Saratoga Elementary School

Posted: September 30, 2025

I've been at this school for 7 years and now I'm in High school and the experience was okay fights were taken care of never stopped which shows the admins work which isn't all there fault but they could do better then just interviewing students and suspending kids but overall the teachers here were really nice and the school isn't all that bad.

Posted: September 30, 2025

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Posted: August 17, 2023

I am a former teacher at Saratoga. Look elsewhere! Student behavior is out of control, many students with and without disabilities are unsafe and dangerous and get away with it daily (parents have no clue), the teachers receive terrible support from administration, the teachers are under appreciated and its a toxic work environment. If you can choose another school in the area, do it. Cannot NOT recommend this place enough.

Posted: August 17, 2023

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Posted: April 23, 2021

As the pandemic school year 2020-2021 is almost over I now rate Saratoga a 10 out of 10 school!!! One of the hardest years for literally everyone on the entire planet and somehow teachers, admin and staff stepped up to plate in amazing ways when faced with unimaginable circumstances. We have been a part of the school for 5 years. All three of our children have made good progress each year, including this pandemic year. As parents, our hope is that our kids' needs are being met not just academically but socially as well. Learning to be a kind, empathetic, and caring citizen is extremely important to us. Saratoga does a wonderful job in that area. We also value a balance between work and family time so the amount of homework sent home in our opinion is fine (honestly I'd be fine with nightly reading and that's it). After school activities, family time, and just time to decompress from a full day of learning and working is huge for mental health. Our kids go to school with big smiles on their faces, excited to see their teachers and friends, which we attribute to the loving and hardworking staff at Saratoga!

Bottom line, whenever researching a school try and reach out to families in the area to hear their stories and opinions. No school is perfect no matter what the rating.

Posted: April 23, 2021

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Posted: May 5, 2019

We've seen noticeable improvement in our child's abilities in math and reading, and an interest in learning more. I will say that it seems the teachers tend to cater toward helping students at the lower range more than those on or above grade level, but if you say something, they will work with your child.

Posted: May 5, 2019

I think so, but it's hard to point out specific examples.

Posted: May 5, 2019

This school had a horrible reputation about 4-5 years ago, but I'd say new leadership has been instrumental in recent improvements. The new principal is really pushing new efforts to get parents and the local community involved and I think these (and other efforts of hers) are paying off. She doesn't always get it right (I think the bingo night had a couple missteps in the way it was run), but you can see that she, and several of the other faculty are really involved and trying.

Posted: May 5, 2019

Teachers tend to favor those at the lower end, while not necessarily challenging those who are average or above average, unless you say something. However, if you do say something, your average or above average child will also be supported. I suppose this is where parental involvement is key in any school.

Posted: May 5, 2019

This is always hard to tell, since it's rarely obvious. I'll say I haven't heard of teachers ignoring a student being bullied.

Posted: May 5, 2019

After seeing how Saratoga Elementary was rated when my child first was eligible to attend a couple years ago, I was pretty concerned. So far, I've been pleasantly surprised. I still have some concerns about the schools it feeds into, particularly at the high school level (Lee High School), but perhaps the positive changes here will help things down the line.

Posted: May 5, 2019

Frankly, I think they don't assign enough homework. My child is assigned a week's worth at the beginning of the week and usually completes it the first or second day.

Posted: August 25, 2018

My kid shows good behavioral improvements that we can partially contribute to the school

Posted: August 25, 2018

New leadership within the lest 2 years has proven very effective

Posted: August 25, 2018

Teachers here are very accommodating for students with learning differences

Posted: August 25, 2018

No experience with this. They could be very effective because it’s not an issue from what we can tell

Posted: August 25, 2018

It’s an appropriate amount of work and the teachers are willing to tailor for the kids at different levels

Posted: August 25, 2018

We have had great experiences with the teachers at this school

Posted: August 25, 2018

Very high. We have two kids at this school this year and the teachers and staff here are very very good!

Posted: April 17, 2018

Our daughter started kindergarten this year and we have been more than pleased with the experience. She is excelling and her teach is incredibly caring and just great at her job in general. We heard rumors about how the new Principal had improved this school, and not to fear the ratings, and I can honestly say that this is the case.

