Thalia Elementary School

Posted: July 30, 2026

As a parent, I expected a school that would recognize both my child's strengths and areas of growth. Instead, we found a culture that seemed far more focused on labels than solutions. Despite excelling academically and reading at a level well above grade expectations, our child was repeatedly viewed through the lens of behavioral challenges.
Positive communication from teachers was rare. We frequently heard about concerns but seldom about achievements, progress, or the many things our child was doing well. At the same time, serious issues, including bullying on the playground and the school bus, did not appear to receive the attention or follow-up we expected.
After exhausting our options, we ultimately moved to a different area so our child would not have to continue attending this school. No family should feel that relocating is their best solution, but that is where our experience led us. Unfortunately, we cannot recommend this school based on our experience.

Posted: July 30, 2026

Posted: July 30, 2026

Posted: July 30, 2026

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Posted: September 10, 2025

My son passed away in a tragic way in our home and we were forced to be homeless, they kicked my daughter out of the school saying we didn’t qualify to stay in the school so that was another issue we had to face on top of all of the other issues.

Posted: September 10, 2025

Posted: May 12, 2023

While it has been difficult for schools to figure out how to come back stronger and better after the pandemic Thalia Elementary has done it! They deal with the behavioral problems that were exasperated by the mandated closure and virtual schooling and really put their heart and soul into teaching our kiddos.

My kids have had a great education at this school. Each teacher, specialist and admin is there for the right reason and teach with their hearts everyday. We have been blessed to be at this school.

Posted: May 12, 2023

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Posted: June 7, 2020

To assign Crystal Wilkerson as a school principal was equivalent to putting KGB or NKVD in charge of the school, which existed during Stalin's repressions. They should revoke her license and prohibit her to work with children for the rest of her life.

Posted: October 4, 2019

Our son’s teacher teacher this year has been wonderful! She uses a lot of positive reinforcement and is great with communicating with parents.

Posted: October 4, 2019

Posted: October 4, 2019

We love the principal. I believe this is her 3rd year here. She’s been incredibly responsive and has been implementing a system of positive discipline.

Posted: October 4, 2019

Posted: October 4, 2019

We had a couple of instances of bullying last year and the school was very on top of it.

Posted: October 4, 2019

This is our son’s 3rd year at Thalia. We’ve been very pleased with the school and his progress.

Posted: October 4, 2019

Our son is asked to read for at least 15 minutes every night, and also given math worksheets and sometimes fun projects. The homework has never been lengthy—maybe 15 minutes to complete. It seems just enough to reinforce what he’s learning and helps us as parents to know what he’s currently working on in the classroom.

Posted: August 22, 2019

it absolutely SUCKED the worst failures for teachers

Posted: August 22, 2019

they did away with homework and don't encourage the students to do anything after they leave school each day

Posted: August 22, 2019

inexperienced and NO proper training- lack of care & concern for the kids

Posted: August 22, 2019

does not promote or reward for good behavior

Posted: August 22, 2019

the worst principal, teachers and staff we have ever dealt with

Posted: August 22, 2019

does not work with the students on an equal basis

Posted: August 22, 2019

does not protect the students from bullies

Posted: July 6, 2018

Horrible! I’ve never seen a more disgusting display of adult behavior and utter pass the buck mentality as we have seen at Thalia Elementary. Save yourself the headache, don’t live in this school zone or pay for private schools. Do anything in your power to protect your children from going to this school...unless you’re looking for a street thug education

Posted: July 6, 2018

Teachers are so busy trying to teach what is on the SOL tests to focus on anything else of value. Homework is thrown at the kids and it’s up to the parents to educate the child at home rather than the teachers

Posted: July 6, 2018

Horrible horrible horrible. 5th grade teachers all play the blame game and waste time yelling at students and covering up the wrong doings of kids bullying. IMO they literally are only there for the paycheck

Posted: July 6, 2018

NO!!! This school teaches the kids that it’s okay to bully fight steal use foul language and throw on the waterworks to get their way. That’s what kids at this school learn!

Posted: July 6, 2018

Absolute joke. There’s no leadership involved ever. There’s a finger pointing shoulder shrugging swept under the rug type of leadership here.

Posted: July 6, 2018

Posted: July 6, 2018

Not even on their best day do the school administrators try to stop bullying

Posted: August 9, 2017

My child witnessed an abundance of bullying at Thalia Elementary, which she was able to resolve on her own, though with absolutely NO ASSISTANCE OR CONCERN from the teachers.

