Keene Mill Elementary School

Posted: November 25, 2025

My children have attended Keene Mill for several years now, and I have been very impressed with the high quality of education and caring teachers. The school also hosts special events throughout the year, which truly build a welcoming community that celebrates our children. I very much appreciate this school.

Posted: November 25, 2025

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Posted: August 26, 2025

I recently substituted at Old Keene Mill ES, and unfortunately, my experience was disappointing. The office attendant, Fanny Daniels, was very rude and disrespectful toward me. As a younger substitute teacher, it felt like I was not treated with basic courtesy or respect. When I voiced something that made me uncomfortable, she completely ignored it, which made communication impossible.

Substitutes play a vital role in keeping schools running when teachers are out, so it is disheartening to be dismissed in this way. If FCPS is struggling to keep substitutes, I strongly suggest they ensure their staff treat us professionally. Respect and communication go a long way in creating a positive work environment.

Separately, I also experienced interactions with some PTA members that felt less than professional. While I understand everyone is busy, I hope that in the future substitutes are met with more kindness and respect.

At this time, I would not recommend Old Keene Mill ES as a positive or welcoming environment for substitute teachers.

Posted: August 26, 2025

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Posted: January 21, 2025

My kid is there for the AAP program and I’m very happy with the results

Posted: January 21, 2025

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Posted: January 2, 2025

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to bring to your attention a concerning matter that I believe may affect the well-being of the school community.
It has come to my attention that an individual, named Omar Siddiqui, or online alias "Y2H", may be engaging in dishonest practices, including taking money from others under false pretenses. He considers himself an
"Options Trader"
", which in simpler terms can be
translated into "high-risk gambling", which raises further concerns about their character. I felt it was important to alert you, as this type of behavior is deeply concerning, especially in an environment centered around the safety and education of children.
I trust that you will address this issue appropriately, as maintaining a trustworthy and secure atmosphere is essential for the students and the broader school community.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Posted: January 2, 2025

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Posted: November 16, 2021

School has no bullying policy. School claims there is no bullying tolerance, that's not true.

Posted: November 16, 2021

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Posted: October 3, 2021

My daughter attended KMES from K through 4, until we moved away. We had been excited for our daughter to attend KMES because of its high rankings. We were really disappointed overall in her experience there.

KMES’ reputation rides on its high test scores - so the game is rigged in its favor, because this is a school with a full-time AAP (gifted) program. So the good testers get imported from other schools and pump up the scores. What we experienced in reality was a school where classes were too chaotic and crowded for teachers to really get to know the kids or how they are progressing.

The kids don’t get real grades - their report cards just say whether the students have mastered a skill, are in progress, etc. At least at KMES, this meant kids like my daughter managed to get all the way through 4th grade without knowing their times tables or how to capitalize and punctuate properly. And believe me, we tried all kinds of encouragement and bribes at home to get her to memorize those times tables. It just wasn’t going to happen until she needed to do it at school.

My daughter was in part-time AAP, and it was mostly worthless. We saw other pretty average kids get pulled into full-time AAP based on appeals from their parents. We didn’t bother to appeal for full time AAP, because we didn’t see the point. AAP is nothing more than a vanity exercise for parents. And KMES is all about the AAP program.

We moved to a different state for 5th grade, and the school my daughter went to immediately identified that she needed to get up to speed on her missing skills. It took only a few months. We were laughing recently because our daughter just took the ACTs as a 7th grader, and her math score was above 95% of high school *seniors*. (She also tested at a 12th grade reading level - but she has always been a big reader outside of school). The teachers at KMES had no idea that they were failing her. I’m so glad we moved away and she is now able to reach her full potential.

One last thing: I heard the long-time principal was retiring. Her big focus seemed to be nutrition, to the extent that the kids didn’t even have pie at their school Thanksgiving meal. I hope the retirement means kids will be allowed to have sweets again on special occasions. My daughter has really enjoyed being able to have cupcakes at parties at school.

Posted: October 3, 2021

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Posted: March 9, 2021

I am a parent with a child who needed special sessions to help him manage his self control and social skills. After two years of successful small group sessions few hours per week, he had become an outstanding student now. Thank you KMES management.

