Columbia Elementary School

6720 Alpine Drive

Annandale, VA 22003

School District

Fairfax County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for Fairfax County Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on August 14, 2024

Great ES, all school staff is really professional and welcoming!
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2022

this is the best school every and the teacher are amazing and the cougar is the best and i want to tell you can the cougar take of his mask plz wait can you just tell me what is the cougars name I need to tell you something my brother is four years old so can my brother join your school
Submitted by parent on July 16, 2022

This is a wonderful neighborhood elementary school with kind and caring staff. My daughter's 1st grade teacher, Ms. Bieber, was excellent and kept us updated on her progress throughout the year and also closely worked with us when she had the occasional challenge (i.e getting distracted or being unable to switch between activities). The school is welcoming, puts on a lot of activities where parents are welcome to take part, and also has programs and teachers that monitor the emotional health of each child. As parents from different cultural backgrounds, we absolutely love how diverse the school is too. We considered private school, but wanted to give our neighborhood school a chance a first and are SO glad we did. Our daughter is engaged, loves the library at school and extra advanced classes with Ms. Paper, and feels like she is part of a greater community at Columbia. When she took her last bus ride home at the end of first grade, she (along with the other students) came off the bus crying. As parents, we were worried something had happened, but she explained to us that everyone was just sad that school year was ending. They were crying about not being able to go back to school during the summer! This is just one example of how our daughter and other children feel about their experience at Columbia. We would recommend it and have to many friends considering this school.
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2022

Columbia Elementary is a fantastic school with an amazing principal, teachers, staff and families that genuinely care for the students. I feel safe there, there's an active PTA, and there's a real sense of community and family. My daughter started kindergarten at Columbia and what she is learning is beyond my expectations. They not only help nurture her love of learning but also create a foundation of gratitude, being resilient, respectful, and inclusive. I can't say enough wonderful things about Columbia.
Submitted by other on August 04, 2021

This school does not deserve any stars, but I am only giving it one stars since I can't post my comment without it. It is that bad. What kind a school condones and allows a program (the PAC program), in which children with autism are poorly treated. When it comes to their methodology of potty training, it is 100% wrong, especially since the students are unable to advocate for themselves.A student is stripped of their clothing and are seated on the toiled the entire day. They are also given their food and drinks while they are on the toilet. The students has to earn their clothing back by successfully going in the toilet. Only then is the student able to leave the toilet for ten minutes. Then they go back sitting on the toilet until they go again. If the student has an accidents, which they are frowned upon, they are yelled at and forced to clean it up themselves.
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2018

We have an incredible time at Columbia, all the school staff help us in so many ways. They have the best Principal, teachers, everyone at Columbia Elementary School makes us feel so welcome!!
Submitted by parent on July 14, 2018

I honestly wasn't very happy with the school as a whole. My oldest child was bullied a lot at the school and my youngest didn't learn as much as I had hoped she would (I understand that parents have to teach their kids as well, which we were doing especially with reading).
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2018

It is a small school that has a "family feel". Teachers are very responsive to the needs of the students, not only academically but also emotionally. They are open to discuss your child's needs with regards to social interaction, and they put time and effort to get to know your child. In very grade, teachers have maintained constant communication with parents; they also take the time to give your child assignments that are appropriate to their own development. Meaning, if they are advanced in reading, they put them in a group of kids that are also advanced, and they give them more challenging books, etc. The leadership is very much involved in the activities; we see the Principal and the Assistant Principal in almost all the school functions. The PTA is extremely active and creative. Overall, we couldn't be happier with this school.
Submitted by parent on November 29, 2016

Great school! I have been at this elementary school for over 9 years. It has a lower enrollment than other Fairfax County elementary schools, which makes the school a small, welcoming environment. The teachers know all of the kids, not just the ones in their class. A wide range of languages and cultures that have broadened my kids horizons. There are some engaged after school activities such as running, drama, and music. Very involved teachers and staff.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2016

Great school! I couldn't be happier w/ the school, staff or teachers, and my experience w/ the school dates back to 2007-2008 school yr. I strongly disagree w/ the post immediately below. I too am a mother who works FT, & while I belong to the PTA (pay dues), I am not a board member & do not attend all mtgs, but the teachers & staff hear my voice & concerns re my child. They are responsive, and they care about my child & every other child. Further, I strongly disagree w/ the views expressed below re the ass't prin. She & the prin run a tight ship, and the kids at CES flourish because of it.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2016

On the surface, this is a happy and small community school and gives the appearance of great academic setting. But look under the surface and you will see how mediocre it is. It deserves lower rating than 7. If your child is disliked by class teacher, then you are out of luck. There is serious favoritism. If you are not on PTA (and which full-time working mothers can be!!!) then forget about succeeding in advocating for your child's best academic interests. Your opinions and meetings with the administration do not bring the results you want because you are not on the busy parent list. the PTA is a huge clique of crazy parents who desperately lobby for the best teachers (and there are only a few of those, about 1 in each grade). The assistant principal, as another reviewer alluded, has NO communication skills. She is constantly snapping at people, jittery, always suspicious of the worst in your child. Give a serious thought if you live in this school's boundary.
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2014

Columbia is a small, neighborhood school that has a strong sense of community and wonderful, caring teachers and administration. Our son has been here for kindergarten and 1st grade and we have been very happy with the school. It is extremely diverse and we love that our son is friends with kids whose families come from all over the world.