West Springfield Elementary School

6802 Deland Dr

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 parent on June 26, 2024

Mine just completed 1st grade with a teacher with no experience who struggled to pass the teaching exams. Everyone starts somewhere and my older ones have had new teachers, but this one was overly confident that she knew better OR was the victim because no one at her school has helped her and told her rules/policies. No in between. My kid and others were miserable and we learned to feign interest in things she liked (go packers *eye roll*) to get on her good side. I’ve been told by other parents that this teacher doesn’t represent the school as w whole and I hope that’s true and 2nd grade is better. If so, I’ll update my rating.
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2023

We moved here last year and this was my child's first year starting school. It was a bumpy transition in the beginning since they are on the Autism Spectrum. But I had many staff members help my child find their way to a relatively solid routine so they could focus on learning. The IEP process was a long journey, but it also provided me time to meet with the staff assisting my child in a regular basis. There weren't any turnovers throughout the entire school year, which made it consistent. So far, we are happy with the school and staff. And look forward to next school year.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2022

My oldest grandson attended this school, I loved the true teachers, which are no longer there. It was a great school then.However, I’ve since lost confidence in this elementary school now. The trained so called Special Education teachers have no experience or very little, that they do not care to research or take classes for children on the Spectrum. Especially ones of color.They are tossed to the side, no care is given when other children treat them differently because they cannot keep up or very limited in their vocabulary.Just maybe We should stop trying to make them fit in our status quo and step into their world, to understand how they learn, then teacher them wouldn’t be a burden (sic) on the so called Teacher.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2019

I've had nothing but wonderful interactions with the teachers and staff!
Submitted by parent on July 28, 2018

Excellent - both of our children attended WSES and moved into the Gifted & Talented Program in Middle School thanks to the great education and support they received at WSES.
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2018

Overall experience for us was ok.But some staff members and Assistant Principal are really rude.Teachers don't seem to have control over class.Diversity is not appreciated at all in this school despite hyped claims.Thinking to move my kids to another school.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2018

My children attended this school for 4 years. We had a great experience here. The staff is very warm and welcoming. The teachers are very nurturing and really care about the students. The children that attend the school are great kids, if you’re new to the area this is a great school and your children will make friends fast.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2018

It is a privilege to send my kids to WSES. The students and staff at WSES are a close-knit community where every student is motivated in excellence. My children are having FUN learning and their skills have really advanced. I love the experienced teachers and invested staff. Nothing but great things to say about this school. So happy we live in this neighborhood.
Submitted by other on May 01, 2017

Great school located in a quiet neighborhood. Most kids walk to school. The principal and vice principal know all of my children and me. Involved community keeps the school going. Almost like a private school due to the small size. Just wonderful!
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2015

My daughter really enjoyed her time at this school, 2003-2010. The teachers are involved and enthusiastic. The parents are very involved, and there are lots of enrichment activities going on. The PTA raised enough money for smart boards, a 1/4 mile track, extra hours for gifted and talented programs. The children learn so much while enjoying themselves. Great participation. Great results.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2013

Every school should be this GREAT! The office staff meets my needs quickly. The teachers are respectful, knowledgeable, loving and or point. The teachers keep me informed and keeps my child on track in a polite, caring format. Best school we have attended.
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2013

My son just finished Kindergarten at WSES. We were initially excited about the hype the team of Kindergarten teachers advanced regarding their teaching style, approach, and results. My son entered as a strong student. I volunteered often in his class - the teacher/child ratio is high (25 kids to one teacher and one assistant), the environment is noisy and the kids expected to ultimatly guide themselves. My son tested very high at the end of the year - "he scored 195 out of 197!" - on a test that came with no explanation and when queried, ultimatly meant nothing. I enrolled him in an academic summer camp to keep his skills sharp. The camp teacher immediatly asked if he was a public school student and when confirmed, noted he had no grounding in phonics and couldn't read - "but he scored 195 out of 197!" After 8 weeks in camp, and a lot of hard work, my son is reading chapter books - on his own! - and working on fractions and word problems in math. Don't believe the hype...out of all the public schools, they may be the best, but that doesn't mean your child is getting the best education.....we aren't going back to WSES.
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2013

I rented a house, and got a job, and moved from halfway across the country so that my daughter could go to West Springfield Elementary School.
Submitted by parent on July 11, 2013

This is a public school that has a private school feel. It's smaller than other area elementary schools. There is very strong parent involvement and community support. Great teachers (although more new teachers than a couple years ago).
Submitted by parent on July 10, 2013

I can not say enough wonderful things about WSES. I have two children at the school (upper and lower grades). I have found all of their teachers to be outstanding and they are getting a wonderful education. The community around the school is great and the parents are very involved. The office staff are warm and inviting. I know that there is a concern about the focus on tests. I've been in several elementary school and think across the system the SOLs are stressful and impact the way teachers work. I don't think it is unique to WSES. The school has given my kids the tools they need to be very successful in their academic careers and they are very happy at school.
Submitted by parent on July 02, 2013

The author of the post in this thread who mentioned that this school places too much emphasis on testing has hit the nail on the head. This is an excellent school for the lower grades (K-2), but leaves a lot to be desired for the upper grades.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2013

My son attended Kindergarten at West Springfield Elementary. This school is phenomenal! The kindergarten teaching team is outstanding! They have been teaching together for a long time and have there routine down pat. The parents are very active. The administration is involved and responsive. The office staff is friendly. The school is a good size. The last I looked this school was ranked 17th in the state. Housing in this neighborhood is very hard to get in to because of this school.
Submitted by other on April 14, 2013

I started going to this school in 6th grade, and i loved it! I was very sad to leave it for middle school. Its very welcoming and everyone was so nice. I loved almost all the teachers. The consoler is great too! The principal and vice principal are mean though. But i loved going here sooooo much. If you can, definatly go to this school.
Submitted by parent on October 10, 2012

We are a military family and thankful to have stumbled upon this gem. The staff is outstanding. There is strong leadership from the administration and high expectations. These are the attributes we look for in a school.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2012

While my children have enjoyed the school, we feel there is too much emphasis on test scores and not enough out-of-box thinking. The lead admistration (Jones), while competent, was condescending and unapproachable, leaving little room for maneuver by some outstanding classroom educators. We've noticed many neighborhood families disenrolling their well-behaved, talented childred to pursue less restrictive environments. There is also a high teacher turnover as well. We have moved our eldest child over to Keene Mill for the Advanced Academic Program. We are hoping our younger children test in as well.