Ashland Elementary School

Posted: January 30, 2023

Posted: January 30, 2023

Posted: January 30, 2023

Posted: January 30, 2023

Posted: January 30, 2023

Posted: January 30, 2023

Posted: January 30, 2023

Posted: January 30, 2023

My child loves going to school. He started here in kindergarten during covid and his amazing teacher taught these kids to read via zoom. All of the teachers are involved with several aspects, there is a big team spirit in this school. The principal will always be available when you need her. It's a big school but nobody gets lost in the crowd, every individual is treated as such with individual learning styles. They have an amazing robotics team, a science summer camp (camp invention) and technology in every room. We have not been disappointed in 3 years here.

Posted: July 20, 2022

I can't tell enough how much damage this school's preschool teachers caused on my disabled children in one year. It was truly traumatic for every member of our family! They are ableist, school is structural racist. They may be good if your child is not minority and avarage to above avarage with academic skills, otherwise they will constantly be reminded how not enough they are as they are, and need to change. Their teachers there to create narcissistic future adults who will think they are superior. Their suspension rate of disabled students %3 higher than other students, which shows how much they do not like disabled kids and they dispose them when they can't convert them. They will dismiss your kids completely even they are capable of doing wonders if they don't behave like neurotypicals. Stay away with all your power.

Posted: July 20, 2022

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Posted: May 31, 2021

The parents, teachers and students are great at Ashland. The problem is the principal - bad person and very toxic leader. Don't be fooled by the press and the banners because with this person as principal, Ashland will always be a very negative place.

Posted: May 31, 2021

Posted: May 31, 2021

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Posted: May 31, 2021

Posted: November 20, 2019

The principal needs to be removed. He has harassed and bullied so many good staff members during his reign. His day is coming!

Posted: November 20, 2019

Posted: November 20, 2019

The only people ever disciplined are the teachers. The principal does not want any paper trail of discipline issues because he thinks it will look bad on him. The majority of the staff thinks poorly of him anyway. He is too arrogant to care.

Posted: November 20, 2019

Posted: November 20, 2019

Posted: November 20, 2019

The teachers do, but the principal does not.

Posted: November 20, 2019

Ashland is a great school in spite of the principal instead of because of him. He treats the staff in a reprehensible manner and his day is coming. He will be held to account for his many sins at the helm of this wonderful school. It is a shame he is Principal of the Year because he is really the opposite of what is wonderful about a person or a great principal.

Posted: January 5, 2019

Posted: January 5, 2019

Posted: January 5, 2019

Posted: January 5, 2019

Posted: January 5, 2019

Posted: January 5, 2019

Posted: January 5, 2019

Excellent school great teachers and staff, everyone goes out of their way to help students succeed

Posted: November 8, 2018

Posted: November 8, 2018

Posted: November 8, 2018

They are passionate and fun! I love all the events and the teachers dress up a lot. They make the kids want to get up in the morning and rush to school. I've literally had my kids in tears begging to go to school when they're sick! They also support the military in a big way and got us through a lengthy deployment while hubby was gone. They have special programs for military kids and give lots of acknowledgment. So appreciative!!!!

Posted: November 8, 2018

They have fun, but encourage kids to be respectful.

Posted: November 8, 2018

The staff has so much fun and are involved in EVERYTHING. They truly love what they do and the children they lead.

Posted: November 8, 2018

Wonderful! Best school we've ever attended of the 5 we've visited due to our military roots.

Posted: August 25, 2017

Posted: August 25, 2017

Posted: August 25, 2017

Posted: August 25, 2017

Posted: August 25, 2017

Posted: August 25, 2017

Posted: August 25, 2017

We are going into our 6th year at ashland. I have 2 kids who attend and we couldn't be happier. Mr. Jacks has been the principal since we started at ashland and I can't imagine a better principal. He is enthusiastic, dedicated, passionate and brings many cutting edge programs to our school. Every single one of our teachers holds a special place in my heart. My kids are both thriving, they do so much to make learning fun and hands on. I spend a lot of time at the school volunteering and planning events and have gotten to know many of the parents and teachers personally. I have made lifelong friends and am so thankful for our decision to move to Ashland.

Posted: July 7, 2017

I previously worked as a teacher at Ashland. Let me tell you this: I've worked with several principals in two different counties and Andy at Ashland has been the best I've experienced so far. I feel sorry that I no longer have any little ones to go to elementary schools. However, if I do, I would definitely choose Ashland for my own.

