W.H. Taylor Elementary School

Posted: November 5, 2019

My child has LOVED every minute of her time at WH Taylor. I would recommend each parent looking at schools in Norfolk to take the time to visit the school in person. One family's experience at Taylor will not be the same as yours and internet reviews should be taken with a grain of salt... I appreciate the diversity of the student body due to the Ghent, military and university community. This diversity also means that we don't have students all achieving perfect scores on every state mandated test. State scores do not paint a true picture of any school. The PTA raises a lot of money and tells involved parents where the funds are going...back into the school to support field trips, equipment, teacher training. The PTA organizes FREE afterschool clubs to further enhance each child's learning experiences. This school is truly lucky to have parents, teachers, and community members invested in the success of EVERY student.

Posted: November 5, 2019

Posted: November 5, 2019

Posted: November 5, 2019

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Posted: January 10, 2019

It does not seem to me that teachers receive any in-service training about differentiating learning styles/techniques. Perhaps I am incorrect, but, per multiple teachers who I have personally dealt with, they all seem to care bout test scores and nothing else. Standardized testing is the opposite of supporting learning differences.

Posted: January 10, 2019

The administration absolutely takes bullying seriously, but, in my most recent experience, my daughter's teacher literally laughed during a conference about a bullying instance that happened to my daughter.

Posted: January 10, 2019

When compared to some other Norfolk elementary schools, sure this school is still on the top of that pile; however, the school owes that entirely to its zip code, and NOT to its administration or staff. If someone is thinking about moving to this district, but has a child who is a creative or has special learning needs, then I would check out the districts of Larchmont El., Granby El., or Ghent School.

Posted: January 10, 2019

Homework is not about highlighting skills, but about checking a box for administration. Parents are given the primary responsibility of downloading, printing, and executing homework rather than it being meaningful assignments that give students the tools to do it themselves.

Posted: January 10, 2019

There are some awesome teachers here, but, unfortunately, there are an equal number of teachers who are cantankerous, inconsiderate, ill-trained. I blame this more on the focus of the administration than any other reason: rather than in-service training revolving around communication and classroom management, it is taken up with testing programs.

Posted: January 10, 2019

Yes, this school has annual themes that deal with being kind and being a good citizen, but I would argue this is not enough to balance the other issues.

Posted: January 10, 2019

The principal does support her teachers, but, it is to the detriment of the school. When teachers do make glaring mistakes, the principal refuses to own up to it, and sweeps the problems under the rug. It's obvious that all she cares about are TEST SCORES.

Posted: July 10, 2017

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Posted: July 10, 2017

i have had 2 children at Taylor. one just finished 5th grade and the other is entering 3rd. all of their teachers have been good, we have had a very positive experience. the new principal is on top of behavioral issues but in a nice way.

Posted: April 27, 2017

We have had two children attend Taylor for first through fifth grade. Both were accepted into every middle school specialty program for which they applied and arrived at middle school totally prepared (over prepared in fact). Our children have very different personalities and both were challenged and had their academic and social experience personalized by supporting teachers and staff. The school is safe, clean, and beautiful and the whole neighborhood supports it.

Posted: April 27, 2017

Posted: April 27, 2017

The school division doesn't have the resources to fully address all of the special needs of the students but they do a pretty good job.

Posted: April 27, 2017

Posted: April 27, 2017

Posted: April 27, 2017

Teachers work effectively in teams and are given the resources and parental support they need to teach at a high level. After ten total grades and about 30 teachers over eight years, none were bad and many were exceptional.

Posted: April 27, 2017

Overall the homework is doable and effectively reinforces what is being learned. There is a lot of variation from year to year in terms of larger projects, and the science fair being mandatory (and a high level of parental involvement actually being strongly encouraged) are my only complaints.

Posted: October 15, 2016

Amazing staff, and incredible families who help support your child. Taylor elementary is unique; it allows and encourages relationships with teachers, families, and students, which in return helps children to succeed. We love the people at Taylor elementary!

Posted: January 12, 2014

Taylor Elementary is competitive, has an awesome staff, has wonderful and insightful principal, and has an active PTA! Both my spouse and I have higher level educations and are professionals and decided to public school are kids here and have not regretted it one bit.

Posted: January 26, 2013

my son is in first grade at Taylor. We have been happy with the way his teacher has been able to personalize his learning experience. In first grade there are children who are at a wide variety of reading levels, etc but there is definitely an effort to maintain an academically challenging environment for all. Great library as well.

Posted: August 8, 2011

My daughter is a rising first grader at Taylor and we LOVE IT. It is a wonderful neighborhood elementary school - great teachers, great staff, the principal is visible and involved, even answering the front office phone at times, the selection of after school programs is fantastic, the YMCA after-school is awesome, and the PTA puts on some amazing events for the kids. My daughter is thriving and we are very pleased. All in all, a WONDERFUL school.

Posted: March 31, 2011

We moved to the Ghent area specifically because of this school's reputation, so I feel like I need to update the reviews. First, the test scores dropped significantly from 2009 to 2010 - the rating went from a 9 to a 5! But, more disturbing, the school did not breathe a word about the SOLs when the scores came out. That exemplifies the administration at Taylor: lack of communication. It seems as though the parents are the least significant cog in the education machine. If your child is screened for speech problems or receives the flu shot, the parents receive no word. If there is a special event taking place, hardly a peep, or maybe a one day notice. I hardly know what my child is studying or doing from week to week. The art program is nonexistent. We have received nothing - not a single thing! - from the art class. Language programs - none. Yes, you can pay for after school classes, but nothing during the regular school day. The PTA raises A LOT of money, and yet the school charges for field trips and after school clubs. Teachers are constantly asking for school supplies. What does the PTA money go to? The school has declined and shows no signs of turning around.

Posted: January 20, 2011

This is one of the better schools in Norfolk, however the academic challenges presented to the children are subpar. I fear that minimal academic requirements will hinder these children in the future when competing nationally. we have been to some other schools out of state that really had a much more intensive academic program and teacher coomunication. There is a no bullying policy, however, there is still a lot of bullying and the "fix" for the bullying is to send the "victim" to the school counselor rather then disciplining the child who engaged in the hurtful behavior. The special education staff is very kind and commited, however the school lacks the resources to put into place better services for special ed students with unique needs. I think if you have to live in Norfolk, have a child without special needs and cannot afford private school, this is the best option.

Posted: January 1, 2011

I think W.H. Taylor is an amazing school. My kids absolutely love it and we all feel that we are part of a community within the school and PTA. We walk to school every morning along with the other families on our block. The PTA is fantastic and offers the kids all kinds of cultural opportunities (like attending the Nutcracker). I honestly can't imagine how anyone could have anything less than rave reviews for the school. My children do not have learning difficulties, so I can't evaluate that area but one of my kids is a 'challenging' gifted student and the program has been great. I have to counter one of the other statements on here - West Ghent IS NOT a bad area. On the contrary, it is probably the most exclusive neighborhood in Norfolk. Many of the students are the children of ODU professors, Sentara doctors or Naval Officers. The catchment area for the school does include some less affluent areas, but I consider this a good thing. If I wanted my children to only be exposed to children just like them, I would send them to private school.

Posted: April 12, 2010

Wonderful teachers, active parents, warm friendly environment, great neighborhood school.

Posted: March 2, 2010

Posted: December 30, 2009