Westridge Elementary School

12400 Knightsbridge Drive

School District

Prince William County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Prince William 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 July 31, 2023

I have two kids at Westridge. I absolutely love this school, the teachers, the counselors and the principal. The Gifted Program is great. When we needed the counselors, they worked with us and ensure my daughter got the guidance she needed. The school pulled through when we needed support for a personal tragedy. The teachers are involved and caring. I couldn't ask for a better elementary school experience for my children. The safety is top notch which puts us parents at ease. Westridge is by far the best elementary school experience we have had so far as we do have older children who have attended other schools. 5 stars for sure. I couldn't say enough good things here.
Submitted by parent on June 29, 2022

The principal at this school is very caring. My children had some great teachers and some teachers that did not meet my expectations. I can say with confidence my children were cared for when they walked through the door.
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2019

I would recommend this school to others. It is important to stay engaged with your child’s teacher every year.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2018

This school is fantastic... if you are a Caucasian family with one stay-at home parent. Otherwise, the staff will not respond to emails, you will never be chosen to volunteer or chaperone no matter how many times you sign up to do so, your child will be denied access to the gifted program despite ranking in the 99th percentile on an intelligence test, your child will be referred to by their last name by the school nurse, and threatened with expulsion for "attendance issues" after missing one day of school. Also, if you are Hispanic, the teachers will assume that you must be poor, and cannot afford to be an at home parent. They will actually say this to your face in a parent-teacher conference.
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2017

Great and effective leadership wonderful environment best school in the county
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2017

Our daughter has been at this school for 2 years (2nd & 3rd grade) and we have had all positive experiences. The principal and front office staff are over the top friendly and willing to help out with questions, concerns and ideas. The teachers that I have worked with are extremely driven and truly take time to cultivate each child at their academic level. I love the diversity in the classrooms. Many countries are represented in just her classroom alone. This year the class sizes got too large for 3rd grade...but administration stepped in and hired another teacher to ensure kids could get the one on one attention needed. On top of a fantastic school...the community itself is just wonderful. Very active PTA also.
Submitted by other on October 14, 2016

My child has been in this school since kindergarten and now 2nd grade. Child had self esteem issues in the begining after moving from Europe. Teachers and all staff have been, and still are very supportive, constructive and have helped my child gain a confidence in which wasnt there before. Went from not liking school to loveing it. All the teachers, principal, vice principal and staff, seem to know every childs name and goes out of their way to help improve quality of learnign and life at this school. a huge Thank you for Westridge ES Woodbridge!
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2016

Great school, with fantastic staff. The principal is awesome and truly cares about the students.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2015

I was told this school was the best in the area. The online rating supported this information. However, I quickly discovered that it was not the best and is overrated! First, the environment is culturally insensitive. More importantly, the teachers and staff are unprofessional, unorganized, insensitive, poor communicators, possess ineffective problem resolution skills and lack integrity. If you are looking for a positive learning environment....THIS IS NOT THE SCHOOL. Early in the school year, my child was bullied and treated unfairly by other children. When I brought it to the attention of staff, they brushed it off and informed me that they were working on it. I addressed other concerns with teachers, staff and principal to only receive an inadequate and untimely response which led to an ineffective resolution. Seriously consider other options over this school.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2015

My son attended this school as a kindergartner in 2012. Before we moved to Prince William County I researched schools thoroughly. Everyone I talked to told me that Westridge was the BEST elementary school in ALL of Prince William. Based on these reviews, our family moved in the Westridge Subdivision so that my son could attend Westridge and we were very disappointed. As other parents have pointed out, the communications were very poor and although we registered on time, our son got stuck with a new teacher and in a class of about 28 kids. There were only a few teacher's aids and they were shared amongst all the classes. At that time, the principal and the Asst. Principle was not responsive to issues. Students were not recognized for perfect attendance and other areas. It was such a horrible experience, we could not wait until the year was over. After talking with other parents, they too had moved into the neighborhood for this school and were later disappointed. We left and went to private school where my son is excelling academically and socially. I personally think this school is WAY overrated.
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2014

I have 2 children who attend this school. Kinder and 3rd grade. This school has a pretty responsive principle. The school could be better at resolving problems. They allow students to play football during recess on concrete, this landed my son in the ER. They have this safety issue. My son was teased based on the color of his skin and called a racial slur. They didn't find the student therefore they didn't discipline the student, they did tell students to not use bad words. I personally think it could have been an opportunity to promote acceptance of others in an age appropriate way. I think they could have done more than tell kids not to use bad words. Based on information provided to me, I think this diverse school could be more culturally aware and sensitive to all students. Also, they need more assistance in Kinder classrooms. There are limitations in visiting classroom, you will be escorted by principle or vice principle after about 10 minutes you'll be escorted out. If you volunteer your left alone with kids and have no escort, for example field day or field trips. I have only experienced one good teacher with a very effective teaching style Mrs. Arguin.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2013

Westridge is reviving! This is our second year at the school and I cannot believe the difference I've noticed with the new principal! The teachers (and I've spoken personally spoken to several) are much happier and the mood is so much lighter. New teachers have been hired including the addition of two teachers dedicated to autistic students. I've never had a problem volunteering or checking on my children in their classrooms. Every teacher is different and some are ok when you show up spontaneously while others may prefer a scheduled visit. It is what it is. Do not have any apprehension sending your child to this school. It really is a great place!
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

My school has blossomed more this year, with new leadership, effective changes and more vitality.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2013

Westridge is one of the best elementary schools in Northern Virginia!! This is the school you want your kids to go to!!! Mrs. Zhikharev is an amazing teacher!
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2013

The Westridge learning environment is excellent. We've been at this school for ten years with multiple kids and are still impressed with the teaching staff, the parental involvement and the extracurricular activities. The principal has hired engaging teachers and provides numerous opportunities for creative learning - the chorus is exceptional and well attended (two separate choral groups due to the outsized interest), elementary strings frequently outperform middle schools, 24 club mathematics competition, running club, excellent support for Odyssey of the Mind (they always have multiple highly creative teams), well represented at the County art fairs and science fairs and all around expectations of student excellence. Mrs. Hayden has also instituted an anti-bullying program that has worked very well - bullying is not a problem at the school. Our kids moving to middle school are more than prepared for the increased academic requirements. When you expect excellence from the students, they respond to the challenge.
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2013

I was very disappointed in this school--so much so that we pulled our Kindergartner out mid-year. The teacher was nice, kind, caring, and good at her job but the classrooms are large (25+ children) and the entire school only had 5 teachers assistants to share between all of the classrooms. My son had an IEP for PDD-NOS and yet when I requested opportunities to observe my child and his ability to interact and cope in his classroom I was practically frozen out and every request or action to see him in his classroom was hindered. I was later told that to see him in his classroom I needed to use the phrase "hang out" or I would get the same reaction. The school has poor communication and seems to dislike when a parent wants to know more or details about their child's day or interactions. Maybe they're too used to dual working parents and aren't accustomed to a SAHM who has always been involved and knowledgeable? Also, I felt the curriculum was lacking and that my child was bored in the classroom because of all the sit and wait time. I can not recommend this school to any actively involved parent and/or any parent who has a child with special needs or an IEP!!