Posted: July 7, 2017

Posted: July 7, 2017

Posted: July 7, 2017

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Posted: July 4, 2017

Posted: July 4, 2017

10 out of 10 great school. j
happy

Posted: July 4, 2017

Posted: July 4, 2017

Posted: July 4, 2017

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Posted: July 4, 2017

Posted: April 7, 2017

My child started kindergarten this year. I could not be happier with this school. The principal is really engaged everyday with the students and staff and it is always available for parent concerns. He, along with the staff, try to make learning fun. I can't image anyone giving this school a bad review. Everyone in this school is very down to earth and go out of their way to make sure each student feels good about themselves. They foster learning in very creative ways. My child is already reading books and writing. The curriculum is great! As a parent you will not be disappointed. Ashland is tough to beat.

Posted: April 7, 2017

Posted: April 7, 2017

Posted: April 7, 2017

Posted: April 7, 2017

Posted: April 7, 2017

Teachers at this school are highly skilled. They make learning fun and are very effective in their teaching process.

Posted: April 7, 2017

Posted: April 3, 2017

The teachers are very supportive, and helpful, and genuinely friendly and loving to my students. We transferred in mid year and they really worked to include him and make him feel welcomed.

Posted: April 3, 2017

We love this school! The teachers, administration, staff are all amazing! Before school they have soft music playing in the hallway, makes a calming atmosphere! The students are all friendly and very politely. Where most elementary schools are loud and overstimulating. I found this school organised and very quiet during hallway transitions! I love It!!

Posted: May 9, 2016

Posted: May 9, 2016

Posted: May 9, 2016

They instill personal accountability and fair treatment. the teachers value open communication among the children and conflict resolution.

Posted: May 9, 2016

Caring teachers and administrators. Principal is very active with student body and keeps a modern and fresh approach to learning. Maintains high level of school pride amongst the student boday and teaching staff. Great emphasis on student performance and learning.

Posted: March 12, 2016

When a teacher goes out of her what to figure out why the child is having a hard time learning and works with the parents to develop the learning, thats a plus in my book. She could have just kept going on status quo but this shows real dedication to each child. Kudos to Ms Grant in 1st Grade

Posted: March 12, 2016

Homework is the responsibility of the teacher to provide work that is relevant; the child to do it; and the parent to follow up, monitor, and help the child. The homework my daughter gets follows what she is doing, plus the school subscribes to IXL.com and Raz-kids.com. These help give additional schooling to the kids in reading and math that I think are beneficial. I am actually enrolling my 4yo in IXL to get him a head start based on what I seen with my 6yo.

Posted: March 12, 2016

We sent our daughter here for 1st grade while assigned to the area with the military. Coming from the Bay Area in California, this is the kind of progressive, tech savvy school I would expect to find there. But what a surprise to find that kind of atmosphere here. I didn't know what to expect at first, but EVERYONE I talked to, parents, teachers, etc, all said Ashland was the place to go. And they were right. Not sure what experience the person who posted on Dec 8 had, but the principle is the most engaged, hardest working administrator I've come across in my education experience. He truly has shown that he is engaged with both the kids and the teachers. The teacher we have (Ms Grant), went out of her way to help out daughter with her learning to ensure she was able transition from Kindergarten from another school. Kudos to her. If I could stay another 3 years, I would definitely invest my child's education in Ashland.

Posted: December 8, 2015

Posted: December 8, 2015

Posted: December 8, 2015

The schools needs new leadership. The current principal is unprofessional and rude. He does not care about the kids or teachers. He is focused on his own professional growth. Parents need to send their students to another school with supportive and fair leadership that focuses on the needs of all students and teacher. This school is the worst school in the county.

Posted: February 25, 2015

Both of my children have attended Ashland and it is an amazing school. They have a wonderful program that gives back to the community. I have seen parades and art work celebrating diversity. One time they even made a human chain around the school to display acceptance and tolerance. The teachers are caring and hardworking. My children love going to school at Ashland and I would highly recommend this school to anyone. Instead of blaming teachers or the school, maybe looking at personal attitudes would be a better place to pinpoint a problem?

Posted: October 29, 2014

Have attempted multiple times to leave fact-based, honest review of some of the REAL problems at this school (and in this district). However, the unvarnished truth seems to not be allowed by the moderators. Military families: look elsewhere for housing and schools. This school is NOT what you want for solid math or reading/writing.

