John B. Dey Elementary School

Posted: November 21, 2021

Posted: November 21, 2021

Posted: November 21, 2021

Posted: November 21, 2021

Posted: November 21, 2021

Posted: November 21, 2021

Posted: November 21, 2021

i was a student here when i was in 4th grade. my teachers name was Suzanne Buhner. She still works here, but not as a 4th grade teacher. She would slap my wrists, call me useless and a disappointment to the class. She would also blame random stuff on me no matter what it was. I'm glad she isn't a 4th grade teacher anymore, but she is now an ELL teacher.

Posted: November 21, 2021

Posted: March 4, 2020

John B. Dey is not a bad school. But in my opinion pays way too much attention on other supposedly fun things and not enough attention on academics and work ethics. School administration together with PTA worry so much about things that have nothing to do with student growth and academic progress. One day is dressed in this color, and next day is 80s theme party. It's turning the school into a circus.

The students are also on the computer way too much. It's nice that many classrooms are able to give each student a chrome book. But this availability of technology also creates dependence on technology, and teachers rely too much on self-teaching through online programs. The problem is that kids at this age are not so self-disciplined and are not really focused on learning when they are on the computer. The end result is that many don't really learn much at all through these programs. Supervision of what they do on their computer is also not very strong. Plus, kids at this age need more hands-on learning experiences.

Overall, the school does not support a sufficient academic atmosphere. The habit of working hard and developing mastery of critical skills is important. But these do not come across in the students' day-to-day life.

Posted: March 4, 2020

Very little feedback from the teacher about homework assignments. Sometimes the monthly homework assignments sheets cover things that have not even been talked about at school, and no information from the teacher about what to do.

Posted: March 4, 2020

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Posted: February 24, 2020

The 5th grade students are not given any homework.

Posted: February 24, 2020

The school is great for young children 3rd grade and below. However, 4th and 5th grade students are not properly being prepared for middle school

Posted: February 24, 2020

It all depends on the child. Some are taught and some are excused.

Posted: February 24, 2020

School leaders are fearful of instituting their own ideas. The school is forced to follow central
Offices standards, not teaching to the student needs but teaching to the SOL scores.

Posted: February 24, 2020

All Students are taught the same, regardless of their learning differences.

Posted: February 24, 2020

Except when the teachers and admin staff bully the children.

Posted: February 24, 2020

The school is great for children under age 8. The 4th and 5 th grade classes are very weak, still instituting a non standard grading system. The kids will receive a huge culture shock when they enter 6th grade. Not only that, the school is overpopulated causing the students to be lost in the system.

Posted: June 28, 2019

I had 2 children show up at this school with minor to moderate learning impairments. Both left his school with (in one specific case highly) elevated SOL scores and a fundamental mastery of the academic skills that would be expected of a middle school student anywhere.

Posted: June 28, 2019

Posted: June 28, 2019

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Posted: June 28, 2019

Fabulous. This school takes care of every child. Even with construction, the education and safety are top priority. Awesome administration and teachers!

Posted: June 28, 2019

Posted: December 24, 2018

Posted: December 24, 2018

Posted: December 24, 2018

Posted: December 24, 2018

Posted: December 24, 2018

Two of my children showed up at this school with delayed development and academic challenges; both were later turned over too a middle school with full 5th grade academic mastery of reading, writing and arithmetic .

Posted: December 24, 2018

This school was flexible and adapted to the needs of the child. One of my 2 children did no math homework at all and yet still aced the math SOL's @ 100%

Posted: December 24, 2018

There are a handful of truly exceptional teachers at this school; all of the teachers at this school effectively deliver an excellent educational experience.

Posted: October 31, 2018

No homework is assigned. You’ll never know what your student is doing in class. Probably playing computer games.
While I agree we don’t want to give too much homework to elementary school kids, there should be something.

Posted: October 31, 2018

Over 10 teachers left this year. That should say something about the environment.

Posted: October 31, 2018

Bullying is frequent. My child was hit multiple times by other students. We talked to principal and teacher but continued to go on.

Posted: October 31, 2018

Ask the principal anything! She’ll say no. Her newsletters are full of “we don’t do spelling” and “we don’t do math facts” and parents are constantly scolded for having differing opinions from her.

Posted: October 31, 2018

Posted: October 31, 2018

Bullying happens all the time. Maybe they learn how from the principal.

