of all ability levels.
—Submitted by Dodie Thompson, a parent

I have been to this school and was very impressed with the techers, the administration (especially the assistant principals), and with the students. I understand 80% of the students enter this school are considered at risk.. and many are from single family homes. I would put this school up against any school in virginia and beleive it would outscore other schools if it were in a 'middle class' neighborhood. The teachers truely are outstanding.
—Submitted by K C, a parent