Yorktown Elementary School

Posted: November 11, 2022

Students are not held accountable when they hit another child or bully employee and other children. Some students who have behavioral issues are not held accountable... are not getting services they need despite employee raising concerns about repeated behaviors observed and reported. The principle this year 22-23 does not listen to adult who experienced and witnessed these things. This is concerning. Negative experience communicating with her.

Posted: March 7, 2020

Posted: March 7, 2020

Posted: March 7, 2020

Posted: March 7, 2020

Posted: March 7, 2020

My son is autistic. This school has gone above and beyond to make sure his needs are met !

Posted: March 7, 2020

Posted: March 7, 2020

We are so happy with Yorktown elementary! My autistic son in thriving at this school. They have been so helpful and kind.

Posted: February 21, 2020

I love Yorktown Elementary School. I have had a student in the school since 2013. I have seen it go through many changes, most of which are not the fault of the school. If you are looking for a school where parents still feel like a part of the family, and your child is truly educated, cared for , and well loved. Yorktown Elementary is the place to be.

I would also like to note that ALL of the data currently listed on Great Schools is from 2016. None of what is currently here accurately reflects YES. Please take the time to visit the VDOE's School Quality Profile for the most accurate data regarding Yorktown Elementary School.

Posted: February 21, 2020

Homework is avoided in Kindergarten, unless it's for a special project (i.e., Disguise the Turkey). 1st grade has reading and a weekly journal assignment, but there is no pressure to complete on a deadline, especially for students with disabilities and learning challenges. Even in 5th grade, homework is light, with only a daily review of math facts or the occasional classwork assignment that was not finished earlier in the day.

Posted: February 21, 2020

I have had the privilege to meet some of the most dedicated and brilliant educators in this building. Mrs. Lennartz in 5th grade may be the most intelligent person I have ever met, and we are lucky to have had her as a teacher for our children, twice. The Kindergarten & 1st grade teams are strong and work together as a unit. I have nothing but praise for them. 2nd grade is also an excellent team as is 3rd grade. 4th & 5th grade teams work hard to prepare students for the transition to middle school. They start training students to take more responsibility for their education and they offer incredible hands on learning opportunities for every learning style.

Posted: February 21, 2020

Students are recognized frequently for positive behavior, and the guidance counselor has a "Caught you being awesome" award that is publicly announced whenever a teacher or staff member observes them showing quality character. 2 students from every class are nominated every grading quarter for their character awards as well. The restorative justice discipline practices are helping emphasize character as well.

Posted: February 21, 2020

In the past, it was more difficult to ascertain the answer to this question. In the last two years, however, the school has made a concentrated effort to more strongly support students with learning differences. Part of the issue that other reviewers have had in the past, is the number of students in the building (which by the way, is not in the control of YES but is a school division issue). The current student population is 605 (2/20/20). The SPED team at YES is amazing and they are doing miraculous things with the resources that they have. Unfortunately, the support they truly need must come from the York County School Division. If you'd like a true accounting of the support York County School Division gives to students with learning disabilities, you will need to visit the agenda for the School Board Meeting held on Feb. 10, 2020. This can be found on the school division website.

Posted: February 21, 2020

My daughter was the victim of extreme bullying and the issue was dealt with quickly and with as little embarrassment to my child as possible.

Posted: February 21, 2020

The reviews prior to this one are for an admin team that is no longer at the school. The current admin team, Mrs. Denny, Ms. Krejcarek, and Ms. Griffin, have been phenomenal. Both Assistant Principals (Krejcarek & Griffin) are involved in building relationships with students and staff. They are both involved in supporting out students with disabilities and are working to establish restorative justice practices at YES. Administration is supportive of the PTA and of parent involvement.

Posted: February 19, 2020

My boys don’t have it every day but have it when necessary. They don’t send home busy work but if something important is coming up or if they need to work on something further they do get it. Which I think is a good policy.

Posted: February 19, 2020

We’ve had a great experience with teachers!

Posted: February 19, 2020

Their SOAR program and kindness theme is critical to the culture of the school!

Posted: February 19, 2020

Love Mrs Denny and the rest of the staff!

Posted: February 19, 2020

Posted: February 19, 2020

We’ve never had bullying issues so I’m not 100% sure.

Posted: February 19, 2020

My boys have loved this school! Some of the things that have stuck out are Project Lead the Way and Maker Space! Both hands on learning with STEM and workshop focuses! My boys love it!!

Posted: June 12, 2018

For Number 2 and 3 above. Also, the leaders at this school take kids who have been assaulted on the bus, sideline them publicly to ask them what happened, which may further jeopardize these vulnerable students. Parents have complained about problem students in class repeatedly assaulting their children and no formal complaints on said child were ever made. One of the VP's at the school, who supposedly is an educator, cannot pronounce Library (li-berry). It's sad.

Posted: June 12, 2018

See number 2. I have heard and seen countless cases of kids with learning differences whose parents have sought services and were denied even in the face of medical evidence.

Posted: June 12, 2018

Not at all. See Leadership comments in number 2.

