Willow Springs Elementary School

Posted: February 2, 2023

Posted: February 2, 2023

Posted: February 2, 2023

Posted: February 2, 2023

Posted: February 2, 2023

Posted: February 2, 2023

Posted: February 2, 2023

A great elementary school should have amazing teachers, fun activities, and a safe and clean environment. I would say that Willow Springs has all of these things! The teachers are kind, knowledgeable, and always there to help. The students do fun projects and play games that make learning exciting. The school is also always clean and safe, making it a great place for kids to learn and grow. Overall, I highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a fantastic elementary school experience!

Posted: February 2, 2023

Posted: September 18, 2019

Amazing! My two children went through the school and were well prepared for middle school.

Posted: September 18, 2019

Not heavy on homework. Respects family time.

Posted: September 18, 2019

They are implementing the Positivity Project and are a Responsive Classroom school.

Posted: September 18, 2019

Posted: September 18, 2019

Posted: September 18, 2019

Posted: August 23, 2018

Posted: August 23, 2018

Posted: August 23, 2018

Posted: August 23, 2018

Posted: August 23, 2018

Posted: August 23, 2018

Posted: August 23, 2018

we moved into our house to attend this school. we love it here

Posted: May 24, 2017

Posted: May 24, 2017

Posted: May 24, 2017

Posted: May 24, 2017

Posted: May 24, 2017

Posted: May 24, 2017

Posted: May 24, 2017

I think WS is an amazing school. My three children are very happy and so are we. Teachers are amazing and the staff in the clinic is outstanding too!

Posted: February 1, 2015

This is an amazing school! I go here and at my old school here in Fairfax county I got bullied. But at this school I have not been bullied at all, I don't even know if I was made fun of.

Posted: January 19, 2015

I have had 2 children attend Willow Springs. There are some good teachers there. I agree with the other reviews, the principal, Mrs. Rhein and her chilly administration are more focused on the school's and her reputation than creating a positive learning environment for students and teachers. One of my son's favorite teachers was apparently "squeezed out" and I hear this is typical at WS. A friend of mine that works for FCPS says the WS administration is notorious for being difficult. No wonder they have such high teacher turnover. We are now at Forestville and the principal and the teaching staff have been amazing. A big change from Willow Springs.

Posted: June 19, 2013

Willow Springs administration is definetly the weak link at this school. As cold and sterile as this school is, the focus really isn't on academics. I say this as an AAP parent who has become very frustrated with this school and it's ability to challenge gifted children. Why be an AAP Center if you are not going to embrace it? PTA and parent involvement are the best thing going for this school. There are also some great teachers here, but there is significant turnover from year to year which is telling.

Posted: June 8, 2013

hi, I go to willow springs and im in 6th grade. I think the school is awesome! the teachers are great and the strings/band and chrous concerts are really fun. the teachers are actually very helpful! also I help out with the autistic ids and we take great care of them, so the person who commented on the autism stuff if wrong! I hate the principal, but I don't know why... its the best school ever

Posted: May 26, 2012

Willow Springs is a good school, but I agree with some of the comments about poor administration. It is true that the school ran out of copy paper several months in a row this year, which is inexcusable. I think that shows poor management of resources. Also, most classes are now overcrowded, and those triangular shaped rooms don't help. New teachers seem to come and go quickly, due I think to the administration's rigidity. My child has loved his teacher each of the 3 years we've been there, and has done well academically. But I also agree that the general ed kids get overlooked and are made to feel inferior to the AAP kids. And the school definitely "teaches to the test" to achieve those high SOL scores. Parents are asked to contribute an awful lot in time and money - more so than any other school we've been at (other FCPS schools as well as other states). Luckily the parents are very supportive, but I do think the administration takes advantage of their willingness to help.

Posted: March 1, 2012

My daughter is currently a 6th grade AAP student in this school. My older daughter was enrolled in this school also, but she wasn't in AAP. Although the school lacks in some caring feelings, the academic program is exquisite. Both of my daughters test scores increased by a profitable amount, and almost all of the teachers I speak highly of. Their SCA, and spirit nights/days are always a source of fun for my daughter. I have spoken often with their principal, and I respect and think highly of her.

Posted: February 26, 2012

I'm quite happy about the school at first time when I believe and send my son to one of the Kindergarten classes here. We'll send my daughter to this school this September as well. We wish all teachers and the Principal all the best in upcoming time.

Posted: December 8, 2011

I am not happy with the school at all. My child is a kindergardener, just started this year, and so far my experience is the worst. I have another child who graduated Fairfax County Public School, not Willow Spring, and never had any problem with any. Teacher and school administration at Willow Spring do not listen to parents or students. They have their own way of dealing with issues. In a constant need of volunteers or regular 81/2 by11 white paper, maybe the school needs to look over their management and expense budget, never seen a school before asking for those things. I was even thinking to suggest among parents to help with paper supply until i saw how the school was wasting a piece of paper everyday at kiss&ride. Please look over the management and your school budget.

Posted: September 2, 2011

This school is excellent. It is a GT magnet school which accounts for some of the high test scores, however, that is only <50% of the students, and after watching my daughter graduate . I was stunned by the amount of students graduating with either the Presidential Excellence awards or Presidential Scholarship awards. Out of roughly 120 6th graders, about 10 did not meet the criteria. Most hit the higher award. Don t be mislead by some other posters poor reviews; they have an ax to grind somewhere. According to the county regulations a child cannot be squeezed out due to poor achievement, it is against the law. About being the most warm and friendly, maybe not, but it has more to do with the neighborhoods surrounding the school. Most children come from high achieving, high income type A parents which are very involved and focused on the kid s educations and not the touchy feely things. As far as the arts/creativity question goes,>50% of the school plays an instrument, participates in chorus or the school plays. The school has received several awards for it excellence in education, music and the arts. My children have enjoyed their teachers and school.