Commonwealth Academy in Alexandria | Military Town Advisor

Posted: May 9, 2026

The current leadership really ruined this school.

Posted: May 9, 2026

Posted: November 22, 2025

So awful i would never recommend this school it was so bad for my mental health the school didnt have any college prep stuff for students its not a college prep school its a failure school the head of school is a terrible person and they cheat you out of your money they have no control over your child and will control you and your money its a scam do not send your child here unless you want to deal with trauma for the rest of your life

Posted: November 22, 2025

Posted: January 25, 2024

My child's experience was terrible. The teachers were nice but they did not teach kids with dyslexia as the advertised. This school wasted years of education and money.

Posted: January 25, 2024

Posted: August 18, 2023

We enrolled our son at Commonwealth Academy (CA) mid-year, when our local school was having issues meeting his needs. He has a learning profile of ADHD, language processing difficulties, and executive function (EF) difficulties. We were very excited about CAs stated focus on executive function, and the admissions head also felt it would be a great fit.

Our experience was horrific and ended when staff members unfairly took action with potentially devastating legal consequences for our family. The nature of what they did cannot be shared here due to the TOS, but be assured it was very serious, unwarranted, and we have strong evidence it was done in retaliation for disputes we had with some staff. We think the staff involved are senior level at CA. The school has been uncooperative in our efforts to rectify the situation.

For a school that supposedly focuses on EF, they offered our son almost nothing in the way of support there, and made it very difficult for him (and us) to figure out what his assignments even were. There was no consistent place where or how assignments were listed; some were online, some were emails, and some were given in class. This is a nightmare for someone with EF difficulties, and set him up for failure. The school was also slow (three months) to implement an assisted listening device, provided by us, that we had discussed with CA prior to enrollment.

One of us is a licensed counselor and former teacher with years of professional expertise and success in helping children with profiles similar to our sons. We tried hard to work with the school on how best to serve our son, offering interventions to help him access the curriculum and get through the day. The school put up considerable resistance and foot-dragging and at one point the head of the middle school told us that we were no longer welcome to email them. They were not only not interested in the resources we offered, and even seemed offended by it.

There were also repeated and inappropriate suggestions from staff that we should get medical diagnoses and/or therapy for our son. We provided evidence that we have in fact involved his health care providers in addressing his in-school challenges. We complained about this to the head of school, who responded very supportively. It was immediately after this that the action which cannot be named was taken. Parents considering Commonwealth Academy should know it is not a safe environment for their children and families.

Posted: August 18, 2023

Posted: March 20, 2021

This school does not prepare you for college. They lock your phone away for the entire school day, they have cameras everywhere, some of the teachers act like they just want to go home, they don't honor accommodations, and the overall school is subpar. As a former student, I would look for a different school that values you more.

Posted: March 20, 2021

Posted: August 19, 2020

Commonwealth Academy is above and beyond what anyone could possibly imagine for their child. After our older daughter finished elementary school we knew we needed to find a small, specialized school so that she could thrive and succeed. It was a thrill to find such a warm, inclusive atmosphere filled with dedicated administrators and teachers. My daughter has an anxiety disorder and OCD. Every single teacher, and I mean every one of them, CARES. The atmosphere that they have created is unmatched. The classrooms are small and quiet, the teachers understand that each child is different and the patience and commitment they display for each student is amazing. My daughter flourished at C/A. Without the chaos and fear of a big school, she got over her nerves that held her back and learned to speak to adults and advocate for herself. She had warm and nurturing advisors who saw her potential and appreciated her strengths. C/A the teachers take care of your student all day. From daily check ins with their advisor, homework done in a study hall with a teacher who is ready to help, your student comes home without a worry that something has been forgotten, or there is more homework struggle ahead in the evening. High School students will get homework that goes home with them so they are prepared for college but for the most part theyre done, and whats more, you know that everything theyve done during the day has been checked and gone over. C/A teachers give weekly grades and inform you should your child need some extra help. My daughter recently graduated and has gone off to college. This process could have been truly stressful but C/A provided us with a fabulous College Advisor who took senior parents step by step through the process the entire senior year and was basically a dream come true. Our daughter was a member of the National Honor Society, scored in the 94% percentile on her ACT and was admitted into a university whose acceptance rate was 9% in the Fall of 2020. Our younger daughter began at C/A when she graduated elementary school and Im delighted she gets to have the same experience her sister did going to school where students are inspired, motivated and encouraged to be themselves no matter their learning style, a school where teachers are dedicated to making education fun and making every student feel they matter.

