Cunningham Park Elementary School

Posted: December 28, 2019

We’ve had a wonderful experience at Cunningham Park for 2nd and 3rd grade.

Posted: December 28, 2019

Posted: December 28, 2019

Posted: December 28, 2019

Posted: December 28, 2019

Posted: December 28, 2019

Posted: December 28, 2019

Posted: May 15, 2019

Homework varies by grade level but the school maintains that because students spend all day learning they don't need to spend endless hours doing busy work at home.

Posted: May 15, 2019

We've had wonderful teachers during our time at CPES. They are committed to challenging students, regardless of academic ability. The school practices concept-based learning which allows students to learn how to be critical thinkers and problem solvers.

Posted: May 15, 2019

CPES uses the Positivity Project to teach students character traits that are crucial to being productive members of society. It's a fantastic program that all grade levels are taught.

Posted: May 15, 2019

Posted: May 15, 2019

Posted: May 15, 2019

Posted: May 15, 2019

We've had a wonderful experience at the school. Our kids are routinely challenged in the classroom, especially with the school's focus on concept based learning, as well as offering an AAP program for all levels. CPES encourages students to be the best that they can be and this is evident in the amazing and committed teachers and leadership at the school.

Posted: March 10, 2018

Our experience has been amazing, the teachers and services we receive from CPES and Fairfax County are exceptional. The education services our son receives keeps us here. We are really happy with CPES!

Posted: March 10, 2018

Posted: March 10, 2018

Posted: March 10, 2018

This school is participating in the positivity project to build character in our kids. I love this project!
What is The Positivity Project?
The Positivity Project is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to helping America’s youth build stronger relationships by recognizing the character strengths in themselves and others. The purpose is to educate teachers on the character strengths and relies on them to teach in a way that best meets their students’ needs. It is a school-wide endeavor, grounded in the consistency of daily classroom instruction. Their model is holistic; it incorporates students, educators, and parents through regular interaction with character strengths vocabulary and concepts.

Posted: March 10, 2018

Posted: March 10, 2018

Fairfax County has the best services, our son is on an IEP and the special education services we have received are truly amazing! My family has a special needs member, and growing up, we NEVER had the level of support that Fairfax County provides. It's truly exceptional and our son is benefitting greatly. His teachers at CPES are terrific and address any concerns we have immediately. I cannot say enough about his support services and the school!

Posted: March 10, 2018

My son mentioned that he felt bullied by a class mate. We brought it to his teachers (and after care teachers) and it was immediately addressed. I checked in with my son, and he said he felt good, and no more bullying. They really care for our kids.

Posted: September 7, 2016

There seems to be more than the fair share of behavior issues at Cunningham Park, and my experience is that the administration has no idea how to deal with any of it. Whether it's stealing or flashing body parts to other students.

Posted: September 7, 2016

To echo the previous comment, the new administration is abysmal. While the previous administration was well-balanced, the new administration can't seem to get it together. It seems normal to lose a lot of staff when new leadership arrives, but telling when they make a break for it two years in. Not good for those of us sending our kids there. The positions have been filled by mostly brand new teachers/staff, which I can only hope breathes new life into the school and not more incompetence. There are some very decent teachers at this school, who care, but the teaching, overall, lacks spark, or going above and beyond. I appreciate diversity, but wish the educational experience would be more diverse and less rote.

Posted: November 17, 2015

I echo the other parents in noting that the curriculum is fair at best. As transfers from out of state, my children had already covered many of the topics the prior year. In the last year, there has been a turnover in the leadership with a new principal and assistant principal. Both of them seem ill equipped to handle their roles and do not seem very engaged with students or families.

Posted: November 17, 2015

Posted: November 17, 2015

Posted: November 17, 2015

Posted: December 16, 2014

Cunningham Park is a wonderful school with caring teachers who are willing to go the extra mile for each student. You don't need to ask for support. The school is very proactive and is looking to add Level IV curriculum for those students who need more challenging work.

