Immanuel Lutheran School

Posted: August 9, 2025

Our family’s ILS journey began ten years ago when we moved from a military assignment in Germany to new jobs in the Pentagon. We looked for a school in which our two young sons would be immersed in a Christian and academically challenging environment. Our comprehensive search landed us at ILS. Since then, both of our sons have graduated from ILS and their sister is halfway through her time.
The ILS community has truly been a blessing for our family. We have found that ILS is more than just a school—it is a place where parents and faculty come together to build a rich environment for our children. In addition to a solid academic foundation, our children learned to show genuine love and respect to those around them, an outcome that in many ways is more important than academic success. We attribute much of our children’s maturity and academic excellence to their time at ILS.
If you are considering a classical Christian education, we recommend ILS. We believe it has been an investment in our children’s future that will pay dividends in their own families and communities.
Chris and Jen Mulder

Posted: August 9, 2025

Posted: October 10, 2018

Posted: October 10, 2018

The school values are clearly communicated with both students and parents, and it is great to be a part of a community that understands and supports these values. We also know that the teachers are deeply engaged with the students, and are active in monitoring behavior and watching for anything of concern. For us, this has meant we have not seen instances of bullying.

Posted: October 10, 2018

ILS is such a special place, and we cannot sing its praises loudly enough!! To find a place that shares our values, that embraces and teaches Truth, Goodness and Beauty, where our kids get a most excellent education and excel in a broad liberal arts curriculum, where we know our children are loved, nurtured and genuinely cared for by an amazing community- what a blessing! Our experience at Immanuel has been beyond our expectations, and we unreservedly encourage families looking for an outstanding school for their kids to check it out and see it for themselves!

Posted: October 10, 2018

Each grade level has a very well-defined and limited amount of homework, which seems quite appropriate for the grade and development of the child. In the lower grades, this is only about 15-20 minutes, increasing just slightly as children get older. Homework doesn't take the place of classroom learning.

Posted: October 10, 2018

We absolutely love the ILS teachers!! I cannot speak highly enough about their professionalism, their love for our kids, the joy and delight they bring to the classroom each day, and just how much my kids love their teachers. We've also been so impressed by the amount of ongoing professional development the ILS teachers do throughout the year. It is clear that the teachers are also dedicated to always learning and growing, and that benefits our kids so much.

Posted: October 10, 2018

Walk into any ILS classroom and see the school values clearly posted: Truth, Honor, Faithfulness, Excellence and Love. These aren't just buzzwords, but true values that, as a parent, I am so grateful to know the school is focusing on each day in addition to math, science, history, music and the rest.

Posted: October 10, 2018

Being able to experience the growth of ILS over the past few years (both in numbers and in completing a huge building project) has been amazing, and it is a huge reflection of the outstanding leadership demonstrated by the headmaster and administrators at the school. The leadership cares deeply not only for the mission of the school, but for each child and family, and that is evident in all they do.

Posted: September 17, 2018

School values are clearly communicated with students and families, and these values are taught and nurtured in a positive and supportive manner.

Posted: September 17, 2018

Articulating a clear and well-defined mission, the leadership of the school has helped ILS to grow and flourish into an excellent school.

Posted: September 17, 2018

As a smaller school, there are limits to the ability to support a wide range of learning differences, but the school as always worked closely with families to provide as much support to students as possible.

Posted: September 17, 2018

We have never seen bullying to be an issue in the school community.

Posted: September 17, 2018

We love ILS! Our experience with the school over the past 8 years has been one which has supported and nurtured our children, engaged our family in a wonderful community of families, and which we highly recommend to anyone looking for not simply a school but a community for their children and family.

Our children each started ILS in Jr. Kindergarten, and this has been an incredible introduction to classical Christian education. We have been so blessed to have fantastic teachers who clearly love learning as much as teaching, and their love and enthusiasm has inspired and engaged our students in subjects from math and literature, to ancient history and science, theology and music, art and logic. As a parent, you pray your child will take a delight in learning, and it is such a blessing to find a community where this is supported by other families, students, teachers and administrators.

