Terra Centre Elementary School

6000 Burke Centre Parkway

Burke, VA 22015

School District

Fairfax County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
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 January 01, 2023

This is the third year for my youngest one. We are happy with the school, the principal, the teachers and the admin staffs too. The aye reachable, responsive, and friendly. In overall, we found that the school serves what the kids need and parents’ expectations.
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2021

Our second year at Terra Centre and we love this school. My son has been given opportunities for success, teachers and personal is friendly. Excellent library and librarian! Also it’s our fist year as parent of special kid going to special education preschool here, and I feel grateful about this program. My kid has shown progress and staff is very friendly, caring and professional.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2018

This is our second year at Terra Centre - overall we are very, very happy. The teachers really care and want to be there. The principal is visible but doesn't necessarily make time for one on one interaction with students. The school also needs to revisit how it handles students that are not necessarily bullying but just not being decent to each other. The ladies in the front office could certainly be warmer and more welcoming to parents. The building is beautiful and makes you want to be there. The PTA is strong and creates excellent programming. The bottom line is that the teachers are what really counts and Terra Centre has some of the best in Fairfax County. All of the other challenges are normal (or small) and could be overcome if the administration asked for more parent feedback.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2018

It is our first year at Terra Center and we can say it feels good in all aspects. Teachers are good at what they have to do and loving to their students.The principal is friendly; a very nice person. The whole community feels like a big family. PTA organices the best events.In a nutshell, we love TC!
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2018

Our experience was limited to one year. We chose our home based on the rave reviews for Terra Centre (which were 9/10) and I don't think it lives up to the reviews. According to two moms, there are a couple of very bad kindergarten teachers who prefer girls and who punish the 5-year olds by revoking recess.
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2017

Wonderful school. Dedicated teachers and amazing principal who promotes kindness.
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2017

This school is excellent. My daughter is really thriving there. Great staff/ teachers.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2017

School year 2016-17 was a great introductory year. The general education teacher was very supportive and created an learning and loving environment. The special education staff was amazing and truly went above and beyond! Hoping for continued positive parent and learning experience in this school.
Submitted by parent on December 14, 2015

My son has had amazing Kindergarten and First Grade teachers so far. The Principal is very active, visible, and shows leadership and confidence - the kids love him. The building was completely remodeled and it looks fantastic.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2015

For the third year I live in this area and we used to send my two kids to Terra Centre Elementary School.This year my youngest child start KG in Terra Centre Elementary School, and my daughter in 3rd grade, the school is very updated than three years ago.Teachers are very helpful and professional as well as the principal is very active and do his best with the students to keep going on advanced learning.All the staff are amazing a do a great efforts with our kids , that is why we decided to stay in this area to keep our children in this school.
Submitted by parent on August 06, 2015

In few words, Graet Principal + Great Teachers + Great Staff + Great Building = Great Students and Great school
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2015

We love TC. The new principal is very friendly and open. As a volunteer (which TC welcomes), I have seen him pop into the classroom and talk to the kids to see how they are doing. The guidance counselor is also great. She is always willing to help the kids, or offer advice to a parent with concerns. Our kindergarten year was a great transition, with a very kind and loving teacher and first grade was been great for finding the right level for the student so the kids who may need more help get it and those who can move faster, can. And it keeps getting better. The renovation is nearly complete and they have done a great job.
Submitted by parent on April 06, 2014

It's improving. The mood of the place, like the building, is flat though, so don't go looking for a tremendous amount of enthusiasm. The front office "greeters" need coffee or sunshine. Maybe they've been underground too long. A smile and an offer of assistance or navigation through the construction labyrinth goes a very long way. I've been a longtime parent there. The new administration is a far improvement over the previous *regime.* The principal is pleasant and youthful, but a little stiff, slow to act, unsure of what to do at times. It seems as though the physical renovation is the biggest concern instead of the camaraderie of the children and spirit of education. While a sense of humor is showing itself, the renovation does hamper a little of that. Some entrenched legacy teachers are good for places with new leadership, they can light the path; others are too enmeshed in their old ways to raise their own bars and challenge themselves. We will see what the new leadership is interested in doing: keeping things familiar, or really changing things for the better, in spite of "tenure" and "labor unions." After all, this is an elementary school. It's about kids.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2014

We absolutely love Terra Centre. The experience that we have had with the teachers, the administration and the office staff have been beyond our expectations. Everyone we have come into contact with has been friendly, highly responsive and helpful. My son's teachers are phenomenal and clearly have a passion for working with children, and I cannot believe how much he has learned this year...not to mention...he absolutely loves school! The new principal is a wonderful new addition to the TC, and has been a tremendous leader thus far. This school embodies a true community, with a great sense of pride and the parent involvement is overwhelming.
Submitted by parent on November 25, 2013

This is a great school! My daughter loves her teacher and is quickly learning. I am highly impressed with Fairfax County Public Schools and especially Terra Centre. My husband and I were worried about our daughter starting kindergarten and the school is under construction, but the school has a done a great job with handling this. I volunteer at the school and the construction is not a big deal. Once it is complete the school is going to be so nice. (I think it should be complete in a year or so.) The new principle and vice principle are doing great. The PTA is awesome and it is easy to volunteer and be involved as a parent.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2013

My daughter has attended Terra Centre for the past two years and I have been more than impressed with what Terra Centre has to offer. Every teach she has, has been top notch. My mother is a child welfare social worker and my grandmother was a teacher. They share my review. I only want the best for my children and Terra Centre has it.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2012

Hi .. I started to get weekly communication concerning my son via email directly from the teacher ..but getting a daily communication its not the case for my me ...I receive the works he did some other documents ... But really now I feel a change after some meetings ... ..I heard about the eminent extension of the school facilities ...the administration is serious in dealing with students issues ..but still some smiles at the entrance are needed ...
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2012

My daughter is in K in TC, and I was surprised by the 1/14 review. We receive daily communication from our teacher, and she is very responsive to us via email (my preference for communicating). We had an incident in the fall, with an older student bullying, which was resolved nearly instantly. They take things very seriously. We do have 25 in the class, but it seems to be okay. I think that class size is inevitable in today's economic environment. We have been pleased thus far with the school. My only reservation is the facilities, but they will begin a renovation to be completed by 2014, so that will resolve itself soon.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2012

Hi all .. Burke can be the best place for students ..but maybe not terra center .. The major problem is the huge lack of communication between parents and teachers ..I as father I am not receiving daily or weekly communication regarding my kid ..I send letters with my kid ..nobody see them ...I call the teacher ..rarely I reach the teacher ...When I go to the school ..believe me ..you maybe you have to pay to get a small smile from the lady in the front desk of the administration ...then there is a dramatic other problem which is the number of student in a class ..my kid`s class contain 25 ..and its a Kinder garden .!!!! for this year its enough ... The hope is pended on the next year !!