Nurturing environment that expects every child to rise to excellence, but appreciates every child…read moreas unique. Emphasizes character, sports, & STEM learning. Great parent community. Students from many different backgrounds and countries. I feel that every adult in that building knows and loves every child in that building.

I have 4 kids two of which are attending Green Hedges. Also, I have attended both private and…read morepublic schools growing up. From my personal experience, this school's attention and love for the kids is as good as it gets. The experience and education these kids get is amazing. I feel so lucky every time I think about having such an amazing school for my kids to attend. Both of our kids just love the program and it has felt amazing to see how much they have grown from attending the school and interacting with the other kids. The staff is amazing and the families that we have met clearly have core values and a focus that we want our kids to be around.

My family toured many of the private schools in the area before landing on Nysmith for our child…read more The whole family, including our child, couldn't be happier with our choice. I am a Nysmith alum and know firsthand the value of the education they provide. It's been amazing to see how they've preserved and built upon the core experience and vision that founder Carol Nysmith built. To be clear, I have no incentive to post this review other than to help other families in the area consider Nysmith as a choice for their children. Before we chose Nysmith, e considered and toured a number of schools, including Basis Independent, Flint Hill, Ideaventions, Pinecrest, and Edlin. Most of these are among the top ranked schools in Northern Virginia. We felt that Nysmith had the best blend of factors for our child. - Academics: Nysmith has incredible academics, highly personalized to meet each individual child's needs. Nysmith's roots are in nurturing gifted/talented children, and with that approach comes the understanding that not every child is equally advanced in every subject. Some other schools will assign lots of homework to kids, which isn't really our vision for academic success. We like Nysmith's approach, which is to cultivate and nurture a love of learning rather than to put kids on a treadmill of endless homework. We also like that Nysmith integrates subject matter expertise into their curriculum from kindergarten onward: math experts teach math, science teachers teach science, rather than one teacher teaching all or most subjects - Size: Nysmith is bigger and more established than some of the younger "startup" schools. The classes are big enough that your child will have multiple sections of students to be friends with, they won't be siloed with only 5 or 10 classmates. Teacher ratios are still great - Teachers and Staff: Nysmith's teachers are qualified and smart, which you'll get at most private schools. But there's a key difference: they seem happier and more engaged than at any other school in the area. Retention is incredible: some of the Nysmith teachers have been there for over 25 years - since I was a student in the 90s! - Facilities and resources: Nysmith has a great facility that still has the DNA of a school rather than a country club. The facility is big, the playground is great, everything feels new, bright, and spacious - Community - We're still early in our experience with Nysmith but the PTO seems very engaged with many events scheduled. By reputation, Nysmith has one of the strongest communities of any school in the area

They tout coding and robotics, but their approach is likely to produce robots that code, not…read morecritical thinkers who can innovate. Beneath Ken Nysmith's slick salesmanship and the forced smiles that greet you, lies a far more sinister reality that belies the promise of "joy-filled, personalized learning". If you're seeking a school that truly nurtures your child's heart and mind, look elsewhere! Wellbeing and emotional support are woefully neglected at Nysmith. This place sees no problem in breaking spirits, crushing individuality and forcing students into a rigid mold that stifles their unique potential and confines them to narrow expectations. Question the status quo, and you'll be met with contempt. Conformity is the sole currency valued here! Think The Bible, Torah, or Quran -- immutable and infallible. . . I have met a few great teachers but admin pressure seems to leave them little bandwidth to connect, coach, or inspire students (despite the low student-to-teacher ratios). Humans are wired to thrive in safe, supportive spaces where even mistakes become stepping stones to learning. Nysmith is NOT that space. You've been warned!

I went to St. Timothy's from 1990 - 1994. While I really enjoyed the religious aspect of the school…read more(their religion classes were top notch) the educational portion of the school was questionable. I begged to be let into public school like my neighborhood friends the last three years of elementary school and even as a kid I was blown away by how much better the local public school was. You would think a private school would have more resources than a public school but this is not the case in Fairfax County where our education system is ballin. Many many many moons later, I had a friend who enrolled her kid in a private religious school and ended up moving him to public school a year later for the exact same reason I stated. The one thing that was awesome / appalling about St. Tim's was their utter disrespect for healthy school lunches in the 90's. They literally would cater our school lunches from McDonalds, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut. Oh memories.

Saint Timothy Catholic School has been wonderful to our 2 daughters! They have been going to St…read more Tim's for 3 years now. We can see our children going here for years to come. The staff and teachers are super friendly and caring. Christ presence in the school is truly a reflection on this community. My children feel challenged academically and spiritually. The teachers care for each child and there are daily/weekly updates on each season of the school year!

The Appletree School is very well managed. Management team is very professional with real love and…read morecare of the kids and their families in the school. Teachers and staffs are super warm and patient. Communications with teachers are very easy and pleasant. There is daily report to summarize a kid's day in the school from academic activities to special classes, like Spanish, PE, etc. There are also optional classes, such as ballet, martial arts, soccer, etc. It's very convenient for busy parents so they don't need to drive kids around for activities during weekends. Spatial main playground has slides, soccer area, swings, etc. The other small playground has slides, small house, etc, which are perfect for younger kids. Unless the weather is too bad, there is always outside time for kids to play safely and happily. Summer time is even more fun in the Appletree School: many field trips to all those exciting places, Circus Day with a lot of outdoor and indoor games, etc. I would recommend the Appletree School to anyone looking for a great place for their kids!

