John B. Dey Elementary School

1900 North Great Neck Road

School District

VA Beach City Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
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 other on November 21, 2021

i was a student here when i was in 4th grade. my teachers name was Suzanne Buhner. She still works here, but not as a 4th grade teacher. She would slap my wrists, call me useless and a disappointment to the class. She would also blame random stuff on me no matter what it was. I'm glad she isn't a 4th grade teacher anymore, but she is now an ELL teacher.
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2020

John B. Dey is not a bad school. But in my opinion pays way too much attention on other supposedly fun things and not enough attention on academics and work ethics. School administration together with PTA worry so much about things that have nothing to do with student growth and academic progress. One day is dressed in this color, and next day is 80s theme party. It's turning the school into a circus.The students are also on the computer way too much. It's nice that many classrooms are able to give each student a chrome book. But this availability of technology also creates dependence on technology, and teachers rely too much on self-teaching through online programs. The problem is that kids at this age are not so self-disciplined and are not really focused on learning when they are on the computer. The end result is that many don't really learn much at all through these programs. Supervision of what they do on their computer is also not very strong. Plus, kids at this age need more hands-on learning experiences.Overall, the school does not support a sufficient academic atmosphere. The habit of working hard and developing mastery of critical skills is important. But these do not come across in the students' day-to-day life.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2020

The school is great for children under age 8. The 4th and 5 th grade classes are very weak, still instituting a non standard grading system. The kids will receive a huge culture shock when they enter 6th grade. Not only that, the school is overpopulated causing the students to be lost in the system.
Submitted by parent on June 28, 2019

I had 2 children show up at this school with minor to moderate learning impairments. Both left his school with (in one specific case highly) elevated SOL scores and a fundamental mastery of the academic skills that would be expected of a middle school student anywhere.
Submitted by parent on June 28, 2019

Fabulous. This school takes care of every child. Even with construction, the education and safety are top priority. Awesome administration and teachers!
Submitted by parent on December 24, 2018

Two of my children showed up at this school with delayed development and academic challenges; both were later turned over too a middle school with full 5th grade academic mastery of reading, writing and arithmetic .
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2018

Run away.Poor leadership, construction mess, hundreds of kids in trailers, over crowded, principal that doesn’t listen just waits to tell you how you’re wrong. Kids will not learn math facts or spelling. Administration says that they learn through exposure not practice. You will not see any class work or homework. Nothing is sent home. Seriously, three months in school and not one example of work anywhere. No idea where grades come from. Kids do not write everyday and it’s obvious. It’s a daycare led by an angry woman. Emails get sent home from administration and they are always full of mistakes and criticism of parents. News flash: if that many parents are asking for spelling, math and homework then stop defending yourself, listen to them and realize that it’s needed.
Submitted by parent on April 16, 2018

5 stars!! I’ve had 3 children at this school and am very thankful for the teachers and the administration.
Submitted by parent on April 16, 2018

Fantastic! The teachers, administration, and PTA are great. I could not be happier with this school.
Submitted by parent on April 16, 2018

My children love school and their academic growth is evident. This is all in large part to the amazing teachers and involved leadership at JBD.
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2018

We have been at this school for 4 years with 2 childern and have had a wonderful experience. We have one child that is neurotypical and one that has ASD, and anxiety disorder, and is gifted and both have thrived at the school. I feel that the teachers are very involved, willing to make accomodations and the school is very thourough in the 504/IEP process.
Submitted by parent on January 21, 2018

Awful. Kelly in the main office is extremely head strong and rude. The principal is almost always unavailable and the teachers are more concerned with the students having fun and image than they are with actual quality of education. My children were kicked out of the school because my husband and i separated and they would spend a few nights a week with their father in Norfolk and I wasnt home when they came by during Christmas break to pop up and see if I was home... I am inclined to believe that it had alot to do with status status and color of my children.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2017

Teaching team is lively, nice etc. But this school spends most of its energy on seconddary issues to bring fun to the children. A bit like a great daycare. It should focus on TEACHING real stuff, hard stuff, those things that you don't get on your own on internet such as grammar, speaking in front of people, singing, memory, hand writing, spelling, how to conjugate etc..
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2017

This school caters to the wealthy, and is understaffed as well as undertrained for children with special needs. If you believe your child may need extra attention because of add or autism spectrum not only will you be very disappointed,but they can not be bothered.
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2015

Our 4th child is still at JBD. The older 3 also attended JBD. We love this school! There are mostly all strong and very talented teachers! The administration is strong and the guidance has always been very helpful to my children. I would never send my children to another school - not even ODC, the gifted and talented school. My children have enjoyed every day at this school. It's a very family centered school with a very strong PTA. The extra programs and the enrichment that the PTA provides are amazing!
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2014

We are in our third year here, and can not imagine wanting to have our children anywhere else! The teachers are engaging and caring, and the Administration is active, organized, and involved. The PTA is very involved, has provided a huge variety of programs and events, and is full of parents from all walks of life who seem to come together to accomplish so much for their children. Already this school year, they have implemented a brand new after-school fitness program with record attendance, plus an after-school science program with the best recorded attendance in Va Beach. We even received a printed brochure at Open House with the full school calendar and all PTA events and meetings! Our kids love to learn at this school - that makes us happy!
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2014

I can not believe this school is rated a 10. My daughter came with an IEP and the vice principle was extremely clueless about children with disabilities and rude. She pretty much told us my daughter would be reevaluated to prove she had a disability even though it was diagnosed by experts in another state. She took away all of her services. My daughter was also bullied in her class and her teacher was totally unaware. I am so happy we moved to another school in va beach that is 100 percent better. Do not look at this school as a 10 because it is not.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2014

In terms of teachers and staff, I can NOT rave about how wonderful they are!!!! But the PTA, which run the school, is another story. If I could rate them separately, I would give the school a 5 and the PTA a -3, based solely on how they treat people. Most of them have an elitist attitude and seem to judge people by their wallet and not by what they have to offer, which makes it difficulty to want to be a part of the school. I am currently in the process of looking at other options for my daughter, which sucks because we have only been here for a year and a half, and her teachers have been wonderful. They PTA really needs to reevaluate their people skills! I can't believe they are allowed to get away with being so rude.
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2014

I can't emphasize enough how disappointed I was in this school. We moved to a new house specifically so our children could attend this school. During orientation, the principal was cold and unfriendly. The staff had the attitude of "you're lucky your kids can go here". My son was entering kindergarten and had to be tested. While waiting in the hall, other children were cussing and fighting and no one on staff came to address the commotion. After my son was tested, the staff person (who never even introduced herself to me), said, "your son is below level and needs to attend full day kindergarten". I had no idea what that even meant and since she said it in front of my son, he cried as soon as we left the school thinking he did something wrong. Needless to say, my family and I were done with the attitude at this school. We sent our kids to a private school where they have thrived.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2013

Best school! Great enviroment and excellent staff!!! My children like going to school each day. I'm a very grateful parent. Great School!