We cannot recommend ILS highly enough. If you are looking for a school in this area, we without question would suggest visiting ILS and learning more about this wonderful community.

Posted: September 17, 2018

Our experience has been that the school has an intentional homework policy that keeps homework limited and is not meant to be busy-work or replace classroom learning.

Posted: September 17, 2018

The teachers at ILS not only love teaching, they genuinely love their students. Their care and commitment to each child is apparent in every aspect of their work, and our children have thrived.

Posted: April 16, 2018

I have been teaching for 10 years, and recently moved to Virginia because my husband is here on military orders. After research showed me the low test scores at the public school in my area, I began asking around in my neighborhood about alternatives. Immanuel came up in a few conversations, with some good comments and some negative. I wanted to see for myself, and I have to say I was conflicted after my tour. On one hand, I could really sense the love and positive environment my rising Kindergartener would feel every day. I knew my child would be safe and felt the security measures at the school were very sound. I knew my child would learn a lot and be exposed to a wider range of subject that ever would be possible in public school. However, I couldn't get past the fact the teachers aren't credentialed. I asked the headmaster how much experience a teacher is required to have, and was told they train a lot of the teachers themselves. As a teacher who has taught in private and public school, I feel this was something I would always worry about. To be an effective elementary school teacher I feel strongly you need to have a sound knowledge of early childhood development, psychology, learning theories. I don't see how this can be self-taught. The current kinder teacher just started this year, and had never taught previously. I was baffled by this. Not all teachers are wonderful, and certainly a well-trained/educated teacher can be awful, but to not have ANY formal educational/early-childood training AND be a teacher, just seems preposterous. I did think everyone was very lovely, and the classrooms are warm and inviting, but chose ultimately to pay a little extra for a slightly more expensive private school nearby.

Posted: April 16, 2018

I understand the school is academically rigorous, however I asked about this during my tour, but was told homework mostly started in 1st grade and should only take 30-40 minutes per night. 30-40 minutes of homework for a 1st grader seems like a lot. As a teacher, I feel this is excessive for this age group. Since my child is only entering K, I haven't experienced it first hand, but am passing on what I was told.

Posted: April 16, 2018

In looking for an elementary school for my child, and feeling as though public school wasn't the right option, I was SHOCKED to learn none of the teachers have teaching credentials nor are they required to. I had heard rumors about this in my neighborhood from other moms, but even more shocked to learn it was true. If you look at their bios on the website, only a few have an education background. I don't see how you can adequately teach elementary age children without an early childhood degree, no matter how wonderful you are.

Posted: April 16, 2018

Their literature illustrates that they invest a lot in character development, but I saw it first hand during my tour when children made eye contact with me in the hallways and said "Hello." This was incredibly impressive to me, as private schools I have worked at in the past didn't even teach children to do this.

Posted: April 16, 2018

After learning the teachers aren't required to have a teaching background nor an early childhood degree, I thought for sure the administration would. They do not. During my tour I discovered the Headmaster has never been a teacher before, and this is her first school administration job. As a teacher, I found this very concerning. This was the part of the negative feedback I'd heard from various sources, and was a little surprised to learn it was actually true.

Posted: April 16, 2018

My child doesn't have learning challenges that I am aware of, so I am unable to answer this.

Posted: April 16, 2018

I have no experience with this, but I would assume with such character and moral development that bullying would not be an issue with this school.

