Cardinal Forest Elementary School

8600 Forrester Boulevard

School District

Fairfax County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for Fairfax 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 other on May 19, 2024

THE BEST SCHOOL IVE EVER WENT TO WOULD RECOMMEND NO HOMEWORK EASY EDUCATION NO BULLYING AND 6TH GRADE IN HERE BEST SCHOOL IVE USED TO WENT TO SINCE IVE BEEN IN THERE IN PRE-K KINDERGARDEN 1ST GRADE 2ND 3RD 4TH 5TH GRADE PLS COME HERE CHILL SCHOOL im an acient student in there since ive moved to the worst school wich is (featherstone in woodbrdige)
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2024

Cardinal Forest Elementary is truly a jewel! From the welcoming staff in the front office, to the teacher's in the classrooms and the administration they're professional towards parents and caring towards students. Cardinal Forest staff are truly phenomenal and it shows via the students academic progress and attitudes.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2024

Cardinal Forest Elementary has dramatically improved in the four years I have been associated with and have kids attending this school!! The addition of the Advanced Academic Program (AAP) has been huge in retaining talented young students instead to going to Keene Mill Elementary for the AAP magnet program there. The results are visible in the school’s significantly improved test scores and ratings by both GreatSchools and Niche, and moreover in the feeling and vibe within the school. The teachers know they are being successful, they are being recognized for it, and it permeates throughout the entire student body. CFES has become a sought-after elementary school, and for very justified reasons. Look at the results! And visit the school to see and feel for yourself!
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2023

the staff, admin, and teachers go above and beyond! i can not express how much gratitude i have for this school
Submitted by parent on June 19, 2022

As a military family, this is not our first rodeo with assessing the caliber of elementary schools. My son attended K-2nd grade at Cardinal Forest and we have had nothing but positive experiences. His teachers have been nurturing and attentive, despite a lot of adversity navigating COVID restrictions. My son has an IEP for speech and he's shown so much positive growth over the last 3 years, it's been really encouraging. He loves to learn and be social and this school and the teachers have really embraced him for who he is. The principal has been responsive and friendly. The SACC program for before and after school care at the school was fantastic, as well. I'll also say that diversity is something that is important to us as a family as we move around, and this school celebrates student heritage and culture with a Heritage Night and we loved it!On a safety note, I appreciated that the front doors are locked and a camera is there to monitor visitors. I felt safe sending my son there.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2022

Excellent school! Teachers and staff communicate well and keep parents informed. Cardinal Forest is very inclusive and we really enough the community.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2022

So far we haven't had any problems with this school. We get timely and helpful communication from both the admin staff and the teachers. The teachers have been nice and daughter seems happy overall and has had a little bit of social stress from a few catty peers but generally there doesn't seem to be a problem with bullies. I doc one star because I do feel the need to supplement learning with workbook homework of my own, but that could possibly be due to pandemic-related issues, also seems to depend on the teacher as some are good at keeping a lid on unruly kids, and others seem to get overwhelmed by the task.
Submitted by parent on October 14, 2019

This school is one of the worst elementary schools not only in Fairfax county, but in the entire state. It does not measure up to the reputation that Fairfax County has for the quality of its schools and is consistently in the habit of treating education as an absolute joke. The curriculum is followed only superficially and there is absolutely no evidence that the teachers are invested in their students. Communication is at is absolute worst. If you have a child in this school, be prepared to teach your children any and all concepts that are supposed to be taught in school. Otherwise, your child will be disadvantaged. If you are planning to move to this area specifically for this school, please do yourself a favor and reconsider your options. You will be greatly disappointed. I am very much looking forward to have my child leave this school and hopefully catch up in middle school.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2019

Our kids enjoy going to school every day and we have seen them progress here from being at or below grade level to performing well above grade level. One of the teachers we've seen was below average, but our children's other teachers have been fantastic!
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2019

We cannot say enough good things about this school! We're a military family and have had our children in four different elementary schools. This school stands out for a lot of good reasons and my kids are typically more excited about going to school and learning here than any of their other schools. I've heard a couple of reasons why this school receives a lower rating than other nearby schools (the primary being that some high-scoring students are pulled from this school to the nearby Keene Mill, which artificially inflates Keene Mill's test scores and deflates Cardinal Forest's scores, particularly with regard to minority students). Whatever the reason, I would strongly argue that the score for this school underrepresents the quality of the education here. Based on our experience with other schools, I would say this school should probably be a "7" or "8." All of my children have seen their test scores go up since coming to Cardinal Forest and are now reading well above grade level.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2019

Our children have really enjoyed the school, and we have enjoyed how the school has helped us connect as a community and collectively assist with the education of our children. The test ratings don’t do it justice at all, as it’s a really great school with an incredible diversity that helps children learn more than just test taking strategies.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2018

I am not a fan but it's close to our home, I think the PTA does what they can but in general every school year is a rinse and repeat of activities. We don't attend any anymore.
Submitted by other on April 16, 2018

Great school spirit and good support by the surrounding community.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2017

Principal Kenna is terrible. The school is hit or miss as to whether you get a good teacher, and god forbid you have any questions since the principal does not return phone calls. Any school events are completely disorganized and chaotic, likely a reflection of the school's leader.This school has gone downhill seriously in the past 5 years. Test scores continue to sink. When will Principal Kenna be held accountable? It's time for her to quit or retire and hand the reins over to someone who cares.
Submitted by other on April 04, 2017

We moved from Prince William County to Fairfax county last year. I have been nothing but pleased with Cardinal Forest. My son is in second grade with a phenomenal teacher, Mr Wall, and is doing so much more than he was last year. The interactions I've had with the principal and the vice principal have been positive and it is clear to me that they care about the student and the environment. and Kenna goes out of her way to have a diverse teaching staff which is a benefit to the children. The PTA is involved and does it's best to improve the school as well. I can't understand why it has such a low rating. I would highly recommend this school to anyone.
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2016

This is an odd school. The special ed teachers are excellent, very capable and concerned. They go out of their way to be helpful and communicative. They would rate 5 stars for sure. However, the upper administration gets one. The principal is awful and the vice should not be allowed near children. They are best dealt with through an attorney. Threatening to go to the school board helps too.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2016

CFES is an outstanding school and supports every kind of student. I have three children that have attend CFES and each child receive the level and focused education that helped them grow.The teachers, principals, and office staff are all a pleasure to work with and strive to know ever child by name. Lastly, the families and PTA are welcoming and involved to better the student's experience and opportunities at CFES.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2016

This is our 5th year with children at CFES and could not be more pleased! The administration really cares about the well being of all the students and the teachers have all been wonderful!! We look forward to the next 5 years!
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2016

I have had two children at Cardinal Forest. I have been extremely disappointed by the administration. The principal didn't work well with us and our son's needs. We ended up moving him. She and the vice principal were unfair with my other child as well. I also felt some of the teachers were not that great. Very inexperienced. I would NOT recommend this school. The staff has low moral and many talk with the parents about how unhappy they are there. I don't mean to be so negative as there are a few great teachers but overall not worth taking the chance.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2016

The staff has been fairly responsive and helpful with making our kids feel comfortable moving here. I have a child who had a really terrible school experience right before moving here and the staff put the effort into choosing the right class for him/getting him involved in a new students' group, etc. Academics are pretty competitive.