Oakton Elementary School

Hit or Miss. We have two children attending OES since 2009. One is in GT the other is not. In the GT program the class size is smaller and so far each teacher has far exceeded our expectations. As a result, our child in GT loves going to school and would just as well miss weekends and holiday breaks to keep attending. Our other child is the polar opposite. She used to love school until she started attending OES. Her class is crowded, her teacher overwhelmed and unable to control some students. The new principle has made sincere efforts to address the problem but it will take time. In the meantime we are not happy at all with the VP who comes across as immature and unable to address parent concerns. Instead the VP seems more focused on being 'funny' and each child's best friend instead of keeping the school on the right track. On the positive side, the school has two counselors who are very supportive and communicate openly with parents which I think is a key reason the school does not have bullying issues. The PTA is also amazing and manages to supplement the school with really good programs like Odessy of the Mind, an annual Variety Show and Grace Arts.
--Submitted by a parent

I've been extremely disappointed with OES, especially with the principal and administration. They are hostile to parents where they should be supportive. They communicate poorly and rudely; even innocent questions from a parent (e.g., "what time should I expect the bus in the afternoon?") are met with a combative response from OES staff. School protocols are unclear and inconsistently applied. Overall, our experience has been worse than unsatisfactory. I would strongly recommend that parents looking to settle in Fairfax County select an elementary school district other than Oakton.
--Submitted by a parent

As a parent, my experience at OES shows that there is great inconsistency in the quality of teachers. Last year my daughter had a young, energetic teacher who was terrific. Unfortunately my other child had a teacher who was on auto-pilot counting the last couple of years until retirement. So more experience doesn't always mean better teachers! To earn a better rating the (now not so) new principal will be have to root out the lazy, burned out teachers so that there is not such a difference within a grade that children and parents feel as though they won the lottery or lost it when they get the 'good' teacher or the bad one.
--Submitted by a parent

Oakton Elementary is a fantastic school with a nurturing creative environment. My two sons attend Oakton. We received a new principal last year who is a great leader. The VP knows all the children by name. There are some creative teachers who go all out to enrich the children's curriculum. Oakton has an extremely strong PTA with great leadership. They sponsor many before and after school activities and summer camps. They also sponsor GRACE Art, Odyssey of the Mind, Chess Club, Robotics, a soccer class, and GLOBAL languages. They have several community events yearly, such as a dance, BINGO, a book fair and more. The school formerly housed Oakton High School. As a result, it has a 300 person auditorium unique to most elementary schools in the area. Thus, there are many activities there, including story tellers, musicians and performers. There is also an annual Variety Show that is downright professional. The PTA is welcoming and loves volunteers. The school is currently under renovation. When my son was sick last week, he was sad because he would miss art. He tried to convince me that he could go to school anyway.
--Submitted by a parent

We have an amazing counciler and principal . We don't let people harrass and bully other people. i am a 4th grader and for four yeras at that wonderful school i am alwas happy to go to school. as other kids are never happy to go to school. but our school lunches is another story. our vice princial " mr.eck" is very nice and funnny. and a first grade teacher named mrs.enoch who was my teacher is the coolest teacher ever! because she knows how to act and to be kind in front of kids. all 2nd grade teachers are nice! most of the 3rd grade teachers are nice mine was 40% nice but she hands out candy! and all 4th grade teachers are nice and same with 5th and 6th.

We love this school. Our children have benefited from an administration , faculty and staff that are compassionate, respectful and hardworking. What better role models for the students at this school. For example , the assistant principal knows and greets every child by name and will often stop and ask the student a simple personal question such as how was your baseball last baseball game or are you coming to skate night? Through these simple acts of kindness a child feels special and important. I would rate the classroom teachers that my children have had from solid B to A+ with the overall rating an A. My only complaint is that the technology does not seem integrated into the curriculum on a consistent basis. The academics are strong and there is a lot of time spent by the classroom teachers to make learning creative and interesting,
--Submitted by a parent

Oakton Elementary is a great school because it teaches you lots of things, the teachers are nice, and bullying isn't a very big problem. It is a nine out of ten.
--Submitted by a student

We started the 09'-10' season, new to this area and school; I am very impressed with the technology and teacher involvment. This is the best investment so far- for the children.
--Submitted by a parent

I have two children who attend OES. We have not been happy at all. The teachers are not committed and many do not have control of their classrooms. Rather than teach the students, the teachers rely on the parents to do their work for them. This is because class sizes are between 28-30 kids. If we could afford to do so, I would send my kids elsewhere but that is not an option. While, yes, the school is being renovated and a GT center is being established, I don't believe this is going to make the teaching staff and principal any more dedicated or talented.
--Submitted by a parent

When we moved here 10 years ago, a neighbor told me that Oakton was a wonderful school and was stronger for having a racially, culturally and economically diverse student body. Having grown up in McLean and attended Spring Hill Elementary (which has strong academics but not very much diversity) I hoped my boys would benefit from attending a school like Oakton. They have. I've had children at Oakton for 7 years now and the school is only getting better. Our principal has helped me to apply for several grants funding technology and the arts. She has impressed me with her experience and creativity. Our new PTA president has re-energized our fundraising and brought in so many new programs (from mock elections, to guest authors to the earth balloon) I can't even remember them all. Our teachers are wonderful. Oakton is exactly the kind of school you want--diversity, strong academics, involved parents!!!
--Submitted by a parent