Durkin Park Elementary School

I felt like I wasn't involved in the school even though I was in through all of the grades. (PK-8th Grade) I didn't know who was the counselor until I was in 7th grade.

I was a new parent at Owen during the 2014-2015 year. My son was new and he fit right in. Mrs. Bailey is awesome. I could email her and vice versa with any concerns, being a new parent. I must say that the staff and teachers work really hard to make sure the students are the best of the best. I am a very involved parent and I see a lot of parents working together helping the children and one another. I saw an immediate difference in the professionalism of the Owen staff verses the school my son previously attended. It was a difference in the curriculum and I was very pleased. This school year I will have 2 children attending Owen and I am so excited and confident that Dr. Griggs and Mrs. Morris, staff and myself will help them soar. I feel as if we are all on the same team with the same goal, being the Best of the Best.

Mi hijo estuvo en Prek en un grupo individualizado por las discapacidades que el tiene, en general todos los maestros fueron muy amables y respetuosos con el, tratan siempre de unificarlos y que se sientan incluidos en el aula, las aulas son extremadamente bonitas los materiales de aprendizaje son perfectos para ellos que les ayudan a aprender a su manera y tiempo. La case manager se preocupa por ellos y su seguridad y esta al pendiente de cada uno de sus alumnos se toma el tiempo para atenderte y responder tus inquietudes y poder hacer una cita si es necesario. La seguridad de la escuela es impresionante todo esta muy controlado y los niños están seguros, las instalaciones las han mejorado mucho y siempre están limpias. La motivación para integrar a la familia me encanto existen diferentes actividades donde puedes participar, cursos de ingles, café y poesía, manualidades ect.Lastima que tuve que mudarme pero realmente extraño mucho a Stevenson.

My wife and I put three children through Ashburn Community School. Why three? Because we kept hoping things would eventually get better.One of the first principals—Retired Jewel Diaz—transferred our son to another school without our permission. Why? Because my wife asked too many questions. She didn’t want my wife encouraging PTA involvement, and she certainly didn’t want our son to have a paraprofessional in a general education setting.Then the second principal, a close friend of the former, took over—and continued the same hostile, dismissive culture.In total, we had three children go through this school. Our daughter did graduate, but when she got to high school, she was disappointed. Why? She realized she hadn’t truly learned anything. I looked over one of her math tests—she had seven questions wrong, yet the teacher gave her a 100%. That same teacher is now the assistant principal.One teacher even told my son and his friends, “You’ll be nothing but McDonald’s workers.” Well, as of today, that same son just attended his younger brother’s graduation—and he himself just graduated from Navy Boot Camp.Our youngest son, happy just to be finished with Ashburn, said it best: “Mom, I’m so glad I don’t have to go back to that school.” He only went because it was close to home. When he opened his final report card, the teacher who had given him the most trouble—the one who clearly disliked my wife for being too involved—gave him a D. We believe that grade was personal.This school seems to dislike parents who want to be engaged. They push back against strong voices, especially strong women and men who refuse to stay silent. Yes, some of this is personal experience—but it’s also undeniable observation.As our son walked across the stage at the Kroc Center during Ashburn’s graduation ceremony, our family felt one overwhelming emotion: relief. We’re finally done. Done with the coldness, the fakeness, and the leadership that does not have the well-being of children at heart.

St. Bede has been a true blessing for our family. From the very beginning, we felt welcomed and embraced by the school community. It’s more than just a school—it’s a strong faith-filled environment where Catholic values are lived and celebrated every day. Our children have grown not only academically, but also spiritually and socially.The curriculum is rigorous and well-rounded, challenging students to think critically and strive for excellence while still nurturing their individual strengths. The new principal is incredibly supportive and approachable, always willing to listen and work collaboratively with parents. The teachers and staff are simply superb—dedicated, caring, and deeply invested in the success and well-being of every student.We are so grateful to be part of such a vibrant and loving school community. St. Bede truly feels like a second home.

We have two of our children enrolled in St. Paul and we absolutely love it! The early childhood teachers are flexible with your child adjusting to school and care not only about their academic well being but also their emotional and spiritual. We highly recommend St. Paul to anyone looking for an amazing Christian education.