Coates Elementary

Posted: June 12, 2025

Posted: June 12, 2025

Posted: June 12, 2025

Posted: June 12, 2025

Posted: June 12, 2025

Posted: June 12, 2025

Posted: June 12, 2025

Posted: June 12, 2025

I love this school. They are overwhelmed with children in my opinion due to the building expansion around them. And they still try hard to educate the children with disabilities and no disabilities. Even during the summer they did not forget about their kids with disabilities and offered computers to use for summer programs. I would def recommend them and their before school programs that include a business class selling coffee for 5th graders! That was unheard of for me for elementary kids. So thank you for a great year and all the effort you guys make to take care of the kids.

Posted: April 10, 2025

Posted: April 10, 2025

Posted: April 10, 2025

Posted: April 10, 2025

Posted: April 10, 2025

Posted: April 10, 2025

Posted: April 10, 2025

Posted: April 10, 2025

I am delighted to share my positive experience with Coates Elementary School. Special recognition goes to Miss O'Hara, who is undoubtedly one of the best teachers we've encountered. Her teaching style is exceptional—clear, engaging, and highly effective. She consistently provides meaningful homework, follows up diligently on students' progress, and shows genuine care and attention to each child's learning journey.

Additionally, I'd like to express gratitude towards Mr. Bryant and Mr. Redding. Both are outstanding teachers who make learning enjoyable and impactful. Their dedication and enthusiasm have significantly enriched our child's educational experience.

Principal Basdekis and the entire staff also deserve commendation for their consistent support and commitment to student development. They create a welcoming and nurturing environment for both students and parents.

However, one area of concern is the overcrowding at Coates Elementary. The increasing student population is noticeable, and I believe the school would benefit significantly from proactive planning and measures to manage classroom sizes and resources more effectively.

Overall, Coates Elementary is fortunate to have such committed and talented educators and staff who genuinely make a difference. Highly recommended!

Posted: April 5, 2024

Posted: April 5, 2024

Posted: April 5, 2024

Posted: April 5, 2024

Posted: April 5, 2024

Posted: April 5, 2024

Posted: April 5, 2024

Posted: April 5, 2024

My husband and I moved a lot all over the state with our daughter - and we happened to settle near Lutie Lewis Coates Elementary School. While I may be biased, our daughter is quiet but very observant. For the first few weeks, our daughter seemed fine. She loved her teachers and made many friends. However, after about 2-3 months, she started saying how certain teachers/managers treat other subordinates "meanly." While I didn't think much of it at first, my daughter's behavior started to change - and not in a good way. One time I brought her to the park and noticed how odd it was for her to bully other kids. When I asked her why she was being disrespectful, she said verbatim, "Because that's how some of my teachers treat their beneath people."
I am not the kind of person to write reviews, but I am extremely disturbed, shocked, and disappointed. I want you to know that Lutie Lewis Coates Elementary School fails. The last place I imagined my own child to learn such disrespect was her school, especially, HER TEACHERS. Don't bring your kids here!

Posted: January 14, 2024

Posted: January 14, 2024

Posted: January 14, 2024

Posted: January 14, 2024

Posted: January 14, 2024

Posted: January 14, 2024

Posted: January 14, 2024

Posted: January 14, 2024

In my opinion most teachers get mad easily, but the rest are really nice.
Not so good at problem solving with students, and easily believe lie's that students make up. That really affected my grand-daughter as her old friends lied to get themselves out of trouble. overall everything else is ok. (really miss the old principal though)

Posted: June 2, 2020

Constant communication with parents and teachers has helped build a community of learning that has worked very well for my children. Both are different and have different needs and the teachers have worked with us to help achieve their full potential

Posted: June 2, 2020

Posted: June 2, 2020

The principal of the school Mr Kraft is an excellent leader. He joined the school 4 years back and the positive change he has brought to the school has been commendable. We have watched the school grow under his leadership. The school was very different before him

Posted: June 2, 2020

Depending on your child’s need, wether they need support or need to be challenged, this school provides both

Posted: June 2, 2020

My child was a victim of bullying and the school dealt with it very well without putting my family or my child under the spot

Posted: June 2, 2020

Posted: June 2, 2020

When we moved to this neighborhood this school was not rated well. But the last four years have seen a huge turnaround . Our neighbors with older kids told us that they see the positive change too, under the new principal. My kids are so happy at this school. They love going to school everyday. The school encourages parents to be involved and I have taken active interest in a few events at school. That helped me know the teachers better and strengthened my opinion that the school has an excellent team. I love the diversity at the school which helps my children build a strong foundation for a future world. Diversity is extremely important in today’s world.
The school is also a level IV AAP center now which is another feather in their hat. The school supports all kinds of learners and that is a great achievement

Posted: May 21, 2020

Posted: May 21, 2020

Posted: May 21, 2020

the only thing good in the school is principal who is nice.