Posted: September 10, 2017

Posted: September 10, 2017

Posted: September 10, 2017

Posted: September 10, 2017

Posted: September 10, 2017

Posted: September 10, 2017

Posted: September 10, 2017

I write this review both as a parent of two children at the school and as an experienced educator myself. Having been a classroom teacher for nearly thirty years I have seen my fair share of educational "trends" . One of the key reasons I selected and continue to applaud ILS is that it consistently evaluates its practice and always chooses what we educators refer to as "best practice". This criteria is a good rule of thumb in part because it is a measurement always driven by student learning first. Too many judge schools by resources rather than outcomes. ILS consistently graduates students who perform exceptionally at the high school level both intellectually and socially who also have a desire to serve their community. How do I know? I have taught them. Their grounding in classical knowledge, rhetoric and logic has made them not only exceptional students but scholars . They are instilled with strong Christian values that understand the importance of relationaships, service and commitment. I am thrilled when my roster includes ILS students.
While some may see its size as a detriment, as a classroom teacher, I see a formula for success. Smaller classes equals better learning period. The community based framework allows for plenty of opportunity for older students to mentor and guide younger ones and these kids know how to advocate for themselves which is a sign of maturity I wish all my student s exhibited.
Lastly as a parent I have personally seen the impact the caring and nurturing environment has had on my own children. Personal communication, an open door policy show me both the teachers and staff know my children personally and want the best for them. They feel safe and as a result feel more able to stretch and grow. The leadership of this school is exceptional and tirlssly works to provide what will lead to student success, whether it be chrome books, field trips, guest speakers or recently an impressive building expansion program.
This school is simply one of the best Jk-8 options in the area and believe me I am familiar with all of them!

Posted: September 7, 2017

Posted: September 7, 2017

Posted: September 7, 2017

Posted: September 7, 2017

Posted: September 7, 2017

Posted: September 7, 2017

Starting back to school this week has reminded us how grateful we are to be a part of this school and the ILS community. As parents and students gathered for the first day of school, I talked to several parents who noted how different this was from their own first days of school- and how happy they were that it was. They were so thankful to be at a place that actively encourages parents to be involved and be a part of the life of the school and places genuine value on the role of parents in the education of their kids. I watched as children delighted in seeing their friends and teachers and were genuinely enthusiastic to be back at school.

This is a unique community- and that is a great thing! If you are looking for a large, impersonal school that diminishes your role as parent and treats your child simply as a test score- this isn't the place for you. If you are simply looking for technology to take the place of teaching, the newest fads in education and the biggest sports program, you will probably want to check out one of the many other options in this area. But- if you want a school where teachers will love your kids, will work alongside you, will value your kid as more than just his grades or test score, cares both about excellent academics AND nurturing and helping your child grow in his Christian faith, will encourage your kid to love learning not simply train for a job, and where you will be a part of a community of families who share these values- then I absolutely and without reservation encourage you to visit ILS and learn more. You will be glad you did.

Posted: September 7, 2017

Posted: August 22, 2017

ILS is unique..For younger children, the school provides a base for learning and is very rigorous - not "play-based" learning, but desks, memory work and homework. This works well for some students, so I'll give it a neutral for this age. When the children get older, the classes get smaller and the pool of children with whom to play greatly decreases - some 8th grade classes have had three students total. For children in early adolescence to teenagers, the lack of a sizable peer group is very concerning. Teachers come and go, and it seems as though the good ones have been leaving more and more frequently. The science and math in the middle school is not up to par - no science lab/no computer lab, and the school is not accredited. There as a parent discussion last year on why electronics are bad - seems pretty crazy for 2017 where each and every one of our kids will need to be technologically-savvy. There is no gym, and the "teams" for athletics are a joke (2-3 games per season). If you are looking for a small, starter school for early-elementary kids, this could be a good fit. But please, provide your kids with greater opportunities to succeed in late elementary and middle school. Children here through 8th grade will be at a great disadvantage in 9th grade when they don't know how to research using a computer and can't type.

Posted: August 22, 2017

Posted: August 22, 2017

Posted: August 22, 2017

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Posted: July 23, 2017

ILS is an uniquely amazing school with exceptional curriculum, teachers, administrators and families. We transferred our children to ILS as second and fourth graders. They instantly blossomed! They love going to school every single day and enjoy learning with a curriculum that challenges their minds, encourages their spirits, and develops their character. We love sending them.

Posted: July 18, 2017

Energetic, lovely teachers who engage the kids and even recommend additional or different work per the kids' needs. Also works great with parents.