Posted: June 12, 2018

Kindergarten, First Grade, Second. . . . These kids are young and need a ton of guidance and parents need information. Overload is really ok at this level. But, the information was underwhelming! I found getting basic questions about curriculum and day-by-day plans tough from teachers. It takes 15 minutes per discipline to solidify classroom learning at home without daily information about what was learned (not homework), learning cannot be solidified. On another note, this school is very over-crowded (600). Seaford Elementary is slated to take on some of their extra students in 2018/2019, but it won't be enough. During these years, optimizing the student-to-teacher ratio is of utmost importance. The teachers do not help students who need IEPs. And, I heard countless complaints from parents about their kids who have severe learning disabilities, neuro-impairments or behavioral issues that were without plans. Were told in even the severest of cases, nothing was wrong and they weren't going to do anything. Not Satisfactory! I give it an OK because the office staff, particularly the secretaries are really nice. As are most of the teachers. The teachers do seem to care, but it seems that their hands are a bit tied. The security is something to get used to, but it is generally a good thing because of the world in which we live. The buses were late routinely - and, fights occurred or assaults and students who were victims were sidelined publicly, which made them further vulnerable. One parent showed daily bruisings from a kid in her class. Countless days this had happened. Other parents complained the same student had assaulted their children. Not one formal report by a teacher was made to the office. Obviously, they do not know how to deal with discipline. Finally, I am not sure that this magnet program was as rigorous as I could have hoped for for our kids. Routine extra-curricular opportunities for students were not available for every grade at every level. Again, for a magnet program, it was surprising. The VP is not a good role model - and, mispronounced basic words like library (Li-bary). Educators should sound educated. In any event, it's a C- school at best. Not the worst, not the best.

Posted: June 12, 2018

You don't know what the kids are doing daily. It takes 15 minutes of reviewing each discipline at home each day to solidify learning. You never know what's going on in the classroom.

Posted: June 12, 2018

For Number 2. I also think hands are tied with respect to opening the classroom and helping families with children who have learning disabilities, neural defects, or behavioral issues.

Posted: June 12, 2018

There is an overemphasis on taking photos in class and placing kids work in the public eye rather than working one-on-one with parents to reach and show achievements together. They have seemed to have lost the most basic in teaching. Communication with parents one-on-one about their own child on a very regular basis.

Posted: May 8, 2018

Posted: May 8, 2018

Posted: May 8, 2018

This school is more overcrowded than all the rest of the York County Elementary schools. In 2017-2018 it had 674 students compared to its 630 student capacity, with the extra students in trailers parked on the playgrounds. The teachers and staff were great for what they have to work with, but the county doesn't support this school.

Posted: January 19, 2017

Posted: January 19, 2017

Posted: January 19, 2017

Posted: January 19, 2017

Posted: January 19, 2017

Posted: January 19, 2017

Posted: January 19, 2017

If you're moving to this area and your kids will be zoned for YES, I will tell you to run away fast! Have had a horrible experience. Children are allowed to be bullied and no prompt action is ever taken. There is only a stern talking. They don't even deserve 1 star in my book.

Posted: December 8, 2016

My son's teacher is amazing but overall this school doesn't care about students with special needs. They have a one-size fits all policy.

Posted: July 6, 2016

My daughter attended kindergarten at this school. I wish we could've kept her there forever! the staff are friendly and the school is a fun, safe, place for the kids. We loved this school.

Posted: July 6, 2016

Posted: July 6, 2016

Posted: July 6, 2016

Posted: May 29, 2016

Posted: May 29, 2016

Posted: May 29, 2016

Posted: May 29, 2016

YES has had an extreme amount of growth especially compared to the surrounding elementary schools in the district. There have been some issues directly related to the rapid growth. Despite that, parents have been vocal in advocating for the school to the School Board and the Board of Supervisors. The parents are not letting our school suffer without a fight. While I have been disappointed this particular year with my students' teachers, I have gotten involved to alleviate the pressures and attempt to be a part of the solution. There is an extremely high concentration of military kids here and the school does a wonderful job of supporting them. The PTA is extremely involved and active. It will only remain so if new parents continue to be involved and get in the school.

Posted: March 11, 2016

Posted: March 11, 2016

Posted: March 11, 2016

I say average because I don't want to say it is totally bad. We are new to VA, and so far, this school does not excite my son. It doesn't feel like a grade school. Nothing done to excite the students with their education. No real recognition for doing well, there aren't any award assemblies for the kids that do well. So there's very little thrive in these kids. Every time I go to pick up my child the office is always full with kids that get into trouble. It's because they're bored. The only way for them to get any recognition is by doing wrong things. I don't like this school for my kid. I'm looking forward to the end of the school year. I will place him in a different (better) school next year. ;)

Posted: March 6, 2016

Posted: March 6, 2016

Posted: March 6, 2016

Posted: March 6, 2016

This use to be a great school but, has been going down hill. Lots of new construction in this area has made this school overcrowded. I would avoid this school at all cost!

Posted: November 15, 2014

This is a wonderful school. The staff truly cares. Safety is important to them and the children are kept safe by practicing drills of all kinds.

Posted: July 1, 2014

YES has provided a wonderful experience for my son and our family! He has had a fantastic K and 1st grade teacher and I have heard nothing but wonderful things about the 2nd grade team as well. The principal and the YES staff are very welcoming and handle any problems quickly. The PTA is great and holds many great activities through out the year.

Posted: June 23, 2014

Yorktown Elementary School has been a great place for 2 of my children. The teachers are dedicated and work hard to make every child feel included and successful. There has been a lot of changes in administration over the past 5 years - I would prefer more stability! YES has a diverse student population including the addition of many military families recently. Overall, I think YES is a wonderful school that has its eye on the prize - happy, healthy, successful children! The PTA is very active and inclusive. Parent volunteers make YES an even better place.

Posted: July 31, 2013

Dedicated teachers who truly care about their profession and their students. The community is warm and welcoming.

Posted: May 2, 2013

I am so impressed with Y.E.S! My son has made so many leaps and bounds with Mrs. Stuhl and Ms. Terry as his teachers! I wish he could have them every year! The schools speech program is amazing! I honestly couldn't have asked for a better preschool program!