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William S. James Elementary School

Abingdon, MD 21009

Phone: (410) 638-3900
District: Harford County Public Schools

School Review
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GreatSchools Rating

public • Grades KG,1,2,3,4,5 • 427 students

William S. James Elementary School, a public school located in Abingdon, MD, serves grades K-5 in the Harford County Public Schools.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 7 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.

William S. James Elementary School is a public school located in Abingdon, MD. 427 students attend William S. James Elementary School.

School Ratings

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	7/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program data from Maryland State Department of Education, and using 2025 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program End-Of-Course data from Maryland State Department of Education.
Student Growth	6/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student Growth - Elementary Level data from Maryland State Department of Education, and using 2025 Student Growth - Middle Level data from Maryland State Department of Education.

Posted: August 19, 2026

This school used to have a very good reputation, and it is disappointing to see how much the atmosphere seems to have changed under the current administration. I also believe an admin wrote the most recent 5 star review. During my time at the school, I have observed a significant lack of communication between admin and the staff. There seems to be a pattern of people quickly falling out of favor with administration, followed by isolation, unfavorable reassignments, lack of support, or ultimately leaving or being forced out of the school. Once you make one small mistake, you are on their bad side and they won't communicate with you to fix the problem. There has also been a noticeable amount of staff turnover, including multiple teachers leaving mid year. The atmosphere here is not what is typical at most other schools.I believe this is something parents should take seriously. Some of the things that concern me: 1. Teachers asking admin for help with difficult student behavior and feeling that they were not given the support they deserve and need. 2. New teachers (Sometimes even experienced teachers) being judged very quickly and instead of being given guidance and encouragement, they are made to feel inadequate and left alone. 3. Staff members being moved into positions or grade levels where they were unhappy or uncomfortable, usually because they want you to leave. 4. Non union staff members being let go suddenly, with no explanation as to why. 5. Parents concerns not being taken seriously. What concerns me most is not any one individual situation, it is the pattern. There appears to be a culture in which being in admins favor matters a great deal, while those who are not may receive significantly less support or consideration. I am not writing this because I expect every employee to agree with admins or because I believe every personnel decision should be made public. I am writing because staff morale and stability matter to students and families. When staff members are constantly leaving or feeling unsupported, that affects the entire school community.

Posted: August 19, 2026

Posted: June 13, 2026

Whoever just gave this school five stars is clearly trying to say face. I currently have two children at the school and will be seeking boundary exemptions over the summer so that they can attend a different school in the fall. If that fails, then Ill homeschool. Point being, there is no way my kids are going through another year at that school. Safety is my top concern, but thats not something I can speak much to on this review. It comes down to the principal and ap and their horrible behavior management on a schoolwide level. There are absolutely zero consequences for bullies and disruptors, and when you have 30 kids in one classroom, thats not conducive to a successful learning environment. Ive heard the middle school and high school are great, but I wish I wouldve known before buying a house here just how bad this elementary school was.

Posted: June 13, 2026

Posted: June 7, 2026

As a staff member at WSJ, no school is perfect and there is always room for growth, but I love our school and the people who work there.

Every day, I see a team of dedicated teachers and staff working hard to support students and families. From our office staff, para educators, custodians, cafeteria workers, teachers, specialists, administration, and beyond, there is a genuine commitment to creating a positive learning environment for all children.

Reading some of these comments, I cant help but feel they represent the views of a small group rather than the broader school community. As a teacher, I feel supported by both my colleagues and my administration. Our administrators are visible, responsive, and consistently help staff navigate difficult behaviors, challenging situations, and family concerns. Student behavior issues, like those faced by schools everywhere, are addressed thoughtfully and fairly, with a focus on both accountability and student growth by both teachers and administration.

WSJ is fortunate to have many outstanding teachers working with students, a supportive PTA, and an administration that continues to support students, staff, and families. The work is not always easy, and not every decision will satisfy everyone, but I am proud to be part of a school community that cares deeply about its students and one another, and continuously strives to improve.

