Dominion High School

I think what a previous review meant to say is that the principle micro-manages quite a bit. Teachers have said that they feel constrained at times and have little freedom to use creativity in their classes. School spirit was extremely low when my two kids went to school there and the quality of the sports programs for the most part are lacking in support from the administration and funding to help build that. The principal would not allow a sports booster club until last year as the county decreased their funding and there was no choice.There have been, at the least, over a dozen students that have switched to other public schools in the district to benefit from superior sports programs and academically Dominion ranks about the same as the those other schools in the district. My son and many of the former students I have talked with over the years felt that college was a breath of fresh air when it came to expression both by students as well as teachers. They said they felt like they were treated as if they were still preteens at Dominion. That is not to say that Dominion didn't have it's share of good teachers- but they lack the freedom from the ones I've spoken to.
--Submitted by a parent

I have to laugh at some of the reviews. The principal is "too over involved"? How is that even possible? Don't you want you principal to be involved in your child's education? My favorite: They installed "escalators" at Dominion? There are no ESCALATORS in Dominion, only an ELEVATOR for those that are in wheelchairs or can't manage the stairs due to disabilities. And all two story high schools have them. It is the law. Get over yourself. This high school is STERLING! From an informed, involved administration, to teachers that truly care and want to teach. My children and their friends, which are incredibly diverse - have enjoyed and benefited from their experience at Dominion. I have a freshman now and I am busy sending gift boxes to our daughter and several of her friends that went to college. [They are sophomores now.] If the review you read is poor it is probably because someone, or someone's kid broke the rules and they just aren't happy about it. You can't beat how organized, up to date and wonderful this school is. If you take the experience they are willing to provide you, you can only thrive and succeed. I have seen it with my children and their friends.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school. Excellent principle. Gets to know each student personally. Kids are held accountable for their own work, and encouraged to set goals.
--Submitted by a parent

As a parent of a current freshman, I can't say enough wonderful things about the school. The teachers keep parents up to date, the administration does everything possible to keep parents informed on events and the facility itself is clean and safe. Bravo to a great example for our students!
--Submitted by a parent

Band program is great; orchestra (strings) program, however, suffers from being led by a teacher with no interest in or working knowledge of stringed instruments. Spanish teachers have been spotty at best (don't know about other language teachers). Administration is difficult to deal with. Do not expect to have your emails answered in a timely manner, and do not expect that you know your children or your child's needs better than Dr. Brewer does. There is virtually no communication from the school, other than the required grade reports. One or two teachers stand out as making a huge effort to let the parents know what is going on, but by and large parents are on their own trying to figure things out.
--Submitted by a parent

Dominion High School has a bad administration and I believe that they spend too much money on useless things. The athletics program needs to improve
--Submitted by a parent

Great school. Excellent teachers and staff working together to create a safe, learning environment. Parents need more envolvement in the school.

I think this is a terrific school. The principal is very involved with the children, the teachers are very caring and the staff is very good. My child is having a good high school experience at Dominion High School. I don't worry about her when I drop her off in the morning to attend this school and I truly believe she is getting a first rate education at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Terrible. Kids are horribly behaved. Administration does absolutley nothing about it.
--Submitted by a parent

Dominion High School is one of the most prestigious high schools in the commonwealth of Virginia, however I feel that if they put more money to work on teachers of value instead of constant 'improvement' of there facilities, there ratings would be much higher. 2 years ago the school installed an escalator and is one of 3 high schools in the nation with escalators, all 3 schools are located in Northern Virginia I might add.
--Submitted by a parent