Nysmith School

13625 EDS Drive

Herndon, VA 20171

50 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 20, 2024

We have been thrilled with our experience at Nysmith and it has surpassed all our expectations thus far! Both of our boys are loving their first year here and my older son has said this is the best school in the world! The hallways are truly filled with warmth and joy and the positive energy is infectious. The small classroom sizes and highly individualized learning approach have been fantastic. Each child receives the attention they need to grow and thrive in all areas, while having the freedom to learn at their own pace. Both boys are excited to get to their classroom in the morning and have a smile each day when I pick them up. They jump right into the car after school eager to tell me about their classes and proudly show off all the work they have done, describing it in full detail! As parents, it has been wonderful to see the enthusiasm for learning and the incredible work they come home with. The curriculum is stimulating and hands-on, with fun math games, science field trips, and engaging sight word activities. The differentiated learning ensures that each student is challenged at the appropriate level and exceling in areas of strength for them. The teachers are incredibly engaged and dedicated to equipping the students with the tools needed to achieve. The teachers are always quick to respond to emails, with recommendations and are willing to set up extra time to work with students individually. Their expertise and passion for teaching are evident in their daily interactions with our boys and students. We also appreciate the weekly comments specific to our children, in addition to knowing the material they are/will be learning. The principal is incredible, always dressing up for spirit days and being super supportive of both teachers and students. He greets everyone in the pick-up line with a smile on his face, making the school environment even more welcoming. We have loved the community and events like movie and bingo nights. The boys have enjoyed all their new friends and the families have been so welcoming! This school truly embodies what education should be, and we absolutely love it!
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2024

Cannot say enough positive things about Nysmith. This is my child's third year at the school, and the level of enthusiasm and joy she exhibits about the school and, more importantly, learning is wonderful. The school focuses on fun and engaging ways for students to learn (at a high level) and does so in a nurturing environment that focuses on core academics, as well as health and fitness. Walking around the halls, you will see smiles on teachers' and students' faces, a testament to the fact that everyone is happy to be there. Good luck replicating that experience in a public school. The school is very supportive of the PTO, and parents can be as involved in extracurricular and classroom activities as their schedules permit. If you are looking for an exceptional school--filled with dedicated teachers, administrators, and staff--that focuses on the fundamental subjects without noise and distractions, Nysmith is the place to be.The school currently serves children from preschool through grade 8. While Nysmith consistently places its graduating students at exceptional high school programs, Nysmith is such a special place that one can only hope the school will consider expanding to include grades 9-12.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2024

Amazing school, outstanding teachers and wonderful environment for children to learn and enjoy their time in school. My daughter started going to Nysmith this year and she is so happier and more energetic compared to previous years. She truly loves this school, her teachers and her new friends. Every day She has a lot to talk about and describes about what she learned and her new experiences when she comes home. Also I like the way the teachers treat the students with respect and kindness while having discipline and encouraging their self esteem. Last but not least is the principal Mr. Nysmith who is a role model for all the students as an enthusiastic and successful person who is always there for his students and willing to help everyone.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2024

Nysmith has been a tremendous source of joy to our family! This is our third year at the school, and it has been truly transformative. Our son has absolutely blossomed at Nysmith. The teachers, administrative staff, and support staff are exceptional. He wakes up every morning excited to go to school. The resources, exciting learning opportunities, and fun clubs offered at Nysmith are so wonderful that my husband and I want to go back to school too! Perhaps most important to what makes Nysmith special is the sense of support, safety, and genuine community that exists! The teachers always go above and beyond to help the kids. There is a sense of warmth and support I have not encountered elsewhere. Concerns are met with compassion and teachers and staff are proactive and work with the parents and kids to find solutions. From the moment we stepped into Nysmith and met the admissions department, we felt welcome and embraced. I highly recommend Nysmith for the excellent academics, wonderful educational opportunities, and warm community!
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2024

My daughter loves the school. The teachers are very supportive and be always there to answer any questions. The school clubs are competitive and participate in national level competitions. I’m glad my daughter is introduced and exposed to different competitions through clubs at early stage in middle school.
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2024