Posted: June 7, 2026

Posted: June 5, 2026

I would give this school 2 stars. The teachers themselves are wonderful and genuinely care about their students. The PTA is also exceptional and very involved in creating a positive community for families.

Unfortunately, the biggest issue is student behavior and the lack of meaningful consequences. Bullying and disrespect toward both other students and teachers have become far too common, and it often feels like these problems are not addressed effectively. This creates an environment where learning suffers and good behavior is not reinforced.

Since the current administration took over, there has been a noticeable decline in staff morale. Several excellent teachers have left, and many families have noticed the change. While the principal presents an image of being engaged and supportive, it often feels more focused on appearances than on making meaningful improvements inside the school. The public image and social media presence do not reflect the reality that many students and staff experience every day.

I truly appreciate the dedicated teachers and PTA volunteers, but the administrations handling of school culture and student behavior has made it difficult to recommend this school.

Posted: June 5, 2026

Posted: May 8, 2026

This school caters to children with behavior problems that act out for attention and need coddling to succeed. That's where all the resources go, leaving the vast majority of students feeling invisible, unsupported, and confused as to why their poorly-behaved classmates are rewarded with candy and Minecraft at their desk for doing the same work as everyone else. The assistant principal in particular has made these students her pet project in an honestly creepy way. And as for the principal, unless there's a photo-op to be had, she shows little interest in interacting with students, showing face to parents, or being "in the trenches" with the teachers. I'm unsure as to how someone with such poor interpersonal skills could have risen through the ranks to this position, but the school is surely suffering because of it. Her leadership is ineffective, her talk is cheap, and her empathy is gravely lacking. It's a shame, because my kids have had some of the most intentional, progressive teachers at this school.

Posted: May 8, 2026

Posted: October 29, 2025

Principal seems to be more concerned about keeping numbers instead of actually helping kids. Teachers seem miserable and burnt out by not having proper support.

Posted: October 29, 2025

Posted: May 5, 2025

Great school
Our children loved the school and we are greatly thankful to be part of this school.

Posted: May 5, 2025

Posted: May 4, 2025

I have very mixed reviews about William S James and my review would have been 5 stars in every category with the previous administration. Unfortunately, when the new principal came in and the old AP left the entire environment of the school changed. The warm and friendly feeling you would get when you came in the building completely vanished. The teachers are not supported, miserable and frustrated by her actions/decisions. It has been very sad to watch our best teachers and staff leave or want to leave due to the poor school environment that this principal has created. It was never like this under the previous two administrators. She makes zero attempt to connect with the children, spends most of her day in her office and just cares about how to school appears to the board office and on paper. The new assistant principal is no better. The thing this school needs most is a new principal and assistant principal. Or for administration to stop and actually listen, learn and support the heart of your school, the teachers! Once that happens hopefully it can be the supportive, happy, family-oriented school that is once was.

Posted: May 4, 2025

Posted: April 1, 2025

Its been wonderful to have a school right in the community! Both of my sons have loved this school. The teachers communicate really well & we always enjoy the events held by the PTA that bring all of the families together.

Posted: April 1, 2025

We love WSJ! My daughter went here now my son is! A school that truly cares about its students! Great Teachers & a wonderful learning environment! Highly recommend!

Posted: April 1, 2025

My experience at this school has been nothing but positive. The teachers have gone above and beyond for my children. You can truly see their love of their job shine onto their students. The sense of family and community is one of the things I love most that WSJ portrays. We always feel welcome and encouraged to be involved in every aspect of our childrens journey.

Posted: April 1, 2025

Posted: January 17, 2025

There are some great teachers at the school but our experience here has been awful. There seems to be a major disconnect between the classroom and administration. Having built relationships with the teachers every year it's apparent the administration, especially the principal, have very little idea of what's happening in the classroom. It becomes a bit frustrating because there's a lot of lip service, meetings, and faux care for your child when it's obvious they haven't even bothered to speak to their teacher. You can sense there's a divide between the teachers and principal/admin. I recommend going straight to the teacher for any type of help you may need. I would say this school is not at all family friendly. There's a major us vs them complex with the administration which I never felt with the teachers.