Posted: May 21, 2020

I had my first grader in the school and it was horrible. First of all, they split the class after one month of starting school and they brought a new teacher that was worse than the first one.

Posted: May 21, 2020

Both first grade teachers were bigger bullies than the kids.

Posted: May 21, 2020

I moved my son from Coates to Little Run in Faifax, and whereas teacher at Coates were only complaining and putting him in time-out, the new teachers at LR are only praising him all the time. The front desk at Coates was also horrible and it looked like an interrogation center while at LR everyone is friendly and welcoming. The only good thing at Coates was the smiling principal.

Posted: May 21, 2020

Posted: September 5, 2019

Posted: September 5, 2019

Posted: September 5, 2019

Posted: September 5, 2019

Depending on the student capability teachers train accordingly

Posted: September 5, 2019

Posted: September 5, 2019

Good. Teachers at this school are good and taking care of each kid

Posted: November 14, 2018

Best teachers my kids could ask for. The teachers at Coates are very sincere and knowledgeable. THey connect well with students and motivate them to give their best .

Posted: November 14, 2018

Posted: November 14, 2018

Amazing Principal. He is good at hirign the right people for the right job and it has great vision for the school and students. He is a great leader

Posted: November 14, 2018

Posted: November 14, 2018

Posted: November 14, 2018

I am a Coates parent for the last 4 years. My kids love this school and can't wait to get to school every morning. They are thriving in the engaging and challenging classroom environment the teachers provide.

Posted: November 14, 2018

Posted: November 12, 2018

Admin team is responsive to parent concerns, and they are visible throughout the school. Kids know their principals and the principals know them!

Posted: November 12, 2018

The school has a few autism classrooms for students with greater needs. Students who are learning English are in schools throughout northern VA, and Coates has it's share. This does not dilute the curriculum. In fact, it's nice to see how many kids master language quickly and become good students. Diverse population, which I think is great!

Posted: November 12, 2018

The principals talk to all classes throughout the year about rules and how to treat each other. The guidance counselors are active as well.

Posted: November 12, 2018

Best teachers you'll find in FCPS! There's a culture of caring that you can feel if you spend any amount of time in the school. Coates teachers are clearly well-trained at instruction, and the rising test scores show that.

Posted: November 12, 2018

They use the Positivity Project to teach character strengths. Behavior is really good overall. The teachers have rules and high standards.

Posted: November 12, 2018

Awesome school! The students love their teachers, and the teachers have such big hearts for kids and they are always ready to work with families. Test scores are rising, and you can see how engaged kids are in their studies if you visit the school. They have advanced academics programming and some special classes that promote enrichment.

Posted: November 12, 2018

Posted: May 14, 2018

Posted: May 14, 2018

Posted: May 14, 2018

Horrible leadership. Starts at the top all the way down.

Posted: May 14, 2018

My grand daughter goes here and I have proof that this school has been detrimental to her learning and physical well being.

Posted: May 14, 2018

My grand daughter has been hit and bullied with no repurcussions to ones who hurt her.

Posted: May 14, 2018

Worst school I have ever experienced in my entire life.

Posted: May 14, 2018

Posted: June 3, 2017

Encourages students to study and do other activities. My son is studying 2nd grade and likes his teacher and school

Posted: June 3, 2017

School focus to improve kids personal characters by daily updates to parents.

Posted: June 3, 2017

Posted: June 3, 2017

Posted: June 3, 2017

Posted: June 3, 2017

Great teachers and wonderful Principal. The test scores reflects only parents efforts not school.
Teachers are putting lot of effort and hope parents do the same.

