Driver Elementary School

4540 Nansemond Parkway

Suffolk, VA 23435

11 Reviews

School District

Suffolk City Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 19, 2018

Large class sizes. 25-31 students per class.
Submitted by other on December 27, 2017

My three grandchildren that are school age went to this school. They don't now because their parents have moved to other cities for job reasons. While at Florence Bowser/Driver the two without special needs did very well. The one with special needs did acceptable but I feel he would have done better with a different teacher. I was impressed with the way they taught the children about "good decision making" and "bad decision making". They were very nonjudgemental in the way they talked to the children about decisions and actions of the children whether good or bad. The school is currently in transition as they are awaiting the completion of their new school and I think this is probably the reason for the inequality in the different areas.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2016

I was sad to hear when Florence Bowser Elementary School was closing, but excited to see what Driver had to offer! Just a few months in and we are desperate to find a new school. There is NO communication between my son's teachers and me. He is coming home crying every day because he hates it. He hates his teacher, he hates his special education teacher, and he just isn't having fun. Numerous times I have gone in and I was not IDed at the front office. I went in once to check on my son and he was sitting by himself in the classroom while the other children were outside playing. The little ones walk to the cafeteria BY THEMSELVES right by the front door, you know, where no one bothers to check an ID. Administration constantly says the changes are new and everyone is adjusting, but school has been in now for over three months. I wish someone could help us figure out how to transfer. No one is helpful in that office.
Submitted by other on October 27, 2016

My child at the age of 6 has now been to 3 different schools as a result of our family being military and moving. I love this school. She has found a new love for learning. The teachers are very caring and responsive with even the slightest concerns. I do notice with school events the teachers and leaders are always there but there are very limited parent/child participation but that is not at any fault of the school. Keep doing what your doing teachers and leaders because your doing it right!
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2014

I am glad that we moved from this area so I could get my child out of this school. My child is an honor roll student and scored extremely well on the SOL's. But I believe that is because at home we work with our child on all homework assignments and study hard for tests. I was happy with the teachers but not so much with the principal and the office staff. We were also not happy with the fact that children are bused in for down town Suffolk.
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2014

This school used to be above average, but now, it is fledgling. Factors playing roles in the decline include the insane (Board approved) school hours and bus schedules (9:30 school start -- home after 5:00), staff changes (teachers who used to teach 3rd grade are now teaching second and so on), shared staff with neighboring primary (K-1) school and overall stress of "memorizing" and "passing" the ridiculous Standards of Learning Tests (SOL) Virginia has adopted. Students are "herded" through. My child was on A/B honor roll but scored poorly on the SOL -- so we got a letter saying she may not move up to the next grade. What??? I don't think the teachers are lazy as other posts indicate. I think they are overworked and undervalued and forced to get through too much information in such a short amount of time. I believe while there students are well cared for -- they just aren't being taught the skills needed. The school is old, but well maintained. It does smell like a male locker room down one hallway. The office staff is rude and disinterested. The PTA is comical but I do like the principal. Just not sure she can do her job given the limits placed on our educators.
Submitted by parent on July 26, 2013

Driver Elementary School is my school. My child happens to be "one of those students" at Driver Elementary School in Suffolk, VA . He is a rising 5th grader reading on an 11th grade level, aattaining a math level of 7.5 , capturing an advanced score (perfect score in two disciplines) in all areas of the S.O.L and attending & contributing to Science camp (for grades 7th & 8th graders ) at Virginia Air & Space Center this summer. I'd say thats NOT bad at all for one of those "terrible students". The principal is supportive and very proactive in the learning process. I greatly appreciate the time an efforts of the staff at Driver Elementary School. The Accellerated Reading program is a fantastic tool. I would like to see more trips/events for students that envolve the science discipline and cultural( Chrysler museum staff will journey to school) enrichment.
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2013

Bad news on so many fronts. We just finished the year here and would have pulled our children out except for the fact that switching schools mid-year is hard. Inconsistent discipline is a huge problem there. We had problems with a bully who was given "another chance" over and over while terrorizing classmates. The school did not care. The work was easy, too easy, and not enough homework so parents can know what's going on. Our daughter was absent for 3 days and we asked for the make up work and the teacher could not come up with anything! They handed us a general curriculum guide instead. The whole place is just a sad mess. We won't be sending our children there next year.
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2013

We are a military family and have experienced many different elementary schools in the U.S. Our experience with Driver has been positive. Our son's teachers have been excellent...both experieced and dedicated, with great discipline over their students. I am involved in the school (volunteer) and I haven't experienced or witnessed anything akin to the negative posts on this page. I would describe the class sizes as "at capacity" not overcrowded. The building IS very old, and I would like to see a more expansive library. That is why I didn't give the school 5 stars.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2011

Great school ~ most of the teachers really care about the students. The building needs repairs, but the staff try to make it look nice anyway. The students are learning and seem very happy.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2010

This school has poor academics, lazy teacher's, rude students, and most parents don't care anyway. The work is too easy and kids are NOT challenged. Grades are give-away's. Tests are all multiple choice, even MATH!! No working out of problems, just select A, B, C, D. Teacher's do not communicate with parents and parents can never visit their kid's classroom. They treat the kids like retards and thats what the school produces. The principal is awful, snotty, and rude to parents. No one cares and it shows big time there.