White Oaks Elementary School

6130 Shiplett Boulevard

Burke, VA 22015

School District

Fairfax County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
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 28, 2023

Daughter attends there. Never had a problem with any type of learning issues. Teachers and staff are friendly and polite, with weekly updates from the teachers. PTA is very involved in the "going on's". Learning environment is inviting. School is also an AAP school for which I have no negative rules. Girls Scout troop meets at the school.
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2021

A fantastic school with welcoming teachers and a kind, concerned approach to children as individuals. Newly renovated for the 2020-21 school year. School administration is top-notch.
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2020

We have had such a wonderful experience at this school so far! We've had 5 years. We've had one student in the AAP program, which has been top notch, and experiences in the regular classes as well. The teachers have been phenomenal and the staff is very patient and efficient. This is an excellent school.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2020

My experience at this school was with the AAP program. This school used to be great, but since the administration change 7-8 years ago, almost all of the excellent AAP teachers left. It is definitely not worth sending your kids to this school anymore. The principal does not support AAP.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2019

Very good compared with a previous school in the same district; we switched last year.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2018

Teacher didn' teach to the student very well.I was so sad fir school life time
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2017

Very disappointed in the teachers my kids learn nothing and bullying are everywhere and tere are a lot of drama the school doesn't want to hear it
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2017

Very disappointing. They are an advanced program school who will ship as many students as they can with learning disabilities, especially our children on the autism spectrum, to another school.
Submitted by other on April 29, 2017

Outstanding school in outstanding neighborhood. Teachers work together as a team for the best interests of the students. Very individualized attention. Administrators an office staff focus on the students, as well and soon know students by name and recognize their parents as well.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2016

My child is in the advanced program at this school. They claim that 'differentiation' is being in the advanced program. It is 'differentiated' from the regular classes. There is ZERO individual differentiation. In fact, there is zero focus on the individual. This school teaches precisely to achieve good test scores. There is no apparent focus on learning how to think or on creative thinking. The focus is on rote learning, worksheets, repetition, PERFECTIONISM and high test scores. For some, this may be enough. For our family it is soul destroying. We came from a charter school environment.that valued the individual and creative thinking. In this region it seems you have to pay huge amounts to get something similar. That is a pity. A few quotes to get you thinking: “The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones.” — John Maynard Keynes “There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Withoutcreativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.” — Edward de Bono “I can’t understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I’m frightened of the old ones.”John CageSo, off we go to find a school where the teachers think and question and remain curious... and so, therefore, do the children.
Submitted by other on October 12, 2015

The 9 is based on test scores, but look into it. They are one of the few advanced schools so they bring in students from other areas, the best test scorers, so of course they score high. The problem is if your child is not in the advanced program how much focus is on them? They also weaken other schools by taking their best performers. So why not just have an advanced program in each school?
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2015

This is a great school with caring teachers and a very responsive administration. The teachers go above and beyond to make learning fun for the children. My son has been at this school for 3 years, and we couldn't be happier. We can't wait for the brand new playground coming later this month.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2015

Unless your child is in the Advanced Academic Placement Classes, you will be disappointed in this school. All the resources and emphasis is given to the AAP courses. If your child is in the regular placement classes, then whether or not they get a good, quality education will depend on the teacher. My son and daughter have had some really good and really bad teachers at White Oaks. Save yourself frustration and disappointment and go to another school.
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2015

I went to White Oaks elementary school for grades 1-6. Excellent school in a great school district. I would definitely send my child to this school.
Submitted by parent on November 26, 2014

white oaks is a great school. i have a girl in 3rd grade who loves the teachers for their way of teaching. i am grateful for that
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2014

The 6th grade gt or aap is a waste of time. The math teacher is the only jewel. One of the aap teachers is a tyrant and should not be teaching at all.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

I have 2 sons in white oaks ES iT is really great school the principles did good job and all the teachers are helpfull when we ask them about anything it has good contact with the teacher by email White oaks did a lot of activities and the help all the student to enjoined I'm lucky because my son in this school I want to said thank you very much to all the sttafe who work there .
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2014

This school is excellent! My child's teacher is knowledgeable and kind. I feel like I always know what is being taught and how m child is performing. Her teacher has been easy to communicate with when we have concerns. I have also noticed a difference with the change in administration and the new principal does a fantastic job. Looking at the abundance of 4&5-star reviews I can't help but think that perhaps the two parents who gave 2-star reviews were the problem, not the teacher/principal. We have had such a positive experience in our 4 years at this school and we have had a great response from administration and the teacher when we did have a concern.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2013

"My child's 3rd grade general education teacher is terrible" (comment from the parent below). Do something! Be proactive! White Oaks Elem has a new principal now! Send email or/make appointments with your child's teacher to talk about any concerns you have. I had similar experience. But don't wait till your child's teacher starts to tell something bad about her/him. Go to have lunch with your kid and go to volunteer at school so that you will know more about how your kid is doing at school. If you need your child s teacher helps your child, you need to do your homework first as well. That s what I have learned since my kid goes to elementary school. Unless your child is going to a private school, most likely you are not receiving the great customer services that you expect.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2013

This is typical of Fairfax County Schools - first of all, if you are a military family - that's the death sentence for advanced academics. Fairfax County Schools do not like children in military families - mostly because they aren't swimming in money like most of the families in this county. Secondly, Virginia schools are notorious for pigeon-holing children on subjective "what the teacher thinks" criteria along with standardized tests. I think the school system would collapse in Virginia without standardized test scores for pigeon-holing. And to add insult to injury, there are eleventy-five levels of "intelligence." I see it as crowd control more so than challenging children. Fairfax county schools have no text books for the students are terrible at keeping the Blackboard updated. And the County uses a 1-4 "Effort" scale rather than the traditional A-F grading most of the nation uses. As for military families - wait until your child transfers out of Fairfax schools to another state's school system - translating "effort" into competencies can't get more subjective. Fairfax schools get high ratings on sites like this because they have mastered the art of confusion.