We have been with Nysmith school almost 8 years and we believe we will have several more years to come. My older son had happily graduated from Nysmith and got into the high school he wanted to go to. Nysmith school had prepared him so well to pursue next level challenge and he missed time having lunch with teachers. My younger one loves school because she has her best friends at school. Coming to school is like another day of play date. But they also learn a lot. When the kids are ready to advance, teachers are embracing them; when the kids need help, teachers are beside them and patiently helping. Going through the pandemic, we felt so blessed to be at Nysmith. We have seen and experienced how well the school had handled the difficult time. Yes, kids missed a couple of field trips, but their learning never stop. So many good things to say. Definitely, this is the school you don’t want to miss to give your child a day to visit if you are looking for private school.
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2024

We have been at Nysmith for the last 3 years and couldn’t be happier with our experience. Prior to enrolling in Nysmith, we noticed our oldest son was not as enthusiastic or excited about school, as he had been. The boredom he started to express about school, was a concern. We contemplated private vs public schools, transitioning to a new environment and friends. Once we made the switch to Nysmith, we notice a significant change, our oldest son was once again excited about school. He no longer complained about being bored and was much happier. Nysmith’s approach of allowing students to excel in areas of strengths while maintaining a supportive peer environment proved to be exactly what he needed. Students can excel 2-3 grade levels higher or more in math, if appropriate. They are surrounded by other inquisitive kids, which promotes intellectual and emotional growth. Although the students are all academically advanced, the environment is supportive. The students are not cut throat, and there is a low tolerance for bullying. Nysmith fosters teamwork, friendship and acceptance of others. The curriculum has a lot of group based projects which teaches them to work together, problem solve and compromise. The engagement of the teachers is evident in every aspect of school life, from daily lessons to field trips, where students eagerly interact with them, asking them questions and sharing jokes. One of the remarkable aspects of Nysmith is the personalized attention each student receives. The staff, teachers and Mr Nysmith know each student and their families. Both our boys despite their differing personalities, academic strengths and learning styles, have thrived academically and emotionally. While the decision to invest in their education was not without initial apprehension, we can confidently say that it has been well worth it. Sending them to Nysmith is probably one our best decisions we’ve made. Our only regret is that we didn’t send them their sooner. Both boys love it so much they have expressed how they wish Nysmith went through high school.
Submitted by other on April 30, 2024

Our 2 children had the pleasure of attending and graduating from Nysmith School. If you are looking for a school with exceptionally dedicated teachers, rigorous academics that are engaging, curriculum that is curated across disciplines to inspire curious minds, Nysmith School is the place! The community that the school and teachers foster creates an educational environment unlike anything in the District-Maryland-Virginia area. The teachers are authentically kind, dedicated, and understanding. Additionally, the school teaches its students invaluable life skills, including time management and self-advocacy, and nurtures the development of the whole child. While our children are now Nysmith alumni, our nephews are current students and are equally as happy to attend Nysmith.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2024

We have 4 children at Nysmith. Several aspects set this school apart and make me confident this is where to find the very best education for kids prior to high school. They accommodate advanced learning to levels most schools can’t begin to facilitate while keeping students in their grade level peer groups. There are many 5th graders this year taking 8th grade pre-algebra, algebra 1, and some in geometry. Math is taught through interesting projects and applications making it fun. The 5th grade science class is biology where our daughters were thrilled to learn anatomy, body systems, and dissect a fetal pig. All of the teachers and staff are very passionate and accommodating. Study skills are emphasized with constant notebook checks. With 2 teachers in each subject and classroom they are better able to differentiate and provide social/emotional support when needed. One of our children struggled in other schools both from boredom and not being understood. That child is thriving at Nysmith where I can see a high level of understanding of kids who have more unique responses than most educators are used to. Since students are learning at their own pace they stay engaged and happy learning rather than bored and causing trouble. The teachers provide frequent feedback that can be reviewed by students and parents allowing significant transparency and the opportunity for students to learn from mistakes or fine tune their work. The administration is extremely approachable. They have many special events to further engage students that are truly inspiring and leave us both amused and amazed whether it’s live bands playing before school or Mr. Nysmith dressed in a costume with his dog in a bag waving joyfully to all. Our children now climb in the car after school each day anxious to tell us all the incredible things they’re learning, much of which isn’t usually taught until high school. They are interested in so many things they’ve never been exposed to before now. Our older children previously attended another top private school and had toured many schools but when we found Nysmith it was immediately evident that this school is truly exceptional.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2024

