Horrible. Rigid, unreasonably structural, not even remotely understanding of different needs. One little girl (middle school age) wasn't allowed to leave her classroom to use the restroom. She actually needed to change her menstrual pad, but couldn't! Another child was denied a water fountain break after playing sports. And I could go on... The school is all about control and the headmaster's ego. And about school plays. . Please, keep your children far far away! There are other excellent private schools in our area and we are also fortunate enough to have very good public schools too. read more

Griffin Academy Preschool We have not started the grade school yet so this is for the preschool only. We were so pleased with the preschool we are enrolling our son here for kindergarten. First and foremost - Don't be put off by the uniforms - this place is not some stuffy boarding school! The sense of community here this program's biggest strength and they work very hard to foster it. To us, it felt like an extended family, which I think is lacking so much in this area. The school provides so many opportunities for parents and family to engage with the school and the other students. It's also a very small preschool and grade school, so everyone gets to know each other. Even the older grade children engage with younger children on certain activities, which further enhances this sense of community across ages. Our child has been at the preschool for the past two years and I'm continually impressed by how well this program is run. It really is in a league of its own. I should note that we tried three other preschools before dining this gem, so we had a lot to compare to. The preschool teachers and admin have been working together for a while (+10 years) so it is a very well run machine. I always felt like my child was cared for and his best interests were at heart. Communication with the school was easy and transparent. The teachers and admin had an open door if I had any questions or wanted to talk more. The curriculum was fun and engaging. I felt like they thoroughly prepared him to enter kindergarten and to be a model young man. Just last week all the kids had caterpillars and watched them turn into butterflies over a few weeks. They constantly have these cool hands-on activities. We have another child and he will definitely be going here. I'm honestly so surprised it's not more popular, it is an incredible preschool program. All preschools in this area are $$$ and this program is no different. It's probably on the higher end, but it is 100% worth it. Cost was a big factor for us, but it's so so many miles ahead of the other schools that it was justified. read more

I attended this school from 2nd-8th grade. I wish I could warn every parent thinking about sending their child to this school. It is way too expensive for what it is. The teachers are okay, but not qualified. Public school teachers have more qualifications. The staff is questionable. There are a lot of children of staff or former staff working there. The people who run the school are Ellis Glover (Headmaster) and Nancy Schuler. They are siblings. Glover is extremely emotional and I can't count how many times he threw a tantrum to us students after one thing didn't go his way in play practice (acting wasnt up to his standards or kids were acting up). It was almost as if he was going to cry at times. He has no life outside of these plays and acts as if he is a Broadway director. This school really enjoys reprimanding the students. If you don't attend an optional event, you are outspokenly reprimanded and punished. One time, during 8th grade play practice, my dad wanted to pick me up early since I was not going to see him for a month (business trip). Glover and Glazier picked a fight with him and punished me the next day in his office because of this. They felt that 8th grade play practice was WAY more important than me spending time with my dad who I wasn't going to see for a while. Another time, I didn't want to attend the optional school dance and Schuler saw me in the hallway and talked to me for an hour about how disappointed in me she was. At times, it felt like emotional abuse. They also encourage graduates to attend private high schools so they look good and say that their graduates have gone on to Ivy Leagues, but absolutely NOBODY in my grade went to an Ivy League. I'm honestly shocked this school is still functioning. read more

Highly recommend this school. I attended Westminster from 1st-8th grade and loved the community, activities and teachers. It prepared me very well for high school, especially with learning time management between working hard in school, balancing extracurricular activities and social skills. I have stayed in touch with so many of my classmates, teachers and staff over the year and absolutely love this community. They deserve so much praise for how they responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. They thrived moving to virtual learning overnight in March 2020 and then a successful in-person 2020-2021school year. If you want your child to receive an excellent education and well rounded experience filled with love, character building and incredible opportunities, this is the school for your family! read more

Strong school academically. Even during Covid when so many schools wasted weeks to figure out what to do and how to teach online they were able to do it very smoothly. Their curriculum is a year ahead already, very advanced. Happy we made this choice. My only suggestion for them would be to change uniform provider. Flynt O Hara is very unprofessional, doesn't go with professionalism of Westminster and it's stuff. Every time we have to go there it is a nightmare and it's not just my opinion, a lot of parents feel the same. read more