Posted: June 15, 2020

Commonwealth Academy has provided our child with a great education and positive experience throughout middle and high school. Although small, it offers dedicated teachers and a strong curriculum for children with learning differences. In fact, Commonwealths size is a benefit and helps create and bolster an atmosphere in which the teachers can be proactive in addressing our childs needs, including helping with executive functioning challenges. Commonwealths curriculum is strong in all subject areas, but we have been most impressed by the math teachers who took a kid who struggled in math and made it into a favorite subject. We also cannot say enough good about the art teacher. Now that our child is in high school, we have seen further steps that Commonwealth is taking to enhance opportunities for its students, including hiring an excellent and experienced college counselor to assist with preparation for and applying to college. It is also important to note that Commonwealth effectively conducted distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic without missing a beat. From the start, Commonwealth has made our child feel welcome and valued as a student and has made a difference in our childs life.

Posted: June 8, 2020

When we came to Commonwealth, I had a child who had been struggling in another private school for a few years. He struggled with writing, didn't understand why work came easier to the other students, became easily frustrated, and, at times, took out his frustrations on those around him. He also had started to think that he was stupid and that he was the problem.

At Commonwealth, the elementary program embraced my child for who he was and met him where he was. They helped build his confidence in his weak areas, challenged him, gave him appropriate assignments to gradually build skills, and, also, were willing to listen to him (and me) when we wanted him moved to a more advanced class in one subject area. This is the first school where my son discovered other kids who learned like him. The past two years have been transformational for him academically and socially. Our family is incredibly happy with the education and support provided for our student at Commonwealth.

Posted: June 8, 2020

Commonwealth's approach to homework is scaffolded to account for the child's grade and how much homework a student with a different learning style is equipped to undertake. In elementary school, there is no homework until the second half of 5th grade when it is introduced as prep for middle school. In middle school, the students receive homework but they have an advisory period every day that provides an opportunity to complete work and there is an option after school period for work to be completed before the students ever come home.

Posted: June 8, 2020

Posted: March 1, 2018

There are a lot of Bullies, but we love it.

Posted: February 9, 2018

Bullying is a constant problem here. My child is scared to go to school because there is a particular student who threatens her and screams at her every day. However, his mother works for the school so nothing is ever done about it.

Posted: February 9, 2018

Posted: January 8, 2018

As a graduating senior at Commonwealth Academy I feel the high school is unfit to call itself college preparatory for the nearly $40,000 that the school is charging there needs to be actually effective college prep. There is no on site college counselor and students receive no help with the majority of the application process. Even in just the small tasks of sending recommendation letters and transcripts on time the school fails. The administration has consistently failed to get back to me in a timely fashion and is condescending and disrespectful each time I bring up an issue. For a school that is supposed to encourage self advocacy they certainly seem to hate to being the receiving end of it. And if youve run out of money for college trying to pay for commonwealth and you are seeking help finding scholarships good luck! After reaching out multiple times to a member of staff tasked with assisting seniors I have received zero help. For the cost of a tuition more than most colleges the school provides next to nothing. Maybe one cheap field trip per year but every other expense including textbooks, graduation gowns, trips, food, school supplies, laptops, etc. comes out of your pocket. What commonwealth will provide is a padded education that will almost certainly harm you child in the long run, an environment where the teachers can hardly teach because half the class cant sit still long enough to pay attention, and an inattentive administration. Serious changes need to be made. The students need to have a voice in the school. 1/5

Posted: November 21, 2016

My daughter was socially and academically struggling in her public high school. She is thriving in both areas at CA.

Posted: May 31, 2015

Homework used to be a nightmare. There used to be missing homework and confusion almost every night. C/A is very clear about homework expectations. Every assignment is posted. Our daughter understands her assignments and works hard but still gets enough sleep, which was not the case with another child who went through public school. We (parents) no longer are involved in any aspect of homework, as it should be.

Posted: May 31, 2015

Commonwealth Academy is small enough that the teachers (who really understand ADHD children) can focus on character traits such as honesty, integrity and fairness. The school has a high expectation of all of its students. No bullying is allowed.

Posted: April 23, 2015

If you look in the dictionary under "transformative," you should find Commonwealth Academy. Our son's experience has been nothing less that that. After struggling through elementary school in a school that was ill-suited to his needs, we transferred him to Commonwealth. Fast forward a few years and the young man is transformed. He is excited about school and about learning. He goes far beyond the minimum and actually challenges himself to take on more and more. He and his classmates have an amazing bond rooted in learning and shaped by a fantastic faculty. There is something in the DNA of this school that inspires kids who struggle with ADHD and other disabilities to achieve more than they thought they were capable of. We are looking at colleges now and believe, thanks to CA, that our son will be ready to succeed wherever he goes. That's because CA delivers on its mission of being a college preparatory school from its teaching to its college counseling.

Posted: April 12, 2015

My son attended Commonwealth Academy in high school. With the help of an outstanding college counselor and supportive teachers, the college process went very smoothly. From selecting potential colleges, to applying (including essay writing), to choosing the right college my son was engaged and prepared. My son left Commonwealth Academy understanding what his learning differences are and how to overcome them. Because of the relationships he was able to build with his teachers my son became a self-advocate. He learned excellent study skills at CA and is successfully using them in school now. I am so appreciative that one of the school events that I was fearful of turned out to be so easy and successful.