Posted: August 4, 2014

As a parent who has multiple children go to school at Ashland, I find it laughable that anyone would think that any member of the staff at a school, be it Ashland or any other school, doesn't have the best interests of the children at heart. It is true that public education in the recent years has changed and is more centered around tests, and scores, School of Excellence and all of those sorts of accolades however, that is happening ALL over this country. To think that any of the staff at Ashland, including the administrative staff does not take into account the students best interests is just ludicrous. I have had a number of reasons to have to deal with both Mr. Jacks and Ms. Webb and have had nothing but support from either of them. My children's teachers have always communicated with me any concerns they have in regards to my childrens learning and my kids have always thrived at Ashland. Please remember that some of these "goals" that the schools and administration are pushing for are put on them by the County and well as the State, it's not just as easy to blame the immediate administration at Ashland. Thank you to the Ashland staff for their support!

Posted: May 27, 2014

The teachers at Ashland put education and teaching first. My daughter's teacher went above and beyond to support my daughter and offered free tutoring to improve her math skills.

Posted: May 19, 2014

We didn't know how bad this "School of Excellence" had become until we moved. Based on what we have gathered from teachers (many have since departed - fact), other parents, and even the kids, the atmosphere has become oppressive in its quest to be "Excellent" statistically - it appears fundamental teaching is now the afterthought. After a job transfer relocated our kids to another "Excellent" school, it has been a refreshing change to have teachers with freedoms and time to prepare and teach the fundamentals which is reflected in our kids renewed enthusiasm. The school transfer also highlighted the gap between what our kids don't know versus what is expected at their age (much like the Benton Middle School comment from another parent - "you should have learned that at Ashland"). We can only speculate that the pressure for teachers to have their students do well on the standardized tests in order to have a great looking "School of Excellence" bar graph has made those tests the emphasized curriculum.

Posted: April 16, 2014

Ashland is the best school ever they have an awesome principle. The teachers are always friendly. they have an awesome lunch menu im really happy for my child to go nhere

Posted: March 13, 2014

We are really happy with Ashland! The teachers work really hard and go out of their way to help my children. The administrators are both very helpful and the kids love them always saying hi to them and giving them hugs in the hallway. Great school!

Posted: March 10, 2014

I have 2 children that attend Ashland and I can not say enough great things about it. The teachers and staff really work as a team to do the best that they can for each and every student. The Principal puts in every effort he can to keep this school at the highest standards possible.

Posted: February 16, 2014

At one point in time, Ashland Elementary was a fine school. As a parent of a current student, we are not happy with the new principal. It's his way or no way at all. He has a lack of respect for his staff as well as parents and students. We have never met such an arrogant individual. The principal has a way of sweeping important issues under the rug. If he's not going to benefit from it he doesn't care. Suggestion, if you can send your child to another school. It's not worth the interaction with this man. The morale in this building is very depressing. You can see it on the teacher's face as well as other staff members. Ashland had some very good teachers who were enthusiastic about their jobs and coming to work. Now as parents in a good community we don't see much enthusiasm anymore. Such a waist of good talent. We too are dissappointed with the new male administrator and the quality of education my child is receiving this school year. This school can be improved by appointing a new principal, especially one who cares about the students and their families, as well as the staff.

Posted: December 29, 2013

Ashland is a very fine Elementary School. What you find most on these review pages are complaints rather than compliments. Dedicated teachers, safe learning enviornment, a lot of work goes into each and every day that the school is open. Our kids are learning just fine, though at different speeds as most kids are not the same. A lot of complaints about the principal is very typical as he is the boss and most complaints in any industry are about the person in charge. Do I agree with everything he says or does? No, but we need to support him and the faculty rather than complain about every little thing. There are several things I would change about the school, but those are just personal opinions. The school is not run by the parents, but rather the professionals. I look forward to continuing my children's education at Ashland.

Posted: December 19, 2013

Please do not judge the school by the banners, creative academic metrics and clean aesthetics; rather by parents and teachers honest assessments...the children's academic performance once they leave and enter Benton. You will frequently hear during your child's first year at Junior High, "well they should have learned that at Ashland! The school's administration has focused on themselves and how they are judged, rather how the children receive, retain and rewarded. I cannot compare to other schools since our child has only attended Ashland, but listen to the parents and more importantly listen to your children. As they say' out of the mouth of babes comes the truth.' By the way, this has been brought up directly to the school's administration, and the arrogance of the principal was both condescending and astounding. God provided us with two ears and one mouth to listen twice as much as we speak. During our meeting(s), if only the principal could listen twice as much as he talks when he deflects the real issues and concerns of Ashland parents. Parents have had to hire tutors this fall semester to catch up their children up based on what they should have learned at Ashland.

