Advertisement

GreatSchools Rating

Seneca Ridge Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 989 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 2 ratings
2011:
Based on 2 ratings
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

Rate this school

Click on stars to rate
Please select a star rating for this school.
    Helpful reviews answer questions:
  • What do you think others should know?
  • What do you like?
  • How could your school improve?
    Review Guidelines
    GreatSchools won’t post reviews that contain:
  • Inappropriate language
  • Allegations of criminal conduct
  • Names of students, teachers or staff
1200 characters remaining
Please indicate your relationship to the school.
Please read and accept our Terms of Use to join GreatSchools.
Indicates a required field

13 reviews of this school


Sort by:
Show reviews by:
Posted June 8, 2012

Seneca Ridge has an awesome band progam run by two incredible band teachers! Too bad one is leaving to teach in Fairfax County :(. They made such a great team! I think they have good teachers for all the subjects, especially in the honors program. However, I am not at all happy with the languages - specifically French and Spanish. My son took French in 7th grade, but unfortunately was turned off by the teaching style - straight from the book. The teacher didn't incorporate technology into her teaching at all. Also, she didn't have any control over her classroom. And unfortunately, the well-behaved kids are left to suffer. In 8th grade he took spanish by a teacher who could barely speak english, so there was a language barrier to work thru, and again, she also had no control over her classroom! The science and civics teachers are excellent (at least the one's my son had). He is excited to go to high school at Dominion!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 6, 2012

English teachers should not be allowed to eat during the entirety of the class room instruction time day after day. Also, the carpool pick up line is very inconvenient: 30-40 cars wait for 15-30 minutes to get out of the parking lot. On the positive side, this year they have actually decided that giving students homework and phasing out study guides will prepare them better for High School.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 6, 2011

I have two boys attending Seneca this school year ending June 2011. The teachers are very caring, listen to parental input & guide the youth into becoming responsible teenagers. I am continuously informed about school activities, lessons and exams to ensure my children are able to participate and succeed academically, socially & physically. I am very pleased with the administration and faculty. Seneca is a feeder school to Dominion HS, which is establishing itself as the HS to attend in the DC area lead by Dr. Brewer. Since Seneca is the feeder school, Dominion benefits from the foundation established by Seneca.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 28, 2011

I will admit, the BAND program is amazing, being a former member I know that the band teacher (i cant say her name) works extremely hard for the students to be successful. However, I have a problem with the math department; there are certain teachers who SHOULD NOT be teaching math at all. I have never gotten an A in math all throughout middle school due to the teachers' lack of commitment to helping students. When I got to high school, math became my best subject; so what does that say about the teachers here? Also, I should probably mention the atmosphere at Seneca. In my last year at Seneca I had a certain english teacher who pretty much said to my class that we are not performing at a satisfactory level that is expected in high school, and that we will not have a chance in college. It really hurts when you have a teacher who does not believe you can do well, especially when teachers are supposed to support you and promote your excellence. And, unfortunately, i feel that this attitude is mutual among most of the teachers. Also, I feel like most of the reviews on this website are biased, because parents don't know what really goes on at this school.


Posted December 14, 2010

The music program is awesome, especially the band program! The art on the school walls is amazing. Negatives: It seems as though the disruptive kids have control of the classrooms, and the students who want to get their work done are the ones who suffer. Our experience with the Spanish teachers has been particularly disappointing - completely lacking in leadership of their classes.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 9, 2010

Good School, attention to the kids is great. Keeping grades separate and challenging the kids. Attention is on the academics and they pay lots of attention to behavior.
—Submitted by D A, a parent


Posted February 13, 2010

I loved Seneca 06! All three years I spent there were amazing, the school is so diverse the teachers are great and really care about the students. Seneca 'the jail' was only called that because it lacks windows. Mrs. Martin is who your child needs for 8th grade english! I felt prepared for high school because i took honors classes at Seneca.
—Submitted by a student


Posted March 3, 2009

I love this school! The best thing about it is the German program. The teacher is amazing!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 7, 2008

i, Personally Love Seneca Ridge. The Teachers are amazing! They give you one on one help if they see that you are struggling...or if u ask them for help. My first year at Seneca really surprised me. You hear from all the people at Riverbend that Seneca is a jail...well its not! grant it not being the newest school...but it has the greatest teachers i have met. I cant wait to continue my middle school education at Seneca Ridge!
—Submitted by a student


Posted August 6, 2008

I love thsi school they are really good. The teachers are awesome.
—Submitted by a student


Posted February 20, 2008

Wonderful School and The teachers are very nice, a lot of parent-school cooperation.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 5, 2007

Wonderful school with fantastic teachers! go SRMS!
—Submitted by a student


Posted September 29, 2004

Too much attention to unrelated junk. Not enough math and science. My kid came home with a load of greek mithology junk rather than the 3 r's. The do teach organization, but do not talk with the parents enough. They are not part of the 21st century as they do not have a website with weekly status and daily attendance info for parents to look at.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
English: Reading

The state average for English: Reading was 89% in 2012.

338 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
90%

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
89%

2008

 
 
90%
History and Social Science

The state average for History and Social Science was 86% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 74% in 2012.

