James K Polk Elementary School

This is a failed experiment in woke nonsense. They care more about attendance and gender identity questions than anything else. Neither of my kids teachers were certified in Virginia. They are going elsewhere this year. This is a great school if you don’t speak any English and have no intention to learn it.

We had to leave. The leadership was so poor from K-5, so I only hope things are better under the new principal. My child was bullied (physically and verbally) all years (except during Covid) with no effective response. Learning became a bore based on what leadership pushes the teachers to teach. The teachers were amazing but their hands are tied on how much they can do. There were no extracurriculars at all and my child was bored. Any activities that were provided, not consistently, are not fun anyway if you are bullied and don’t feel connected.

My son attended SWT for three years, Kindergarten through 2nd grade. The school is very divided by the haves and have-nots. The needs of the kids who have less means are prioritized, which makes sense. Many are immigrants and refugees, which create a rich cultural community. However, the school is stretched to its limit - teachers are maxed out and it’s obvious. Many students don’t know English and special needs students are in the classrooms. It’s too easy for students of means to get lost, my son was one. I was relieved to relocate out of state and into a public school district that was in much less distress. If we hadn’t moved, we’d have moved to private school. My son was miserable and has faired much better in a school that has capacity for him. Lastly, the word “bullying” is used so flippantly at SWT. Kids have no problem solving skills and don’t learn to work things out. The volume of tattling is insane.

The overcrowding has impacted the learning environment of the school. If your child needs a smaller than regular class setting this school is not a good choice. Overall this school needs upgrading and expansion to address many issues.

Finishing another year, our student is onward soon to high school! Thank you Blessed Sacrament! It has been a nice journey and there were many fond memories over the years. I would give 5 stars but every school especially Catholic schools are always in need of more funds so. Otho g can be perfect. I hope the school will fall upon an abundance of funding over the next years to continue and stay strong for the future so all have a nice journey like us. We will always support Catholic education.

Horrible experience here, completely out of order behavior from teachers and students.