Keene Mill Elementary School

Keene Mill deserves a 20 out of 10! It is an outstanding school and my family feels fortunate that our children can participate in a school of this caliber. The academics are stellar! The administrators are open to new ideas, and the school just had a fabulous Innovation Fair! I strongly disagree with the previous review. Who would want kids to play tag on the playground where they could be injured or eat food that someone might have prepared in an unsanitary kitchen? I think the school wants nutrition facts for food allergies. I also disagree about communication, as the principal sends out a weekly email to parents and the PTA sends flyers in the Thursday folder each week. All of our children's teachers have been supportive and caring and made the effort to teach our children what they need to know at an appropriate pace. I can't say enough positive things about Keene Mill!
—Submitted by a parent

Keene Mill is ranked #12 out of 1060 schools in Virginia on schooldigger.com and was selected as one of the top elementary schools by Northern Virginia Magazine! Way to go, Keene Mill, for earning a well deserved 10 out of 10 from Great Schools! Keene Mill has much to celebrate, but most of all, we celebrate our enthusiastic students, supportive parents, and wonderful colleagues. We are truly a community of learners!
—Submitted by a teacher

This school is okay. People love it but I think it is okay. There are a lot of nonsense rules, like no tag on the playground and no home cooked items are allowed in school because everything must come with a list of ingredients. My son is in the AP program and struggles with the huge transition. Although they constantly talk about the transition 3rd grade holds for the AP kids, they don't seem to do anything to help the kids with it. They throw work at the kids thinking they will get it because they scored high on a standard test. Kids still need to be taught multiplication. It is a basic skill that is skipped in the AP program. Also kids need to be taught how to write a paragraph, even smart kids need to learn these skills. Overall not excited about the school or the program. The PTA communication is poor and frequently I don't know what is happening in the school until the day before it is happening. I am disappointed overall and I do not think this school deserves a 10 out of 10
—Submitted by a parent

Our kids are having a great experience in this school. Keene Mill is a great school. The new Principal and assistant principal have brought a big improvement to the school, not just the GT/AAP but the community based school as well. We are happy to see the rating go up to 10 which is a true reflection of the changes. The Principal really cares about parents, teachers, and the students. I have not seen gossips and bad politics in this school. Everyone is treated fairly, and it is not cliquish as some other schools in the neighborhood. The Principal is engaging, open minded and receptive to ideas. Teachers are great, trying to help the students all the time. The front office is very welcoming. These are the quality that we look for in a school, and this school has it all.
—Submitted by a parent

Keene Mill is an outstanding school! The new principal and AP are dynamic leaders and have brought many positive changes to the school this year. In addtion to the new Smartboards, my children love the pep rallies, the new kangaroo mascot, and Kanga cash rewards that the whole school earns. The staff and students are happy, the school is cleaner than I have ever seen it, and the overall atmosphere is positive and engaging. All of my children have had excellent teachers, and the teachers are really working together this year to provide the right level of challenge for each of the students. The teachers also have done a terrific job helping my children grasp concepts. The PTA president has worked hard to revive our PTA and to get parents involved in the school again. I am so pleased that my children get to attend a wonderful school like Keene Mill!
—Submitted by a parent

Keene mill school is the best when it comes to learning. The principal, A.P. and staff are great. Kids are very smart and talented here. If you have a child wants him/her to do well in school and future education for your child, this is THE school you want to start your child!
—Submitted by a teacher

With the new administration, Keene Mill going through some good changes inside and out. The principal and the assistant principal are on top of things and of character. They genuinely care about the staff, students, and parents.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree that the admin. needs an update. For the 1st 1/2 of the school year, I never saw the principal. I have seen him a total of 5 times in the last 2 months. My child is part of the GT/ APP program and I feel that the education is fantastic at K.M. I wish my other child could have such a great education. However, I do feel that the GT/ AAP program gets blamed for a lot. This parents/students are lucky to have the GT/AAP kids if it did not the school would be in the dump. The SES in the area is poor. There is a high number of free lunch/ breakfast programs. And the PTA is mostly funded by the GT/AAP participation. The classroom sizes have been restructured and are much smaller. Some classes have 18-20 students. However, I do think the school needs an EXTREME MAKEOVER.
—Submitted by a parent

I definitely think it is time for a change in leadership at Keene Mill. The student to teacher ration is very high and the principal shows a lack of concern for the challenges faced by students in the classroom (bullying and high volume of ESL).
—Submitted by a parent

My first grade son is having a much better experience this year, as he has grown/matured. However, his teacher has had a tremendous impact on his learning. She is newly out of college, relates well to the children, and handles their varying energy levels with ease. My son is quite active and, as he made the transition to first grade, needed alternatives to desk work. After consulting with his teacher, she varied his work and surroundings so that he never became bored. As a result, his reading and communication skills have soared. I attribute much of his success to his teacher's open mind and not giving way to prejudgements. Additionally, my son enjoys the SACC program. There is consistency in the teachers, they are conscientious and provide a variety of activities throughout the year. Lastly, the PTA recently requested more parental involvement for next year, which I plan to.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel like my child suffered at this school as most of the attention goes to GT, Special Ed and ESL. Teachers are overwhelmed by the ever-changing ESL population which takes the attention away from others.
—Submitted by a parent

The Principal does not maintain much communication with parents and the teachers don't seem as engaged as in years past. Neither our child, or us felt that this past school year was a good one for learning. There are many good teachers there, but the school seems to be slipping some compared to years past.
—Submitted by a parent

education is below the standard, principal is not interested in making a change.
—Submitted by a parent

Keene Mill is a great school, I just don't like their SACC program. My daughter tells me that when the children act up, everyone is punished. She thinks that it is unfair and so do I. We would like new rules established for SACC and nicer, better teachers. Overall, I like Keene Mill.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two daughters that just completed kindergarten and the other 1 and 2 grades at this school. The new principle, Mr. Rousos is excellent! I have no complaints about the teachers my girls have had and the front office staff is very nice and helpful. Parent involvement is great...love this school!
—Submitted by a parent

This school has a is fine GTC program. The assistant principal is fantastic- very professional, kind, and respectful to both student and parent. She is truly an inspiration for anyone who speaks to her. Sixth grade teachers are excellent. Can't expect anything better for a public school.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter transfered into Keene Mill this year for the GT program. I have been delighted with the progress she has made. I have been pleasantly surprised with all aspects of the school. My daughter is very happy at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall Keene Mill ES is a good school, but it seems to be in a slight decline - if the GT Center was not there I believe test scores would not look so good. There is not much communication between the Principal and parents. There always seem to be the same core group of parents which volunteer for everything. Our kids are happy there, and most of the teachers seem to enjoy their work and appear capable.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been with Keene Mill Elementary for three years (K, 1, 2) and we've been very happy. The faculty and staff are very eager to work with the parents and the parents are very involved volunteers. From the time our bus driver arrives each morning with a smile on her face to the time my son comes home from school with a smile on his face, I am confident in the opportunities he receives as a Keene Mill Kangaroo.
—Submitted by Kristen, a parent

I am a former teacher of Keene Mill and I couldn't be more proud. Teachers here give 110% and every staff member is professional and well educated. Test scores tell all. You will feel at home here.
—Submitted by a teacher