Starr Elementary School

Very Positive. Great staff. Caring community members.

Both of my children attended Vaile from Kindergarten to the finish of 4th and 5th grade. The prinicipal is very caring, knowledgible, reasonable, and respectful of kids and their families. I had her as a teacher myself and have always thought highly of her and how she treats others. The teachers at Vaile are all very caring and try their hardest to educate. The Special Education and Support Services staff is excellent, and exceeds their duties. Vaile is a wonderful school, some of the children that attend there, not so much.... but that can be blamed on them not being raised properly; cared for, loved, nutured, and well-disciplined is what they are not. Shame on the parents. Academically they are excellent.

The new administrator of this school fails to enforce school policies. She places teachers and children at risk by not providing a peaceful educational environment by the immediate removal of children with violent tendencies and mental disorders who disrupt the class and threaten violence on attendees and staff. Failure to support its teachers and children should be grounds for immediate removal and loss of all state funding. This school needs to change its course immediately and be managed by a professional who knows something about leadership.

Watching my daughter grow into herself at Richmond Friends School has been one of the greatest joys of these past years. From the very beginning, I could feel that this school was something special, rooted in values, intention, and genuine care. What I didn’t fully anticipate was just how much she would blossom here.Richmond Friends School offers more than academics; it offers a community. The teachers know my daughter as a whole person (her strengths, her quirks, her passions) and they meet her exactly where she is. They nurture her curiosity and independence while giving her the space and support to discover who she is becoming. The Quaker values woven into everyday learning (respect, simplicity, peace, integrity, community) aren’t just words on a wall. They show up in how students treat one another, in the calm confidence the teachers model, and in the thoughtful ways decisions are made.What I love most is the heart of the school. My daughter feels safe, seen, and celebrated. She has developed not only strong academic skills but also empathy, resilience, and a sense of belonging. The environment encourages her to ask questions, express herself, and care deeply about her world. It’s exactly the kind of foundation I hoped she would have.Richmond Friends School has been a gift to our family. I’m endlessly grateful for the teachers and staff who pour so much love and intention into their work. If you’re looking for a place where your child can truly flourish (not only as a student but as a human being) this school is a rare and beautiful find.