Saratoga Elementary School

8111 Northumberland Road

School District

Fairfax County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:9
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 teacher on August 17, 2023

I am a former teacher at Saratoga. Look elsewhere! Student behavior is out of control, many students with and without disabilities are unsafe and dangerous and get away with it daily (parents have no clue), the teachers receive terrible support from administration, the teachers are under appreciated and its a toxic work environment. If you can choose another school in the area, do it. Cannot NOT recommend this place enough.
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2021

As the pandemic school year 2020-2021 is almost over I now rate Saratoga a 10 out of 10 school!!! One of the hardest years for literally everyone on the entire planet and somehow teachers, admin and staff stepped up to plate in amazing ways when faced with unimaginable circumstances. We have been a part of the school for 5 years. All three of our children have made good progress each year, including this pandemic year. As parents, our hope is that our kids' needs are being met not just academically but socially as well. Learning to be a kind, empathetic, and caring citizen is extremely important to us. Saratoga does a wonderful job in that area. We also value a balance between work and family time so the amount of homework sent home in our opinion is fine (honestly I'd be fine with nightly reading and that's it). After school activities, family time, and just time to decompress from a full day of learning and working is huge for mental health. Our kids go to school with big smiles on their faces, excited to see their teachers and friends, which we attribute to the loving and hardworking staff at Saratoga!Bottom line, whenever researching a school try and reach out to families in the area to hear their stories and opinions. No school is perfect no matter what the rating.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2019

After seeing how Saratoga Elementary was rated when my child first was eligible to attend a couple years ago, I was pretty concerned. So far, I've been pleasantly surprised. I still have some concerns about the schools it feeds into, particularly at the high school level (Lee High School), but perhaps the positive changes here will help things down the line.
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2018

Very high. We have two kids at this school this year and the teachers and staff here are very very good!
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2018

Our daughter started kindergarten this year and we have been more than pleased with the experience. She is excelling and her teach is incredibly caring and just great at her job in general. We heard rumors about how the new Principal had improved this school, and not to fear the ratings, and I can honestly say that this is the case.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2018

Truly amazing! We have been at Saratoga ES for 3 years now and it’s been a great experience as a parent and for my children. There are so many great opportunities before and after school for the kids. They have access to computer lab time twice a week for an hour in the morning, walk/running club several days a week in the morning, curriculum nights, family nights, and more. There is also a very committed PTA that gets the whole community involved with fall festivals, bingo nights, 5k runs, and several other supported events. Saratoga also has a great WatchDOGs program that gets all the dads involved! Saratoga truly deserves a 10/10 and greatschools.org is really doing a disservice. But then again, it’s not a great school, it’s an OUTSTANDING school and anyone that questions it should talk to an actively involved parent or current student.
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2018

This school has a completely separate special-needs program and it’s very frustrating to see this school presented in a bad light because there are children there who’s problems are bigger than test scores. BOO ON YOU! You should be ashamed of yourself. Do some research before you go bagging on a school. The teachers and staff are top notch! I have dealt with Keene Mill (who has an 8 or 9 on the “great-schools” rating) and they called the police on my autistic child for hiding under a table. They also were not treating a super lice situation and I have actually had to pull my children out of that school completely.
Submitted by student on May 15, 2017

Because I can think this way it's my opinion and it's a great school
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2017

My daughter had a teacher who would embarrass her and berated her every day. She would come home crying had to switch class
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2016

Teachers and a new Principal and Vice that CARE. As with everything GREAT it takes time for it to reflect in the scores that measure scholastic aptitude... but we see the immeasurable in the home, a direct result of all the efforts made by this awesome team of teachers and solid leadership. We have a big military community that supports the school, a great PTA, events that gather the community and a front office that keeps everyone involved and informed. The experiences for the kids are there, moreover, education and parenting go hand in hand... you will receive more if you put in more with the children at home. We find that Saratoga has all the necessary tools and in time the numbers will reflect all of its accomplishment. Think of it as an IPO, invest into it while you can and collect and reap rewards because you had to the foresight to see its awesome potential! We did.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2016

I would rate the academics as great. My daughter has experiences skilled, caring and consistent teachers from kindergarten to second grade. I am extremely impressed by the knowledge of my child's teachers.
Submitted by other on August 11, 2015