Posted: December 18, 2013

This school has a lot of problems. Teachers are so overworked with a nit-picky micromanaging principal that they cannot take the time to enjoy teaching the kids. And don't even get me started on SOAR or School of Excellence. It takes more than good test scores and awards to make a school a good school. When your third grader comes home and says when the principal talks it seems like he is lying and doesn't really mean what he says-- that is never a good thing.

Posted: November 17, 2013

I have to second the notion that there is no room for differentiation. Teachers are told that they are supposed to differentiate instruction for different levels, but rarely does the administration follow up on that promise. I'm starting to think that administration is all talk here. It seems like many of the teachers are only concentrating on the top achievers and only working with the children with academic issues at the bare minimum level. All the administration is concerned about is their "school of excellence" flag. Seems to me it's all a ruse. With respect to the SOAR awards, how is it that all children are required to get this award? If a child misbehaves the whole year and does nothing to deserve this award, why should the teachers be forced to hand one out to those that don't deserve it? I thought the point of an award was to recognize those that achieve and perform above and beyond. Seems to me that SOAR is nothing but feel good nonsense. Maybe if administration would actually focus on disciplinary matters for once the children would respect authority and SOAR wouldn't be such a joke. Seems that the reputation of this school has been inflated by old reviews.

Posted: October 14, 2013

Some teachers do not care to be a team with parents. There is no room for differentiation. When asked for clarification on grading on how it matched to VA standards or even the standard Bloom's taxonomy, there was no valid response. I was laughed at and told repeatedly, "IT'S ALWAYS BEEN DONE THIS WAY" "NO ONE HAS COMPLAINED BEFORE!" The behavior of the teachers during this conference was not helpful in the least. They made it very apparent that nothing of what I, as a parent said was valuable and took everything so personally. How sad is that? So it tells me that teachers have no imagination and do not want to CHANGE and upgrade anything about instruction. Scary. Quid pro quo. Your child is now part of the institution. Quid pro quo. The motto should be that instead of SOAR. Lunch room: Children permitted to SCREAM continuously. Nothing taught in the way of how to handle oneself in the large areas. Trays taken long before necessary. Children sitting at the table while being wiped down by worker. Noted on this day several teachers late to pick up classes, so many sat at tables, long time, that they could have continued to eat lunch.

Posted: October 13, 2013

This is our child's second year at Ashland Elementary. We are very surprised at the rigidity of some of the teachers to consider suggestions from parents to improve the educational environment. They are argumentative and defensive to any change. Who helps pay their salaries? We fought hard to remain in this school district and now wonder why. Comparing this school to private school is easy to do as private school is better and we should have kept our child in it. We are not impressed with Ashland whatsoever at this point but remain hopeful it will improve. However, the arrogance of some of the elementary teachers is unacceptable. We will be contacting the administration to complain but from reading some of the comments on this site, it appears that won't fly. Anyway, we do not recommend Ashland Elementary at this time.

Posted: September 24, 2013

I have two children attending Ashland and we LOVE it! I had only ever had them in private school and was nervous about a public school but our experience has surpassed my expectations. We bought our house based on the school and have not been disappointed. Their teachers, education, and extra-curricular activities have been fabulous. The sense of "community", since the school is located in the neighborhood, gives something different than most schools. The kids live and go to school with each other and several of the teachers as well. The class sizes are always a concern since education funding is always being cut. While I would prefer smaller class sizes, I have been pleased with the ability of the teachers to handle the number of kids put in each class. I would recommend Ashland to anyone interested.

Posted: August 28, 2013

I choose Ashland Elementary because it was rated the "best" in Prince William County. Don't let the ratings fool you, like they did me. This is the first school that my children couldn't wait to get out of this past school year. Recently, we moved to McAuliffe Elementary, so that my 2 children do not have to attend Ashland. I was not impressed by anything at this school! It is very over-rated The warm, embracing feeling you get from the minute you walk into the door at McAuliffe Elementary speaks for itself. The principal and assistant principal bring a new level of warmth and approachability that did not exist at Ashland Elementary. I am happy my children will attend McAuliffe Elementary.

Posted: June 24, 2013

Based on my experience with Ashland's Elementary, the faculty has no understanding of minority culture. Ashland's faculty solution to dealing with a minority child, send them to Alternative School, "because it's what's best". I would warn any parent that has a minority child attending (or will attend this school), ensure you quickly address the fairness and appropriateness of discipline this staff invokes on your child. I requested the demographics on disciplinary actions taken on children attending this school and was told I would be provided a copy, still waiting. The principal and staff will only communicate with me face-to-face or on the phone, as e-mail left a paper trail of event's that could be explained by the school.