Jacobs Road Elementary School

8800 Jacobs Road

School District

Chesterfield County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Chesterfield 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 teacher on December 15, 2023

I was at this school for 2 years. In my first year, I shared a space with a controlling and rude teacher who just always talked down to me, but called it constructive criticism. She left and the next year I loved working with the new teacher I shared a space with. The teachers there are great. Most love their kids and would do anything for them to succeed. The Principal is about as fake as they come. She is always hiding in her office and makes the Assistant Principal do all the work. He looked overwhelmed and burned out all the time but still made it to work every day. She threw a fit when teachers who were leaving the school at the end of the year didn't show up for the little gifts she got and tossed them back on the table in a meeting when she noticed they were not there. It was a true sign of how much they didn't care for her patronizing. Chesterfield County Public Schools is slowly looking like Richmond City Schools and they aren't ready for it. This school wants to keep its image more white-friendly and kind of hide ELL kids away from Gen Pop. Students of color get harsher punishments than white kids. Over all not a bad school, but the admin needs to wake up or retire.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2018

Exceptional. I thought it was better than average while we were there. It was not until after we moved that I realized what a great thing we had in Jacobs. The counselor was amazing making sure my two gifted kids had all the paperwork in order for our move. Transition to the new school was rocky and I reached out to Slemaker several times for help. She was phenomenal.
Submitted by parent on January 03, 2018

Unfortunate to see a 3 rating, as that was not our experience at Jacobs. My son attended there for 4th and 5th grade. The Principal- Mrs. T, The AP- Mrs. Brown, and the Guidance Counselor Extraordinaire- Mrs. Slemaker, were all exceptional.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2017

Principal and Assistant doesnt take bullying seriously and being honest and truthful to there bosses and when at the end of the year they lose 14 employees u have ask why? And if there need to be changes in the leadership of the school
Submitted by other on February 02, 2017

I am very pleased with this school in all areas, the teachers over the years have been wonderful. My three children have been thriving well. I am so pleased with their special education department. They all work very hard to ensure the children get everything they need. My children absolutely love this school and I'm so excited that next year my younger will be joining. The office staff is great and friendly the principals are wonderful. The PTA is amazing. I couldn't ask for more.
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2016

We've had 2 children go to this school since 2011 and they have both loved the teachers and their classmates! I think that the teachers had done a great job with my kids and we are so happy with the school that we bought a new home that is in the same district so that our 7 year old can finish there and our 3 year old can go there when she's ready.
Submitted by parent on July 05, 2016

Teachers and staff do not respect parents or the children at all. I identified that my child had a reading disability I'm kindergarten but the school and teachers both ignored me. My child had brand new teachers in both kindergarten and first grades who were utterly useless. A problem wI think testing wasn't addressed until half of 2cd grade. Now they want to retain my child. I sent letters stating I would not consent and the principal never responded! They do not teach the current scientific methods the no child left behind requires. All the care about is SOLS. They deliberately set children up to fail and make them dislike school. They focus more on the child's social ability rather than educating them. A child with all A's and B's and a Dr in reading should not be retained. The principal stated they base moving the child up based on grades and social maturity. I don't ever remember being graded on whether or not I have friends or read aloud in class. ADHD children find this stressful and do not like to read aloud and usually lack the confidence in class. Especially when myou child's kindergarten teacher made them sit there with their heads down and be quiet while she played on her phone. Thence to put a child in those unsafe unsecure trailers is unacceptable. Especiallyou because they are busing other students in making it overcrowded. This school is lacking in everything. Not recommended at all.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2016

Love the school and all staff. The administration addresses things quickly and the office staff is very helpful. Everyone is always very helpful. The PTA is very active and does many things and I love this.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2015

