Smith Station Elementary School

Posted: April 20, 2026

Something I always ask other parents to keep in mind when reading school reviews is that, just like businesses, those who are unhappiest will always post about that. It is valid, and understandable.

However, both of my girls have had wonderful experiences at Smith Station. I am involved, communicate with their teachers regularly, and volunteer where I can (around my full-time job). I've found when we invest as parents, schools will do the same! Their general education and encore teachers are passionate and kind; the administration is responsive; there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with the school community! During the summer I see their teachers at local swim meets and art shows to support students, even in their off-time.

I encourage any parents on the fence to contact the school and not just base it on a few outliers in comments online. Coming from a former educator, they rarely depict the environment that is built and maintained on a daily basis!

Posted: April 20, 2026

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Posted: February 26, 2026

Great school, i have 2 girls attending. Helpful staff and great teachers

Posted: February 26, 2026

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Posted: October 10, 2025

Bullying is a BIG problem in this School .. and read this carefully THEY DONT CARE!!!!!!!!!!!
You aporoach to them for answers and they get annoyed

Posted: October 10, 2025

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Posted: December 4, 2024

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Posted: December 4, 2024

My children have been to four Virginia schools since they’ve started elementary and this is the absolute worst one! They are understaffed and use this as an excuse everytime. They let children fight, bully other kids, and don’t do anything about it other than talk to the students and threaten to call parents. They do not let you in the school while school is in session you literally can’t go visit your child. Lie about where you live, drive them to their old school, or just don’t move in this area the teachers are too focused on getting time to themselves they are just trying to make it to their next break and they should retire.

Posted: July 16, 2024

Never seen a school like Smith Station where teachers care so much about the students they teach. The principals and counselors are also very responsive.

Posted: July 16, 2024

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Posted: May 20, 2024

Bullying is a major problem in this school and the administration slaps a bandaid on a major issue. The bullied child does not feel supported or comfortable. My student was threatened on school grounds to be shot in front of a teacher. Both sent to office where my student was told they would be suspended if it happened again. That is the absolute absurdity of the way bullying is handled at this school. No wonder learning and test scores are deplorable

Posted: May 20, 2024

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Posted: April 27, 2023

The bullying culture in this school is still going strong. Talking to staff does nothing. Promises are made to “ keep an eye on the situation “. Then incidents are ignored. Classes are disrupted daily as teachers cannot control the students. Often the bullied child is made to feel they do not matter. Crying and begging not to go to school has become our daily routine. The playground supervision is nonexistent. Staff tends to huddle off to the side not paying attention to what’s happening or worse ignoring. The problem starts at the top. Are the teachers being supported by administrators? It does not seem that way. Leadership is sorely lacking. Our kids are paying the price

Posted: April 27, 2023

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Posted: September 29, 2019

This school has gone downhill in recent years. The administration does not listen to the parents in regards to bullying issues within the school. The students are highly disrespectful without being held accountable.

Posted: September 29, 2019

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Posted: May 6, 2018

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Posted: May 6, 2018

they let kids get bully and sometimes they can kill themselves becuase of it. it needs to be handle quickly

Posted: May 6, 2018

I will suggest not to bring your kids here

Posted: October 26, 2017

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Posted: October 26, 2017

My children have been going to this school for 4 years now and I have had no major complaints. The teachers and staff are pretty easy to work with and quick to resolve any potential discrepancies and/or concerns. My kids LOVE it here. (3 boys)

Posted: February 7, 2017

The faculty at this school overlookstarts kids bullying other kids and are rude and dismissive towards the children that bring the bullying to their attention. Zero support for children that struggle with their studies that aren'the impaired enough by the school systems standards reegarding learning disabilities. little to no communi from teachers.

Posted: September 3, 2015

Posted: September 3, 2015

My 2 girls have went to this school for 2 years now and have had a great experience. The teachers are all very kind and so is office staff! Nothing but a great experience! After coming from
another local county the only thing I have to say I do not like is the fact the after school pick up sucks! They have no car line like our previous schools did...and they do not let u bring cupcakes etc for kids bdays

Posted: December 5, 2014

This school needs help! My child had four unruly classmates that literally went to the Principal EVERY week, disrupting the whole class on a daily basis! They disrupted my children's learning because Smith Station doesn't know how to discipline children there. They let everything "slide." Events were cancelled constantly due to LACK OF PARENTAL involvement. You aren't allowed to sing or even say "Happy Birthday" to a classmate because it's not politically correct! Take a look at the 2013-2014 Math and Reading SOL scores. They received FAILING grades in BOTH! Education is surely lacking here. What a shame. I agree with the others. No homework was brought home or only minimal.

