Stenwood Elementary School

2620 Gallows Road

School District

Fairfax County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
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 August 28, 2019

I have been a parent at Stenwood for 3 years. I’ve always found the administrative and teaching staff to be kind, helpful and deeply committed to the care and development of my child.
Submitted by parent on October 03, 2018

We rate this school highly. We do not enjoy the battery of standardized testing that is state mandated, but we do think the school is an excellent institution that is keen to graduate compassionate, intelligent young girls and boys.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2018

Overall Stenwood Elementary is sub par to their school rating. They are unaccommodating or not at all helpful to single moms at the school. Coming from a Loudoun County public school my daughter said that Stenwood was easier as far as academics and did not challenge her enough. They have very few school events and they are during work hours which makes it almost impossible for a single mom to attend.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2017

I have had three children at Stenwood, and they have had nothing but great experiences, both academically and socially. The teachers the kids have had are knowledgeable and caring. Communication with the teachers and staff has been good, too. The school has a great neighborhood feel to it. I will second the issue with the front-office ladies acting aloof and mostly unfriendly to me (and presumably other parents), but would not ding the school for that. Luckily, they have no impact on the quality of the kids' education or experiences.
Submitted by parent on December 26, 2016

My kids have attended Stenwood for the past 7 years. We love it. They keep the kids motivated and happy- great administration that has changed some hands in the past year. A bunch of the lower grades teachers are new within the past few years and have bonded together and their friendship shines through and makes the whole school atmosphere successful and fun. The higher grades have the best teachers who empathize a love of reading. My son just participated in his first battle of the books, and incredible event in which all 5th and 6th graders read a set of 8 books, and then battle it out jeapordy style ina big event. They also support lots of recess and keep things fresh. My kids can't wait to go to school every day.
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2016

We absolutely love our son's teacher at Stenwood but I must echo several of the other parents when I say that the office staff is completely rude! They are totally unwelcoming, appear to hate their jobs and seem to be angry that you are there interrupting their day ! The after school activities are limited and from what I am told (we are new this year) they have done away with all of the optional language programs.
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2015

Our kids love going to Stenwood very much, and my husband and I like the school too! It is a very caring staff and administration, they know everyone by name, and we have been impressed with the communication between school and home. All of our experiences and interactions with the aap teacher, counselor, music teachers, office, and administrators have been nothing but positive, and we wonder if those who have criticized them were disappointed with their own child's performance. We feel fortunate to have our children here, and will all be a little sad when it is time to move on!
Submitted by parent on November 24, 2014

Stenwood Elementary is a good school. I have been very happy with this school for the past three years. For the most part, teachers are very knowledgeable. However, I do agree that the AAP teacher is lacking in knowledge and skills. She really doesn't seem to care. My children do love the school counselor. She is a great counselor who really knows the kids and families. She has always been very kind and supportive. The children in our neighborhood also love her. Former students often come back to see her. Unfortunately, the administration is a bit lacking. The AP is very kind but kept in the shadows. The principal is very controlling. The PTA has been great this year. They have provided a variety of after school activities that my children love. Overall, I am very pleased with our school.
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2014

Had to write after seeing some of these reviews. The school counsellor is a shining star and a nice balance to the awkward front office and some of the less than stellar staff. My kid has had great classroom teachers , but the music teacher is a mini tyrant that shames and scolds and chooses very obvious favorites in class, it affects her grading as well. My kid used to like music.... The aap teacher is lacking knowledge and skill and the principal can be prickly and this may be the cause of bad impressions some have of the front office. There used to be weak offerings for after school activities but that is changing with the PTA effort.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2014

I'm surprised to see all the negative reviews here. This is our 3rd year at Stenwood (I have two children in the school) and we have had an overwhelmingly positive experience in every way! The 6 teachers my kids have had have all been dedicated, talented, communicative and energetic and my children have learned and flourished in their classes. We have also found that the students are warm and welcoming and we have never experienced, or even heard of, any bullying. In fact we moved to the school from a much smaller school and were nervous about the transition but it has been great - my children were immediately accepted and they made friends and have been very happy here. We appreciate that the school does extra events like Battle of the Books and the Geography Bee. My only suggestion is to have more after-school activities (and this year the PTA has worked hard to add several!). I highly recommend Stenwood. Also, the neighborhoods that feed into it (Stonewall Manor, Dunn Loring Woods, etc) are great neighborhoods for families.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2014

I had one child attend this school, and found everything from the teacher's to the counselor to the office staff incompetent. The counselor is overbearing and is in great need of personal development for herself, she should not be working with children as a role model. The office staff is rude and forget that you have a right to still be your child's parent. They have an attitude that they own your child once your child enters the school building. I have tried to figure out how to legitimately have my child pupil placed in another school. My only hope at this point is that we can move. Disappointing staff, when it is costly to live in this area, I would hope that the school would provide a quality education to the neighborhood it serves.
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2014

Stenwood Elementary, Vienna VA The First grade teacher my child had was incompetent and lacked the ability to communicate any concerns she perceived concerning my child's progress. We moved to this area because of the positive reviews we heard about Stenwood, unfortunately this inexperienced "teacher" ruined our child's experience and others in her class.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2014

Repeatedly asking for help throughout kindergarten and first grade, we were assured that our child didn't need any testing. Upon switching elementary schools, the new school administration was confused on why our child's test scores didn't match her report card. The new school provided testing and indeed our child had an undiagnosed learning disability. Amazing well intentioned kinder and first grade teachers poured their energy into a child that should have been easily spotted by more seasoned special education, guidance counselor and other admins. I'm thankful on a daily basis that we are no longer at Stenwood Elementary.