Signal Hill Elementary School in Manassas Park, Virginia

“I have had three children attend this school and my family has bee involved with the school for 8 years. While there are some nice elements to the school: anti-bullying program and the learning garden to name a few there really is a lack of solid leadership at the school. My children went from a very strctured preschool where things like table manners were reinforced to a school where there are no teachers in or near the cafeteria during the entire lunch period. They rely on the cafeteria workers to handle the discipline for the room along with doing their primary job. All teachers and adminstrators eat tucked away--far removed from the chaos. My children have learned disgusting table manners at this school. My children haven't been challenged by any teachers. I feel that the teachers are aiming to get all children to be 'average': what an aspiration!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My children are very smart and have never fit 'inside the box'. They have their own style of doing things. Some of the teachers there want to force children like mine to fit inside that box. Other than that I love the school and have spent many hours voluntering there.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have a first grader at Signal Hill who is above average in math and reading. Her teacher has given her the attention she needs to excell and not get bored with the classwork. The communication from her teacher has been helpful. It is a little overcrowded currently (2008-09), but that will be changing next year when another school in the area finishes its remodeling. Overall we've been very pleased! I love their garden program.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“They have excellant teacher and are the best for your child”
This review was posted by a student.

“The staff at Signal Hill is fantastic. They are inspired and inspiring. The French program is really wonderful.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school is wonderful! My fourth grader has been inspired by the teachers and subjects taught. He started off doing average and is now doing well above average. The teachers are to be credited with the improvement. My first grader is doing average or better in everything but reading. Recognizing that she needs a little extra help, the school referred her to a reading recovery specialist. They called me in to talk with the specialist so I know what steps they are taking and what I can do to reinforce this when she is home. The communication between the teachers and the parents is outstanding and the principal is everything a principal should be. Only suggestion I have is I would like for a sidewalk to be built on Signal Hill Rd from Liberia Ave to the school. That would let parents be more actively involved during school programs and such.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Signal Hill Elementary is a very decent school. In my view, the school is well-managed. My kids have been attending that school for about three years now. I have very few complaints. The teaching staff is doing a great job. The only improvement that I would like to see is an improvement in the communication with the administrive staff. By the way, their anti-bullying policy is great and I love the Annual Heritage Day event!!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We have been 100 % pleased with Signal Hill Elementary. Teachers are enthusiastic, with a good teacher to student ratio and the school has a wonderful positive attitude. There always seems to be something to be involved in if you would like, from a wonderful assortment of extracurricular activities to fun family functions. Most importantly, my children LOVE school, are HAPPY and can't wait to go to school everyday.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I'm not impressed with this school at all.Being new to the area and having a child start kindergarten, you would think that there would be more info to parents about the programs, there is a lack of organization, lack of communication from the principal leadership down. It is over crowded. And then that PTA, that is just a joke! It is a click,. Overall will be glad to leave..”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My [child] has had several issues at this school primarily do to the lack of leadership by the administration. He had two teachers in a row take maturnity leave early in the school year. The school chose to use different substitues for the majority of one of the school years instead of replacing her with a perminent sub until she returned. Teaching stafff has also talked down to us as parents during meetings. Avoid this school under current leadership.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My fourth grader loves this school. I feel that all of her teachers have been outstanding and yes they do have programs for spanish but my daughter says it doesn't interfere with what they do in class.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“If you can avoid this school, it is the best optoin. Unsatisfactory programs, adminstration can't 'adminsiter', there really needs to be a change at this school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“A nice variety of program are available. Teachers are usually young and while they might be smart, they lack practical application and experience to properly deal with a variety of kids or the teachers are very experienced and then they have lost the motivation to tackle a new way of approaching a topic with the children. It seems to be a 'top down' approach to not bring parents in as partners in education. Our family has found it very frustrating to stay involved in our child's educational experience (including education, discipline and extracurricular activities). Much of the information that comes home is outdated, events have already occurred and they certainly don't keep a website with updated information. The only thing useful I have pulled from the website is the telephone number for the school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is a Great school!! Both of my children (6) and (10) attend Signal Hill and they love it. The teachers are very respectful and this school is more organized than the majority. Great School!!!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We will be moving since this school is over crowded and in a somewhat poor area of the county. The school spends a lot of time with the non-english speaking students. Also not at all happy with the lack of communication.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I haven't had the best of luck with this school, from lack of communication to a poor level of positive enforcement.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“So far I am not impressed, and would have never moved to this area if I had been aware of the lack of organization and programs this school has to offer. This school does not have a SAC program available, my child is to old for a daycare center. Communication is poor and activities poorly organized, arrival time is strict.”
This review was posted by a parent.