Indian Lakes Elementary School

1240 Homestead Drive

School District

VA Beach City Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for VA Beach City 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 May 15, 2024

If you are a tiger mom, this school is not for you. If you have any expectations for educational excellence for your child, this school is not for you. If you expect your teacher to communicate and let you know where your child is struggling or exceling and provide resources to help take your child to the next level on a weekly, biweekly, monthly, or yearly basis, this school is not for you. There is a reason that their test scores are low, and this school is rated so low. It is not that all the children that attend the school are incapable of learning. It is not that all parents that send their children to this school are disengaged in there child's education. Every parent (White, Black, Asian, etc) that I spoke with including parents on the PTA expressed great displeasure in the teacher's communication with parents and the lack of knowledge around what their child was or was not learning on a weekly basis. The school response to complaints were there are plenty of resources available to you go find them and figure out how to get access. Don't buy a house zoned for this school. If you can afford private school go. If you have children and you are renting, I recommend you move to a better school zone. Virgina Beach has better schools.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2024

I have nothing but great things to say about this school. Everytime I have had an issue it is resolved right away and the staff does a great job listening and communicating with parents. My child has loved all the teachers and they are all so patient and kind.
Submitted by other on June 02, 2023

This school has a very high rate of teacher turn over. There is a lot of bullying and if your kid has to take up for themselves they are the ones to get in trouble. You can contact, the VP, counselor and teacher all you want, nothing will change. Kids are not properly suppervised but don’t worry they have cameras everywhere, if anything ever happens the camera will hopefully catch it. Oh and lots of double standards.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2023

The staff would abide by my child's IEP but would not change it even with me having concerns. The only time they offered too was when my son hit his head. The teacher yelled at him and I took him to the Dr's to find he had a concussion. My child was at risk of failing the grades he attended here, but they kept letting him pass. Once we moved schools in the same school district, several things were added to his IEP, he was 2 grade levels behind in his testing and the new school worked hard to catch him up and were aggressive with his IEP. Seemed like indian lakes elementary just did not want to go through with the hassle. Both of my kids also experienced extreme bullying at this school that seemed to go on regardless of notifying the staff.
Submitted by other on July 10, 2022

I went to this school from Kindergarten to 5th grade and those may have been the best years of my life! The kids were always very friendly and so were the teachers, though there was one teacher that I had in 3rd grade who did seem to have something against me besides that it's an amazing school! I don't exactly remember anybody bullying each other but some of the kids definitely talked behind the others backs. I didn't have the new principals until 5th grade and since that was when the Pandemic happened and I did virtual school instead of Face-to-Face, I wasn't able to interact with the principals to much but I met them one time before and they were very kind! But that's all I have to say about this school if you live in the Virginia Beach district then I totally recommend this school!
Submitted by other on May 27, 2022

I have discovered that the special needs students’ buses are parked the furthest from the school doors. This is not good in inclement weather. Why would they do that? These are special needs kids! The special needs buses line up closest to the road out in front of the school. Sometimes you’ll see teachers and aides under the trees trying to get out of the rain or hot sun waiting for the bus.
Submitted by other on August 08, 2021

I went to this school and I'm doing extremely well now In my classes. Love the teachers!
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2018

I have three of my children attending the school for the past several years. I have to say, the school has gotten better and better each year. The staff and teachers are fantastic!
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2017

The school is okay. Teachers and administration need an attitude adjustment.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2016