Posted: November 25, 2014

Of course Career Day is only once a year. There are other events available. Parents help out often - but are not always visible. Personally, I've helped with papers at home, and at school, been invited to help with parties, career day, sending in supplies regularly and a PTO event in the first 9 weeks - and I work fulltime, commute, and make time to volunteer as well. As for the length of papers - perhaps it's time for supplementation on your part. My kids get homework daily. But, at every school, it seems my kids are asked to do less than they are able - perhaps because there are so many different kids in the classroom. Since I've been at Smith Station, a running club was announced for grades 3 and over. Want more? Do as other parents do at schools - get involved in the PTO and recruit some of us other parents to help with an after school activity. Be the change you want to see. If a few parents are willing to lead, maybe a teacher will be willing to help. After such a long day with our children - sometimes these teachers do have other work to do at home.

Posted: November 25, 2014

What happened to VA schools being "the best in the nation"? It's laughable! We moved to CA from Smith station, and even with CA schools poor reputation, on arrival my children were a full year+ behind. They experienced huge chunks of missing instruction from SSES and are in tutoring due to the lack of education from this campus. The students in 2nd grade were writing 2 page essays in CA and my 2nd grader at smith station was barely writing a paragraph. There are absolutely no extra activities after school. Teachers leave campus as soon as they can. We have had to pick up a forgotten worksheet and the campus is empty within 10 minutes of that last bell. Speaks volumes of the dedication of instructional staff at the school. Other than parent pick up, you rarely see a parent on school grounds during the school day to volunteer. For a campus of 800 students there are probably about five regular volunteer parents. Career day is ONE day and cannot be included in parent involvement. You simply can't show up for one (short) presentation on one day of the year and call that "involved".

Posted: November 24, 2014

All I can say is this school has next to no parent involvement, events get cancelled due to LACK of parent involvement. School barely gives out homework. My children's math textbook came home once every two weeks. They barely had any homework.New principal came in 2013-2014 and never has a memo sent out to parents explaining she was taking Mrs. Colbert's place. Basically, you never see this woman, barely interacted with students. I am thankful my children are out of this school! The grade level of teaching seemed a grade lower than what they should have been teaching! Not impressed with this school whatsoever!

Posted: May 21, 2014

This school is fantastic. The administration is understanding and supportive of students. They are dedicated to assisting parent and their children in making school a happy and successful place to be. The school counselors are also creative and caring and really available to assist children that need some support. My child has attended this for 4 years and every teacher has welcomed parental involvement and truly wants the best for their students. Great school!

Posted: May 14, 2014

The reviews and decline in star ratings from 2007 until current speaks volumes. Our experience has been the same-going from hopeful to bad, now worse. New Principal closed in her office all the time, even the kids talk about never seeing the Principal. Parent involvement not recommended is understatement. Recess cancelled often, kids physically hurt by other kids and no notes sent home or emails/calls. I'm not in support of just guessing what happens with my children from 8:30-4pm 5 days a week. I expect communication and ability to participate and be involved. Very disappointed, will be exploring other options. Principal obviously just waiting for her next promotion. It's a gamble of what teacher kids will get and I value my kids time and intellect way more than leaving next year to chance.

Posted: April 27, 2014

My kindergarten kids love this school. They have an excellent teacher who really knows each student and can teach to different levels. We have been super happy with how much they do and with the communication. We feel that the new principal could be more involved/visible to the parents. Overall, we have really loved it

Posted: August 19, 2012

We've had the opportunity to work with different philosophies/ teaching styles at several elem. schools and this one has been the weakest. Academics average- they 'teach to the test'. Teaching staff competent but do bare minimum. Parent involvement is NOT encouraged and is not looked at in a positive way. Very little home/school communication. Most teachers are impatient/annoyed if a child is anything less than a drone who sits and shuts their mouth. Lessons are quick and practice of concepts are minimal. My children mention their teachers yell. The school is run without concern for child well-being/morale. Recess/physical activity are not encouraged. Recesses are scheduled at the very end of the school day. Half the year recess is cancelled due to poor behavior of one student or due to weather. During lunch breaks they are not get up for any reason. Foul language taunting and teasing is an everyday occurrence (parents can attend lunch- check it out). To address bullying you fill out a form, nothing is actually done to address it. If you voice concern it goes ignored. After school enrichment is non-existent. The art/music program is "filler". I would not recommend this campus.

Posted: August 6, 2012

One of the worst schools my son has gone to. The teachers where very rude in the starting of the 4th grade. My son has anxiety and she yelled at him multiple times witch cause him to have school phobia also dire need of therapy and he has severe emotional trauma. And the staff is just as bad. I surprised because the principal should have more control over this. My son is now being homeschooled while recovering. I would NOT recamend this school at all!

Posted: June 28, 2010

I have had a great experience with this school. My daughter has loved going to school and the teachers are great. I think there could be more enrichment/after school activities but overall a good school.

Posted: August 18, 2009