As a parent of a Westminster School graduate, I can say with confidence that this institution significantly, positively, and permanently influences children's lives. My child, for nine years (K-8), grew up in a caring community dedicated to bringing out the best in every student. Westminster's teachers are passionate about their subjects and truly go the extra mile to help students achieve academic success. Even more importantly, the emphasis of the school, as guided by a devoted administration, is the holistic growth of each child. It starts with the etiquette and respect for one's elders that is expected of all students; it continues with opportunities for enrichment such as taking classes on public speaking. It "ends" with the 8th grade play, the last of nine annual shows in which those who have attended Westminster since kindergarten will have performed a major role and which allows students to blossom into the poised, self-confident, self-aware, and ultimately well-rounded people they have consistently been raised to be. The lessons and impact of Westminster really never end. I cannot tell you how much my son mentions his time at Westminster and thanks its community for building him into who he is today. As an up and coming professional play-by-play broadcaster, he points to the extensive public speaking experience he received at a young age as a key factor in his success. He also often speaks of accomplishing tasks "neatly, completely, and with pride," a Westminster expectation for every student, faculty and administrative staff member of the school. While it may be daunting to think of the cost of a private school K-8 education, Westminster School is extremely competitive and the education your child receives will pay immense dividends throughout the rest of his or her life! read more

Westminster has been such an incredible experience for our whole family. It is such a unique place that instills a culture of acceptance, diversity, compassion, and excellence. I'm really impressed with how they've handled themselves during Covid -- they seem to be the only ones that have their act together amongst both public and private schools. They didn't even skip a beat! They have a very strong curriculum that is unmatched, and really I appreciate how they place such an emphasis on developing courteous, cultured, and well-rounded individuals. Every aspect of the school is so intentionally thought-out for the benefit of the children. Their classical education program is impressive and very hard to come by these days. They also have a pretty stelar arts program, giving kids the ability to express themselves through music, theatre, dance, art, literature, etc. To top it off, the community aspect at Westminster is so beautiful. It's more than a school, it's a family unit -- a second home. I wish we had more programs and places like Westminster School in the world! I highly recommend it for kids pre-K through 8! read more

Please please do not send your kids to this school. If you are looking at private schools, I urge you to look at other ones in the area (Flint Hill, Congressional, etc.) I sent my kids to this school for over 7 years. When my kids attended this school, they absolutely hated it but I never listened to them. I always thought that they were just being dramatic. However after finally leaving the school and talking to other parents in my kids' grades, I feel terrible for what my kids went through here. There are a few great and truly kind teachers here. However most of them unfortunately are not very qualified and the curriculum as many have stated is very out of date. The one good thing my kids say that came out of this school was that they learned French and only because they want to go to Paris one day. Other than that, you are better off sending your kids to public school to get a better education. Here are the issues that I have with this school: The headmaster and all of the administration, including the headmaster's sister, were truly bullies to any kid they did not favor. As many know, the headmaster has had many relatives (nephew, nieces) attend this school and the way that they catered to these kids and favored them is unbelievable and not acceptable. They don't even try to hide it. If a teacher so much as looked meanly in his nieces' direction, they were extremely reprimanded. His sister Nancy Schuler "Admissions Director" is even worse than him and involves herself in situations where she has no need to be. Funny how one of her daughters is now a teacher at this school. The entire staff oversteps their boundaries when it comes to personal family situations and I can't tell you how many stories I've heard from other parents. The reason the turnover rate for teachers here is so high is because many soon realize how crazy the staff and school are. Teachers and staff would get students in trouble for things as simple as running out of paper or forgetting a pencil and would bully and single out kids in front of the entire class. In my kids' classes there were specifically two boys that were constantly yelled at and picked on by most teachers. There was a lot of bullying going on in my children's classes and teachers did nothing to stop it and my kids told me they felt like they almost enjoyed it. One time during carpool, a teacher said bye to one of my kids who was 7 at the time while she was walking out of the building. My daughter didn't say bye back and so the teacher pulled my daughter aside preventing her from leaving while my other children walked to my car. My daughter later came to the car 30 minutes later crying. I have no idea what happened or what she did to my daughter to make her cry but this is not an isolated incident. I know these are the actions of only one teacher but the headmaster seems to eerily hire teachers with the same nature as this awful woman. I don't know what they say to the teachers but MANY of the teachers seem to overstep their boundaries when it comes to the students. Don't even get me started on Mr. Glover and Ms. Glazier. They are a whole other story and should not be running a school. Many times my kids would tell me that Mr. Glover would randomly walk down halls as if he was a celebrity expecting everyone to bow down to his feet with an enthusiastic greeting. If one didn't, he would then take you into his office trying to reprimand the students. This happened to my kids many times. The entire school year seems to revolve around the plays that each class performs and if your acting is not up to their standards or your child is shy they will get yelled at and bullied every play practice by the teachers and headmaster. It's as if the headmaster/principal never got to live his dream of being on Broadway or a Hollywood actor and is vicariously living through the kids. It's honestly very creepy. For 8th grade graduation, each student was required to give a speech thanking whomever they wanted. The headmaster and his assistant principal each took turns coming into classes separately telling the entire class they MUST thank the other in their speech. If they didn't, they would get mad and start drama. This just shows how petty and childish the staff (who you're supposed to trust to take care and teach your kids) are. read more