Posted: July 18, 2017

Posted: July 18, 2017

Posted: July 18, 2017

Posted: July 18, 2017

Haven't noticed bullying but teachers are so good at keeping parents in the loop about kids' relationships, etc

Posted: July 18, 2017

Excellent. It's such a treasure and we are so grateful for it.

Posted: July 18, 2017

Homework allows parents to keep up with exactly how our kids are doing. It is the right amount for age and reinforces exactly what was learned in the class.

Posted: July 14, 2017

Posted: July 14, 2017

Posted: July 14, 2017

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Posted: July 14, 2017

Posted: July 14, 2017

Small and mighty! A great community-minded approach to learning, and a school that is truly serious about living the faith as well as academics. Don't apply here if you don't want to work hard and build deep relationships!

Posted: June 4, 2017

Sadly, ILS has steadily deteriorated the past few years, as the school has struggled with poor leadership and a declining body of qualified teachers. We were attracted to the school for all of the reasons many families find themselves there - promises of high caliber, rigorous Classical Christian instruction, small class sizes, opportunities for parents to partner with the administration, meaningful extracurriculars, and a Christian community. Over the years, those promises have been broken.

Contrary to what is advertised, the student:teacher ratio in some of the lower school classes continues to be about 25:1. At those ratios, students aren't getting the kind of individualized attention to their needs one expects from a private Classical school. Conversely, the upper school classes have classes that are often in the single digits, a sign that many start at ILS but find it an unsustainable model for their family over time.

We have seen excellent teachers come and quickly leave, a troubling trend. Losing high caliber teachers impacts the academic rigor families expect when enrolling. Worse, some of the most recent hires have no education training or experience. The school's inability to retain qualified teachers is concerning.

The Parent/Teacher League has become nothing more than an information passing mechanism. Efforts by parents to be truly involved are often met with resistance, such that many don't even bother to try any more. And while the PTL used to fundraise to directly support the school, all funds raised are put into the church and school general budget, over which parents have virtually no insight or decision-making power.

The inability to engage meaningfully with the school administration is particularly distressing. The general feeling from the headmaster the school board chairman is that they are more interested in shutting down questions than collaborating on solutions. The headmaster tightly controls the flow of information such that others on staff won’t answer seemingly simple questions and instead defer to her. The school board chairman has been known to send scathing emails to parents who raise issues/concerns and won't respond to requests to actually meet and discuss. Parents are quickly painted as "problem families" for asking questions.

Parents should consider these aspects when considering enrollment.

Posted: March 10, 2017

Immanuel Lutheran School once demonstrated positive momentum. Sadly, the school is no longer moving in the right direction. Since the current Headmaster (no background in education) came on board, relations with the families has steadily declined. The current School Board Chair (no children and no background in education) sends scathing emails to families who dare raise questions/concerns. The school administration then demonizes the families for daring to ask questions. The school and church administration, when issues/concerns are raised by parents, dig in and refuse to listen to parents. They would rather be “right”, than to address the concerns of the parents. Over the years the school has lost much of the academic rigor that made it unique. Experienced teachers have been replaced with recent college graduates with no training or experience in education. They know little about how children should act or how they learn. With a new building finally being built, it is time to hire professional educators. You know there are issues when church members are pulling their children out.

Posted: October 5, 2015

ILS has some incredibly talented teachers, but more than that, they genuinely love the students. It is apparent in all that they do that teaching is more than a job for them, but truly a calling. They care about the students far more than just a math grade, or just how the student did on this week's history test. The love they show for each and every student is one of the things that makes this school such a special place!

Posted: October 5, 2015

Posted: October 5, 2015

Posted: October 5, 2015

We just love ILS! Our family joined the Immanuel community six years ago, and that was one of the first things that attracted us to the school- the sense of community. Being a part of a community of parents, teachers, and families, who are working together for our children was so important for our family. The teachers at ILS not only love teaching, but it is apparent that they genuinely love our children as well, and the kids really respond to that.

