Matoaka Elementary School

4001 Brick Bat Road

School District

Williamsburg-James City Public Schools
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for Williamsburg-James 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 August 07, 2023

We had varying experiences with different faculty and support staff at this school during the 2020-2021 school year. My oldest had positive relationships with administration and faculty; however, when COVID happened, I felt a keen sense of judgement being cast harshly on my child and our family by the instructor. We had been excited because we had heard of our kiddo getting an exceptional teacher, but that was far from our experience. During that time, I was going through a major medical event that impacted my heart and lungs. We were gaslit about him having ODD, instead of his medical diagnosis of ADHD. I had been with him in classrooms during preschool, and he started hating school. His normal child behavior was getting pathologized (when remote and in-person). We were told we needed a family/educational intervention instead of either looking at the child within the context or accommodations per the IEP/504 that was requested. When we asked for occupational therapy to do an assessment, they offered the minimum for a general kid with ADHD (seats, rubber bands). I asked about a self-regulation area and kept addressing things with him. When he would snap crayons because it was sensory seeking, I volunteered to buy him crayons but instead the teacher insisted on keeping them at their desk and telling him he was being naughty. If it had been a regular term, I think my child would have better adapted to classroom management techniques; however, that didn't account for the harm caused by the educator when they hoisted the entire blame of our child not on ADHD, not on COVID and being a social kid/peer deprived, not on being cooped up, not on being off a rhythm or schedule that helps him modulate daily needs, but on a 6-7 year old who was going through hard things, just like the adults. Kids get the pass - they don't have coping skills or abilities to the same refined degree as adults. That being said, my oldest was diagnosed with "Level 1" ASD and was able to almost hyperfocus on details at this time. The school counselor was amazing with both kids and the social skill dev group. The measurement of success was not equal or near equitable at this school in the slightest. "Resources" are seen as financial or educational advancement of the child/parent. It took a very dedicated educator to remind him of his awesomeness and potential the following year, and affirm it the year after that bullying a kid with ADHD takes a different shape, as does encouragement.
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2023

I went to this school for years 1-5 and it was one of the best environments I've ever been in.
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2021

My son was diagnosed on the Autism spectrum with what used to be called Asperger's. Additionally he has ADHD. By law the school is supposed to provide additional resources to assist in his learning (FAPT and IEP). My wife and I met several times with the school administration to try to get some assistance in place. We were repeatedly stonewalled and flat-out lied to about my son's situation. From the school's perspective there was nothing about our son that was different from the typical students. Despite multitudes of evidence by respected physicians to the contrary, we were repeatedly told, "We just don't see what you are talking about." Eventually we hired a lawyer, who is also a former educator, who specializes in assisting families like mine navigate getting services in public schools. Even then we did not get much headway. Rather than continue with a lawsuit that would take several years and a lot of money to fight, we placed our son in private school. The private school is not require to provide an IEP, but the administration has bent over backward to work with us to ensure our son is getting the assistance and attention he needs. Our story is not unique, as I am aware of multiple other families who have had the same experience at Matoaka. We are fortunate to be able to provide an alternative, but we should not have had to go the private school route.
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2021

This school is not good for children with intellectual disabilities. They pushed my daughter out of the general education classroom and to a self contained classroom in a school almost 20 minutes away from our home. THIS IS NOT AN INCLUSIVE SCHOOL!
Submitted by parent on July 22, 2017

Both of my children went through Matoaka from K through 5th and I found this school to be terrific. Principal Jacobs is extremely effective, and leads a very caring faculty and staff. The PTA is fantastic, and so many parents give their time to make Matoaka even better. Matoaka fostered my children's academic growth, and they've gone on to do well at Hornsby Middle School. This school is absolutely top-notch.
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2014

The school does not target students learning, it creates a nice environment to entertain the kids. There is a clear policy to avoid disturbing parents with homework which I love. In the older ages, kids get the answers in their tests, it makes easy to do great. My low rating is related to the poor discipline at school.
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2014

Matoaka is one of those amazing schools that parents, teachers and students all come together and makes for an optimal learning environment. There are so many great and wonderful teachers there that really care about the kids they are teaching. It makes a world of difference
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2014

Great school. Excellent development program. Dedicated teaching and support staff. Nothing bad to stay. satisfied
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2014

This school is a great school. Matoaka has a great science teacher in 5th grade. His name is Mr.spence. He is a great teacher.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2014

This school is only as good as the teacher your child gets. It's wonderful if you get the "right" teacher.