Posted: April 17, 2018

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Posted: March 13, 2018

Truly amazing! We have been at Saratoga ES for 3 years now and it’s been a great experience as a parent and for my children. There are so many great opportunities before and after school for the kids. They have access to computer lab time twice a week for an hour in the morning, walk/running club several days a week in the morning, curriculum nights, family nights, and more. There is also a very committed PTA that gets the whole community involved with fall festivals, bingo nights, 5k runs, and several other supported events. Saratoga also has a great WatchDOGs program that gets all the dads involved! Saratoga truly deserves a 10/10 and greatschools.org is really doing a disservice. But then again, it’s not a great school, it’s an OUTSTANDING school and anyone that questions it should talk to an actively involved parent or current student.

Posted: March 13, 2018

Reading is homework every night, which I think Is critically and so far we have been given a weekly packet of homework in advance so we can plan accordingly. This is nice with kids involved in many activities.

Posted: March 13, 2018

Every teacher our children have had, has been Awesome! They not only are teaching and dealing with the red tape of The VDOE but are also caring and nurturing.

Posted: March 13, 2018

Posted: March 13, 2018

They are willing to listen. The administration is quite new, all coming Saratoga in the past 4 years, but that’s what made the huge change. They have been the leaders to make Saratoga outstanding and continue to push the teachers and all faculty/staff to be accountable and make a difference.

Posted: March 13, 2018

This school has a wide range of demographics and backgrounds yet everything I am there the teachers are meeting the needs of the children.

Posted: March 13, 2018

Posted: March 8, 2018

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Posted: March 8, 2018

This school has a completely separate special-needs program and it’s very frustrating to see this school presented in a bad light because there are children there who’s problems are bigger than test scores. BOO ON YOU! You should be ashamed of yourself. Do some research before you go bagging on a school. The teachers and staff are top notch! I have dealt with Keene Mill (who has an 8 or 9 on the “great-schools” rating) and they called the police on my autistic child for hiding under a table. They also were not treating a super lice situation and I have actually had to pull my children out of that school completely.

Posted: March 8, 2018

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Posted: May 15, 2017

Because I can think this way it's my opinion and it's a great school

Posted: February 12, 2017

My daughter had a teacher who would embarrass her and berated her every day. She would come home crying had to switch class

Posted: May 18, 2016

Teachers and a new Principal and Vice that CARE. As with everything GREAT it takes time for it to reflect in the scores that measure scholastic aptitude... but we see the immeasurable in the home, a direct result of all the efforts made by this awesome team of teachers and solid leadership.

We have a big military community that supports the school, a great PTA, events that gather the community and a front office that keeps everyone involved and informed.

The experiences for the kids are there, moreover, education and parenting go hand in hand... you will receive more if you put in more with the children at home. We find that Saratoga has all the necessary tools and in time the numbers will reflect all of its accomplishment. Think of it as an IPO, invest into it while you can and collect and reap rewards because you had to the foresight to see its awesome potential! We did.

Posted: May 18, 2016

Consummate professionals who realize the effort it takes to run a great scholastic program. They care and it shows in the effort and learning progress we observe at home, the kids are happy and love their teachers!

Posted: May 18, 2016

Children have no filter, our daughter shares with us how happy she feels going to school. That sentiment can only come from others around her that are honest with their personal character and love for the kids the teach. Integrity is key for them to be able to reach into these young minds that have a barrage of information from social media and television. Never mind that you have to treat them with respect for them to feel they are also being treated fairly... the environment in Saratoga accomplishes all of these!

Posted: May 18, 2016

We feel that the teachers gauge where each child is and apportions the amount of work necessary to ensure the class realizes goals as a team and individuals that may need additional assistance. They have a great curriculum.

Posted: May 16, 2016

I would rate the academics as great. My daughter has experiences skilled, caring and consistent teachers from kindergarten to second grade. I am extremely impressed by the knowledge of my child's teachers.

Posted: August 11, 2015

3 of my daughters have gone to Saratoga. My third one is entering 2nd grade this Fall. My 2 older daughters are now in high school doing very well. We have had great experiences at Saratoga. It's hard to explain the ranking.