Posted: June 3, 2017

Posted: January 31, 2017

Great school after McNair farm ele.
Nice and educated teachers squad

Posted: October 26, 2016

This is a fantastic school disregarding all the ratings. My experience in last 1 year (my son did 6th grade) & now my daughter is doing Kindergarden. My experience has been consistently good, great teachers, respect to students & nice programs

Posted: September 6, 2016

My son had three teachers in this school and they were all amazing. Thanks to them he likes going to school and his academic score is very good. Office staff is very nice. School has many after school programs and some fun activities for kids (like movie night, dance night, etc). I'm also impressed with SACC teachers. They do a lot of fun stuff and projects. Very often, when I come to pick up my son, he's in the middle of doing some interesting project or playing with his friends and he doesn't want to leave yet (after being at school for almost ten hours!)

Posted: September 6, 2016

Posted: September 6, 2016

Posted: September 6, 2016

Posted: May 16, 2016

Posted: May 16, 2016

Posted: May 16, 2016

Posted: May 16, 2016

Teachers in Coates school are great and go above and beyond in helping the students succeed.

Posted: May 16, 2016

My daughter is in This school from past 3 years we couldn't have asked for better teachers.

Posted: May 16, 2016

My daughter is coates student from past 2 years.This will be her 3rd year.from our experience I can say that coates elementary is a very good school with good staff. The teachers are very knowledgeable and shares a very good relationship with students. School has variety of after school programs. As this school is now GT center I am pretty sure that will be an additional star for this school.

Posted: May 16, 2016

Posted: May 16, 2016

we are very happy and appreciate his teacher Ms.Waller commitment in helping him to achieve his academic success.

Posted: May 16, 2016

We love the First Grade Teacher and Principle. They are very committed ,dedicated and compassionate.

They are working hard to improve the students life.

Posted: May 16, 2016

Posted: May 16, 2016

Posted: May 16, 2016

Teachers, Principal and Front office staff are very caring and take individual attention and care on the children.

My son's first grade teacher is very caring and provides individual attention. With the teacher's help we were able improve our Son's overall academic scores.

Posted: August 5, 2015

The teachers and the staff at Coates are really good. They are approachable, kind, warm and they really care about our kids. This school has a strong PTA that supports the after school programs and lot of other programs that are really important for the kids to learn and thrive at this school.

Posted: August 5, 2015

My daughter attended Kindergarten at Coates last year and her teachers were among the best that I have seen. She is really looking forward to her First grade here. They have great after school programs that are enriching and affordable.

Posted: August 5, 2015

Posted: August 5, 2015

Posted: August 3, 2015

Posted: June 12, 2015

Teachers are some of the best around - committed with high expectations - admin is caring, and student population is wonderfully diverse. Excellent afterschool programs. The low rating on this site does not do justice to this diamond-in-the-rough school that will undoubtedly improve now that it is approved for full-time aap.

Posted: April 13, 2015

As a former parent of Coates Elementary School (and a former FCPS teacher), I can honestly say that the staff at Coates are some of the hardest working teachers I have ever come in contact with. There are a large amount of resources for every child, those who need the support and those who benefit from being at a school with additional programming opportunities. I heard that they will be having Advanced Academics and will get more resources as a Title 1 School for the 2015-2016 school year. What a gift to current and new students who will attend Coates next year!

Posted: January 28, 2015

One plus is that this school has a very wide range of ethnicity groups which is something I really like. Another would be that my son loved this third grade teacher and sometimes he and a few other students from the class will have "Lunch Bunch" with her (Ms. Toriano). According to him, many of her past students really enjoyed having her as a teacher and I would agree that she was a great teacher. The cons- very large racial issues with this school! I suppose that comes with the diversity among students but far worse here than two other schools my son has attended in Fairfax County. In addition, these kids feel much older than what they really are regarding crude language, "empowerment", and their interactions with adults. I have many issues with my son being bullied on the bus by older kids or kids who are are darker than him. He even had a kid ask him once if he was black and stated no and he's been bullied ever since. His teacher this year has a nasty attitude. At Back to School Night we couldn't imagine how she talked to kids after she kicked one parent and child out of her trailer. I'd say this is a 4/10 overall.

Posted: January 13, 2015

Ratings given to Coates doesnt do any justice to the amazing staff. My son attended KG at Coates in 2013-2014 and based on the what he learned I will give a 10/10 rating. His teacher(Ms Laurie Connole)kept us updated frequently on my kids progress. We moved to a high rating school this year, and I can say with full confidence Coates is an excellent school. Ratings for sure will improve in the coming years.

Posted: November 9, 2014

I love this school, my son was there last year in KG class and his teachers Ms. Hardin and Ms. Kethu were the best. unfortunately we had to move and Now he is in a different school in Loudoun county it's 8 out of 10 in 1st grade, but the stuff they are learning now, he already took it all in Kindergarten Class. 1st grade for him is like a repeating class. I'm thinking of taking him back to Coates.