TLDR: Our twice-exceptional (2e) kids flourish at this school and it is quite literally the perfect school for gifted and intelligent children. OK, so as the TLDR says we have 2e kids. As anyone with this experience might be able to relate, this can be quite difficult to navigate if we don't intellectually stimulate them enough each day. My wife is an educator and despite all of the many, many at-home tasks and home curriculums we implement, it isn't enough. Knowing this, my wife and I quite literally flew around the world and researched over 200 schools before deciding on Nysmith. We lived abroad, visited places and spent hundreds of hours researching, including enlisting help from friends and family. In our experience, there is not a single school that comes close. For reference, the kids attended a Cambridge International School and 2 Episcopalian schools prior. When I say we researched, I mean to say not that we looked on this website or some other 'top 10' website. I mean we threw out the reviews and marketing and focused on pedagogy, social nurturing and environment alone. We called schools, researched teacher profiles and experiences (including social media), looked at grade results (for those who post them, most are too shy), and even started 2 different visa processes for the sole reason of finding the right school for them. We wish we had just found Nysmith at the beginning. For parents who are serious about an education, have gifted kids and care more about pedagogy than pedigree, this is the right school. Not to say anything negative about the pedigree, you can check the halls for yourself and see how decked they are. I've met 2 people in real life admit that they wrote a bad review on Nysmith. 1 felt their kids were harshly/unfairly judged and not allowed in. The other was an admin for a different school. Don't believe these folks about bully culture. At the end of the day, when Ken Nysmith knows every single kid's car by heart and/or parent's face by heart with over 600 students, you're in the right place. Last thing I wanted to address is some of the comments about the structure of the school. If it works, does it matter?
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2024

Nysmith School isn't a 'Top 10 Schools in the World' for no reason. With two kids who absolutely adore their time there, it's surpassed all our expectations.What truly stands out about Nysmith is its emphasis on teamwork among students. My kids aren't just learning from teachers; they're surrounded by classmates who excel in various areas. This creates an environment where growth and discovery happen daily.At Nysmith, kids have the freedom to learn at their own pace, ensuring they're always engaged and excited. The innovative classroom setup, with teachers specializing in different subjects and classes held in various spaces, keeps learning fresh and exciting. And those frequent field trips? They're hands-on experiences that make learning come alive.The pride my kids have for Nysmith is evident in their enthusiasm every time we pass by the school. It's clear they truly love being there.I was deeply touched by how the teachers remembered my third child's name before she even started. It's a testament to their genuine care for each child's well-being.My son's rapid academic progress, already excelling in 2nd-grade math and delving into advanced topics in 1st-grade, speaks volumes about the quality of education at Nysmith.The responsiveness and care shown by the teachers have left a lasting impression on our family. And with top-notch facilities and over 40 different clubs and activities, there's always something exciting happening at Nysmith. The faculty and staff, with their warm smiles and greetings, create a lively atmosphere that makes everyone feel welcomed and appreciated.Switching my kids from the nearby Montessori school to Nysmith was the best decision we've ever made. Despite any concerns about tuition or academics, I firmly believe that the value of a Nysmith education extends far beyond academics. What truly sets Nysmith apart is its focus on fostering friendships, providing an enriching environment, and nurturing a positive school culture.In summary, Nysmith School has blown us away. We're grateful to be part of the Nysmith family and can't wait to send our third child there! Plus, for families with four kids, it's worth mentioning that the fourth child's tuition is free!
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2024

