Ravensworth Elementary School

This school is awful. The administration is very difficult to deal with, ignores parents' concerns, fails to encourage excellence in teachers and does not support the few good teachers that have not yet left. It is clear that neither the administration nor the teachers recognize that the target audience at elementary schools is children--children of differing learning styles and personalities. Parent involvement is weak and the PTA is at constant risk of being disbanded simply because the administration does not support parent involvement. It's a shame.
--Submitted by a parent

I have 2 kids in the immersion program at Ravensworth. While I think it is a good program overall, we have been quite frustrated with the lack of good communication to parents about assignments and tests. Teachers are supposed to post homework assignments, notices of upcoming tests and study materials on the Blackboard 24/7 site. None of our kids' teachers do so. Making matters worse, the school sends home piles of paper, but again, often there is no explanation whatsoever about the units/subject matter being covered in the class, nor any guidance for non-native Spanish speaking parents. The classroom work and homework is copied from a workbook with VERY poorly written Spanish. Even fluent Spanish speakers in our extended family have trouble understanding the homework problems because the Spanish is written so awkwardly. The immersion teachers don't seem to want to help parents by providing extra resources.
--Submitted by a parent

There is a wonderful community feeling at this school and I am so pleased that our daughter attends Ravensworth. There are many opportunities for parents to get involved and the administration is very welcoming to parents in the school. Our daughter is in 2nd grade in the immersion program and I am torn about whether to stay here or go to a full time/level 4 Advanced Academics (GT) school next year because we love the school culture and community so much. But some teachers are better than others and generally there is room for improvement in parent communication about academics. Immersion is not a fit for all and can be the cause of some negative reviews by parents,.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has been in the immersion program for two years and I am not sure what the parent who posted on Jan 20 is talking about. His class size is 20 students. I think his first grade class was 23 students. Even if this was true it may make sense since some parents realize during the first year that immersion is not the right fit for their kids. Parent conferences were great and I never heard stories of teachers screaming at the kids. The teachers respond to emails and phone calls quickly. My guess is Jan 20 child did not fit the immersion program and rather than finding a better fit or doing some supplemental work they are taking this out on the school. I am sure there are teachers that could be better but there are parents not supporting the school appropriately also. I have had the experience of bringing my concerns to face to face meetings and I did feel I responded to in a professional manner. My main concern was that the Spanish teacher sometimes spoke English when the program is supposed to be Spanish all the time during math and science. If you have the chance I would send your child to this school.
--Submitted by a parent

We pulled our kids from the immersion program after one year. Whatever Fairfax Schools once were, that is no longer the case. Our children's classroom sizes were 29 and 27, rules indicated no immersion class over 24 because of the nature of the program. The size of the classes reduced teachers to child managers, not teachers. Conferences were exercises in message management; everything was "fine" and "no problems" smiles all around. The kids tell a different story of the teachers screaming at the students to "shut up" . When confronted with said information in conference, teachers would delve into their displeasures and dislikes of the administration. In a separate conference with administration to express concern about teacher behavior, administration would delve into their displeasures and dislikes of the teachers. Professionalism does not exist at this school. I would like to add more about the staff and administration of this school, my displeasures and dislikes, but what would be the point. They didn't care about our concerns when we were there in meetings, face to face..they certainly are not going to care about a review on a website. If you can, avoid this school
--Submitted by a parent

I agree my kids love the school and the SACC program and never complain about having to go to school. I have a 4th grader and a 1st grader. Although at times I feel my daughter is not challenged enough and the Level III advanced academics is not quite what I exxpected..
--Submitted by a parent

This school is obsessed with fundraising and the SOLs (State Standards of Learning Tests). For the most part, the teachers are very good and understanding. However, if your child is special needs and thinks outside the box, don't expect complete understanding and sympathy. The saving graces of this school are the music and art programs. If it hadn't been for the excellent art teacher, I would have pulled my child out. My child hated this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent Spanish Emmersion Program. The teachers are wonderful
--Submitted by a parent

no stars curent leadership is ruining school
--Submitted by a parent

The Good: Excellent SAAC; Very clean; Most teachers are good, some are excellent; Safety is very good; PTA Grace Art and Assemblies; Excellent Admin. Assistants. The Bad: The Principal does not interact well with parents. Parents must complain to have some basic issues (e.g. class size, emergency communication) rectified. Critical input may be met with punitive administration measures. K-3 gifted differentiation weak or non-existent. Bottom line is Admin. spends energy 'controlling' parents rather than working with them. Too bad because that is weighted most heavily in my rating...
--Submitted by a parent