Posted: September 29, 2014

This school is underrated on this site! The teachers love what they do and it shows. The after school programs are such an added bonus. My child takes piano, plays chess, plays soccer and is in the Advanced Academic Program. Coates maintains a realistic classroom size and really look out for the welfare of their students. Thank you Coates Teachers and Staff for being a fantastic place of learning and development!

Posted: July 19, 2014

My son just finished second grade at Coates. He loves his school, his teachers and his classmates. The teachers are very supportive and provides ample encouragement to the kids and he is all praises about them. He is a very shy kid but has a diverse group of friends who support each other, he helps those who struggle in reading and loves to compete with those who do well on math and spelling which are his favorite subjects. I am extremely happy to see him flourish in this environment. Parent involvement is key in the success of the kids and I provide as much support as I can while managing my busy work schedule. I look forward to another year in this great school.

Posted: October 8, 2013

The children at this school are extremely over sexualized. I have severe bullying problems for my daughter in sixth grade. She has been called very vulgar, rude, and racist names. My family and I plan to move next month. In the mean time, she will be homeschooled.

Posted: October 7, 2013

My son loves his school and learning lot of new things daily. I am happy to join him in this school

Posted: September 5, 2013

My child just started kindergarten so my review is based on a very brief experience. I really love how the school feels, clean, bright and happy! I love the teacher, who responded to my email the same day I wrote it. I also love all of the technology they have available in the school. During the open house, various programs were presented, such as the PTA, and I got the impression that things are definitely moving in the right direction. I am looking forward to the Back to School Night when we can find out more about the academic standards.

Posted: December 30, 2012

Coates Elementary has always been a great school. I am not sure why there are negative reviews about the school. Teachers and Staffs at the school are very helpful and cooperative. My both kids (daughter and son) go to the school. Teachers are knowledgeable and always appreciate students to perform good in the class. The school always organizes different evening activities that helps students to get involved in the events and have fun. I would personally like to be thankful of the Principal, Teachers, and Staffs about their excellent service for the school.

Posted: December 4, 2012

I've two kids who are in this school as 5th and 6th graders. Problem is, they don't seem to be challenged much academically. I suppose the root problem is the overcrowded public school system. My kids complain that the slower students are taking too much of the teachers' time and the faster pace kids are just not given enough attention. I do think most of the kids in this school are pretty well behaved so at least the school is doing something right. Couldn't give it 5 stars as the school and teachers NEED to challenge the upper grades more than what they are doing now to prepare them for middle school.

Posted: November 19, 2012

Can't wait to change my address so my kid could go to a different school! Last week the school had the "Thanksgiving Luncheon" and the parents were invited to have lunch with their kids at the cafeteria. The students were with the assistant teachers, the actual teacher was having lunch in the Teacher's Lounge and, considering the ocassion, I expected at least that she could appear at some point to greet the parents....it never happened. Also, one of the assistants was speaking in a bad tone to one of the kids, in front of us! If that kind of tone is used in front of the parents, what can be expected when we're not there? Don't like this school at all, for this and other situations in which the teacher tell us that a "situation" happened during the day, but do not clarify and implies that the kid was in fault. We, as parents, have to take the role of private investigators to try to find was is wrong and what really happened during the school day. The assistants and have no experience working with special needs kids. Since we moved to this area, and my kid is attending this school, I hate Sunday nights, just anticipating what will happen to my kid during the following week at school.

Posted: April 24, 2012

We love this school and I can walk my daughter there from my condo and it's been a fabulous experience. I can't say enough about this school!

Posted: September 21, 2011

Excellent School and Great Teachers.Principal Karen Siple has handpicked the right teachers for the right job. My child started last year and has learned so much.We are very happy with the school.

Posted: June 22, 2011

What a great school. My child started last year and has learned so much. We turned down gifted center to stay, knowing he will learn more at Coates. We told family members to move nearby to get to go here.

Posted: March 30, 2011

THIS SCHOOL IS CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! well i am student there and MY fifth grade teacher was mr.Ettere and now my sixth grade teacher is mrs.odonovan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they r wonderful... so if u get of have them U R LUCKY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! REALLY

Posted: December 26, 2010

Great School and Great faculty. The principal Karen Siple has handpicked the right teacheers for the right job.