Our Daughter did the Kindergarten program this past year and from the very beginning we had a great…read moreexperience! This little school is so homy and everyone in the staff is very friendly and approachable. We were very sad when the year was over and that meant no more Appletree for us. We felt at home so quickly with everyone here. The communications with the teachers were always quick, professional and helpful for both us parents and for our kid. They have great after school extra curriculum activities like ballet, karate, soccer, drawing. The kids are never bored and always interacting, socializing, learning, playing and growing healthy here at Appletree. Both Ms. Heather and Ms. Katy are so loving and approachable. We will always remember our Appletree family with much love and fondness!

If I could give more than 5 stars, I absolutely would! This school is not just the best Islamic…read moreschool in the world--it's the best in the entire universe. From the moment you walk through the doors, you're welcomed with warmth, sincerity, and the light of true knowledge. The teachers don't just educate--they inspire, nurture, and guide with heart and wisdom. The balance between deen and dunya is perfectly struck, offering students not only academic excellence but deep-rooted Islamic values that will carry them through life. The environment is safe, encouraging, and spiritually uplifting. The Qur'an and Islamic studies programs are phenomenal, and the character of the students is a true reflection of the school's powerful impact. It's rare to find a place that feels like both a second home and a stepping stone to Jannah--but this school is exactly that. Truly a gem, a blessing, and a dream for any parent or student seeking excellence in both faith and education and even the Arabic language 10/10 would recommend--actually, 1000/10!

My experience at this private school was frustrating, overly controlling, and academically…read moredisappointing. One moment that still stands out happened during lunch when I was seated with younger students, around 9 years old. One of the kids criticized another student for eating McDonald's because it was "unhealthy" and claimed he never ate fast food. I pointed out that he was literally eating Subway, which is also fast food, and called him a hypocrite. The child started crying, reported me to the principal, and I was immediately pulled into the office. Instead of handling the situation rationally, the principal accused me of using a "curse word" because I said "hypocrite," then launched into a religious lecture about how God curses hypocrites and how I should never use that word, even if what I said was true. It felt less like discipline and more like being shamed for basic honesty and critical thinking. The school also enforced rules in ways that felt extreme and disconnected from reality. At one point I had a very short haircut, yet staff told me it was "haram" because the sides were faded -- despite the top being just as short and not even long enough to comb. It came across as nitpicking appearances rather than focusing on education or character. What made the environment even more infantilizing was the way students were treated regardless of age. I was 14 years old and still being escorted around 15 feet to my father's car by a student patrol member who was literally 9 years old. Experiences like this made the school feel unnecessarily controlling and embarrassing instead of supportive or academically focused. Academically, I genuinely have no idea what kind of education this school advertises or how my parents believed it was acceptable. Looking back, I'm extremely glad I was pulled out. The school seemed far more focused on religious studies than on building strong academic foundations, yet many of the instructors did not seem qualified to properly teach either. I remember answering extremely basic questions that any average 9th grader in a public school should know, and the students around me reacted as if I were some kind of genius. The academic standard honestly did not feel comparable to even a general education class in Fairfax County public schools. If your goal is for your child to become well-rounded, intellectually sharp, and properly prepared for higher education or the real world, I would strongly reconsider enrolling them here. Unless your only priority is having your child heavily immersed in the school's particular interpretation of Islam and religious instruction, I believe the academic environment does students a disservice rather than helping them grow.

First, racism comes from non-Saudis, and the school's bad reputation was the result of the actions…read moreof foreigners in it... Second, the school is primarily intended for Muslims, so it is obvious to teach them how to pray correctly and to teach them not to celebrate the holidays of other religions, and this is what public schools do. I have not seen a public school celebrate or support Muslim holidays.

Unfortunately I had to pay the tuition fee of $970/month for a bad experience with this school. I…read morenoticed there is a discriminations against non-saudi students also the teaching system is not profesional and teach students exterem things. I notice that they teach them that Christmas is bad thing, Easter is bad thing ......which I did not like it at all. I have to say that teachers are very nice and doing thier best but administration and principal are NOT professional at all. Do NOT get fooled about this school. if you want to teach your kids Arabic and Islam there is much better places than here. If you hear about this school just RUN AWAY.............................

Submitted application back in November. School promised to reach out to me in January for a child…read moreassessment. Didn't hear anything from them until March so I reached out to them. The answer was my child application was still incomplete. At that point, their admission process was pointless, and I was no longer interested sending my child there. However, they already withdrew my $75 back in November. Why would they take my money when application was incomplete, and they didn't perform child assessment yet. Long story short, they gave out absurd excuses and the whole process was just a mess. Big waste of time and money. Out of multiple schools I applied to, this school was by far the most disorganized, money-driven school. I highly doubt quality of education from this school. I'm glad my child will be attending other school.

