Trailside Middle School

20325 Claiborne Parkway

Ashburn, VA 20147

School District

Loudoun County Public Schools
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Loudoun 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 student on February 08, 2025

I have been a student at this two for over two years. This school is horrible in almost every way possible. Most of the teachers are so incredibly disrespectful and unqualified. Trailside has some of the weirdest rules. One being that we can’t move or stand up at lunch without teacher permission. I do not feel safe at this school because of the insane number of medical emergencies. There have been so many medical emergencies. In one week two people had seizures, a person fainted and a kid jumped off the stairs. If you are thinking about sending your child here; DONT DO IT!!!
Submitted by student on July 29, 2024

It’s a nice school in all just not what happens in the school I’ve been going since August of 2022 and it’s hasn’t really been the best. The first thing is the teachers are mostly impatient and annoy us when we are trying to do the problem. They also do nothing about the teachers being bias and do school events without telling us. We also don’t have enough freedom, we only get 10 Minutes of pack time each day sometimes not at all depending who your lunch block teacher is for indoor pack time. I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters one of my sisters is my twin 2 of my brothers are older and have both went to TMS already and have had the same experience as me my younger brother is starting 6th grade this year and younger sister will start in the 2025 school year. The school also underestimates people with disabilities like autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, etc. my best friend has autism and he does pretty well in school but they think he’s not so they put him on an IEP even though he didn’t need one when he was perfectly doing great in all honors and Algebra 1 in 7th grade. They also say students aren’t respecting the teachers enough when really it’s the other way around, the teachers are strict, mean, and impatient and don’t give us freedom so we’re not giving them respect because of that. If teachers want respect they need to earn it. They also do a bunch of dumb things to they made us take our SOL test on different which was dumb. I was in Algebra 1 in 7th grade my twin sister was in my class and my friend I told you about but we had to test on the same day as foundations because they thought my friend needed a small group when he was fine. I’m conclusion trailside is a terrible school the admin is mean, the teachers are rude, and it ruined my experience at this school throughout 7th grade. So hopefully 8th grade will be better even though we’re having all of our classes in the same day. -TRL (Almost 8th Grader)
Submitted by student on July 16, 2024

Trailside is a great school with an educational environment, but the motto is no place for hate and I have seen and experienced a lot of hate. The teachers always do what they can to help, until the report will make them look bad I reported border line harassment and a treat and the school didn’t punish anyone and this is probably because it would make the school look bad. Long story short a helpful learning environment that doesn’t always stick to it’s word.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2024

Amazing teachers and school. Safe and healthy environment.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2024

Best Middle school -Academically, it’s doing much better than other middle schools in Ashburn. They have a strong science and technology background. They challenge kids to strive better and test better. The only complaint is other teachers have it out for students who aren’t always on their good side.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2024

Amazing curriculum. The teachers are great but there will be some teachers that will be difficult.Very strong academic support and the school is very diverse.
Submitted by student on March 06, 2024

If you are thinking about enrolling your kid at TMS, I would greatly encourage it! I haven't been here at TMS for very long, but it's been an enjoyable school year so far. I really like how kind and helpful most of the teachers are. There are also a lot of after-school clubs you can get involved in. You can even audition for the school musical, which I've heard is really fun. It is very inclusive here, and I'm sure almost all my fellow students would agree- TMS is a great place to be!
Submitted by student on February 28, 2024

Trailside is amazing. Everybody is super friendly including the principal. I am having a great time here. I don’t understand why people call it Jailside it is a very good school. All of the teachers provide helpful feedback and support. It is a great school.
Submitted by student on February 28, 2024

This is a great school. I didn't even like school, but now I do. There are lots of clubs and afterschool activities. All the staff is super helpful and respectfully. Lots of teachers let you come in early for extra help. The classes are very encouraging and engaging. Even the food tastes good. It is a great school and I would definitely recommend it.
Submitted by student on November 09, 2023