Westminster is a private school in the heart of Northern Virginia, serving kids from preschool to eighth grade. In this school, teachers help students grow into well-rounded individuals by their graduation from eighth grade; using a balanced combination of strong arts, science, math and theatre classes. Graduates are confident entering high school and able to build on their knowledge and apply to good universities with the strong foundation they have received in earlier years. In speaking to adult graduates of this school, one realizes the success, confidence and ability instilled in them at the most sensitive years of their lives, PreK to 8th. read more

Unsafe Bus Driver. Today 5/29/2019 at 3:30 pm there was a Westminster school bus driving unsafely through Mantua Neighborhood. Driver was speeding which caught my attention. Ended up behind me leaving Mantua neighborhood, from Chichester Ln onto Arlington Blvd. I am waiting to turn left across traffic. Bus pulls up to my right as if they are turning right. THEN the bus turns left in front of me and pulls across traffic! Not only did this bus cut in front of me but they turned left from the right lane. I was baffled. It was a short yellow school bus. Driver was ~50/60 year old woman, shoulder length curly blonde hair. Round race like she was overweight. Shame on her. There is so excuse for her behavior and I would regret trusting my children's safty with her. read more

This school is NOT for your child! 1. In the first two years, everything is great. You are proud that you have worked so hard to afford this education for your little one.. And feel its the best thing for them. 2. Then you start getting the calls about detention. Like your daughter's glue stick ran out ( the cover is opaque) .. You shrug it off. You make special arrangements to pick her up. You tell your child.. Well I guess we should have been prepared.. 3. Then you get confirmation that the head master ( Mr. Glover ) won't allow anyone to take another summer camp outside of the school, because they have a Westminster camp. ...suspicious...still you shrug it off...after all, the parents seem so nice.. 4. You stop by for a parent/ teacher conference at 7:57. Knock on the door...teacher's walk by.. Ignore you. You have the conference... ( over nothing, really, to be met with 2 teachers with their arms folded, unable to bend..) The issue was simply wanting to move my kindergartner closer to the front of the room. ( then I find out that the teachers' "favorite" was allowed to sit right up front all year) You're slightly disturbed ..( can this really be happening?) 5. You explain that " no talking on the bus" is a rule, and we must abide by rules...still you feel this is a little over the top... 6. You explain that, " well honey, I'm sorry that you have 3 hours of homework a night ( problem after problem after problem ) but it's for your own good.. 7. You explain to your child, " we'll, Mr. glover wants you to be one of the children in th 8th grade play, but Mommy was really, really, told that this is great so you should do it...because she feels so pressured, so we can't go on that trip cause you have to practice... 8. You get the bill... An increase of over 15% when Headmaster Glover promised that there wouldn't be an increase... ( now it's $20,000 A YEAR! ) 9. You're torn. You wonder what it's like on the "other side of the tracks" 10. You decide: a. I sent my child here because I've heard public education is horrible, b. I want my child to only associate with parents that are 'like me' , decide that it's all wrong.. Only fear of the unknown was driving you. Then.. The most amazing thing happens: you make the switch 1. When your kid gets into High School, you never hear anything more about these Fabulous Westminster Kids! In fact, they write horribly rude and disrespectful things on Facebook, and are generally snooty 'rich kids' when they get out. 2. So... Be careful... It's not the best thing to go private.. 3. The parents who wrote the glowing reports..FRANKLY HAVE NO IDEA HOW THEIR CHILD WOULD HAVE SUCCEEDED IN THE PUBLIC SYSTEM!!! I have seen both... Have they??? or are the just afraid??? IT'S THE IMAGE OF THE SCHOOL THE PARENTS LOVE...and THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN DIFFERENT. read more

This is a lovely facility with some very dedicated staff but the school is primarily focused on theater and not on educational basics. The Head of School is a frustrated thespian, singer, dancer who is out of touch with the makings of a balanced education. He is not an educator and lacks any business sense. The school's budget and staffing in performance art is excessive and leaves the balance of the school curriculum underfunded and poorly staffed. This year a third of the professional teaching staff either left or was dismissed. In general the departing staff were replaced by inexperienced newly graduated teachers. Preference was given to Westminster alumni. It remains to be seen how well this cost cutting effort will work out. It has however instilled or should I say heightened the atmosphere of fear and distrust that has permeated the faculty and staff for many, many years. So, if you are seriously considering Westminster school, meet the Head of School and get him talking, you will quickly realize that it is not a place you want to send your children. I only wish someone had given me this advice. read more

