Lorien Wood School

8200 Bell Lane

Vienna, VA 22182

48 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 11, 2024

We have been at Lorien Wood for many years. While our children have had ups and downs, we think they have had an excellent education. They love to learn and are challenged well. The school has a care for the character of students, as well: honesty, grit, integrity, etc. Some reviewers complain that the leadership or teachers are tough on the kids/parents. Well, no one is perfect, but I am confident that every teacher and admin really wants the best for my children. I’m also confident my kids will do well in their next steps, because of the rigor of their learning, etc.
Submitted by student on May 23, 2024

The school originally seemed nice, and the watershed year is. But after that, the grades go steadily downhill at Lorien Wood. Lorien Wood School is a private Christian school in Vienna, Virginia. It has a reputation for being academically rigorous and having a strong sense of community. However, there are also many complaints about the school's principal, who has too much power and is too quick to punish students. She has an autocratic leadership style. The principal makes all of the decisions at the school, and she does not tolerate dissent. Parents and teachers who disagree with her are often ignored or punished. She is even on the school board, which seems ridiculous because the board exists to prevent the principal from doing anything to jeopardize the school. Another thing is, how unclear the grading system is. Because Lorien Wood doesn't do SATs or SOLs, their grading is based mainly on the teacher's observation, and as we all know, teachers can be extremely unfair, and even biased.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2024

I was very disappointed. I hope I will never make another mistake like this.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2024

Without question, sending our son to Lorien Wood was the worst parenting decision my wife and I ever made. We enrolled him when public schools were closed due to covid. Over the 2.5 years he was there, the faculty was constantly changing and the head of school had an absolute vitriol for anyone who crossed her. Upon our departure from Lorien Wood, we were made very aware that the academics at the school are so very behind any public school. They refuse to embrace any sort of technology (knowledge of a computer in these times is quite critical) and as wonderful as a Christian school might sound, everything was centered around God and religion. I would encourage anyone considering enrolling their child to seriously reconsider.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2024

There is a mass exodus happening from this school for a reason. There is no one to address concerns about faculty or head master. The school lacks accreditation. Teachers with education credentials have departed. Children are targeted by the staff. There is nothing truly Christian about this school. Many families said they are just keeping their heads down until they leave.
Submitted by other on February 07, 2024

I really enjoyed this school. Very Good!
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2024

I recently learned, through my child, that another teacher has left at Lorien Wood School mid-year, and I'm quite concerned about the situation. The fact that the Head of School didn't inform the parents is alarming, and it's not the first time something like this has happened. In general, the administration is quite secretive, which doesn't bode well for the school's transparency and accountability. When I enrolled my kids in the school, I had high hopes for its nurturing environment, joyful discoveries, and outdoor education. However, I soon realized that the reality is quite different. The Head of School exerts much control over the teachers, and anyone who doesn't conform to her ways is ostracized. Moreover, the school's idea of outdoor education is quite limited, consisting mainly of doing classwork in a garden or reading in a hammock. This is hardly the kind of outdoor education that I had in mind. What's more concerning is the high turnover rate among teachers and families. Over the past few years, I have counted at least 12 teachers who have left the school, which is quite alarming for a small school. Even families are leaving the school, which is a major red flag. It's time to question the leadership at Lorien Wood and think twice before enrolling your kids in the school.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2024

My experience with Lorien Wood has been profoundly disappointing, leading me to question the integrity of its administration and the purported values of this Christian institution.Unfortunately, The head of school leaves much to be desired regarding leadership. Her demeanor is consistently condescending, asserting an unwarranted belief in her understanding of students that surpasses even that of their parents. Behind closed doors, her communication style devolves into unprofessional and undignified behavior, marked by raised voices and a lack of decorum unbecoming of a figure in a position of authority within an educational setting.Regrettably, the academic standards at Lorien Wood no longer stand up to the standard it had many years ago. The grading system appears inconsistent, as if subject to the Head of School's personal whims rather than the teacher's assessment of the children. Such practices undermine the institution's educational integrity and counter its values. The exodus of teachers and families in recent years is a glaring red flag and indicates systemic issues within the administration. Teachers leaving mid-year is a common occurrence, which speaks volumes about the toxic environment fostered by the administration. Such a pattern of departures clearly indicates that the school may be failing in its duty to provide a stable, supportive, loving, and Christ-like learning environment.Please note that some positive reviews on this website have been written by board members, teachers, or personal friends of the Head of School to help the school's rating. I know this because I was approached to write a review to help with their ratings a few years back. Given these observations, I caution prospective families against enrolling at Lorien Wood. Despite the initial appeal presented by the Head of School, the institution fails to deliver on its promises. I recommend looking elsewhere for those seeking a nurturing, academically rigorous, and professionally managed educational experience.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2023

We have been at Lorien Wood for two years and absolutely love it. It’s a unique mix of academics, creative engagement for learning, and spiritual integration. We are so pleased with the way the school invites the whole child into every aspect of learning. We feel like we have an incredible partnership in raising our daughter to be well-rounded, academically prepared, spiritually mature, and creatively engaged with the world around her.We can’t recommend the school highly enough!
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2023