We were initially drawn to the classical model of education, and after experiencing that first-hand for several years now, we can confidently say that our children are receiving a top-rate education. From the earliest grades, they studying grammar and history, gaining a love and appreciation for music and fine arts, learning far more Latin than I ever did, and generally learning to love learning and the discovery of knowledge and truth.

My children have truly flourished at ILS, and our family is so very grateful that a school of such caliber exists in our area. We would absolutely encourage any family to check out ILS, visit the school, and find out more about this wonderful school.

Posted: May 18, 2015

As a graduate of Immanuel Lutheran School I can say with the utmost confidence that it is the best school that I have ever attended. Since my Graduation in 2011 the school has made great strides and will continue to do so in the coming years. Immanuel Lutheran enriched not only my Christian faith but my understanding of the humanities and sciences. Attending allowed me to excel in high school and gain acceptance into my first choice of a university. I have only the highest regard for Immanuel Lutheran and know upon further examination everyone else will as well.

Posted: December 2, 2014

Our children have attended ILS for the past 5 years. We couldn't be more impressed with the rigorous academics, the Christian spiritual& character formation, and faculty. Our children love to learn & we are learning new things (like Latin and ancient civilizations) right along with them. The school and church are such a wonderful community.

Posted: September 2, 2014

We can't say enough about ILS. The faculty, staff and administration are wonderful. They invest their lives in the children. The curriculum is advanced, but they accommodate many different types of students. Very happy here.

Posted: February 26, 2014

As a parent of three students at ILS, I cannot say enough wonderful things about it. We have been attending for 6 years. The classical education has already benefitted my children in many ways. The older ones, in 5th and 6th grade, have been studying latin since 3rd grade, and are now participating in logic and debate. They are able to not only formulate coherent arguments (on a variety of topics from literature to science to school policies) but are able to identify false and true arguments they hear from other sources. My 2nd grader loves her introduction to latin in addition to the other subjects such as history, science and literature. Immanuel helps to develop children not only intellectually but spiritually as well. They are taught to love what is good and true and beautiful, and to identify the same. They are respected and loved and challenged. Truly a "hidden gem" in Northern Virginia.

Posted: December 14, 2013

This school is excellent as long as your child does not have any real learning disabilities. They do not have any support for a child that cannot handle a strong and forward leaning curriculum. If your kid is bright and needs to be constantly challenged this is a great school for you. Great teacher -kid ratios, thoughtful caring teachers who are very interactive with parents in order to make sure your child is on track. There are only two downsides for us, 1st- no Spanish is taught even in middle school grades;2. Small number of students in middle grades means no athletics and decreased socialization which can make going to a larger school for high school a bit of a shock. For the overall cost you would be hard pressed to find a better education.

Posted: October 26, 2013

LOVE, LOVE this little unknown school. The teachers are warm, but firm with the kids. They not only teach education, but also morals and how they should treat each other. We tried public school, however my child needs the accelerated learning this school provides. I have sent many parents to see this school and they all want to know how to get their children into the school. Plus, it's one of the most affordable private schools in the area.

Posted: May 12, 2013

Students have no room to play, teachers have little to no control over them. Seems as though the school has grown entirely too large for the school's facilities.

Posted: October 3, 2012

Several years ago, when my wife and I first started the school search for our oldest child, we felt rather overwhelmed by all the choices available. And let's be honest, the pressure of picking the right school for your kid is fairly daunting. But when we found Immanuel Lutheran School, we could tell from the start that the school would be a great fit with its challenging academics and awesome teachers. We've been so impressed by the rigorous curriculum, the continued growth of the school and the way the faculty work together to make sure each student achieves his or her full potential. An excellent school.

Posted: September 19, 2012

I agree with the comment on a lack of school leadership. It's totally non-existent. Try to get feedback about how your child is doing socially and you will hit a brick wall. I would also caution anyone who doesn't see themselves as a strict Lutheran to avoid ILS. Creationism is the order of the day here and they are unapologetic about it.

Posted: January 30, 2011

Immanuel Lutheran School is the best little school in Alexandria. It has a classical curriculum that is taught well, and the students respond to it enthusiastically.