Posted: October 31, 2018

Run away.
Poor leadership, construction mess, hundreds of kids in trailers, over crowded, principal that doesn’t listen just waits to tell you how you’re wrong. Kids will not learn math facts or spelling. Administration says that they learn through exposure not practice. You will not see any class work or homework. Nothing is sent home. Seriously, three months in school and not one example of work anywhere. No idea where grades come from. Kids do not write everyday and it’s obvious. It’s a daycare led by an angry woman. Emails get sent home from administration and they are always full of mistakes and criticism of parents. News flash: if that many parents are asking for spelling, math and homework then stop defending yourself, listen to them and realize that it’s needed.

Posted: April 16, 2018

I like that at a young age the school goes with a less is more approach.

Posted: April 16, 2018

The teachers are caring but also on the cutting edge of what’s new and working in education.

Posted: April 16, 2018

Posted: April 16, 2018

The principal and VP are very involved at our school.

Posted: April 16, 2018

Posted: April 16, 2018

Posted: April 16, 2018

5 stars!! I’ve had 3 children at this school and am very thankful for the teachers and the administration.

Posted: April 16, 2018

Fantastic! The teachers, administration, and PTA are great. I could not be happier with this school.

Posted: April 16, 2018

Posted: April 16, 2018

Posted: April 16, 2018

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Posted: April 16, 2018

My children love school and their academic growth is evident. This is all in large part to the amazing teachers and involved leadership at JBD.

Posted: April 16, 2018

My first grade son's teacher provides a very reasonable monthly homework calendar so parents can manage homework as time permits throughout the month. This approach works very well for our family.

Posted: April 16, 2018

From my experience with 2 children at JBD, the teachers are very adaptive and work individually with each child to tailor to their learning style. Classroom management is challenging due to larger class sizes but my son's teachers have been exceptional at managing the challenge. Both of my boys love school and have demonstrated exceptional growth due to the exceptional abilities of the teachers at JBD.

Posted: April 16, 2018

Posted: April 16, 2018

Every time I am present in the school, no matter the time of day, I see leaders (principal, assistant principal, counselors, etc.) interacting with children in amazing ways. It is obvious that providing a safe and comfortable learning environment is their top priority. Additionally, the principal is extremely accessible to respond to questions or concerns and will always take the time to meet with you personally at your request.

Posted: March 7, 2018

We have been at this school for 4 years with 2 childern and have had a wonderful experience. We have one child that is neurotypical and one that has ASD, and anxiety disorder, and is gifted and both have thrived at the school. I feel that the teachers are very involved, willing to make accomodations and the school is very thourough in the 504/IEP process.

Posted: March 7, 2018

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Posted: January 21, 2018

Awful. Kelly in the main office is extremely head strong and rude. The principal is almost always unavailable and the teachers are more concerned with the students having fun and image than they are with actual quality of education. My children were kicked out of the school because my husband and i separated and they would spend a few nights a week with their father in Norfolk and I wasnt home when they came by during Christmas break to pop up and see if I was home... I am inclined to believe that it had alot to do with status status and color of my children.

Posted: January 21, 2018

The teachers do not send home homework that actually helps the children more like busy work

Posted: January 21, 2018

some of the teachers at this school care but for the most part they are nore concerned with "image" than the actual well being of the child. If you are low income you get treated as such. I went back and forth with my sons teachr for a year about getting him tested for a learning disability and the school literally refused. i transferred him to another school where the teachers were patient and approve the testing. My son actually did have a learning disability and is doing MUCH better.

Posted: January 21, 2018

Posted: January 21, 2018

This school is placed in a rich neighborhood and is very proud of that. They have a wall when you first walk in covered in the names of the families that donated to the school and you literally get gold, silver or bronze status. If you happen to not be able to donate and continually give to the school then you are treated as such. If you are low income be prepared to be treated as such.

Posted: January 21, 2018

I fought for my son to be tested for a learning disability but was refused help from the teacher, principal and social worker. I sent my son to a different school and he was tested as he should have been at John B. Dey and is doing much better with a real support system. The teacher literally ttold me thatg she thinks he is just lazy and can do the work.

Posted: January 21, 2018

My son was bullied and I spoke to the principal, teacher and office staff about it yet NOTHING was ever done.

Posted: September 18, 2017

No bullying because everybody is nice here, and the teacher give a great exemple of mutual respect and good will.

Posted: September 18, 2017

The children and staff are all very nice, but I put neutral because I believe that the poor level of expectation doesn't result in "strong" characters. The sense of effort is missing to foster strong character.

Posted: September 18, 2017

The leadership is lively, but focuses on basic organization, "having fun" etc. Is it a school or a daycare?

Posted: September 18, 2017

Smart students are bored in this school. There "difference" (I don't like this word) will not imply a more demanding teaching...

