Blacksburg Middle School

Both my children have gone through Gilbert Linkous Elementary and we have had a positive experience overall.

The new Prices Fork Elementary is very well-regarded and now innovatively serves a highly diverse and thriving student body. Several children in our neighborhood who attended Prices Fork recently completed high school just down the road and received scholarships to top-ranked universities. Prices Fork develops bright, well-rounded, caring children who are well-prepared for middle school and beyond. While many kids at PFE come from middle- and high-SES backgrounds, with parents who are very involved in their education, a large portion of the student body comes from underserved areas and receives subsidized lunches. Some struggle academically, which lowers average achievement test scores and rankings on sites like GreatSchools.org, despite a large number of students performing in the outstanding range. But being in a caring, enriched environment helps the struggling students learn over time how to achieve at their potential, and helps create a school environment where diversity, achievement, and appreciation of individual differences in ability and circumstances are better understood and appreciated.

The outdoor space is spacious, natural and inviting. I wish I were 4 and allowed to make friends there! The classrooms are carefully prepared, always orderly, inviting and child centered. There is true dedication by the director and senior staff that can be felt.As a long-term parent at this school, we have experienced all 3 classroom environments, over several years with multiple kids.The teachers love what they do, they are engaged with the Montessori philosophy, and truly know every students unique learning preferences. The children are always engaged and cared for with respect and love. We have experienced various types of care programs in the local area, all except for public elementary - and this school environment is the most at home for our family. The director and staff just love what they do, and are given the ability to use their various talents and academic specialties (especially in elementary) to instill their own passion for certain subjects with the children. The care ratios also can not be beat without hiring a private nanny.