Carmel School

PO BOX 605 9020 JERICHO RD

Ruther Glen, VA 22546

20 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 17, 2025

We brought our youngest of 5 children to The Carmel School in First Grade when the Public School system could not educate her to the level she needed. We insisted that if your child consistently brings 100% on every assignment, they are not being challenged. The Carmel School -Head of School, addressed our concerns, and agreed. We were able to move her to appropriate class levels even during elementary years. They are definitely a college prep school. Middle school years are always tough for students. But at The Carmel School, because the teacher to student ratio is small, the students really bond to each other differently than in public school. They encounter the same social angst, but they learn how to conquer them. We have experience with the public school system for 4 out of 5 of our children, understanding that all children need to learn social skills and will encounter hard issues. The Carmel School has instilled values that allowed our child to overcome those issues. Upper School is extreme in the way they are learning and functioning without the need to helicopter parent. Our child is in eleventh grade and is taking 3 AP courses this year. The teachers push tutoring and study time during school to make the evenings more open for extracurricular activities. Parent involvement is a must in EVERY type of school for your children to thrive. At The Carmel School, parents are encouraged to ask questions. If you attend the parent- teacher conferences, as well as the school's social events, attend the school's athletic events, and art and theater shows, you will see and feel the difference in what The Carmel School has to offer. Parents are encouraged to lend their talents to the events behind the scene, or with concession stands, and to join the Parent Association. In our 10 years with The Carmel School (only 1 to go!!) We have never regretted our decision to invest our time and money in our child's education.The Faculty is willing to work with you on any issues, They provide a syllabus and let you know what they expect of the students. I have found that my child enjoys the classes that have a schedule and an expectation so they don't have to wonder what to expect. The Administration staff is AMAZING! If you call with a need or concern, they will make it a priority. -However, as with any school, you need to be in the know, and ask questions. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND SHADOWING FOR A DAY IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!
Submitted by parent on January 17, 2025

My child started at Carmel after a horrible experience at a public middle. The teaching staff is amazing and I feel go above and beyond for each student. Administration has been good. The middle school years during a child’s development are just a couple of tough years but I feel the administration has been fair on any concerns I may have had. My child had a choice to go back to public for high school but choose Carmel School instantly.
Submitted by teacher on January 22, 2024

The ratings are primarily for the secondary division. There are awesome teachers at The Carmel School. However, the school falls short on administration. Administration does not support its staff, nor does it support the students. A lot of excuses are made for students who bully while allowing the students who have experienced the bullying to go by the wayside. If you plan to send your child to the lower school, I strongly recommend that. If you plan to send your child as a sixth grader on up, I would not recommend the Carmel school.
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2022

Our child went to this school. Teachers were good, administration was a joke. Nothing but regrets sending him here. Be warned.
Submitted by student on April 28, 2018

Awesome!! . I have been here for 6 years, and never want to go to another school. When your new you would shadow someone, and they would give you your schedual, if you get lost everyone is very kind and would love to help. Teachers are very funny, kind and are open to many ideas. We have lots of great sports, fun activities, and Other stuff, like field trips, pep rallies. And so much more!
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2016

I really am sorry to have to rate this school so low, but I feel parents who are considering this school have a right to know. Our child who attended here was bullied and physically injured. This was after REPEATEDLY meeting with staff and bringing our concerns forward. We were told that the school would handle the matter, and they simply ignored the problem until another parent came forward. By this time, the issues had continued for over six months. Rules are presented and then not enforced. Some teachers are great... some are not. This school could be so much better with consistent discipline, rules, and consistent staff. Our student's standardized test scores actually dropped last year.. one of them by four grade levels. Very disappointing. The only-I do mean only- reason the school is getting two stars is because there are some good teachers.. but the overall school does not allow them to be able to make the difference that they could if properly supported.
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2014

Just as with any other school, there will be some who have many issues and concerns while others have a wonderful experience. You can see that from the vastly different reviews. A word of advice is to establish what you are looking for and make sure this is a place where you will get it. We did not get what we expected in a number of different areas. It is very disappointing to discover your child has not been taught basics for their grade level when you would expect them to be ahead as a result of their college preparatory classes. Our student indicated one main subject class was more like study hall. Make sure you stay on top of things and demand answers to your questions. Make sure you know what your student is or is not being taught.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2014

This is a stellar school! Looking beyond the facilities, you will find experienced and caring staff and administration. My suggestion to anyone reading other reviews and feeling apprehension about negative points is to do your own homework and research. It is a parent's responsibility to ensure that their children get a good education in a caring and safe environment. The students are challenged, as they should be, and the faculty has high expectations of the students - this is why The Carmel School is a great school! They are accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools, a division of the National Association of Independent Schools (as is the Virginia Association of Independent Schools, which was mentioned in a previous post). I would highly recommend going to the school with a long list of questions about everything you may have read or heard about and getting answers, then go home and do more research on your own.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2014