Posted: May 16, 2015

We have had nothing but positive experiences with Saratoga. My son came into kindergarten not knowing all his letters/sounds despite practice at home and now at the end of the year he is reading, he's writing stories, he comes home with a lot of good things to say about his day. They have had multiple family/learning centered activities in the evenings like a reading night, a math night, movie night, ice cream social at the beginning of the school year. My son's teacher is frequently at these late night events as well as many other faculty and staff. The admin is also visible at these events as well. Very pleased with Saratoga and our experience!

Posted: May 4, 2015

My daughter is in first grade. Her kindergarten and 1st grade teachers were/are both outstanding. My daughter could not read when she entered kindergarten. She exited kindergarten with a love for reading. She is a cautious child and her experience at Saratoga has given her more confidence to explore the world and interact with her peers. She also has thrived in the SACC and other extra curricular activities.

Posted: March 19, 2015

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my daughter's school. Saratoga Elementary School has been great for my super shy and highly intelligent daughter. This school has helped her mature socially and emotionally and well and encourage and enhance her academic curiosity. I am looking forward to my youngest daughter attending the school next year.

Posted: December 11, 2014

I am puzzled about the negative reviews for Saratoga Elementary. My experience with the school is overwhelmingly positive. My son and daughter have both had excellent teachers and are being challenged according to their abilities. The administration is very responsive to parental concerns and works hard to ensure appropriate classroom placement for students. The school also offers after school enrichment activities like Overtime Athletics, chess, and Saratoga Scientists that are fun for the kids. The student body is racially and socioeconomically diverse, but no particular group dominates. Everyone seems to get along and the students learn to respect differences. I have been very pleased with Saratoga and I'm quite surprised that the school only rates a 3. I think it deserves at least a 7. In fact, when my family recently moved, we chose to look for a home in the Saratoga school district rather than move to Burke or West Springfield where the schools are thought to be better. The low GreatSchools rating just doesn't match my experience with Saratoga.

Posted: June 19, 2014

In general, we have had a terrible experience at Saratoga and I whole heartedly agree with the "3" rating. First, you know there is a problem when half the teachers are new every year. I won't speak for all teachers, but there are a good majority that don't seem to care. Our 2nd grade teacher was very good about communicating with the parents, she sent home letters each week, etc. At the beginning of school this year, I waited and waited..our teacher never even sent home their contact information, welcome to my class, nothing. End of school this year and my son brings home unfinished art projects that they just didn't complete in class. My son was in the AAP III program and was not challenged at all. There is a complete focus on the children who are below the average for their grade. In my opinion, the children who are smart (but do not place in AAP IV) basically fall through the cracks. The grading has been an issue for me as well, but I am not sure if this is just this school or in general. Basically, if your child goes to this school plan on being their teacher in additional to your other parental duties.

Posted: March 27, 2014

We just moved in to this area and love this school. I am disappointed about some of the reviews. We have a 1st grader and a 2nd grader. The teachers have been welcoming and accommodating since we entered the school in January. My son was struggling with reading and writing and now two months here and he has been given extra help and has improved quickly. The teachers make time to talk to me when special circumstances come up like my sons reading and want the parents input. The principle is always around in the mornings and truly cares about the students. This is a great school and a few "bad apples" have taken the "score" down. I would recommend this school to anyone!

Posted: March 15, 2014

All three of my children attended Saratoga. My oldest daughter is currently in College. My Son is enrolled in the GT program at Mt. Vernon, and my youngest is currently in 5 grade at Saratoga. The have all placed in the Top of the SOL test while attending Saratoga. I have found the principle to very good.

Posted: January 26, 2014

My 1st daughter went to this school and she is now 17, doing great about to graduate from Lee High School. We loved Saratoga Elementary School because the principal & teachers were simply wonderful. Now I have a 5 year old in Kindergarten and the principal is still there, she cares so much she attends the graduation for all the kids that went to Saratoga and are now graduating from Lee High School. The teachers are wonderful and we are very happy with all the activities they have including ice cream socials, reading night for the parents and their children to attend and all kinds of hands on activities for the children to participate in. We love the school, the community and especially the staff, teachers and principal. Everyone cares so much and it shows. My 5 year old loves the computer time they get, library/reading time, recess and art! She is excelling in all activities so we are very happy.

