Burke School

This school has been a disappointment. If you are fortunate enough to get a good teacher your child will have a good year. If you are unfortunate and get a poorly performing teacher, your student will not receive adequate educational services. And the administration absolutely will not admit that the teacher is doing a substandard job. Poor performing teachers here do not perform to the educational standards set by Fairfax county and are not held accountable by the administration. Staff attendance policies are not enforced. And if your child is not a particularly difficult student you will not receive adequate communications from the teachers or the administration.

I am very disappointed with our experience at this school. My children have consistently been bullied and teased by their peers, and the school has not handled these situations properly. Instead of making real efforts to resolve incidents, almost every issue is simply brought to the parents without meaningful action taken on the school’s side.Communication from the administration is minimal, with the exception of a few caring teachers. Unfortunately, not all staff members are welcoming or supportive, especially toward new students. This made the transition very difficult for my children.Academically, I am also concerned about the quality of instruction. My son, who is in fifth grade, has mentioned that some lessons feel like they are being taught at a first-grade level. In addition, students who struggle in certain subject areas do not seem to receive the extra support they need. Teaching should be adjusted to meet students at their level, but that has not been our experience.Overall, we have not felt supported, heard, or valued as a family. I truly hope the school takes concerns like these seriously and works toward creating a safer, more supportive, and academically appropriate environment for all students.

The teachers are amazingly warm and wonderful at OH, however, the administration is seriously lacking. The 3 administrators are very unapproachable and do not want parents in the school. They do not support their teachers in behavior concerns that severely disrupt the learning of other students in the class. Their motto is 'build relationships' and yet they are the worst at this among staff and students.

We’ve been at Bonnie Brae for the past couple years and are so happy with everything. The teachers are all wonderful and engaged, the administration is responsive and supportive of families and staff, and there is strong community engagement and so many great activities! They are also a purple star school so there is lots of support for incoming military families.