Colvin Run Elementary School

1400 Trap Road

School District

Fairfax County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
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 19, 2022

School was decent but could have a stronger curriculum. Some teachers were great but some lacked profession. Would recomend school but it could be much better.
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2019

Quality programs and excellent teachers. A GREAT school indeed.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2017

This is an absolutely fantastic school. My daughter is a 6th grader who (thanks to Colvin Run) loves learning and discovering new things, excels at almost all her subjects, and has become a confident, social girl. She comes home every day with a smile on her face. Again, thanks so much for making her learning experience so amazing! When she graduates, she will definitely miss Colvin Run.
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2016

The academic instruction in this school is world class. In addition to routine challenging Language Arts and Math, science lab is offered in kindergarten and the kids learn so much, from shadows, leaf patterns through fingerprinting. The administration is pleasant and helpful. The school reinforces values to which the students are held accountable in all ways. We are very pleased with the school.
Submitted by parent on October 11, 2016

The team at Colvin Run is amazing. Our son began kindergarten with significantly above average reading readiness scores but fell significantly behind as the year progressed. The teachers and principal worked closely with us to figure out why a smart kid was failing. They helped us coach him at home and invited him to a special summer reading camp at the school. When we finally identified the issue as a vision processing problem and began vision therapy treatment, they guided us through the IEP process and continued helping him build skills – and more important his self-confidence in learning. Today he is a thriving 4th grader who loves learning, excels at school, and even enjoys reading. Thanks to their dedication, skill and teamwork the Colvin Run team has made a life-changing difference in his education trajectory.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2015

This school has proven time and time again to be a great fit for my son (he is now in 4th grade). They don't just focus on scores on test, but focus on making sure the children understand the material and on character traits. The character traits really seem to stick with my child too. He has ADHD and needs a little extra attention. I absolutely love the teachers and staff who seem to genuinely care for the students (from the administrative staff to the teachers to the SACC teachers). Everyone at Colvin Run is great.
Submitted by parent on November 29, 2014

We love this school. Moved here couple of years ago with kindergarten and 4th grade kids, all fits in right away. New Principle and almost all teachers are great, and strong parents involvement. None of them want to miss any day of school. Giving 4 stars to Teacher's quality is because very few unqualified
Submitted by parent on June 17, 2014

Academics: I have had two children attend CRES. My oldest is a 7th grader at Kilmer. I felt that CRES gave him an excellent foundation for middle school... The academics are superb. The curriculum is organized and well thought out. They do a lot of great projects in classes that are fun and innovative. Parent Volunteers/PTO There is a lot of wonderful and organized parent participation. I volunteered for Colonial Day for my son and I was impressed by the organization and quality of this parent/faculty organized event. The have an excellent before and after school activities program which had a large offering of classes. Social Support The teachers/counselors and administration are very kind and caring toward students. Socially and academically my kids have benefited from this school...it is wonderful.
Submitted by other on April 26, 2014

hello, we are two students that go to Kilmer Middle school. We were apart of the class of 2013. This school was amazing while it lasted. We didn't know what we had till it ended :( The councilors, though annoying and a little bit boring at times, resolved the majority of all problems. This school was not effected by budget cuts because the PTO funded it. Most of the teachers were really nice and actually taught you the material. All teachers were willing to help you before and after school. k through 2nd grade we both went to private school, and found this school was really welcoming to us. A few tips to all students: WHEN YOU TAKE THE 3RD GRADE SOL, KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT THE AMERICAN INDIANS. Stay ahead in math, it will make middle school A LOT easier. Colvin Run also prepared you well for middle school. The band program kinda stuck. If you want to actually be good on your instrument get a private teacher. Everybody in our grade was friends or at least knew each other. We both really enjoyed our years at Colvin Run and miss getting 10 hours of sleep.
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2012

Our experience has been that Colvin Run is an excellent school with a wonderful administration and very caring teachers. The principal has brought great programs to the school and the children (and parents) love him! The parents are highly involved with the school, making it an even more enriching environment for the children. We couldn't ask for a better school.
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2012

I have two children in the school and we have experienced grades K to 3rd grade. The principal has brought some great programs into the school including violin for all 3rd graders, music for all 4th graders and Spanish - all with no county/state support. The parents and kids here are great. I haven't been pleased with the teachers though. For example, the way 3rd grade teachers drop all their teaching to focus on prepping for the SOLs but I think this is not a unique problem at this school. There is no focus on the individual child unless your child is struggling or has special needs, but again probably not unique to this public school. My 3rd grader was taught multiplication just long enough (for 2 weeks) to pass a test and then they never covered the topic again in class. The way teachers don't notice the needs of their kids is a bit disconcerting and the way teachers and the rest of the staff don't communicate is a problem too. I think a lot of problems at this school come from the State's focus on SOLs as well as other issues of teaching to the average kid or the AAP kids with little support for the above average kid who may have slightly different learning needs.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2012

We moved here two years ago and have two children at Colvin Run. I feel very lucky we chose to buy our house in Colvin Run's district. We were previously in another school that was also highly rated in another state but it doesn't come close to Colvin Run as to what actually happens in an average day. There are high expectations, the kids are challenged and they meet them - its amazing! I was a room mom my first year so I could meet people and found it incredible how many opportunities there were to volunteer. I know every one of my children's classmates by name as well as teachers and other specialists. They are all kind, open, approachable people. The kids themselves are great kids, it is such a happy place. There is a wonderful anti-bullying program in this school that fights it by encouraging every kid to be an advocate for their classmates. The whole school pulled together to dedicate a 5k fun run's proceeds to a terribly ill student's Dr. bills. And there are many other wonderful charitable activities. I credit all the opportunities to volunteer and be at the school as my window into my children's world.
Submitted by other on March 23, 2012

i am a student at colvin run and have been there for 4 years. with the exception of fourth grade, all my teachers have been really nice. the principal is very good but it's the vice-principal who rules the school behind the scenes. overall a good school.
Submitted by parent on January 01, 2012

Definitely a school that has great potential but is split with some very awful teachers as well. My son encountered impatient, screaming teachers in 3rd grade, rude and belligerent teachers in 5th grade, and general lackluster teaching in 4th and 6th. Not so great teachers, but a great afterschool program at SACC.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2011

I have three children and have been at Colvin Run as a parent since 2005. With the exception of one year, I have been thoroughly impressed with the quality of the teaching. The administration and PTO have worked together and brought language into the school when the school board could not produced the funding. It has a very strong sense of community. I can't thank the school and community enough for supporting our family during a difficult time. Truly an amazing place.
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2011

We are a military family so our children have attended 3 different elementary schools in 4 years. I can say without a doubt that Colvin Run is the best school we've ever attended. The principal is very forward thinking. He brings many different innovative programs and opportunities for the children at the school. We love all of the teachers and staff, too. The parent involvement is very strong. We feel so lucky to be at such a great school!
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2010

This school is ok, not great as I hope for. There are some great teachers and bad ones at well. The administrators are always on the teachers' side. There are a lot bright kids at this school. I guess we can't expect much from public school with the strong teacher union.