Posted: January 14, 2014

I used to go to this school, and it was great. There was such a variaty of activities and hand-on things for kids, like International Night, Band, & SACC.

Posted: November 3, 2013

DISAPPOINTED by the Principal and my daughter's 2nd grade teacher. The principal has a MAJOR ego problem, you would like that after an incident occurs with a student and getting 3 phone calls and numerous emails from a worried parent, she would reach out to the parent however, I finally had to call the main office and tell them that my situation at which point they paged her and tracked her down for me. I would personally like to have her removed from Saratoga and bring in someone who is more open-minded, caring and available to parents and the kids. She is more of a dictator than a principal...and at the elementary level, its really unnecessary to have this attitude. These kids just need to feel accepted and comfortable and be in an environment where they can prosper and grow...unfortunately, that's the case. I am considering moving to get my daughter into a better school.

Posted: September 26, 2013

Saratoga is a school where the teachers care about their students. The teachers are available to to the students and the parents.

Posted: October 29, 2012

This is a large school in the Fairfax County with a diverse population (ethnicity, disabled, inclusion, etc) There are many school activities including a mentor program, International Night, Math Night, Ice Cream Social, assemblies on bullying, REACH reading program. There is attention to the arts, music, (band, choir, strings) and PE. A lot of technology is also used from Smart boards, to blackboard. I see so many parents rating this school sounding like they want specialized, individual treatment outside the norm. Or after care -which well the school isn't a daycare. It is hard to do when running something so large. From what I've seen of the Principal she is fair and plays by the rules. My son transferred here from a small private school 2 years ago, so it is hard for me to compare. Public school seems a lot easier and a little more chaotic and the transition was tough at first. But he is doing well. Unfortunately in this day and age of education a lot of resources have to be spent on the bottom 20%, and some on the top 20%...those like my son are a bit stuck in the middle coasting along. I do wish there was more parent/teacher interaction.

Posted: June 7, 2012

According to conversations I've had with several parents. We have come to the conclusion that Saratoga Elementary pick and chooses the child they want to cater to. Our children fall thru the wayside. We pretty much have to assume that we the parents will be our child's primary teacher. My guess is that very few teachers are pretty much satisfactory for the most part "C" and the others are failing our children "D". These same teachers return every year with the same below average results with lack of care and patients. Depending on which child they prefer to give more attention to, the child and their education are not Saratoga's top priority. The principal is not a final source to go to for a solution. She lacks care and compassion. In my opinion, I actually rate the principal at no-stars "F-for Failing our future". The only reason I give the school 2-stars, is because those are for the few teachers and staff that are trying. The principal should allow these people to run the school. :-(

Posted: February 15, 2012

My son attended this school for 3 years, and my daughter for 3 months, before I removed them both. I am so dissapointed with the lack of help offered by the Principal, but mostly by the apathetic attitude of a my daughters' Kindergarten teacher. My daughter was so advanced in her reading abilities, and even though I constantly asked for her to be put in a reading group that met her needs, it did not happen. The teacher did nothing to help her progress. It was very dissapointing. The office staff however, are very helpful. My son was in third grade, and his teacher was grumpy. Why teach?

Posted: December 19, 2011

This school could benefit if the Principal would show interest in the child s well-being. All my children have come through this school and as of my last child attending. Unfortunately, there hasn t been much change in the principal s attitude. She is very shallow, uninvolved, not really interested in having any extra activity in the school "before or after school". In theory, if it wasn t for SACC being a Fairfax County Gov. program she probably wouldn t have that either. One thing she will get involved in is when a child needs to be disciplined, but that doesn t mean much if the principal is not taking extra steps to make the discipline a learning experience. Discipline should teach the child an alternative way of going about handling life circumstances.

Posted: July 5, 2010

i went to school here when i was a child and the teachers were great!! Some of them were really strict but i didn't hate it. We did all kinds of great activities and some of the teachers were very involved came up with great methods of teaching. At least that's what i remember! I loved it! if i lived in the area my kids would definitely go to that school!