Another thing to keep in mind, when you send your child to private school, just because you are paying for it does not mean they get A's. Your child earns the grades they work for. The Carmel School has a very challenging curriculum! That means your child needs to work harder to earn those A's. (Additionally a harder grading scale.) If you think that your child will not have interaction with other children and have issues just like in public schools, again, you are wrong. My child still has instances that he occasionally teased. The great thing is , the jokes are philosophical in nature. I'd rather my child be teased for not knowing where the Sudan is, than if his book bag isn't cool. If you want a solid education that challenges, and puts your child to the test of knowledge, this is the school for you. My son is excited about school, never complains about going and comes home with the most interesting facts that he learns in school. .Many of the teachers have taught in other large private schools in Fredericksburg, Philadelphia, and beyond. Most teachers have their masters. One teacher has gone on to teach ESL in Japan where her husband was stationed.
Submitted by other on February 18, 2014

TCS announced it has been accredited. What was omitted was the fact they spent over 2 yrs trying to meet VAIS accreditation standards. They could not meet the standard and were rejected by VAIS. Rather than doing what is necessary to meet the standard they pursued accreditation that has lower standards. Board meetings are closed and board members are not disclosed as well as board minutes. Who runs the school? What are graduation rates? By entry grade, what is the percentage of students who enroll and stay longer than 1,2, 3 years? What is the size of the graduation classes. Why do students/parents leave? What percentage of the budget goes to staff salary? Teacher salary? Books? Etc.? How long has your child's teacher been teaching, where, and what grades did they teach? How long have they taught at TCS? What is the turn over rate? These are questions you should be asking and making an informed decision. Do you really know what your buying when you spend your money? A nice tour, a pretty building does not an education make. Any school can get accredited by some agency. You can go online right now and become an ordained minister or get a college diploma to hang on your wall.
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2014

My son has recently enrolled in the Carmel School, coming from horrible Caroline High School. He absolutely loves it. The classes are interesting yet challenging (in a good way), the teachers are geniunely interested in him as a person and works to help him succeed as a student. I have never seen him more interested in subjects he is studying in school than he is now. Areas that he may have had trouble with before, it is now "clicking". Reason why? The teachers, the environment - everything is a positive and fosters a safe and enjoyable learning environment. I would strongly recommend this school to anyone considering a private school and wanting a better education for their child. As for those that are still hung up on the former name of Carmel Christian and what may have been years and years ago...I strongly suggest you check out the school today, to see what it has to offer rather than hanging on to ghosts of the past.
Submitted by parent on December 23, 2013

You can't judge a book by it's cover. This school is all show. Looks good and new and all, but LOT's of problems in the past. Name changes (took "Christian" out, what does that tell you). Only has about 100 kids. Never graduates more than a few kids. EXPENSIVE for a country school, no wonder with a principle with no experience making over 6 figures! You can do much better with schools in Fredericksburg.
Submitted by parent on August 11, 2013

This was our first year at The Carmel School and what a great experience it was! Our son learned so much and really enjoyed being at school for the first time in his life. The work was challenging, but not to the point he felt frustrated, and the class size was very small, allowing for plenty of individual attention for each student. Parental involvement is good and we find the teachers and administration to be friendly and approachable. Many days our son came home from school talking excitedly about the new projects they were doing in class, or some new thing they were learning that week. I couldn't ask for any better!
Submitted by other on July 12, 2013

Admin. is useless and just a figurehead. Concerns will be looked into and end up in file 13. Not many students in a huge building. Looks like they would have great athletics from the size of the facilities, but with no students and just 1 PE teacher they have no game. Not much variety in subjects the kids take. They get all their money from one guy and he calls all the shots. Parents have no input or say about anything. Tuition is high and goes up every year. If you need a private school, look North or South for better choices.
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2013

My daughter just completed her first year at The Carmel School (TCS) in the 6th Grade, and I could not be any happier. Every teacher has demonstrated a strong desire to help students advance academically and spiritually. I have witnessed huge improvements in my daughter's Math and Science aptitudes due to her teacher's patients and personal teaching styles. During the last week of school, my daughter commented on how much her teacher has made Math and Science "enjoyable and fun." My daughter has also expanded her reading selections from a variety of books of different genres thanks to her English teacher's encouragement for students to read, comprehend and appreciate the rich diversity of human communication. The Art department at TCS is also top notch, and my daughter was encouraged to push her imagination and create items, using different mediums, which are now proudly displayed at home. During her first year at TCS, my daughter was also afforded an opportunity to be part of a volleyball team where the girls demonstrated a remarkable tendency towards acceptance, mentoring and team sportsmanship. My daughter will definitely return to TCS for another Great academic year!
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2013

The Carmel School is a true hidden treasure in Caroline County. It often gets a bad rap for administrative issues that were cleared up several years ago. The teachers are phenomenal, the students are held to very high standards, and the curriculum goes above and beyond what public schools offer. The art program is amazing and children in the lower school go to spanish class twice a week. The Headmaster, Brent Miller, is very receptive to parent feedback and relates well with the students. I could go on and on about this school, it is wonderful. If you have even the slightest interest in sending your child to private school, visit The Carmel School and see for yourself before making any judgements based on what you may have heard in the past.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2012

Highly recommend saving the money and using Madison Elementary, or one of the other county schools. TCS offers nothing above a county school in academics or safety. This school takes advantage of having no accountability. Staff are not equipped to deal with diverse groups of children.
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2010

I like this school a lot. My child is a very sensitive kid and she has always felt protected and loved at this school. Not only that but she just started second grade and has been so well educated in her subjects that she is already reading the Riorden books. I love this school.
Submitted by student on December 02, 2009

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Submitted by student on July 20, 2009

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