The safety of this school is extremely poor. In the past two years it has been vandalized several times over and is essentially a hang out area for high school aged kids. They've had ongoing problems with kids fighting, doing drugs, giving kids drugs, harassing parents/students, etc. They brought in a resource officer last year for this and recently put up no trespassing signs but there's no follow through and nothing gets resolved. Anyone who wants to be on the property will be regardless if they've been trespassed or not.

Conversely, many of the teachers and staff are fantastic. You can tell they truly care and are there to help, and we've been very grateful for that. Otherwise the school should be ashamed of itself.

Posted: January 17, 2025

Posted: May 28, 2024

This was once a wholesome school that was very much family oriented. 2 years ago a new principal came and it immediately changed. Staff retention had dropped significantly and its clear staff, parents, and children are unhappy with the new leadership. Principal Farver is very hard to talk to and makes it very clear that decisions at the school are hers to make and takes nothing else into consideration. Until leadership changes, this is not a school I want to send my children as emotional damage is being done on a daily basis to both staff and students.

Posted: May 28, 2024

Posted: January 24, 2018

They use the P. R. I. D. E. System!

Posted: January 24, 2018

I love that this school isnt huge. A lot of one on one attention. You get to know all of the staff and they have House days when students of all grades get to do activities together.

Posted: January 24, 2018

Super helpful staff. They made sure your child succeeds and they are great at communicating. If there is a bullying problem they do everything they can to fix the problem. Love love this school!

Posted: December 7, 2014

WSJ is a great elementary school. I love how the principal, Mr. Richardson, knows each child by name and even most parents. He's extremely involved in everything and the children really enjoy him. My daughter has loved both teachers she's had so far. I think the work could be more challenging, but I think this is more of the new common core aspect that's being implemented in schools and not the teachers fault. The school is a little outdated but they make do with what they have to work with. Overall, I love the school and I'm happy with my daughters education there.

Posted: October 23, 2013

my school is william S James Elementary. This is a very good school with exceptional leadership and parent involvement.

Reviews provided by GreatSchools^™

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Laurel Woods	Condominium/Townhouse	Abingdon	MD	0.7 mi
2	Eaton Square	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Rosedale	MD	11.6 mi
3	The Greens at Locust Chapel	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Ellicott City	MD	29.7 mi
4	Landing	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Elkridge	MD	29.9 mi
5	Westridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Severna Park	MD	30.4 mi
6	Cape Arthur	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Severna Park	MD	30.5 mi
7	Canterbury Village	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Arnold	MD	31.3 mi
8	Carrollton Manor	Area of Town	Severna Park	MD	31.6 mi
9	Lake Village Town Homes	Apartment Complex	Severn	MD	32.5 mi
10	The Provinces	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Severn	MD	33 mi
11	Shelter Cove Luxury Apartments	Apartment Complex	Odenton	MD	34.1 mi
12	Midway Common	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fort Meade	MD	34.9 mi
13	Bay City	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Stevensville	MD	35.3 mi
14	Phythian Apartments	Apartment Complex	United States Naval Academy	MD	35.4 mi
15	Tidewater Colony	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Annapolis	MD	36 mi
16	The Residences at Park Place	Condominium/Townhouse	Annapolis	MD	36.2 mi
17	Harvest Run	Condominium/Townhouse	Odenton	MD	36.4 mi
18	The Point at Annapolis	Apartment Complex	Annapolis	MD	36.5 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Baltimore	Baltimore	MD	21 mi
2	Anne Arundel County	Pasadena	MD	27.8 mi
3	Severna Park	Severna Park	MD	30.4 mi
4	Cape St Claire	Cape St Claire	MD	31.4 mi
5	Severn	Severn	MD	31.7 mi
6	Annapolis	Annapolis	MD	36 mi
7	Annapolis	Annapolis	MD	36 mi

Base	Distance
Aberdeen Proving Ground	9.5 mi.
Coast Guard Curtis Bay	23.8 mi.
Annapolis Naval Station	34.9 mi.
Fort Meade NSA	35.2 mi.
US Naval Academy	35.7 mi.

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William S. James Elementary School

Abingdon, MD 21009

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