Posted: March 9, 2021

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Posted: April 5, 2019

We have not had any experience with this.

Posted: April 5, 2019

These things are given lip service but certainly not demonstrated or taught effectively.

Posted: April 5, 2019

We've been here almost a full school year and I've never met or even seen the principal. I've seen the vice principal a few times, and in each encounter she was rude, distant, and unpleasant.

Posted: April 5, 2019

I had multiple meetings with my child's AAP teacher to address areas of concern regarding some challenges he was facing, and in each case the teacher came unprepared and with no solutions to propose. So I did the job of proposing plans to overcome these challenges, I had to document them and follow up, and in every case the teacher did not follow through. The problem persists to this day. This is a massive frustration, because I can teach my kid academic skills like long division and writing essays, but I cannot teach him how to manage a workload in a classroom environment because we don't have a classroom environment at home! This is why kids go to school.

Posted: April 5, 2019

Massively disappointing. Not at all as advertised. I'm astonished that this is a "Blue Ribbon” school because our experience has been mostly bad. My child's previous K-2 school (elsewhere in Fairfax County) was warm, nurturing, and supportive with teachers and administrators who clearly cared and consistently exercised good judgment. While the AAP curriculum at Keene Mill is good, and the academics are appropriately challenging, that's really the only positive. This school overall is cold and unsupportive. As I'm writing this I'm looking at the review directly below that says "I work here ... [and] the one star ratings below are totally unhinged and biased. I know it because I know who could've written them. They are the problem kids and parents. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." WOW. That kind of self-righteous, judgmental and student-blaming attitude really exemplifies our experience throughout Keene Mill so far. It's sad.

Posted: April 5, 2019

In the third-grade AAP classroom, there's a packet of homework each Monday and it's due the following Monday. This is a great way to handle the scheduling because it gives families a lot of flexibility, but there have been several occasions where I have had to teach my son how to do the math work because the teacher has not gone over it in enough detail in class before she assigns the homework practice. Also, as parents we have to check the homework in detail because the teacher does not grade it for accuracy -- only completion. This was clearly communicated to us before the school year began, but it seems a little weird to me that this is on us as parents and not on the teacher who is the expert.

Posted: April 5, 2019

We have been very surprised at the lack of experience, lack of knowledge of child development, and lack of understanding of the differentiated needs of gifted learners demonstrated by our child's teacher in the AAP Grade 3 program (which is our first experience with this school). There are marks on every report card and progress report about "life skills" such as organization and time management, but these things are NOT TAUGHT IN THE CLASSROOM. I find this devastating, as these are the kinds of things that my child cannot learn at home (we work on organization and time management constantly as it relates to management of free time and completion of chores and homework, but that really doesn't translate to classroom and study skills) -- and for children like mine without any learning disabilities but with the significantly asymmetrical development that is common with advanced learners, the social/emotional/behavioral aspect of school is something that was explicitly promised as part of the AAP program and which is very clearly not being delivered despite multiple conversations with the teacher. In conversations with another parent of a third-grade AAP student in a different classroom, I learned that the teacher in that classroom is similarly inexperienced and ineffective. So disappointing.

Posted: December 21, 2018

This is the best with the best administrators in FCPS. I work here and have kids have gone through this school. The one star ratings below are totally unhinged and biased. I know it because I know who could've written them. They are the problem kids and parents. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Posted: December 21, 2018

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Posted: August 27, 2018

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Posted: August 27, 2018

Lived in several states and school districts, and kids have attended other schools in Fairfax County, and Keene Mill ranks with the best of what I've seen in other schools. The principal is very conscious of being fair and keeping order in the school, and the staff are thoughtful and very professional. Very respectful of military families and taking care of individual student needs.

Posted: August 27, 2018

Posted: May 10, 2018

Very fortunate to have such amazing teachers and staff.

Posted: May 10, 2018

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Posted: April 23, 2018

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Posted: April 23, 2018

The principal does not care for her students, only for her reputation. She disregarded a bullying incident entirely and gave unreasonable solutions such as having the bullied child transfer to another school rather than dealing with the bullies. She also claimed my mother, who attended high school AND college in the United States, needed a translator and refused to talk to her because of a "communication gap".