Posted: October 19, 2014

The entire focus of this school is on providing remedial services for the underprivileged ESOL community. The academic programs are basic, and the children who need to be challenged are severely disadvantaged at this school. Many parents are frustrated. There doesn't seem to be any real interest on the part of the school to provide more academically challenging programs.

Posted: April 3, 2014

Our kids started attending Cunningham Park this year and are very happy there. It has an excellent, supportive, spirited community of both staff and parents; and, good extracurricular programs. To our relief, this school doesn't have the awful cliques and snobbery of our former school-- everyone seems to get along and accept each other's differences. We wish the school could further expand its AAP program so kids don't have to go elsewhere to be further challenged, but the benefits of attending a community school are a big draw for us.

Posted: January 9, 2014

Great school with a huge new addition. The teachers and parents seem to care about the kid's education.

Posted: June 19, 2013

We moved into CPES from out of state and just completed our first year. Teachers are wonderful, the community feel at the school is strong. Academically speaking, not challenging, which was disappointing, although I believe that is more attributable to the Fairfax County curriculum than the lack of challenge specifically at this school. My daughter qualified for GT but I am choosing to keep her at CPES to avoid yet another new school. While the school offers opportunities for kids to grow beyond academics (e.g. Student council, peer mediators, other leadership positions), the rules for holding such positions are created ad hoc and are subjective. The outcome is the kids who have the desire, capacity and capabilitity to take on more opportunities beyond academics are discouraged from the activities that best fit them.

Posted: October 2, 2012

I agree with all the reviews below - it is a small school, neighborhood feel to it, with multicultural students. The principal and the assistant principal are great, they try to get all the parents involved and they will listen to suggestions. My daughter is in 1st grade and so far I have nothing but good words to day. The KG teachers are wonderful. The librarian, the reading teacher... all fabulous and you get to know them all. So far, I ve had nothing but good experiences with the school. My daughter is thriving there and that s all that matters.

Posted: April 25, 2012

CPES gets a bad rating due to multicultural, diverse students. Yes, there are a large number of ESOL students, but that really isn't a big deal. The school is small (around 400) and the teachers and administration are great. The PTA is very involved. My children have had nothing but good experiences in the last 5 years. In fact, one 4th grade teacher in particular is outstanding!

Posted: March 21, 2012

Great teachers, Very strong principle, teacher quality is high, they let parents get involved, The staff are very friendly, Love the school

Posted: February 8, 2012

We've been at this school for 3 years, starting in KG and love it. So far the teachers we've had have been wonderful. I especially like the principal, who runs a tight ship giving a feeling a cohesion from classroom to classroom. Love the school-wide homework policy to give meaningful assignments and not just busy work. We have been very pleased with this school and administration.

Posted: January 22, 2012

As a student here the teachers were all nice until around 6th grade but still pretty nice. Although their ideas a A LOT different then most schools they are somewhat working.

Posted: September 1, 2011

Cunningham Park is a great school with a truly neighborhood feel. It's small and you can get to know all of the administration and teachers with little effort. This is our fourth year at CPES and we have been very pleased with our child's growth in all areas. Very strong PTA.

Posted: May 2, 2011

My son is a second grader in CPES and we loved the school all the way. It has a very home like feeling and PTA is very active to support teaching process. The only problem is not enough challenges for some students. Some enrichment activities are definitely in need.

Posted: April 30, 2010

Posted: April 19, 2010

This K-6 school has a very dynamic young principal and is becoming a jewel of a school for those in the know. Its a small but growing school where the focus is on the kids with very good caring teachers and an active PTA and involved parents that together are making a difference. Its got very much of a tight knit family feel. The surrounding area is up and coming with much upscale development espe around Glyndon and McHenry Streets. Improving test scores reflect these developments. CPES feeds into well regarded Thoreau MS and Madison HS and gifted and talented kids from CPES feed into Louise Archer.

Posted: August 24, 2009