Posted: August 9, 2017

Awful. 0 out of 100. I pulled my child out after 3 years and it is one of the best decisions I ever made.

Posted: August 9, 2017

The teachers pile on homework rather than teaching the subjects carefully in class, without providing instructions to the child on how to complete the assignments. It is tried and proven many times over that homework is NOT an effective way to teach a child. It is best that kids be KIDS when out of school and have time to learn on their own in NATURAL ways, not on paper!

Posted: August 9, 2017

The children at Thalia Elementary have no room to develop much of anything in themselves when they are being confined for hours on end without freedom of expression, having their recess limited or cancelled entirely multiple days in a row, and are then scolded for their inattention and impatience.

Posted: August 9, 2017

It is important to "pick and choose one's battles." Treating children like criminals does NOT constitute 'effective leadership' or role modeling for the next impressionable generation, and this is what occurs on a daily basis at Thalia Elementary. Prohibiting children from speaking during lunch quashes NATURAL HUMAN BEHAVIOR. Restricting recess to 3 monotonous indoor activities (jump rope, hula hoop and talking) for months on end severely limits a child's imagination and freedom of expression. My child lost a tooth in class and was sent to the nurse's office, where she was scolded by the nurse for spitting blood into a sink. Intolerant behavior is completely inappropriate from a woman in her profession.

Posted: August 9, 2017

My child was placed in a classroom that did not and would not challenge her. She flew through her classwork so quickly that she spent most of her time teaching her PEERS how to do their work. What was she gaining by this? When she asked her teacher for work that would challenge her, the teacher replied "I cannot because I will get fired."

Posted: March 18, 2017

Love this school and so does my son!!!

Posted: June 14, 2016

Posted: June 14, 2016

Posted: June 14, 2016

Posted: June 14, 2016

The teachers don't pay attention to what the kids are doing. My son gets bullied and the teachets sit back and let it happen while they talk to other teachers and also the teachers are bullies too. Sad but true. They don't listen to the kids while they try to explain themselves and yell at the kids to stop talking. They put my son down and yell at him every chance they get. I can't wait to get my son out of there.

Posted: March 25, 2015

I am Kandice Dixon and I teach in Room 21. I want to apologize to the parent of the child who feels unwelcome in my class. I encourage parents to come in and volunteer and have since I began teaching. I kindly request you to contact me so that we can resolve the issues that you and your child are experiencing. If I seemed cold and uncaring, I assure you it was because I was completely unaware of the situation. I look forward to hearing from you so that your daughter has a positive experience here at Thalia.

Posted: March 5, 2015

For me this is an excellent school. My son is in this school from last 4 years every year they have shown a progress in each field. Staff has shown a huge involvement.

Posted: November 10, 2014

Very nice school .All staff members are really nice and principal Pastros took school to different directions

Posted: April 16, 2014

My family and I love Thalia. The teachers really care and take time out with each child. My youngest was having difficulty. The teacher all the way up to specialists worked with my son, husband and myself until he got back on track. We are very pleased.

Posted: January 27, 2014

This is truly a terrific school. Although I've read some of the complaints about the pick-up system, I think it has little impact on the quality of education received by the children. I have been very pleased with my children's teachers!

Posted: January 13, 2014

My son loved this school :) The kids and teachers were so nice. One incident where my sound was getting bullied on the bus and the school l didn't waste no time handling that...

Posted: October 23, 2013

Our story. We moved to Virginia Beach in May of this year. Prior to living here we lived in Norfolk, where the school system is pretty good as well. Unfortunately, my kids did not have a good experience in the Public School they attended. The teachers were still remarkable but my children faced what most students faces today. They were bullied and because of the lack of diversity they were not really welcomed. Since moving here and having them attend Thalia Elementary, my heart has been in such a relief. My children LOVE going there and do not feel like that they have to be like everyone else to be there. The school is diverse, friendly and the school teachers and administrators are just awesome. The school really has it together. I have never experienced parent involvement as much as I do here. My kids are finally happy. They have confidence in themselves, and their school. I was blessed to come across a school that actually felt like family. I was equally impressed with how much they are involved with the community as well as our city. My eldest is in 5th grade and my youngest is in 1st, so I look forward to the coming years. As I am sure they are looking forward to it as well.