Posted: April 23, 2018

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Posted: March 8, 2018

This is the worst school I have ever had my children in. I have not been happier since we left. Please do not let the test scores fool you. They have a ‘advanced-academics’ program that raises their average. The leadership at this school is lacking to say the least. My daughter and at least 2 other children I know came home with super-lice REPEATEDLY no matter how much we treated them. The school refused to deal with the problem. The principal also CALLED THE POLICE when my 7 year old autistic child was bullied so bad by staff that he was scared to come out from under a table. I would not recommend this school for ANYBODY but ESPECIALLY any child with special-needs. They are more concerned with test scores than the well-being of the children.

Posted: March 8, 2018

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Posted: August 24, 2017

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Posted: August 24, 2017

Outstanding school! I think the principal is great. Effective principals lead effective schools, and this school's results are stellar. She has been principal of the year finalist the last two years. I disagree with previous comments about the office staff. I have always found them to be warm and friendly, even when the school was being renovated. The teachers are wonderful! I am not sure about a snack policy because my kids have been allowed to have any snack I send with them to school. However, I am happy about not having my child eat food provided by others (such as birthday cupcakes) because my child has a serious food allergy.

Posted: February 28, 2017

Posted: February 28, 2017

I don't have a child with an LD.

Posted: February 28, 2017

As many people said, the principal here is unfriendly, has rules that never bend, and communication style is brusque and, at times, harsh. She has a way she wants to run things (no snacks for birthdays or holidays, no forgetting a lunch or an instrument, etc.) and she has no interest in your opinion on anything.

Posted: February 28, 2017

Posted: February 28, 2017

Teachers here are warm but effective. They are definitely one of the best parts of the school.

Posted: February 28, 2017

I like that they avoid homework on the weekends, but break it up into small bites so you do a little each night. We've never felt overwhelmed with homework (my daughter is in 4th grade in the AAP program).

Posted: February 28, 2017

Academics are excellent. Teachers are fabulous. Building is nice with the new renovations. My daughter has been there for 2 years (transferred from her base school for the AAP program) and really likes it there (and she's picky).

Principal and front office are, like many people said, patently unpleasant. Fine if you never have to interact with them, less ok if you do. I wouldn't let them stop you from going, but you've been warned! ;)

Posted: May 4, 2016

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Posted: May 4, 2016

Care for children . Teachers and staff are very friendly and makes kids feel comfortable

Posted: March 21, 2015

Very good teachers at this school. Unfortunately, the principal wants to shove her ideals of healthy food down our throats. They only want fruits and water for snacks. The cost of fresh fruit is getting higher and we can't afford to buy fruits every day. There are some snack lunches that .are as healthy and much cheaper, but she doesn't allow it. No cupcakes either on birthdays, and no candy hearts on Valentine's day. All in all, no fun in this school.

Posted: October 25, 2014

This school is okay, the teachers are nice and my son, which is under the special education program is receiving adequate help. Unfortunately, the school's atmosphere is cold and unfriendly. The office staff barely look at you when you are there for any official business, and they make you feel like you are a bother. The principal came with some ridiculous rules about snacks and not celebrating birthdays with cupcakes for some unknown reason. The PTA is a lame duck. The principal keeps a tight rein in the school because she is more interested in winning awards for the school than anything else. Our previous school was a paradise compared to this school. I will move them out at the end of the school year. Don't believe the inflated numbers about this school. I even tried to volunteer and my son's teacher basically told me she didn't want my help.

Posted: October 23, 2014

We are new to the area and the district, and Keene Mill/West Springfield Pyramid overall. Registration was simple and easy. Orientation to the school could of definitely been better at the beginning of the year. The principal did a stellar job at communicating bus times and any delays which is important. They had plenty of student helpers to help the little ones adjust. Things only get sent home once a week from the school/teachers so it is hard to talk with your child to see what they have been working on all week until Thursday night- there could be a better system in place there.