212 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
58%

2011

 
 
62%

2010

 
 
76%

2009

 
 
41%

2008

 
 
49%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

The state average for English: Reading was 88% in 2012.

321 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
90%

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
96%

2008

 
 
96%
History and Social Science

The state average for History and Social Science was 88% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 58% in 2012.

330 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
70%

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
48%

2009

 
 
77%

2008

 
 
71%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

The state average for English: Reading was 89% in 2012.

335 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
90%

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
96%

2009

 
 
93%

2008

 
 
87%
English: Writing

The state average for English: Writing was 88% in 2012.

339 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
90%

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
94%

2008

 
 
90%
History and Social Science

The state average for History and Social Science was 88% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a

2008

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 60% in 2012.

100 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
17%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
91%

2008

 
 
87%
Science

The state average for Science was 92% in 2012.

339 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
91%

2008

 
 
87%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

All Students90%
Female students91%
Male students90%
Black students86%
Asian students96%
Hispanic74%
White students96%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged80%
Not economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disabilities51%
Students without disabilities96%
Limited English proficient students59%
Proficient in English93%
Not migrant90%

History and Social Science

All Studentsn/a
Male studentsn/a
Black studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Proficient in Englishn/a
Not migrantn/a

Math

All Students58%
Female students61%
Male students54%
Black students42%
Asian students83%
Hispanic42%
White students65%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged44%
Not economically disadvantaged63%
Students with disabilities20%
Students without disabilities66%
Limited English proficient students35%
Proficient in English61%
Not migrant58%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. Data is not reported when there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

All Students90%
Female students93%
Male students87%
Black students70%
Asian students95%
Hispanic84%
White students93%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged74%
Not economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilities62%
Students without disabilities94%
Limited English proficient students77%
Proficient in English91%
Not migrant90%

History and Social Science

All Studentsn/a
Male studentsn/a
Black studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Proficient in Englishn/a
Not migrantn/a

Math

All Students70%
Female students71%
Male students69%
Black students42%
Asian students91%
Hispanic55%
White students74%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged42%
Not economically disadvantaged76%
Students with disabilities44%
Students without disabilities74%
Limited English proficient students53%
Proficient in English72%
Not migrant70%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. Data is not reported when there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

All Students90%
Female students91%
Male students90%
Black students87%
Asian students97%
Hispanic68%
White students97%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged73%
Not economically disadvantaged95%
Students with disabilities59%
Students without disabilities95%
Limited English proficient students52%
Proficient in English94%
Not migrant90%

English: Writing

All Students90%
Female students94%
Male students87%
Black students84%
Asian students95%
Hispanic73%
White students96%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged74%
Not economically disadvantaged94%
Students with disabilities57%
Students without disabilities95%
Limited English proficient students55%
Proficient in English94%
Not migrant90%

History and Social Science

All Studentsn/a
Male studentsn/a
Black studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Proficient in Englishn/a
Not migrantn/a

Math

All Students17%
Female students18%
Male students16%
Black students8%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic10%
White students25%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged10%
Not economically disadvantaged22%
Students with disabilities18%
Students without disabilities16%
Limited English proficient students8%
Proficient in English20%
Not migrant17%

Science

All Students93%
Female students93%
Male students93%
Black students92%
Asian students98%
Hispanic77%
White students98%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged78%
Not economically disadvantaged97%
Students with disabilities73%
Students without disabilities96%
Limited English proficient students60%
Proficient in English97%
Not migrant93%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. Data is not reported when there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

  • In 2009-2010, this school was rated "Fully Accredited".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was rated "Fully Accredited".
  • In 2007-2008, this school was rated "Fully Accredited".

About the tests


Virginia school accreditation ratings reflect student achievement on Standards of Learning (SOL) tests and other assessments in English, history/social science, math and science. The 2009-2010 ratings are based on passing rates on tests taken during the 2008-2009 school year or on overall achievement during the three most recent years. Schools are identified as either Fully Accredited, Accredited with Warning, Conditionally Accredited or Accreditation Denied.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 75% in 2012.

256 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
96%

2011

 
 
100%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
n/a

2008

 
 
100%
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 88% in 2010.

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
n/a

2008

 
 
100%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course tests to assess students in reading, writing, math, science and history/social science subjects at the end of each course, regardless of the student's grade level. The SOL End-of-Course tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. High school students must pass at least six SOL End-of-Course tests to graduate. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

Algebra I

All Students96%
Female students98%
Male students95%
Black students92%
Asian students100%
Hispanic91%
White students97%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged88%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Students without disabilities96%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English97%
Not migrant96%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course tests to assess students in reading, writing, math, science and history/social science subjects at the end of each course, regardless of the student's grade level. The SOL End-of-Course tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. High school students must pass at least six SOL End-of-Course tests to graduate. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 59% 57%
Hispanic 20% 9%
Asian/Pacific Islander 13% 6%
Black 8% 26%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 19%N/A33%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 15N/A17
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

98 Seneca Ridge Dr
Sterling, VA 20164
Phone: (571) 434-4420

ADVERTISEMENT

Compare this school
to nearby schools

Compare schools »

Compare

Add this school to compare

Nearby schools

ADVERTISEMENT