Posted: January 27, 2015

Commonwealth Academy is uncompromising about academic and personal integrity. Some find that difficult but most appreciate its high expectations.

Posted: October 27, 2014

We are absolutely grateful to have found this school! It is like none other! We were VERY worried of placing our daughter in a public school system that makes all the promises for student accommodations, but doesn't keep them. The public middle and high schools in our area have very bad reputations. Failing, and with tons of bullying. Other private schools boast of basically "running your child into the ground" with added homework pressure, and no support. We did NOT want that for our child. This school offers a SAFE and CARING environment, where teachers and staff are COMPLETELY invested in all around student success. Students have all the support, with very small class sizes, excellent learning strategies and top notch technology tools. They have study hall and advisory for extra homework support, and there is constant communication between parents, students and teachers. The extracurricular activities and the Parent Association are wonderful, as well. I never believed when other parents used to tell me that my child would wake up every day eager to go to school. Our child wanted to immediately become a part of C/A the moment she took the tour. Frankly, so did we!

Posted: October 17, 2013

What a relief (and joy) to find such a school. We couldn't be more pleased about our experience with C/A. What makes this school THE right place for students like our son is the structure of the academic program, the organization of the school day, and the resources and facilities. Best of all, faculty members are extraordinarily capable and compassionate. Teachers really "get" our son. From the get-go, we felt that C/A would be a great opportunity for him; we're confident he'll continue to do very well. We recommend the school wholeheartedly.

Posted: October 26, 2012

We started our son here this year. He is extremely bright, but has ADHD and we were tired of struggling with Fairfax County schools to get him the help he needs and tired of the homework struggles at home with him. CA has been an absolute godsend. Our son was a grade level behind in math before he started and now after just a few months he is grade level AHEAD. He absolutely loves it and is ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN LEARNING. The learning at this school is very hands on, the class sizes are tiny and the teachers are absolutely phenomenal. We could not possibly be happier with CA, and only wish we had found it sooner!!!

Posted: March 20, 2012

Finally! A school that knows how to teach children with differing learning styles. Other schools say they can do it but, once your've signed on the line, the school can't, or won't. Lovely instructors. Great communication. No homework issues. Could not be more pleased

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Henry	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	0.5 mi
2	Rivergate	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	0.9 mi
3	Reserve at Potomac Yard	Apartment Complex	Alexandria	VA	1.3 mi
4	Beverly Hills	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	1.5 mi
5	Fords Landing	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	1.7 mi
6	Midtown Alexandria Station	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	1.9 mi
7	Shirlington	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Arlington	VA	2.4 mi
8	Burgundy Woods	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	2.4 mi
9	Twenty400	Apartment Complex	Arlington	VA	2.5 mi
10	Belle View	Condominium/Townhouse	Alexandria	VA	3 mi
11	Wilton Woods	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	3.6 mi
12	Cameron Station	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	4 mi
13	Hollin Hills	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	4.1 mi
14	Huntley	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	4.7 mi
15	Grove at Huntley Meadow	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	4.9 mi
16	The VIO	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Washington SW	DC	5.1 mi
17	Hayfield Farms	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria/Kingstowne	VA	5.6 mi
18	Oakbrooke	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	5.7 mi
19	Kingstowne	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	6 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Old Town Alexandria	Alexandria	VA	0.9 mi
2	Pentagon City	Arlington	VA	2.7 mi
3	National Harbor	Fort Washington	MD	3.1 mi
4	Washington DC	Washington D.C.	DC	5.5 mi
5	Capitol Hill	Washington	DC	5.6 mi
6	Kingstowne	Alexandria	VA	5.8 mi

Base	Distance
Bolling AFB Joint Base Anacostia	2.4 mi.
Mark Center Alexandria	3.5 mi.
Pentagon	3.6 mi.
Henderson Hall	3.6 mi.
Coast Guard Headquarters DC	3.8 mi.
Fort McNair	4 mi.
Fort Myer	4.6 mi.
Washington Navy Yard	4.9 mi.
Marine Barracks Washington	5.2 mi.
Andrews AFB	8.9 mi.
Fort Belvoir	9 mi.
Defense Health Headquarters Falls Church	9.1 mi.
Walter Reed Medical Center	12.9 mi.
Indian Head Naval Base	17.2 mi.
NRO Chantilly	21.9 mi.
Fort Meade NSA	25.4 mi.
Quantico Marine Base	29 mi.
US Naval Academy	32.5 mi.
Dahlgren NSWC	32.9 mi.
Annapolis Naval Station	33.5 mi.
Coast Guard Curtis Bay	37 mi.
Fort Detrick	47.3 mi.

Commonwealth Academy

Alexandria, VA 22301

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Commonwealth Academy

Alexandria, VA 22301

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