My child is going into 1st grade.The good: The PTA is very active and does multiple events and fundraisers. They work hard to involve parents in school activities. The front office staff is always friendly but they do seem to have a lot on their shoulders. They are always very busy. We had very little dealings with the principal last year but did meet some with the vice principal. I was very happy with her and my child adores her. There are multiple play areas outside and a big field (normally for the softball season but it is also used for Field Day and P.E.). The P.E. Teacher always seems to be excited and happy to be there (and she taught some of the kids' parents). My child had a pretty big conflict with another child early in the year that the other child had instigated. Throughout the year while I volunteered in the classroom, I was happy to see the other child getting help for their issues rather than just punishment. The kindergarten classes went on three field trips last year and my child thoroughly enjoyed them. The not-so-good:I haven't been very happy with our bus driver. He frequently allowed my kindergartener to sit far in the back of the bus and when I asked my child why, there weren't seats in the front that were available. I would prefer it if the school taught a second language as this is the prime age for learning languages. I hardly ever heard about how my child was doing in resource classes. The school is overfilled. There are multiple tables in the hallways for ESOL or special education because there aren't enough classrooms. The kindergarten classes were the most full last year than any year prior. My child's class had 24 students and one frazzled teacher. I won't say this is the best school ever but I am satisfied with how they are performing.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2015

My child was bullied at this school and the principal did not do anything about it. The next year the teacher yelled constantly and gave nothing but worksheets and 50 page SOL study packets. They didn't go on any field trips or do any special awards day recognition programs for students. I was just so disappointed by the experience at this school. My child was a straight A student before enrolling here and after moving her out of this school went right back to making straight As. The Principal was less than stellar and one of the teachers we experienced was disorganized, had poor classroom management and was generally negative towards the students. The school sent my child home on the bus when I followed protocol and sent a note indicating that I would be picking her up. The office staff was inattentive and unfriendly. Several times my mom picked my child up from school and was given a hard time, although she was on the pick up list. Once I called the school to make sure my child had stayed after for an after-school program and the secretary just told me that she didn't know and couldn't find out. It was ridiculous.
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2014

My kids have been in much better schools than this one. Buses are horrible. Staff is uncooperative.
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2014

Involved w/schools in other areas. This one is definitely a sinking ship in need of a captain who can steer. The rating system isdropping and our friends are definitely not okay with the public transportation. Yes,I am involved but parental involvement can't fix the existing problems without the needed support which has degraded from frustrating to almost nonexistent - good ideas and plans but consistently poor follow-up. Our teachers worked hard to earn their degrees and do their best with limited resources so they shouldn't have to double up their responsiblities by acting as parking attendants - especially with a lot poorly designed to safely drop off students. The general parking & handicapped access is deplorable. The office staff needs instruction in PR - especially acknowleding/ greeting/guiding newcomers. Potential here but a sad lack of protocol essential for a positive/productive learning experience. Attitude seems to be stressed/defensive versus positive/helpful all around.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2014

My daughter has been attending since K and is now in 2 nd grade. She loves her school and is very proud if being a Jaguar. The only concern I have is with the new Principal, she joined in 2013, because she is very protective over the teachers and doesn't hold them accountable. She does not want parent feedback and will be rude and shun you if you try to approach her. This is reflective in the SOL scores which have dropped dramatically. I want to move ASAP now.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2014

I have been thrilled with Jacobs Road so far. My daughter is in special education and my son is not. I work with students regarding positive behavior interventions and supports and it is clear that Jacobs knows all about supporting kids no matter what their behavior positively. Kudos to the principal as I have seen her in action with students in a variety of situations and she was wonderful! Love this school. Keep up the good work Jacobs!
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2014

We have had a wonderful experience at Jacobs road elementary. Great teachers and involvement in the school.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2014

Stellar School! The new principal is a wonderful addition to what was already a great school. We moved here from out of state last year and not only have the teachers and support staff made it an easy transition for my daughter, but the student body has been very welcoming as well. We love the accelerated classes available and the honor roll assembly celebrations. So pleased with our experience at Jacobs!!!!
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2014

Jacobs is very nurturing of young kids and have great support from teachers,PTA and support staff. We always get informed about activities in school. The PTA can only be as strong as their members so lets go pArents, lets extend our hand in d midst of our busy lives to support our school.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2014

My daughter is in 5th grade and has attended Jacobs since 1st grade and we absolutely love this school. They have some fabulous teachers who really care about the students.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2013

We were pleasantly surprised by the attention this school has provided both our son and our family in general. Since we transisitioned from Private to Public directly to Jacobs in the 5th grade, we were of course nervous on how things would turn out. They are always keeping you informed of important dates and our son's teacher is absoutely wonderful!!! I would recommend Jacobs Elementary to any family.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2012

Great school with a supportive staff and caring parents. There is some issues with bullying but unfortunately there isn't much the school can do when the parents of said students sit idly by and let their kids run amok.