Ashland Elementary School

15300 Bowmans Folly Drive

Manassas, VA 20112

School District

Prince William County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Prince William 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 30, 2023

My child loves going to school. He started here in kindergarten during covid and his amazing teacher taught these kids to read via zoom. All of the teachers are involved with several aspects, there is a big team spirit in this school. The principal will always be available when you need her. It's a big school but nobody gets lost in the crowd, every individual is treated as such with individual learning styles. They have an amazing robotics team, a science summer camp (camp invention) and technology in every room. We have not been disappointed in 3 years here.
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2022

I can't tell enough how much damage this school's preschool teachers caused on my disabled children in one year. It was truly traumatic for every member of our family! They are ableist, school is structural racist. They may be good if your child is not minority and avarage to above avarage with academic skills, otherwise they will constantly be reminded how not enough they are as they are, and need to change. Their teachers there to create narcissistic future adults who will think they are superior. Their suspension rate of disabled students %3 higher than other students, which shows how much they do not like disabled kids and they dispose them when they can't convert them. They will dismiss your kids completely even they are capable of doing wonders if they don't behave like neurotypicals. Stay away with all your power.
Submitted by other on May 31, 2021

The parents, teachers and students are great at Ashland. The problem is the principal - bad person and very toxic leader. Don't be fooled by the press and the banners because with this person as principal, Ashland will always be a very negative place.
Submitted by teacher on November 20, 2019

Ashland is a great school in spite of the principal instead of because of him. He treats the staff in a reprehensible manner and his day is coming. He will be held to account for his many sins at the helm of this wonderful school. It is a shame he is Principal of the Year because he is really the opposite of what is wonderful about a person or a great principal.
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2019

Excellent school great teachers and staff, everyone goes out of their way to help students succeed
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2018

Wonderful! Best school we've ever attended of the 5 we've visited due to our military roots.
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2017

We are going into our 6th year at ashland. I have 2 kids who attend and we couldn't be happier. Mr. Jacks has been the principal since we started at ashland and I can't imagine a better principal. He is enthusiastic, dedicated, passionate and brings many cutting edge programs to our school. Every single one of our teachers holds a special place in my heart. My kids are both thriving, they do so much to make learning fun and hands on. I spend a lot of time at the school volunteering and planning events and have gotten to know many of the parents and teachers personally. I have made lifelong friends and am so thankful for our decision to move to Ashland.
Submitted by other on July 07, 2017

I previously worked as a teacher at Ashland. Let me tell you this: I've worked with several principals in two different counties and Andy at Ashland has been the best I've experienced so far. I feel sorry that I no longer have any little ones to go to elementary schools. However, if I do, I would definitely choose Ashland for my own.
Submitted by parent on July 04, 2017

10 out of 10 great school. jhappy
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2017

My child started kindergarten this year. I could not be happier with this school. The principal is really engaged everyday with the students and staff and it is always available for parent concerns. He, along with the staff, try to make learning fun. I can't image anyone giving this school a bad review. Everyone in this school is very down to earth and go out of their way to make sure each student feels good about themselves. They foster learning in very creative ways. My child is already reading books and writing. The curriculum is great! As a parent you will not be disappointed. Ashland is tough to beat.
Submitted by other on April 03, 2017

We love this school! The teachers, administration, staff are all amazing! Before school they have soft music playing in the hallway, makes a calming atmosphere! The students are all friendly and very politely. Where most elementary schools are loud and overstimulating. I found this school organised and very quiet during hallway transitions! I love It!!
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2016

Caring teachers and administrators. Principal is very active with student body and keeps a modern and fresh approach to learning. Maintains high level of school pride amongst the student boday and teaching staff. Great emphasis on student performance and learning.
Submitted by other on March 12, 2016

We sent our daughter here for 1st grade while assigned to the area with the military. Coming from the Bay Area in California, this is the kind of progressive, tech savvy school I would expect to find there. But what a surprise to find that kind of atmosphere here. I didn't know what to expect at first, but EVERYONE I talked to, parents, teachers, etc, all said Ashland was the place to go. And they were right. Not sure what experience the person who posted on Dec 8 had, but the principle is the most engaged, hardest working administrator I've come across in my education experience. He truly has shown that he is engaged with both the kids and the teachers. The teacher we have (Ms Grant), went out of her way to help out daughter with her learning to ensure she was able transition from Kindergarten from another school. Kudos to her. If I could stay another 3 years, I would definitely invest my child's education in Ashland.
Submitted by parent on December 08, 2015

The schools needs new leadership. The current principal is unprofessional and rude. He does not care about the kids or teachers. He is focused on his own professional growth. Parents need to send their students to another school with supportive and fair leadership that focuses on the needs of all students and teacher. This school is the worst school in the county.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2015

Both of my children have attended Ashland and it is an amazing school. They have a wonderful program that gives back to the community. I have seen parades and art work celebrating diversity. One time they even made a human chain around the school to display acceptance and tolerance. The teachers are caring and hardworking. My children love going to school at Ashland and I would highly recommend this school to anyone. Instead of blaming teachers or the school, maybe looking at personal attitudes would be a better place to pinpoint a problem?
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2014

Have attempted multiple times to leave fact-based, honest review of some of the REAL problems at this school (and in this district). However, the unvarnished truth seems to not be allowed by the moderators. Military families: look elsewhere for housing and schools. This school is NOT what you want for solid math or reading/writing.
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2014

As a parent who has multiple children go to school at Ashland, I find it laughable that anyone would think that any member of the staff at a school, be it Ashland or any other school, doesn't have the best interests of the children at heart. It is true that public education in the recent years has changed and is more centered around tests, and scores, School of Excellence and all of those sorts of accolades however, that is happening ALL over this country. To think that any of the staff at Ashland, including the administrative staff does not take into account the students best interests is just ludicrous. I have had a number of reasons to have to deal with both Mr. Jacks and Ms. Webb and have had nothing but support from either of them. My children's teachers have always communicated with me any concerns they have in regards to my childrens learning and my kids have always thrived at Ashland. Please remember that some of these "goals" that the schools and administration are pushing for are put on them by the County and well as the State, it's not just as easy to blame the immediate administration at Ashland. Thank you to the Ashland staff for their support!
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2014

The teachers at Ashland put education and teaching first. My daughter's teacher went above and beyond to support my daughter and offered free tutoring to improve her math skills.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2014

We didn't know how bad this "School of Excellence" had become until we moved. Based on what we have gathered from teachers (many have since departed - fact), other parents, and even the kids, the atmosphere has become oppressive in its quest to be "Excellent" statistically - it appears fundamental teaching is now the afterthought. After a job transfer relocated our kids to another "Excellent" school, it has been a refreshing change to have teachers with freedoms and time to prepare and teach the fundamentals which is reflected in our kids renewed enthusiasm. The school transfer also highlighted the gap between what our kids don't know versus what is expected at their age (much like the Benton Middle School comment from another parent - "you should have learned that at Ashland"). We can only speculate that the pressure for teachers to have their students do well on the standardized tests in order to have a great looking "School of Excellence" bar graph has made those tests the emphasized curriculum.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2014

I just have to laugh at the "positive" current reviews for this school. Either those parents haven't had any interaction or needed any help from the principal or it is the principal himself leaving the positive reviews.