Sydenstricker 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.

My children have attended Keene Mill for several years now, and I have been very impressed with the high quality of education and caring teachers. The school also hosts special events throughout the year, which truly build a welcoming community that celebrates our children. I very much appreciate this school.

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.

I absolutely love this school. Both of my children have attended this school for 2 years and they are thriving. My son has pretty severe ADHD yet the teachers seem very patient with him and students like him. My daughter's confidence that we have empowered with is elevated by the supporting teachers. My son was getting bullied at one point (it happens no matter how great the schools are) and the teachers were right on top of it. They let me know right away via email and addressed the situation accordingly which is all you can ask for. My daughter's favorite teacher was Mr. Yarmolovich (5th Grade) and I can see why. He keeps learning fun and engaging. I was even able to attend a field trip where I got to speak with him and witness his intelligence and organization first hand. We need more teachers like him.