Warning to parents - my 18m old daughter's teacher at Merritt DISLOCATED her elbow in what was…read moresupposedly an age appropriate disciplinary action! Dept of Social Services has investigated and cited Merritt for multiple violations (please view the report linked below). Our daughter's teacher lifted her by the forearm from a seated position to a standing position, immediately dislocating her elbow and causing her agonizing pain. We had to take her to the ER to have her elbow reset, which is an extremely painful process. I know exactly what happened because there is video surveillance of the incident. You do not have to trust my word - the Department of Social Services investigated, cited Merritt for 3 violations, and detailed the incident themselves. Their findings against Merritt are public info: https://dss.virginia.gov/facility/search/cc2.cgi?rm=Inspection;Inspection=135089;ID=9599;search_keywords_name=Merritt%20academy;#Violations Look at the Dept of Social Service's findings (based on their review of the classroom video surveillance) - my daughter TOOK A BOOK from another child, and for that the teacher said "really girl!", yanked her angrily from a seated position to a standing position (immediately dislocating her elbow) and then LEFT HER TO CRY after she was injured. Thank GOD for cameras or we would never have known what happened that day.

Life Changing! This was our first year at Oakwood, and despite COVID, it was by far the best year…read moreof school that my daughter has ever had. She thrived academically, emotionally and socially. She now loves to read and write stories, and she is happy to do her homework everyday, with out any prodding from me. Best of all, she now believes in herself and her ability to learn. They handled the distance learning brought on by COVID beautifully, and she was able to keep learning and engaging with her class and teachers all the way through the end of school. My only regret is that I didn't start her at Oakwood two years earlier.

Incredible School. I attended Oakwood School for nine years because I got diagnosed with Dyslexia,…read moreDyscalculia and some executive functioning issues when I was seven years old. Oakwood school's owners and staff have been wonderful throughout my education. Had it not been for Oakwood School I would have never been able to graduate from High School and graduate from Northern Va Community College with an Associates degree of science with a Major in General Studies. I give Oakwood School Five Stars because the teachers work very hard to teach and inspire their students.

Having two school aged children we looked into and toured what felt like every school in NOVA. I…read morecannot more highly recommend ICS. It did take us a few years to get in because we didn't start applying until my kids were in upper elementary and middle school grades but it was worth every second of the wait. The staff is unbelievably kind and supportive, from support staff to teachers to the Administrators. ICS has wonderfully robust programming for a private school. They also create so many opportunities for families to serve and partner with the school. If strong Christian values and character building are at the top of your list for your family in a private school, ICS will exceed all your expectations.

Our son - Cody - enjoys Immanuel Christian School immensely! Now in 6th Grade, he continues to…read morethrive in an environment that focuses on Love of God & Jesus, Education, Family, and Country. The teachers and faculty stand out as World Class and truly care about the children in a manner that makes them feel special as do families. Christian values weave into everything and teach children how live their lives the right way which can't be found in public schools. The academics challenge students beyond all expectations, and our son feels energized to learn and excel. The Strings Orchestra provides a rich musical opportunity for our son whose talent as a violinist shines bright. Athletics and club activities provide many opportunities for additional growth. Our family feels honored to be part of such a special school and community. We most highly recommend ICS for Christian parents who want the very best for their children. Our beloved son deserves the best in life; ICS delivers the best!

Our child is enrolled in Congressional School's kindergarten program. We are relatively new to the…read moreschool, but we extremely pleased that we made the decision to send him to this school. The class sizes are small and the student to teacher ratio is very low. In addition to that, the kids see several specialist teachers (art, music, P.E., foreign language) throughout the week which allows the main kindergarten teachers ample time to set up for special projects, etc. One specific reason that we are really happy with the school is that our son is reading at well above grade level, and the school has resource teachers that can help assist with children who are both higher and lower performing. This was very important to us because we did not want our son to be bored. I have been extremely impressed at the individual levels of attention that were given to the kids by our son's kindergarten teachers in order to assess each child's educational background and work with the children from where their own personal starting point was. The kindergarten teachers here all have many years of experience, which is great. All of the teachers and the administration are very warm and enthusiastic. The school has a good sense of community and everyone seems to get very involved and genuinely enjoy themselves. Even though the academics are very high caliber, there also seems to be a large emphasis on fun and play, which is also very important to us. The kindergarten students have P.E. 4 out of every 6 days, they also have recess every day, and in addition to that they also take "brain breaks" where they play short, fun games such as "Duck, Duck, Goose" to get the energy out. It concerns me when I hear about other schools that are cutting things such as physical activity and play. (This was a main reason why we chose a private school.) One other thing to mention is that the campus itself is absolutely gorgeous, and the school building is very nice as well, particularly the large gym. Just being in the environment is very pleasant. The kids get a lot of opportunities to get out into nature which is another thing that is very important to me. We are very happy that our child is enrolled here. I truly feel that he is having a great educational experience. Also, he enjoys coming to school each day and he is excited about learning.

This place is always causing a significant traffic back up for the surrounding area. There is…read moreconstantly a quarter to half mile line of cars that are always delayed because the school needs its own separate traffic up. They really need to figure out a better way.