Chesterbrook Elementary School

Posted: June 18, 2022

Not as good school as Haycock ES.

Posted: June 18, 2022

Posted: February 11, 2022

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Posted: February 11, 2022

This elementary school has been wonderful. The teachers and staff have been very helpful and attentive to the student's needs. They also offer many resources to help with learning and social skills as needed.

Posted: May 12, 2020

Some teachers exhibit open hate acts with any regard. Seems like this is a different part of the country.

Posted: May 12, 2020

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Posted: April 15, 2020

There are some fantastic teachers here who really treat students well and want the best for them. But there is also a wickedness hanging in the air and where that is coming from looks like the admin.

Posted: April 15, 2020

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Posted: April 13, 2020

Yep. A last confederate stronghold. Even if you not a minority, the real bullies here are not the students.
There are some good teachers, though.

Posted: April 13, 2020

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Posted: April 13, 2020

Teachers are variable and some display disdain towards students. Administration is tone deaf with regard to complaints.

Posted: April 13, 2020

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Posted: April 13, 2020

There is bias here. Even if your child get >95% in CogAT and NNAT test scores your child may not be selected for AAP level 4/gifted class. They use a "holistic" Harvard system- so just be aware.

Posted: April 13, 2020

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Posted: February 9, 2019

Posted: February 9, 2019

I think they should have a form on the website that allows student to submit a bullying complaint like Longfellow has. Bullying is starting earlier and earlier, and there needs to be a way for a child to be heard and incidents responded to even if a parent is unaware.

Posted: February 9, 2019

Overall, it has been good, and if you are in AAP, then it is great. But there are some weaknesses in how they manage difficult behavior and how the 6th graders are being prepared for middle school.

Posted: February 9, 2019

Posted: February 9, 2019

I don't think teachers are given the tools they need to discipline children with behavior issues. The parents are likely difficult to manage too by the way, so I the school really needs to think about an overall approach to getting troublesome students back on track, and helping teachers focus more on teaching.

Posted: February 9, 2019

I think the new Principal is introducing character curriculum into the school, and I am happy to see that development.

Posted: February 9, 2019

I think the new Principal has many challenges, and she so far is tackling them well. She started in August of 2018.

Posted: February 22, 2018

Overrated. Some great teachers but in general this school is resting on the laurels of past achievement. It is trending down and due to community arrogance and a vested interest in concealing flaws, is not able to improve. We are pulling are child out.

Posted: February 22, 2018

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Posted: January 28, 2018

Excellent school. Private school experience at a public school. AAP program is strong, not overbearing and has a reasonable amount of homework. Strong PTA funding and support with terrific field trips and activities. Hands down best elementary school in fairfax county (test scores aren't everything).

Posted: January 28, 2018

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Posted: March 13, 2017

This is a top rate school. The climate and quality are equivalent to that of a private school. I am grateful for for the correspondence with my son's teachers and their receptiveness to my questions. The principal, Mr. Fuqua, is absolutely wonderful. We felt warmly welcomed the very first day I set foot in the school. I can't speak highly enough in praise of the school.

Posted: April 4, 2016

Posted: April 4, 2016

This varies depending on the class and grade. In our son's 4th grade year we felt he was appropriately challenged. In the 5th grade, we feel the homework load is a little light.

Posted: April 4, 2016

Posted: April 4, 2016

Our son is in his second year at CES, having transferred from another school in the area. Like anything, there have been things that weren't perfect, but the good definitely outweighs the bad here.

The teachers have been great. Though the classes are bigger than his old school, we feel like his teachers have a much better sense of who he is and what he needs. The team teaching environment has been great. The academic program allows him to excel and move ahead in the subjects for which he has more ability, and gives him support in the areas he is weaker. The moving around between levels mentioned by another reviewer is done every quarter based on testing. That is made clear from day one. Talking to your kids at the turn of the quarter will give you that information.

The teachers, for their part, have always been willing to meet when we asked, and we do regular checkups with them just to make sure we, and they, have information they need.
Even the principle will always take time to schedule a meeting and answer any questions. You just have to be proactive as a parent and not expect them to do it all for you.