This school upholds high standards of conduct and academic excellence. It was never my intention to look for an easy school. I admire that it encourages the students to expect much more of themselves. Some times are challenging, however I know my son will graduate an assertive and well rounded student ready for his high school years. I personally think this is a testament to the school and its commitment to a better education for our children. read more

I went to Elizabeth Morrow School and Horace Mann, both private schools in the NY/NJ area. Horace Mann in the 80s and 90s was considered the best day private school in NYC and the country. I worked on wall st as a trader and now am a surgeon. My wife taught here for a year and I was appalled at the curriculum and teaching standards compared to the prep schools I went to. If your goal is to have your child go to an Ivy league school or become a professional one day, this isn't the place to send them. Antiquated curriculum, out of date educational philosophy, terrible HR management and constant teacher turnover. Seemed to me a big focus on "fitting in" and "following the rules". They lost census during her time and were desperate to keep students. Would've been a great school in 1960 from the era of "remember the titans". Obsolete now. Seems to me to be a place that wants to go back in time to an older nostalgic era which is nonexistent anymore. On a positive note your child does learn a lot of french by the time they graduate because french, not mandarin, spanish, or russian are critical for young americans in a 2019 global market. read more

A poorly-managed educational backwater that has been operating in the red for several years. High teacher turnover and low enrollment have taken their toll. The Headmaster lauds his poor performance with salary increases for himself while the school flounders. So many better school choices in the region! read more

As an alumni and witness of the horrors of this straight jacket of a school I will do my best to ruin the reputation of this institution and urge all parents to stray away from the path to Westminster. I am a former student of this school, I attended for a total of 8 years. My siblings and I all attended at the same time and 2 of us had undiagnosed ADHD while one of us was diagnosed, instead of helping us we were put into a program called resource. I was in resource for 5 years and I can say that it did not aid me at all in my academic struggles, all this program did was isolate a small group of struggling students from the prized ones. I not only found my journey through this institution to be insulting but to have also stolen my childhood from me and replaced it with the unnecessary and never ending stress of work grades above my age that in the long run barely helped me get a leg up in this world. read more

We were very pleased with Westminster School. In addition to the great job teaching the core studies of Math, Science, History and English, they provide French instruction in K-8 and Latin in grades 7-8. They also have an outstanding music and arts program. Every class performs a play each year and it is remarkable by the time they graduate, the amount of poise and self confidence the children have. In a time where public schools are moving away from homework, examinations, and cursive writing, Westminster challenges their students to do their best. In addition, it is so evident the genuine caring that the teachers have for their students. read more

I am a parent to two Westminster graduates. If your concern in selecting a school for your child is finding a safe environment that they feel happy and comfortable in while learning, then you have found it. Both my daughter's, who are now young adults, refer to their Westminster years as a great experience that started in kindergarten where they found their best friends for life. They want their kids to attend the school and share the same diverse and rich experience they had as a kid. I enjoy hearing and knowing that our choice for them was the right one and we too had the privilege of having the comfort of knowing that our kids were safe, happy, and getting great education in an accepting and diverse environment. read more

This is an excellent school for K-8. The classes are coordinated so that reading, writing and spelling are emphasized in all classes. When the students learn about the Romans in history, they also learn about Roman literature and art. French is taught from K-8 with Latin added in 7 and 8. The students become well rounded by participating in a stage play every year. They also have a wonderful art, music and orchestra program. The teachers and administrators are very caring and protective of the students. I highly recommend this school and suggest you check out its website at www.westminsterschool.com. read more

As a current mother and parent of a Westminster School student, I would like to firmly say to all parents thinking about sending their daughter to this school to please reconsider. Westminster severely lacks a proper educational environment. The extreme stress placed on students by the faculty is vastly detrimental to the mental well being of adolescents. There is no school counselor, the headmaster also fills this position and his focus is on discipline while completely neglecting the mental and emotional health of the student body. Many current students parents have confided in me, as their 3rd/4th graders, about the horrifying lack of sleep they suffer, the emotional anguish they experience trying to achieve perfect grades, and the physical illnesses they suffer from overworking themselves due to the high expectations of their teachers. (A book to board to notebook process) Surely, while no school is perfect, there must be a better way to give a young woman an education without leaving her mentally scarred throughout her early years. read more