Spotswood Elementary School

Posted: October 27, 2020

I think this is a great community and appreciate all the hard work Spotswood staff have done. I recommend this school

Posted: October 27, 2020

They care for the children and work very hard at their job

Posted: October 27, 2020

Posted: October 27, 2020

The principal is easy to communicate with and is going above and beyond

Posted: October 27, 2020

Posted: October 27, 2020

Posted: December 30, 2016

My older child went here and my younger children currently attend spotswood. I have nothing but positive things to say about this school. The staff is very involved and caring and many parents are involved. New administration has turned any poor reviews around. I'm very familiar with the schools in the area and can say I am happy my children go here!!!

Posted: August 22, 2016

New administration has really helped this school. Test scores have increased the last two years.

Posted: June 7, 2016

I say too much, but I don't mean it as a negative. I would rather they have too much than not enough!

Posted: June 7, 2016

My daughter started Kindergarten this year at Spotswood and we loved it. Mrs Smith, her teacher, was fabulous! The kids really were put to work with the studies there and kept my daughter fully engaged the entire year. Not sure why it has a low rating but in 2015/16 year, I felt they did a great job and am very pleased with the school. I wish we weren't moving so my daughter could continue there, just hoping the next school we go to is as good as Spotswood was!

Posted: May 7, 2014

This is my Grandson's first experience with formal schooling, he is in Kindergarden, and I must say his teachers are GREAT!!!! They are very supportive and involved in ensuring each student reaches their potential. We are very pleased with the school.

Posted: May 6, 2014

The teachers and office staff here are very sweet and the principle is very capable. We like the open campus and play grounds. Everything feels very safe. The only issue we have is the curriculum. It's sadly lacking. We've been in two other counties in Virginia and they were both academically challenging, we were expecting the same or similar from Spotsylvania County schools. If it weren't for that this school would be amazing. Wonderful people.

Posted: April 16, 2014

I think the ratings of this school are misleading. It is a great school with wonderful teachers. It is older and in a quiet, safe neighborhood. Many great students. Like any school and child, if you work hard and parents involved you will do well. Students do excel here. There are students bused in that struggle.

Posted: April 9, 2014

I am not sure why this school continues to get a bad reputation. Sure there may have been issues in the distant past but when Ms. Monroe took over as principal it changed the entire culture of the school. The teachers there are top notch and the administration can handle any incident swiftly and professionally. As a parent I am concern with my children's education not the looks of the school. Sure its an older facility but its what happens inside the facility that really counts. I am proud that my children attend here. Security of the children is the most import agenda of this school and you feel that the moment you enter the campus. An open campus presents a unique challenge but the staff has systems in place to ensure the school is as safe as any other if not more. The PTO has a sound group to lead, they just need better parent participation. Its easy to point fingers but often the finger pointers are not willing to offer any help . Sure everyone is busy but it takes an entire community to make a school great.

Posted: March 20, 2014

As a teacher at Spotswood, I want to explain why we have students raise their hands during an assembly. (We call it "Give me five") This is part of our school wide system that allows all adults to get students' attention in a quiet manner, but very quickly. Many schools nationwide use this Responsive Classroom technique. This is not meant to control students, but model and encourage quick attention to the teacher or administrator. As a teacher, teachers leaving a school is not always a bad thing. Our focus on working hard to meet all students needs may have not been the philosophy for some who left.

Posted: March 19, 2014

We have been very happy with the leadership of Principal Monroe. She is a staunch advocate and protector of all the children in her care, and she put a decisive end to any hint of bullying towards our child as soon as she was informed of any issues. The teachers are dedicated and caring, and the Scope program is excellent and challenging for the students. While not as architecturally appealing as newer schools, Spotswood is a supportive and encouraging learning environment.

Posted: February 17, 2014

I admit that I was nervous about the reviews I have read on this site and others but I am very happy so far. The staff is great and my daughter's teacher is amazing. I love that the PTO is involved. My only complaint is how many snow days they have when there is no snow on the ground and how there is no recess below 50 degrees but I understand that's a VA thing

Posted: October 4, 2013

My nephew and niece attended Spotswood some time ago. My mother was a parent volunteer for the years they were there and always had high praise for its staff. My daughter is enrolled there by my choice rather than at the assigned school. For the past three years, she has had wonderful, caring teachers and a principal who knows her by name, as she does all of the children in her charge. The PTO and its president are very active in working in the best interests of the school and its students. I could not wish for a staff that is more involved with the children and their parents. Various offers are made throughout the year for special meetings with the principal to share thoughts and ideas. As a teacher myself, I know what is involved within each school and I gladly place my daughter in the care of Spotswood's staff each school day. SPOTSWOOD ELEMENTARY is a great school and I am proud to award it five stars in every category!

Posted: September 3, 2013

As a former educator at this school, I don't think the person that commented about the safety of this school has "an ax to grind". I think they are telling it how it is. Many teachers have left this school because of unsafe and unprofessional conditions, myself included. We are all just wondering when the school board is going to realize they need to DO SOMETHING!

Posted: February 18, 2013

Wow the person who posted on January 12 really has an ax to grind! Spotswood is a typical elementary school in a mixed income area with a very dedicated faculty. Unique in its open campus style, it seems that much consideration is given to safety and this design as I NEVER see students alone. Perhaps the person who wrote the Jan review received what s/he thought was a 'rude' teacher b/c of the way that s/he acted? I have been involved with this school for more than 2 decades and while it has had its ups and downs, it always puts the children first. School violence is non-existent - it is an elementary school. Living in the neighborhood, I see kids with balls at recess every single day. That person certainly was mad about something. However, when checking out schools, always visit for yourself!

Posted: January 11, 2013

This school is quite possibly the worst in the county. The school has an "open campus" and small children are often walking around outside alone . The teachers send 5 year old's with a partner to pick up and deliver items to/from the office. The schools violence level is off the charts. The children are not even allowed to play with balls at recess because the administration can not control the students. The entire school has an air of intense stress and unhappiness. It is more like a policed state than a light and airy place for young minds to learn. The teachers are rude and angry and do not like the presence of parents for fear it would curtail their horrible treatment of the children. STAY AWAY FROM THIS SCHOOL AT ALL COSTS!

Posted: January 25, 2009