Posted: February 25, 2016

We relocated from the Gulf Coast and have enjoyed our experience at this school. There are a lot of opportunities for the children. The student body is diverse.

Posted: February 8, 2015

We moved to this school a little over a year ago, and I have to say, I am a little disappointed with the communication, or lack there of, at this school. Granted, the academic programs and the extracurricular activities offered are excellent, but we have found the office staff to be, for the most part, unfriendly and unhelpful (this is based on numerous data points). Furthermore, we are not being notified about things that we believe parents should be notified. For example, our children have gone to the nurse's office because they were not feeling well, though we were never contacted by the school. Each of our children have come home to report that they have been moved up to a more advanced math class, though we were never told this by the school. Only by asking their teachers did we confirm this. It seems to me that if a child is being moved to a different level of math, reading, or whatever, this should be communicated to the parents. So, it is a mixed bag. The opportunities here are good, but we don't feel good about our relationship with this school.

Posted: April 1, 2014

I have been very impressed with the overall leadership from the principal and the attention each student receives at the school. I love that the principal is at the door to greet every child as they walk into/leave the school (usually by name). The teachers (and principal) are very receptive to parent involvement and have always been very responsive to any questions I may have regarding my children's progress/education. The PTA and parents at the school have made it possible to offer many enrichment programs before/after school, as well as funding for new technology, playground equipment and library books. I would highly recommend this school!

Posted: October 20, 2013

Culture of kindness! Principal sets the tone and excellent teachers and caring parent community reinforce. My 2 kids are happy to go every day and are challenged by the curriculum. Music, art, and chinese culture/language program are bonuses.

Posted: September 30, 2013

Chesterbrook is near perfect! A+ from this parent! The principal, teachers and staff care about the education of the kids and about their overall welfare. The students are friendly and the enviroment is welcoming.

Posted: June 12, 2013

The Principle of this school is probably the best thing about Chesterbrook. Always involved and always pleasent to be around. Teachewrs and Parent will do all it takes to amke sure not a single kid has been left behind.

Posted: March 12, 2013

Chesterbrook has exceptional teachers, aides, principal and environment. The kids learn so much and it's not overwhelming. I opted my child out of the FLE program and it worked out great. If a school could ever be perfect then Chesterbrook would certainly be!

Posted: April 22, 2012

We have recently moved to this school from Australia. From the minute I walked in the door I was impressed. The office staff were so helpul and both the Principal and Assistant Principal were amazing. Very professional and approachable and passionate about the children and the school. They met with us to ensure our daughter was put in the right grade level for her abilities and her new teachers have been so caring, helpful and attentive. We have truly hit the jackpot with this wonderful school. The PTA are very strong at this school, with great parent involvement and fund raising.

Posted: March 25, 2012

This may be the "hidden gem" of all McLean's elementary schools. It's small enough that every child will be able to get the attention he deserves, and it's obvious from the moment you walk in the door that the teachers are happy -- and that they are well-supported by an amazing principal. The level of parent support is also key to Chesterbrook's success. I must respectfully disagree with the parent who wrote about Chesterbrook not being able to deal with an extremely gifted child; I can't speak to that parent's experience, of course, but we have seen that the level of individual attention -- and the influence of some amazing special ed. teachers, who know all about how to deal with kids who are "twice exceptional" -- mean that bright kids at Chesterbrook won't waste their years before "gifted & talented" education kicks in (in 3rd grade). Every class has differentiated teaching and every teacher seems to strive for a nearly individualized approach to education. If you live in this neighborhood, there is no reason to waste your money on private schools. Chesterbrook is everything public education ought to be throughout the country.

Posted: April 10, 2011

Parent of two children attending Chesterbrook ES. We could not be happier with this school, its teachers and the administration. Coming from a small private school we carefully researched ESs in McLean and Great Falls and focused on 2 schools that met our needs for a school and neighborhood - Churchill and Chesterbrook. We chose Chesterbrook. The principal is friendly and ever-present in the hallways. The teachers are a great mix of energy and experience. The administration is friendly and helpful. The only criticism would be the school's decision (need?) to spend considerable resources on a very small percentage of the student population sometimes to the neglect of the larger population.