Posted: June 15, 2014

Keene Mill is an excellent school where I fully trust that the teachers and administration are advocates for my children and work with parents as a team. We have had wonderful teachers in both community and AAP classes. My children have been challenged and enjoy school, as well as the PTA after-school activities and events. The school is getting ready to undergo a major, much-needed renovation that may unfortunately impact some of the activities, but should also address many of the HVAC issues and modernize the 50+ year-old school. We are very happy with Keene Mill ES and proud to be part of the Kanga community.

Posted: May 15, 2014

This school is just ok. I don't love it, I don't hate it. I have a child in the AAP program, and while she has done well here, we have never really fallen in love with the school. We have another child at a neighboring school and although greatschools.org gives Keene Mill a 10, we like the other school a whole lot more. The school itself is very old and rundown. The AC and heat often seems to be out of order. The teachers are decent, but I think that's true of most FCPS teachers. The younger students are made to walk with their hands behind their backs and holding their breath. It almost feels a little like a prison to see. The principal has been open about trying to win a health award through the county, but it comes at the cost of fun things such as bringing in birthday treats. The school does not feel at all like a community, probably because kids are coming from neighborhoods all over town. Like I said, my child has done well here, but I feel she would have been fine at any of the nearby schools.

Posted: May 12, 2014

This school is fine and I am glad my son is here but he would have done fine anywhere. I love the email communication this school has regarding events going on but after three years here I don't really feel part of the school. My son is in the AAP which he loves but I don't think they allow very much flexibility to the teachers. I think the AAP program should be renamed the advanced math and vocabulary program. My son does well but I don't think the program has done much to develop his skills as a creative writer or thinker. That being said I have loved most of the teachers and I love that no kids run under the radar in AAP. I am especially glad that some of the teachers have focused less on busy work homework as they have gone to higher grades. Overall I am glad I sent my son to the school and program but I won't miss it when he moves on.

Posted: August 26, 2013

This school has AAP (gifted) programs, so scores may be a bit inflated. I would be fair to know the scores of AAP and the Community independently.

Posted: May 7, 2013

Keene Mill is ranked #12 out of 1060 schools in Virginia on schooldigger.com and was selected as one of the top elementary schools by Northern Virginia Magazine! Way to go, Keene Mill, for earning a well deserved 10 out of 10 from Great Schools! Keene Mill has much to celebrate, but most of all, we celebrate our enthusiastic students, supportive parents, and wonderful colleagues. We are truly a community of learners!

Posted: May 7, 2013

Keene Mill deserves a 20 out of 10! It is an outstanding school and my family feels fortunate that our children can participate in a school of this caliber. The academics are stellar! The administrators are open to new ideas, and the school just had a fabulous Innovation Fair! I strongly disagree with the previous review. Who would want kids to play tag on the playground where they could be injured or eat food that someone might have prepared in an unsanitary kitchen? I think the school wants nutrition facts for food allergies. I also disagree about communication, as the principal sends out a weekly email to parents and the PTA sends flyers in the Thursday folder each week. All of our children's teachers have been supportive and caring and made the effort to teach our children what they need to know at an appropriate pace. I can't say enough positive things about Keene Mill!

Posted: May 6, 2013

This school is okay. People love it but I think it is okay. There are a lot of nonsense rules, like no tag on the playground and no home cooked items are allowed in school because everything must come with a list of ingredients. My son is in the AP program and struggles with the huge transition. Although they constantly talk about the transition 3rd grade holds for the AP kids, they don't seem to do anything to help the kids with it. They throw work at the kids thinking they will get it because they scored high on a standard test. Kids still need to be taught multiplication. It is a basic skill that is skipped in the AP program. Also kids need to be taught how to write a paragraph, even smart kids need to learn these skills. Overall not excited about the school or the program. The PTA communication is poor and frequently I don't know what is happening in the school until the day before it is happening. I am disappointed overall and I do not think this school deserves a 10 out of 10

Reviewed: December 9, 2012

This school is in Fairfax County and is a Level 4 AAP school. The principal/vice principal team are wonderful. The principal sends an e-mail every Friday with what has gone on during the week and also highlighting upcoming events and other items of interest. The teachers are wonderful and caring and have been easy to reach and communicate with. My kids are excited and happy to go to school every day.