Every school has ups and downs, but at the core, Lorien Wood truly strives to serve their students and families well. Our son LOVES school and has grown both academically and personally over the years he’s attended. He’s been challenged appropriately and we have had a positive partnership with his teachers each year. Drama exists everywhere but only if you choose to engage. Our experience has been positive and our focus remains the spiritual, social, academic, and emotional growth of our child. And we have been so thankful Lorien Wood holds an important role in his life!
Submitted by other on June 07, 2023

This school is lacking in all areas. My child did not enjoy the year at all. 10/10 do not reccomend.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2023

When I walked in the door and listened to the presentation for the Lorien Wood open house it seemed like the perfect school, we were so thrilled to be there. Sadly it going to Lorien Wood turned out to be one of the worst parenting decisions we ever made. Looking back my child and I were trying to come up with some good that came from the (thankfully short) experience we had there. Some wonderful Christian families attend, and the curriculum is beautiful. However, many of these wonderful families and most all of the original teachers have left in the past few years because the head of school and the board are bullies. It makes sense then why physical bullying is overlooked and tolerated there. Criticisms and suggestions are treated as offenses. It is an incredibly unhealthy environment. Sometimes my child still comments "remember when I went to that school that I didn't feel safe at? Nobody cared I was being hurt?"
Submitted by parent on June 24, 2022

We have not had the same experience that is being reported by some reviewers. I am unclear what has precipitated such a strong response and it makes me sad to know that such a disagreement and harm has occurred. I have been impressed by the rigor of teaching associated with the teachers my children have had especially in the past two years (during Covid-19). We have not been at the school long enough to know what went before us so I can't speak to that. I pray that whatever division is or has been created that it would be healed and that the love of Christ would be throughout this school, its teachers, its administrators, its leadership and its parent and school community.
Submitted by other on June 19, 2022

This school seems wonderful and God-focused on the outside, but I urge you to look elsewhere for your child’s education. The current leadership, like many have reported before me, is cliquey, prideful, and impenetrable to any form of feedback. Any parents, students, or faculty that dare speak up about the way things are done (indeed the school was founded by parents, as a way to make sure their children received the education they desired) they are thrown out, banished from the school, in front of everybody. They do not lead like Christ would, they hoard power and only wish to get stronger. If a family is in crisis, they will ignore their problems, taunt them behind their backs, and do the opposite of helping, which is not what Jesus would have done. This school is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and gives Christianity a bad look. The academics as well are subpar— your child will struggle when they reach high school, as the teaching style is so different and the content so much denser in a traditional school, especially most of the public high schools in the area. Please, don’t give these people your money, find somewhere else!
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2022

Coming out of two years of schooling during a pandemic, I have been very pleased with the in-person learning that my children have received. Not only are they getting an education from a Christian perspective, but they are getting an excellent education. I am puzzled by some of the recent negative reviews, as that has not been our experience at the school. I mean, you know what they say, you are not as good as your greatest review, and not as bad as your worst. But I would recommend Lorien Wood School to any family who is interested in an excellent education from a Biblical Worldview, which emphasizes the integral nature of the world, and which encourages children to be active and involved and not just read from a pre-packaged curriculum.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2022

I would not recommend this school to anyone. The more recent positive reviews here are no doubt written by parents who are friends with the Head of School or are Board members. From what I have heard, the school used to be a Christ-centered school under the original leadership. Sadly, a new Head of School changed a lot of things. I keep praying that God will take charge again and bring the school back to its full glory (His glory) - where families and students feel safe, valued and loved. The ideas of the school are wonderful but are only possible with God-fearing leaders who search for His will to be done.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2022

Lorien Wood has changed so much in recent years - unfortunately the current leadership is driving out wonderful teachers and quickly filling positions without training or equipping new teachers. The children suffer and the parents, even valued Board members, are threatened to be silent or get kicked out. Once a light in the community, the school will crumble where there is a lack of trust and honest communication between leadership, faculty, and parents.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2022

Greatest school ever. Amazing how much the teachers care about the students and how much children are able to grow!
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2022

When we first started at Lorien Wood, we were impressed with the quality of teaching and the Christ-centered community that we joined. Now, it seems as if there is a great deal of fear amongst both parents and students who engage with LW leadership. We are saddened by the change in this school and the way that family voices are silenced. It was our hope that we had become part of a learning community characterized by innovative learning within a biblical framework. Now, we're convinced that the inner circle mindset that Lorien Wood promotes takes precedence over both teachers and students.
Submitted by other on March 12, 2022

It's been difficult to see Lorien Wood fall so far in recent years. A once wonderful school is being driven into the ground by the current leadership. Key members of the board have or are benefiting too much from side deals to make waves, and the remaining board members are too afraid to speak up. Staff and families walk on eggshells because if you dare to voice concern, you are attacked and driven out in a very public way. And know this: when you see cute posts on social media saying, "Look how many hats our head of school wears", she is wearing these hats because qualified people are not allowed to do their jobs with integrity.