3 of my daughters have gone to Saratoga. My third one is entering 2nd grade this Fall. My 2 older daughters are now in high school doing very well. We have had great experiences at Saratoga. It's hard to explain the ranking.
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2015

We have had nothing but positive experiences with Saratoga. My son came into kindergarten not knowing all his letters/sounds despite practice at home and now at the end of the year he is reading, he's writing stories, he comes home with a lot of good things to say about his day. They have had multiple family/learning centered activities in the evenings like a reading night, a math night, movie night, ice cream social at the beginning of the school year. My son's teacher is frequently at these late night events as well as many other faculty and staff. The admin is also visible at these events as well. Very pleased with Saratoga and our experience!
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2015

My daughter is in first grade. Her kindergarten and 1st grade teachers were/are both outstanding. My daughter could not read when she entered kindergarten. She exited kindergarten with a love for reading. She is a cautious child and her experience at Saratoga has given her more confidence to explore the world and interact with her peers. She also has thrived in the SACC and other extra curricular activities.
Submitted by parent on March 20, 2015

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my daughter's school. Saratoga Elementary School has been great for my super shy and highly intelligent daughter. This school has helped her mature socially and emotionally and well and encourage and enhance her academic curiosity. I am looking forward to my youngest daughter attending the school next year.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2014

I am puzzled about the negative reviews for Saratoga Elementary. My experience with the school is overwhelmingly positive. My son and daughter have both had excellent teachers and are being challenged according to their abilities. The administration is very responsive to parental concerns and works hard to ensure appropriate classroom placement for students. The school also offers after school enrichment activities like Overtime Athletics, chess, and Saratoga Scientists that are fun for the kids. The student body is racially and socioeconomically diverse, but no particular group dominates. Everyone seems to get along and the students learn to respect differences. I have been very pleased with Saratoga and I'm quite surprised that the school only rates a 3. I think it deserves at least a 7. In fact, when my family recently moved, we chose to look for a home in the Saratoga school district rather than move to Burke or West Springfield where the schools are thought to be better. The low GreatSchools rating just doesn't match my experience with Saratoga.
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2014

In general, we have had a terrible experience at Saratoga and I whole heartedly agree with the "3" rating. First, you know there is a problem when half the teachers are new every year. I won't speak for all teachers, but there are a good majority that don't seem to care. Our 2nd grade teacher was very good about communicating with the parents, she sent home letters each week, etc. At the beginning of school this year, I waited and waited..our teacher never even sent home their contact information, welcome to my class, nothing. End of school this year and my son brings home unfinished art projects that they just didn't complete in class. My son was in the AAP III program and was not challenged at all. There is a complete focus on the children who are below the average for their grade. In my opinion, the children who are smart (but do not place in AAP IV) basically fall through the cracks. The grading has been an issue for me as well, but I am not sure if this is just this school or in general. Basically, if your child goes to this school plan on being their teacher in additional to your other parental duties.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2014

We just moved in to this area and love this school. I am disappointed about some of the reviews. We have a 1st grader and a 2nd grader. The teachers have been welcoming and accommodating since we entered the school in January. My son was struggling with reading and writing and now two months here and he has been given extra help and has improved quickly. The teachers make time to talk to me when special circumstances come up like my sons reading and want the parents input. The principle is always around in the mornings and truly cares about the students. This is a great school and a few "bad apples" have taken the "score" down. I would recommend this school to anyone!
Submitted by parent on March 16, 2014

All three of my children attended Saratoga. My oldest daughter is currently in College. My Son is enrolled in the GT program at Mt. Vernon, and my youngest is currently in 5 grade at Saratoga. The have all placed in the Top of the SOL test while attending Saratoga. I have found the principle to very good.
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2014

My 1st daughter went to this school and she is now 17, doing great about to graduate from Lee High School. We loved Saratoga Elementary School because the principal & teachers were simply wonderful. Now I have a 5 year old in Kindergarten and the principal is still there, she cares so much she attends the graduation for all the kids that went to Saratoga and are now graduating from Lee High School. The teachers are wonderful and we are very happy with all the activities they have including ice cream socials, reading night for the parents and their children to attend and all kinds of hands on activities for the children to participate in. We love the school, the community and especially the staff, teachers and principal. Everyone cares so much and it shows. My 5 year old loves the computer time they get, library/reading time, recess and art! She is excelling in all activities so we are very happy.