Glenkirk Elementary School

My three children love Glenkirk. Teachers are dedicated to student success, recognizing children as individuals and work as a team to meet their individual needs. Environment at school is positive and welcoming. Even though the school is large, the staff and teachers all know my children and greet them by name each morning.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent Principal leading school toward Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math specialty. Great teachers and caring staff. Volunteer for the Parent Teacher Advisory Council that meets once a month in thethe evening with lead teachers, parents, and Principal. The group affords parents the opportunity to give input into the school's strategic direction.
--Submitted by a parent

My son just started Kindergarten this year. I am very impressed with his teacher, Mrs. Burke. So far, no complaints.
--Submitted by a parent

I will be moving to the area soon from Fairfax county (centreville). I believe there has been some redistricting last year. how would you rate the school this year? any changes. one thing, the school website is slow and the grades info are limited. Please, advise

Can't ask for a better community, school, or staff! It has always been a fantastic place to work and send students to learn!
--Submitted by a teacher

My two children both attended Glenkirk for the past three years. The first year I was not disappointed. Great teachers, great vice principal and what I thought was good leadership from the principal. As time, and the school have grown(1200 students 2010-2011), my opinion has changed. The teachers and staff are the only people holding this school together. The principal, through her own admission, has many personal problems and has frequently been away or distracted. The vice principal's departure in December 2009 was a completed surprise. Even more surprising was the fact that she was replaced by the administrative intern. Until this past week, she was only "acting" VP. All of the above has resulted in very little direction or leadership in the school. Classrooms are crowded, teachers/staff tense. Administration largely absent. Some kids don't know who they are. For the record, I am involved in the school regularly.
--Submitted by a parent

My kids have been at Glenkirk for the past two years. I am a frequent volunteer. Althiugh the atmosphere at Glenkirk is friendly and enviting, the education is limited. The school outgrew its space in only 2 years and this has put undue stress on the teachers and children. I am seeing more and more "teaching to the SOL" then I was at first. This is disappointing ( I mean, why so much interest in Mali, for example - b/c it is on the sols). There is no challenge for brighter students - everything is being taught to the lowest common denominator. My daughter has put in NO EFFORT all year - I mean NONE- and she has straight A's. what does that mean.....? Overall, a nice environment but be prepared to supplement the curriculum at home to fill in all the holes - and there are plenty!
--Submitted by a parent

The school seems to almost be busting at the seams with all the kids they have, but my child has not suffered at all from it. His teachers that he has had so far have been wonderful. The student/teacher ratio is more like 24 to 1 though instead of 17 to 1. The neighborhoods are steady growing and with that growth comes more kids, but overall this is a great school.
--Submitted by a parent

Ok...I've had 3 children at this school...one is now in Middle School and 2 still here and I love Glenkirk. I'm not saying it's perfect, but whenever there is something that I don't feel good about, I have always been welcomed to come and speak to the teacher or the administration and they have been up front and helpful. Yes, there is a lot of emphasis on test scores, but that isn't coming from our school - those pressures come from the county and the state and those same issues are going on at other local elementary schools. I also volunteer a great deal and feel that I can make a statement in appreciation of the principal and vice principal!
--Submitted by a parent

The way that I measure school excellence is whether or not the school's environment is producing the top leaders of tomorrow and I firmly believe that the leadership at this school is not investing enough in creating that environment. I also volunteer and ensure that I am an active participant in the school and it's because of my participation that I can make this statement. At Glenkirk it is all about teaching for test scores, but no innovation, no teaching to create critical thinking, no teaching to facilitate the enjoyment of learning. It is all about getting the information to pass the SOL's, which in itself is teaching for average learning not advance learning. I think we are doing our kids a disservice. Only through the right leadership will teachers get the support and inspiration to teach outside the box, and leadership at this school is lacking.
--Submitted by a parent