Posted: September 18, 2017

Teaching team is lively, nice etc. But this school spends most of its energy on seconddary issues to bring fun to the children. A bit like a great daycare. It should focus on TEACHING real stuff, hard stuff, those things that you don't get on your own on internet such as grammar, speaking in front of people, singing, memory, hand writing, spelling, how to conjugate etc..

Posted: September 18, 2017

Posted: September 18, 2017

The teacher and the administration are nice, caring and involved... but everything here is about having fun and about getting "experiences", not about knowledge. So the teacher do care about the children, but they just don't teach much... The level is very low, especially in the rigorous or fundamental parts, such as grammar. As a result, you can see that children from low-income families have only a 4/10 at the SOLs. Other children learn everything at home, not at school. My children are bored at school and wish they had the opportunity to learn more.

Posted: September 4, 2017

Posted: September 4, 2017

Posted: September 4, 2017

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Posted: September 4, 2017

Posted: September 4, 2017

Posted: September 4, 2017

This school caters to the wealthy, and is understaffed as well as undertrained for children with special needs. If you believe your child may need extra attention because of add or autism spectrum not only will you be very disappointed,but they can not be bothered.

Posted: May 31, 2015

Our 4th child is still at JBD. The older 3 also attended JBD. We love this school! There are mostly all strong and very talented teachers! The administration is strong and the guidance has always been very helpful to my children. I would never send my children to another school - not even ODC, the gifted and talented school. My children have enjoyed every day at this school. It's a very family centered school with a very strong PTA. The extra programs and the enrichment that the PTA provides are amazing!

Posted: October 11, 2014

We are in our third year here, and can not imagine wanting to have our children anywhere else! The teachers are engaging and caring, and the Administration is active, organized, and involved. The PTA is very involved, has provided a huge variety of programs and events, and is full of parents from all walks of life who seem to come together to accomplish so much for their children. Already this school year, they have implemented a brand new after-school fitness program with record attendance, plus an after-school science program with the best recorded attendance in Va Beach. We even received a printed brochure at Open House with the full school calendar and all PTA events and meetings! Our kids love to learn at this school - that makes us happy!

Posted: September 30, 2014

I can not believe this school is rated a 10. My daughter came with an IEP and the vice principle was extremely clueless about children with disabilities and rude. She pretty much told us my daughter would be reevaluated to prove she had a disability even though it was diagnosed by experts in another state. She took away all of her services. My daughter was also bullied in her class and her teacher was totally unaware. I am so happy we moved to another school in va beach that is 100 percent better. Do not look at this school as a 10 because it is not.

Posted: September 24, 2014

In terms of teachers and staff, I can NOT rave about how wonderful they are!!!! But the PTA, which run the school, is another story. If I could rate them separately, I would give the school a 5 and the PTA a -3, based solely on how they treat people. Most of them have an elitist attitude and seem to judge people by their wallet and not by what they have to offer, which makes it difficulty to want to be a part of the school. I am currently in the process of looking at other options for my daughter, which sucks because we have only been here for a year and a half, and her teachers have been wonderful. They PTA really needs to reevaluate their people skills! I can't believe they are allowed to get away with being so rude.

Posted: August 6, 2014

I can't emphasize enough how disappointed I was in this school. We moved to a new house specifically so our children could attend this school. During orientation, the principal was cold and unfriendly. The staff had the attitude of "you're lucky your kids can go here". My son was entering kindergarten and had to be tested. While waiting in the hall, other children were cussing and fighting and no one on staff came to address the commotion. After my son was tested, the staff person (who never even introduced herself to me), said, "your son is below level and needs to attend full day kindergarten". I had no idea what that even meant and since she said it in front of my son, he cried as soon as we left the school thinking he did something wrong. Needless to say, my family and I were done with the attitude at this school. We sent our kids to a private school where they have thrived.

Posted: February 8, 2013

Best school! Great enviroment and excellent staff!!! My children like going to school each day. I'm a very grateful parent. Great School!

Posted: April 27, 2010

In my opinion, John B. Dey is the best elementary school in Virginia Beach due to the administration, teachers, and incredibly active PTA. Whether you child is gifted or struggling, you will be especially pleased with the proactive administration and specialty teachers which give your child very important individual attention. We have been very happy and have 2 children in the gifted cluster program.

Posted: April 25, 2010

The teachers are great and genuinely care about the students. My second grader loves going to school each day!

Posted: April 25, 2010

They have an excellent gifted program. The teachers and staff are so nice and helpful.

Posted: April 4, 2010

Reviewed: April 17, 2013

John B. Dey Elementary is a well oiled machine! The PTA is amazing. The teachers are fantastic. The school is an "old fashioned" type school where you walk through the halls and you see amazing student work and you see a very happy environment.