Winding Creek Elementary School

I sent two children through WCES. They were challenged with grade level and higher work, and had opportunities to compete in geography bee, word masters, etc. There are many master level teachers in the building, NONE of whom show Disney movies daily or even monthly, unless for a fun event...it IS an elementary school, after all! Don't take my word for this, WCES kids are some of the highest performing in the county, and go on to perform well in middle, high school and college with the support of their wonderful and caring families and teachers. This is evident when you look up the school's test scores, as it is when you walk through the building.
--Submitted by a parent

DO NOT recommend this school. We were so dissatisfied with the quality of teachers that we pulled our two children out and home-schooled them for one year and will be sending them to catholic school next year. Each grade has only one good teacher and the others do ineffectual jobs, and parents will do whatever they can to influence the student placements in hopes of getting their child the 'one good' teacher. For example, our daughter finished 1st grade speaking poor english and unable read at a 1st grade level; after I got to know her teacher I understood why. Our son, in third grade, faired no better and spent time each day watching Disney movies, really! I can't believe our taxes go to pay for this level of professionalism. The one bright spot is the music teacher, Mr. 'S', but the negative inertia is worth understanding and being prepared for if you send you child(ren) to WCES.
--Submitted by a parent

If you are considering buying a house that feeds to this school, don't. Don't send your kids to any school in Stafford County for that matter. Outside recess is an option left up to the teacher.
--Submitted by a parent

I can't say enough about Winding Creek. Both my children graduated from Winding Creek and now I have 4 nieces and nephews going through the school. They have many wonderful teachers and deserve this.
--Submitted by a parent

Having been a teacher myself for 13 years, I know a quality school when I see one! We are a military family and are this is our third elementary school. My children were made to feel welcome right from the get go--there are so many opportunities for the students and parents to get involved. Their standards are very high and they back it up with loads of support--no one is going to fall through the cracks at this school. I find the teachers to be friendly and communicative with a principal who knows how to support and lead. This school is a source of pride in our community!
--Submitted by a parent

The PTA is wonderful at this school and the kids are great! Unfortunately, leadership is lacking at this school and the teaching my child received was very uneven. Personal experience with some teaching staff was extremely unprofessional. A school like this one doesn't afford much choice when teachers aren't meeting your child's need. And the principal is doing very little to weed out those teachers who are just 'biding their time,' while they waste the precious time of the students they are trained professionally to serve and inspire.'
--Submitted by a parent

My twins have attended 1st and 2nd grade at WCES at it has been a great experience. My daughter had trouble reading and the teachers and support staff went out of their way. The only bump in the road was the LD evaluator and if you have to deal with her be prepared to be your childs advocate because she won't be. My children were challenged and loved in the classrooms. I was impressed with all the 'extras.' We are sad to be leaving our community and can only hope the next school can live up to our expectations.
--Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children currently attending this school. Overall it has been a good experience. I agree that Mr. Kennedy is an outstanding principal and does seem to know each of the kids by name. My third grader has a fantastic teacher that does a lot of extra things with the kids and really has a love of teaching. There are a few drawbacks to this school. We are a military family with a gifted child and it took a year to get him in the gifted program after we arrived when they say the norm is 60 days. He had been in a gifted program previously and so far I'm not impressed with the program. They have only had class 3 of the last 8 weeks. There also seems to be a lot of pressure put on the kids to bring money for various charities.
--Submitted by a parent

My oldest started at WCES the first year it opened(she was 2nd grade)..and I have a child entering the 5th grade this fall....what a wonderful experience it has been ..the staff is wonderful...Mr. Kennedy knows all the kids by sight and always quick to ask them something or be there to talk to them. The happenings of the last few years were hard on the community...the school provided a safe haven for our children and one for learning. LOVE THIS SCHOOL!
--Submitted by Stephanie Lyles, a parent

My daughter has been at Winding Creek since 2nd grade. It has been a wonderful and safe haven in a crazy world. Our community was heavily affected by the sniper and the 911 terrorist attacks, yet the school was always available for counseling and for making a safe environment for the kids. Despite the troublesome year last year, the kids did great on their standardized state scores, in large part because of the dedication of the staff and teachers at the school
--Submitted by a parent