Little River Elementary School

43464 Hyland Hills St

South Riding, VA 20152

School District

Loudoun County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Loudoun 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 May 28, 2023

LRE is a wonderful school Overall, That exceeds our expectations in every aspect. It provides an exceptional educational foundation, a nurturing environment, engaging programs, safety, and a strong community partnership. I wholeheartedly recommend this school to any parent seeking an outstanding elementary education for their child.”
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2023

What a wonderful schoo, with caring and nurturing staff and teachers. The school has a great system of helping the little ones grow to be helpful leaders. It’s a great community and it shows in how happy the kids are. The staff appear to be happy and energetic, and it’s contagious.
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2021

I have read some of the other reviewers and wonder what school they went to!? We LOVE this school! Our children have flourished here, one with special needs. The teachers and staff have made both of my children feel welcomed, supported, and both have learned and progressed even when facing difficulties. The administration is great and the teachers seem to love them, that's important! Walking to school most teachers call my children by name, with a face mask ON! That right there says so much about this school environment!
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2018

The worst experience we have had and this was our 3rd school in Loudoun County. So thankful this isn’t our home school and our son won’t have to step foot in this school ever again.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2018

I have 2 boys at LRES. They have very different learning styles and have been each been offered individualized learning paths. The teachers are nurturing and engaging. The leadership is accessible and innovative.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2018

5/5 -- we have two children currently at the school who are polar opposites in terms of personality and strengths. The teachers have found effective ways to challenge and nurture each of them.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2018

This school is by far the worst run in the south Riding area, of all the elementary schools in the area, they have the most disinterested teachers and rude, unfriendly administrators. The principal actually tries to make it s good environment, however, the staff and admistrators need some teaching on how to be better at their jobs and be more respectful and willing to help others. Very sad in an area like this to have such a staff of administrators. Feel sorry for the kids at this school.
Submitted by parent on January 21, 2018

I feel that the teachers, specialists, and Administration are all effective in educating and guiding our children.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2017

My son was at this school for a few months before he was transferred out to a different school. At little river they don't meet the needs of children with special needs, they push them to the side and act as if they're babysitting. They don't try to help the child at all, very disappointed with this school.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2016

I have had 2 students go through Little River and we have been very pleased. There are several outstanding teachers as well as a solid administrative staff that encourages parental involvement in the right way. The guidance counselors have been there to encourage and support healthy patterns of behavior. Overall, I would say the school fosters an environment of learning and really prepares the children to take the next step.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2015

I have had one child go through Little River and one still there. I am very lucky that they have been able to call Little River their home. The teachers, the staff, and the current administration are a well-oiled machine to make the school top notch!
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2014

Fabulous creative, caring and energetic teachers. Love the NEW principal and vice principal: Ms. Gross and Mr. Murphy make an excellent team!!!
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2013

LR is an amazing school!. I'm the mother of 2 children. My oldest started kindergarten in 2006 (Mrs. Hardcastle's first year at LR) and spent all 6 years there before heading to middle school last fall. My youngest is in 4th grade. I also spent a decade teaching elementary school in Fairfax County. The majority of my children's teachers have been kind, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and dedicated. Did some teachers leave after Mrs. Hardcastle arrived? Yes, but that is always the case when there is a transition in administration. However, 7 years later, MANY great teachers remain. Have we ever had a bad teacher? Yes, but those are present in EVERY school (and nearly impossible to fire) and Mrs. Hardcastle is very concerned about the happiness and success of each student and works with parents to resolve problems. My experience with her regarding my own children has been only positive. I disagree that the children are bored. Loudoun County has a wonderful gifted program and mine have been challenged in the classroom daily. On any given day, you will see many parent volunteers. The specialists (especially the counselors, art, music and PE teachers) are absolutely fantastic!
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2012

Hardcastle has ruined this school. The teachers are forced only to instruct to the VA SOLs and the children are completely bored. There is no energy in the classrooms as there used to be under the previous principals prior to the Fall of 2006 (when the current principal arrived). Now Loudoun County has started a new 4 point grading system and, of course, Hardcastle has no idea how to properly implement it. There is no consistency between teachers with grading and the leader of the school has not provided proper guidance to them. Many teachers at the school do not like the principal and so many good teachers that were hired under the previous principals, Reedy, left to teach at other schools after becoming frustrated with Hardcastle's style. Further, she does not encourage parent involvement in their children's educational decisions and makes parents feel unwelcome when they offer suggestions. Finally, there are way too many under utilized "Specials" teachers at this school that could be better served at schools where their services are really needed.
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2012

Little River was a wonderful school with very high SOL scores and teachers under the previous principals but that has all changed the last several years. The current principal is simply horrible. She will not listen to parents' suggestions or concerns and there literally is no leadership at the school. Under the previous administration, the teachers were phenomenal and there was great energy in the school. Since this principal took over in 2006, all the good teachers have literally left the school (with the exception of a handful) and Hardcastle has hired mediocre teachers. Due to her lack of leadership, the teachers are allowed to do whatever they please and this has lowered the overall quality of the entire education at Little River. For example, she insists on using math investigations in her classrooms to compensate for lower state test scores and anyone who's done research on this teaching method knows it is subpar. It's really sad to see such a great school turn into such a fiasco. If a good education is important to you, don't send your children to this school. Many of our friends have sent their children to private schools instead.
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2011

We have two children in this school and we are pleased with the quality of the teachers and the education. Our oldest child is sufficiently challenged by new concepts and our youngest child received additional help when we feared he was falling behind. The teachers have different styles and personalities that are recognized by the administrators and addressed in a meaningful way. For example, our youngest child was placed with a teacher that the administrators, previous year's teacher, and counselors felt would work best with his quirks. I'm impressed.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2010

Our school has such a great sense of community, and our teachers and staff are the best!
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2010

Great teachers, programs and parent volunteers.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2010

We love our school and our PTA!!!! Go Little River Eagles!!
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2010

It's a great school with a great staff who truly cares about the children. The children are in a loving environment all day long, and they are encouraged to learn in a way that makes it fun. The parents involvement at this school is great, many parents volunteer at the school and contribute to their kids success. We love our school!!!