My daughter was almost two years old when started in the Mommy and Me program. Since then, we are witnessing her growth. It is different from growing up. She is nine years old now. She’s found answers for some questions that still occupy grown-up’s minds; the value and importance of true friendship, humanity, respect, diversity, nature, self-confidence, resilience, persistence, experience, and love. Every morning, we can see happiness in her eyes when she is dressing up for school. When picking her up from school in the afternoon, she is still thinking about her good time at school.She loves her classmates, teachers, school staff, and even the classrooms and the building. Last week, when asked her to talk about her school, she broke down to tears. I knew my daughter liked her school, but I didn’t know she loved it this much that prevented her from talking for seconds. These are her words: “We love our teachers, classes with exciting subjects, lots of activities, and joyful recess sessions. Going from one class to another means a lot to me and my friends. You feel like there is a really life outside of your body. You see different kids, different clothes, but they are all kind and like to help. That’s the person is worth a lot …”.The ratio of the teachers to students allows teachers and students to discuss the subjects in more details, more questions to be asked and answered, more teamwork and collaboration between the students, and a better chance to know themselves and their friends. I can’t say enough how much we appreciate all her teachers’ selflessness and sacrifice to teach their students what they need to learn. She’s earned National Math competitions’ Gold and Silver medals, Grade 3-4 Science Olympiad Gold medal, and Superior performance at Bach-Baroque Piano Festival and none would be possible without Nysmith.The head of the school, Mr. Nysmith, knows all more than 600 students by name. He is directing the school after his mother, the founder of the school, and looks for any opportunity to make the students’ time at school more engaging and more fun. He and the directors of the lower and upper school have been always enthusiastic and available for us and other parents to discuss about their ideas, recommendations, and even concerns.When we drop our daughter at school, we know she is in good hands, she is happy, and she is being challenged and prepared for her future. She’s been thriving. We couldn’t be happier and prouder. Thank you Nysmith!
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2024

Our daughter has been at NySmith for four years now since pre-K, we absolutely loved the experience. The campus feels extremely safe and secure, we never had any worries about the safety of our precious little one there. The school creates a very warm and loving ambience - the moment kids step into the school, they are greeted with warmth and joy, and empowered to pursue intellectual curiosity in a nurturing environment. The school offers comprehensive academic curriculums. Science and computer classes are taught daily from the very beginning, along with other essential subjects. Teachers go out of the way to tailor their teaching to each student’s academic levels - it’s not unusual to have 3 or 4 study groups inside each class taught at different grades. We also appreciate the impressive balance between academic studies, personal developments, and extra-curriculums activities. The campus is well maintained for all sorts of physical activities, the school offers a rich selection of enrichment programs taught by internal teaching staff and external coaches. Most importantly, our daughter has been very happy at NySmith every single day since she joined. Soon we will be sending our younger one to the same school. NySmith is a gem in Northern Virginia, highly recommended to any parents who care deeply about their children’s well-being and education.
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2024

It is the best choice we made for our two kids for elementary school so far! Our kids have been in Nysmith School since they were 3 and 5 years old, respectively. They are very happy about the school and want to go to school everyday. This is the magic about Nysmith. The kids are advanced in academics but they enjoy learning. I think the main contribution is probably from the project-based and individual-paced learning approach they use. Nysmith teachers understand the need of individual kid, and provide the right level of learning curriculum for them. I’m very impressed by the tailored learning officially since kindergarten and unofficially even from 3 years old.
Submitted by parent on July 18, 2023

Our child and family were left with deep scars that will last a lifetime from our experience at Nysmith. Our child has never had a problem with a teacher or bullying, usually being amongst teachers favorites. When you tour the school just know that they are very targeted about what you see, and it is not as it appears. When you go on your tour or read about the school think "Used Car Sales", it all may look shiny but it is likely to leave you broken down on the side of the road. This school is resting on it's laurels and accolades from the past. The "top 10" they continue to use in advertising is from many years ago. Any awards these days are their students, not the school itself. Despite their prolific marketing efforts it is NOT a Joy Filled experience as they would have you believe. If you are considering Nysmith and you value your child's well being RUN to a different school. Our child was bullied not only repeatedly by other students, but by a teacher as well, and the school effectively did nothing despite our repeated requests. Another relevant detail not disclosed is that low student teacher ratio includes a number of TA’s who are not native English speakers, which means you can have instructors for technical subjects that are very difficult to understand. Which also causes a problem since they are likely here on work visa's they will not go against the main teacher if you make a complaint about a teachers treatment of a student.We are not the only family who has had issues, we know other families who are leaving due to concerns for their children's well being. The school is run in a dictatorial manner since the original owner passed. Even to the point that when the PTO wanted to host a seminar on bullying, the head of the school would not allow it due to concerns about the optics. That says it all. My hope with this review is to help other families avoid the heartache/trauma such as we have encountered at Nysmith.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2023

