Westlawn Elementary

Great staff. Lots of challenges that come with title 1 but overall I couldn’t be more pleased.

I would like to echo the thoughts of the previous reviewer. To me it is insanity to judge a school solely by test scores, but many of the wealthier, more-highly-educated denizens of the DC area throw their critical thinking out the window when it comes to schools. They look at the number on this site or greatschools and that's it. I'll avoid a full rant about whether standardized tests are even accurate when it comes to measuring intelligence and aptitude. Beyond that, however, the test scores themselves are more nuanced. Simply put, the average scores are dragged down by kids who are simultaneously learning English as a second language AND learning the actual lesson plans (taught in English, of course). Kids at Westlawn who speak English as a first language actually do the same or better than schools with higher ratings.

And do parents with JDs, MDs, PhDs, and MAs REALLY think their child will end up undereducated because they attended a diverse school? Again, this is madness. By falling for the flawed, ratings-based approach, these parents are pushing their kids into less diverse schools full of overparented, overscheduled Whole Foods kids. In doing so, they are denying their children an enormous opportunity to get a real education - to meet people who aren't exactly like them, come from different backgrounds, have less resources. This is a crucial component of developing empathy and a sense of citizenship.

Bottom line, Westlawn is an excellent school that serves the needs of all the kids in the community, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, or national origin.

Westlawn, based on some facts may appear not be a great a school. Yes, more than half of the students are on free or reduced lunch, yes there is a large English as a second language student population and no the test scores are not the highest in the county. Upon closer examination you will find that Westlawn is a fantastic school. So here is what is so great about Westlawn:
1. The school is really run with an open door policy. Unlike my experience in other FCPS, you can always get in to talk to anyone including administrators and they are happy to hear your opinion and guide you with your child's education.
2. What ever difference you want to make, you will find support from the teachers.
3. Children are not allowed to bully. Yes, this is supposed to be true of all schools, but it isn't always true.
4. They have GT level classes in your neighborhood school. This allows children the opportunity to learn on an advanced level without removing them from their community (I took one of my children out of the GT Center and enrolled her at Westlawn when we moved into the Westlawn district.)
5. Children are exposed to a vast number of cultures through their own student body. This is something Westlawn is proud of too.
6. Renovations are complete and now the school is modern and updated and large enough to accommodate its growing population.
7. Westlawn is a true community. Every child that graduates from Westlawn can tell you about all the different people in the Westlawn community. From the custodian to the principal, adults are always mentoring the children.
8. Westlawn has made some excellent partners within the community from businesses to places of worship. These partnerships ensure Westlawn's students needs are met. Sometimes, those needs go beyond the school day to home and are still meet.