Reams Road Elementary School

I have 1 child at Reams and and I truly love the way the teachers interact with him as well as the other children.The staff truly cares about the kids and they take that extra mile to help them succeed.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children at Reams and love the relationships they share with their fellow students as well as their teachers. Mrs. Dunn is the most caring, nurturing principal who shows consideration and kindness to EVERY student; always making them feel special, and encouraging their capabilities. My kids have had great relationships with their teachers, making them excited to learn. Gotta love that! The staff is always there to assist anytime you need help, with a positive attitude. The school slogan, 'Work Hard Be Kind' is evident that it is instilled on a daily basis! I love Reams Elementary, and feel they are very deserving of this honor. I hate to see budget cuts in the school systems, as the children ARE our future, and I feel confident Reams would use this prize money to it's most efficient use!
—Submitted by a parent

Reams is a caring, compassionate, supportive community of students, parents and teachers who have a genuine respect for each other and for learning. The teachers and staff go above and beyond to make each child feel special. They take time to discover the gifts within each child that makes them unique.
—Submitted by a teacher

So many reasons why, for us everyone at Reams is family! It always amazed me how a 5th grade teacher knew who my 1st grader was - the teachers know and care about all the students, even if they were not in their class!
—Submitted by a parent

Great Teacher and Principal. No Complaints.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers care about the students especially the special needs students.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attends Reams Elementary and has special needs in english/language, and was being taught two separate curriculums. When his teacher told me he wasn't keeping up with his peers I asked how they expected him to if they were teaching him two separate curriculums? I am a working parent, but make no excuses and work with him regularly on his reading/language. He also has a speech therapy teacher at Reams who I think the WORLD of. She is absolutely wonderful and has exceeded my expectations. I am a parent who has also volunteered on a number of occasions, but have been told there were plenty of volunteers and I wasn't needed. The school works better with some children/parents then they do with others. Unfortunately, my son and I are of the others.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had children in Reams for the last 5 years and every year they get better. More programs for the children , great quality teachers, teaching to children where they are as individuals. I work for another elementary school near by and would not even think of moving my children.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has come VERY far since I went there when I was young & now I have 2 kids. Thier teachers have been wonderful & any issues I have, I know I can speak freely with the principals... & have had to.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have previously gone to Crenshaw Elementary and Providence Elementary. I have a child with special needs who is learning disabled and one who is gifted. They have never flourished so greatly as the time they have been at Reams Elementary! Failing grades became A's & B's, no communication became exceptional communication! I can never thank the staff enough for all they have done for my children both mentally and emotionally!! They are fantastic!
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are great and truly dedicated to their job. The problem lies in the economic area. Parental involvement is very little and the school does not have any money. Whatever they do get goes to the basics for the school and the kids. Field trips are pathetic, programs are underfunded, and there's not much passion from most parents. Low SES makes it tough. They are doing their best to keep the school looking good through SOL pass rates, but overall, not a high performing school. The teachers seem to do their best with what they have, although some certainly try harder than others. Admin doesn't like risks and I think more could be done if they thought outside of the box. Good teachers, low SES families. It's tough.
—Submitted by a parent

Reams is a great school, the teachers and staff are warm and loving to the children. The ESL program does make it very difficult on the teachers and children. The parents need to take more of an interest in their children and get more involved in volunteering and joining of the PTA. The main problem with Reams is the lack of parent volunteers.
—Submitted by a parent

There is not much to say about Reams, nothing really special. It would be the plain turkey sandwitch on the table with fine French cuisine compaired to the surrounding elementary schools. I have not been impressed the teach quaility or the principal. It is not a very motivating atmosphere for our children. And it is hard to get in touch with the staff. There are little to no extra activities and the students seem bored. Our daughter does not feel like it is the best school either. It's as if the kids just go there to take some test to get the scores the staff needs to keep the school open. That is not what I remember my elementary school being like. Whatever happened to teaching a love of learning or making learning fun? Reams and the PTA are a bit too self serving and not productive at all.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been at Reams for three years and every year we face more problems with her educational program. Partly because of the SOL but more so the lack of specialized learning plans for student with an LD. We have seen nothing more then a slower and lower level of reading instruction, and no efforts to expand methods of teaching. The apathetic attitude of Reams administrator and lack of productive possibilities for our child has left us with few choices, to move to a county with a better program, to enroll in a private school for students with learning disabilities or to have our child routinely held back grade levels projecting the inability to complete an education. We have seen a complete disregard towards social and emotional factors that such policies create, only the bottom line of test scores. No child left behind does not apply to special education students here.
—Submitted by a parent

Daughter attended 1st-5th, teachers really care & work hard to help students. Problem lies with economic area and funding. Parental involvement is nil unless you're on the PTA. Large ESL population is an issue with staffing & overcrowding of classes, avg size is 22, NOT 15!School is spotless and discipline is enforced well. Music and art programs are very strong & involved. Athletic dept very involved but dirt poor..everything is funded by parents selling items all year round AND volunteering. This school was a warm environment for our child but is slowly having issues due to the struggle for proper funding & the slide of the surrounding socio-economic district. Seems that Chesterfield County funnels all money into Midlo district to the detriment of Reams/Providence area. Great teachers work hard to offset the issues this school faces, probably the best teachers in the county. Truly impressed with them.
—Submitted by a parent

This was the best school, it's a hard act to follow.
—Submitted by a parent