The three years I had to spend at Trailside were probably the worst three years of my school career. The staff and deans treat you like babies most of the teachers just tell you what you have to do and you have to do that for the entire block which does not show students engaging in learning. Also, the "Off And Away in Your Locker". This policy is very dumb as we are in Middle School we know when we should be using our phones or not as many other teachers during times of independent work violate this policy and are clearly doing things on there device that they are not meant to be doing at that time. And the feed the good wolf not the bad wolf is basically saying that if you do something bad that it sticks with you throughout the rest of Trailside and you should be treated differently for what you did but what the school doesn't understand is students can correct there behavior to be better next time instead of making that person an outcast. Finally, the fact Trailside claims to be a No Place For Hate school is completely wrong. Many students have dealt with bullying at Trailside and what do the staff do, nothing they don't help you and in some scenarios you may have to apologise to the person that was bullying you which should not be the case so Trailside "No Place For Hate" title is completely wrong.I would not recommend this school to anyone.
Submitted by student on October 05, 2023

I don't like this school because the teachers are always super strict(except mrs. vaccaro) and treat us like babies. The experience I've had at trailside was not fun because the 2-3 years I've been here, they have never given us a field trip during my time in 6th and 7th grade. TREAT US LIKE YOUR EQUAL TEACHERS.
Submitted by other on June 03, 2023

It saddens me to write this, but Trailside Middle School has been a massive disappointment. The school places almost no value on academic achievement, while teaching students that the real way to become successful is to make yourself a teacher's pet. We just attended an awards ceremony where the school spent 2 hours giving out teacher's pet awards while the straight-A students were relegated to a quick mention in the last 15 minutes.I do think the school culture would improve significantly if Bridget Beichler was removed as the principal. Not only does she bring no value to the school, but she actually diminishes its potential. The rest of the administrative staff is pretty worthless as well. A few of the teachers are good. The rest have been disappointing.If you want your child to succeed at Trailside, tell them to smile at the teachers and tell them how much you like their newest haircuts. No actual academic work is required to be adorned with lots of accolades at TMS. But if you want your child to succeed in life, send them to a school other than Trailside.
Submitted by student on April 20, 2023

I don't understand why so many people think that Trailside is a bad school. The only bad part is the slight lack of SEL in this school. Props to Ms. Dickenson, she makes the Orchestra have an amazing performance every time.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2023

This school is so bad and I would not reoment. Half the staff is super rude and the principar and deans always treat you like a baby. DONT GO TO THIS SCHOOL!!!
Submitted by student on February 13, 2023

They call it Jailside for a reason. On Google Reviews it has 1.6 stars. The teachers treat us like we're pieces of garbage, they don't teach us anything and they grade horribly. I missed one test when I was out of town, and my English grade went from a B to a C. I was SO FREAKIN MAD. The teachers talk to us like we don't know a thing like we're babies. Again, they call it jailside for a reason.
Submitted by student on January 06, 2023

the teachers give us too much homework and treat us like babies while telling us to act our age the only good teachers are mrs. revak and mr welti.
Submitted by parent on January 01, 2023

Principal, staff and teachers are really helpful.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2022

The teachers and admin do not enforce rules or discipline the children. They awkwardly smile and say "Don't do that again." The language in the lunch room and halls is extremely vulgar and disgusting. Majority of children in math class were disengaged or napping. Homework was lacking. Kids do not know how to write or pull together thoughts in a paper or essay. Academics is not the focus. The first time my child wrote an essay was in the second school we transferred to. Tip-toeing around feelings and data mining the kids with surveys is the focus. My child said there was some kind of survey every few weeks. Inappropriate questions are asked about sexual partners, drugs, eating disorders, suicide. These are middle schoolers exposed to ideas and questions they have no experience with and taking away their innocence.
Submitted by parent on July 24, 2020

Amazing school I don’t know why it does not have 5 star rating
Submitted by parent on August 08, 2019

I’m glad my kids are done with their “Jailside” middle school experience.