My son is in the 4th grade and has attended ILES since Kindergarten. I have to say, the school has gotten better and better each year. Our son has really thrived there and loved all of his teachers (especially Mrs. Cook in 2nd grade). They have a positive learning environment and zero tolerance for bullying. They offer fantastic support to the military children, offering a deployment support group, which my son enjoyed and I was thankful for.Mr. G in PE has done a great job in getting the kids excited about fitness, particularly by organizing the Operation Final Mile runs each year and offering the running club for training leading up to the race. The school is a tight knit community where everyone knows everyone. They offer a lot of fun events throughout the year to help foster those relationships and keep the parents involved. They've also started some new after school clubs, including a Minecraft club and a Robotics club. Most helpful of all is that they now have the Rec Center program for before AND after care, which we are very thankful for. In regards to one person's complaint about the lunch program, you can manage your students lunch money online at parentonline.net. It will email you a notice when the funds are low and you can select whether or not your child is allowed to choose a special snack. For instance, I have mine set up so that my son can choose a snack on Fridays. It's really very simple to use. Overall, Indian Lakes Elementary is a fantastic school with a wonderful staff and we are so thankful our son has had the opportunity to grow and thrive there.
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2015

I am a parent at ILES. I sent my 1st grader to school with enough money to last half of the school year. He used the entire amount within two months. It was used up on overpriced snacks and juices. The worst part- the CASHIERS OFFER the snacks to the students and then charge their LUNCH account. I don't know of any 6-year olds who turn down ice cream that is offered to him or her. As the parent I was never informed that I had to go online and set up restrictions. After finding out the hard way, I contacted the cafeteria manager to voice my concerns. I was told, "This is a business, like any other business." Food services downtown did not care either and told me, "I don't know what you want me to do." I feel like listening and/or caring is a great start!
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2015

Great school! My oldest has attended from kindergarten all the way to now 5th grade and she has loved her experience there. The art and music teachers are incredibly talented and are great teachers as well! My second child just started kindergarten and also loves the school! Academically, teachers recognize where the students are at and either help them achieve goals or challenge them enough to thrive! Great school!
Submitted by parent on January 03, 2015

My daughter had to move to this school half way through kindergarten & it was very difficult for her. The teacher was very understanding of the stress associated with the change and communicated with us often. Now in 1st grade, she is excelling & her teacher is fantastic. I have never had to deal with either principal, so I can't review them, but the office staff is very friendly & does their job well. Never dealt with PTA either, so no review. I would not move my daughter out of this school.
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2014

Teachers are great, but Admin needs to be humbled! The principal has been there only a year. She is very fake and is only there for her career...not the kids.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2014

For the most part this is a good school. Most teachers and staff are friendly and professional. There has been some changes is staff over the past few years which have helped improve the quality of education. If the angry and entitled assistant principal would leave then leadership would be 4 stars, but most teachers and especially parents don't care for the high and almighty assistant principal.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2013

My 2nd grade child moved to this school in Fall 2012 from a Hawaii Public school. She was a grade level behind in her reading at the beginning of the school year (2012). ILES identified that she was behind within a month of school starting. They had her in extra reading programs, and getting extra help from her teacher on a daily basis. All teachers and staff were extremely helpful in this process. Now, in May 2013, my child has almost caught up completely to grade level with her reading. I don't think this would have happened as quickly or kindly anywhere other than ILES. LOVE THIS SCHOOL!!!! They do daily physical education too, which is great for their fitness. They also receive weekly art and music classes. Best public school we have seen yet in our Military travels in US.
Submitted by parent on October 03, 2012

My son went to ILES from K-5 and had a thoroughly wonderful experience. My daughter attended K-1 before transferring to the local gifted school. Our family feels fortunate that both of our kids had such a good experience with the wonderful teachers and administration at ILES.
Submitted by teacher on May 18, 2012

There are many dedicated, wonderful, involved teachers at this school. I have been here twenty plus years and have seen many different changes in administrators and staff but Indian Lakes should have an excellent rating. Teachers put in extra time and effort to do their job. They go above and beyond. We have extensive training and put our students interest above all else. Most of the teachers here work so hard to do what is in the best interest of their students!
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2012

wish I could give a zero! terrible school! no matter what your child sys is going on, the administrators beleive they are lying. this school is rampant with bullies, and most of the teachers (except 2) have been bad. Even a neighbor child told me about a teacher bullying my student in front of the class! i have 2 sons and one has no behavior problems this school needs some serious help. If this is how all VA beach adminitstrators treat kids think about home school. i do hear that strawabridge is much better.