Super good school, I'm a current student, i love the environment of the school, especially how its located and made. The only downside is that some kids don't get treated nicely but the cameras are going to be working soon( I think)
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2023

I have two boys at Nysmith. I'm so proud that they are not only eager to learn, but most importantly, they have learned to become good citizens who care and love their community.The reason why we love our experience is Nysmith really individualizes the curriculum for everyone and tries to accommodate students' needs. For example, math and language arts are taught in small groups so that the content is designed to challenge the student's appropriate level. I was also impressed during the parent-teacher meetings; the classroom teachers and the lower school director could pace the curriculum out; this was definitely from ongoing professional development and teamwork.I’m also glad that social/emotional skills are included in the Nysmith curriculum, and students are encouraged to practice these skills by making the school community a kinder and more understanding place. This creates a safe learning environment for students *and* an opportunity for personal growth.I think a lot of this success comes from communication and a trusted relationship. I can’t recommend Nysmith more highly for parents who feel that education should teach skills and values instead of just information. I'd also encourage you to schedule a school visit to feel the school vibe to see if it is a good fit for the family.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2022

We are new to Nysmith this year and could not be happier with our decision to switch out from FCPS (not a decision we made lightly). Our children absolutely love their school days and enjoy learning a wide variety of subjects including foreign languages. There is a huge emphasis placed on learning being fun that comes through in all the lessons and activities. We particularly appreciate the portal which gives real-time feedback on how our children are doing and allows for immediate corrective action. Teachers are highly-responsive to queries and seek to build up/encourage students to do their very best. We appreciate the smaller class groups with 2 teachers in each class which allows for children to be provided with more challenging work where that is necessary. Teachers are hired to teach the subject matter in which they are expert and the children therefore work with a much greater number of teachers throughout each day. Decision-making by the school administration is, thankfully, focused on the well-being of the school community as a whole and is totally devoid of politics and drama. COVID protocols have been balanced and managed extremely well. We receive detailed weekly updates about school life and are encouraged to play an active part in every aspect of our children' education. There is a huge emphasis placed on building good character in the students. There is a laser focus on raising kind, safe and responsible citizens who have empathy and kindness for others. We truly value this beyond anything else. There is zero tolerance for behavior that is not in line with these good values and we have seen firm action taken when behavior has been out of line and swift follow-up when concerns are raised. The counseling team do a great job of getting to know students individually so they get to the bottom of any 'issues' really quickly. Would highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2022

This school, in my view, is a classic example of false advertisement. In essence, they are selling you a school story that has very little to do with the reality. It is one thing to agree to pay a high tuition to make your children's school experience valuable, meaningful and enlightening. It is quite another to be ripped off in return for very average educational services. By comparison, this school pales to the public schools in the area, which are free.These educational services are definitely an "experience" good, meaning that you cannot judge them unless you try them. We tried and decided that honest parental reviews are the only thing that could warn future customers of this school and counterweigh the false advertisement propagated by the school. Think about it, the Head of the School for the gifted has a very obscure educational background and very big marketing ambitions. You would think that to maintain high standards at a school for gifted students you would need professionally trained educators, not salespeople, because the latter are simply not qualified to provide you with extraordinary education opportunities that they are selling you. It is the "Gifted" label that is for sale. Think how much this gifted sticker is worth to you and how soon it would be devalued. And remember, you are not going to be a better parent by paying up and sending your children to this school. Instead, you are going to feel like a very abused customer who was betrayed, bewildered and duped. Good Luck!
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2022

Nysmith has great academics; it is however very expensive.I have rated it "1" - and would rate it -10 if I could because my quite brilliant daughter had a wonderful first grade year. In second grade she was severely bullied, by a "former friend" probably due to how good my daughter was at academics - I don't know why the bullying occurred, just that it did and when I brought it up with Nysmith administration, they essentially said "there are no problems at Nysmith" My daughter was "self-scarring" and was in really bad shape emotionally, has had years of therapy, but still has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) related to her time at Nysmith. (She was very quickly withdrawn - at GREAT FINANCIAL COST to us when Nysmith wouldn't do anything. Also, Nysmith, in terms of how it (quite successfully) pumps academics into kids, teachers know very little about what is going on with kids, and kids don't have connections to teachers.FYI, Bullying below I would give a Negative 50 were I able to