‘It’s a great day to be a dolphin!” Stratford Landing Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th grade. We serve a diverse population of students. We have several distinct academic programs at Stratford Landing, including serving as a Level IV Advanced Academic Center for the West Potomac Pyramid. We emphasize both academic and social-emotional growth. We offer a range of extracurricular activities to support well-rounded student development. At Stratford Landing, “You belong here!” 

Academic Achievement

We maintain a high level of student academic achievement. We have accomplished five consecutive school years of VDOE fully accredited student assessment results. Our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Team directly impacts student academic progress, growth, and achievement. We meet students where they are and provide highly effective, engaging,  Tier 1 (for all) instruction to students. We also intervene, remediate, and enrich students when necessary through Tier 2 (for some) and Tier 3 (for few) academic and social interventions and enrichment opportunities.

For the 2023-2024 school year, all our subgroups of students, which include Asian, Black, Hispanic, Economically Disadvantaged, English Learners, Multiple Races, Students with Disabilities, and White students, achieved Level One (VDOE indicator). 

Our preschoolers demonstrated progress in the areas of math and literacy as shown by the VKRP and VALLS assessments. They also demonstrated social-emotional development progress as indicated by the CBRS. 

Our kinders are heading into first grade with important literacy fundamentals!  Our K PALS assessment data indicates that 87% of our kindergarten students met the necessary benchmarks. They are also budding mathematicians with an achievement rate of 90% as indicated by the EMAS.

Student Growth and Progress

All students at Stratford Landing demonstrate academic and social/emotional progress and growth as indicated by several data points and reporting categories.

Some student growth and progress highlights: 

• FCPS SEL Screener, 25% increase in students’ awareness of regulation tools and self-management, self-regulation. 

• Improved in two (2) VDOE accreditation indicators for the 23-24 sy: Improved either a level two or three VODE indicator from the 22-23 sy to a level one indicator. 

• Steady reduction of Tier 2 and Tier 3 ELA and Math interventions for students.  

Student Programs and Student Leadership

Stratford Landing offers many engaging, unique learning opportunities with students and promotes student leadership. We have a Student Leadership Association (SLA), a student-led yearbook committee, broadcast a daily student-led morning news show, host an annual Young Scholars Conference, utilize the Portrait of a Graduate / Presentations of Learning model (POG/POL) with students, host a yearly career day with speakers for students, publish a student-generated literary magazine titled Dolphin Voices, produce student musicals through our chorus program, maintain a community service program with our sixth graders, engage in an iPad initiative with our preschoolers, offer team building opportunities with our sixth graders, utilize the Project Based Learning (PBL) model with students, engage our students in summer learning programs and offer our students unique summer opportunities including Camp Invention. Our Summer Camp Invention program (only two programs in FCPS) was recognized by a visit from the Deputy Secretary of Commerce, Don Graves, and a representative from the National Invention Hall of Fame, Linda Hosler. Our grade 3-6 students also have opportunities to participate in Advanced Math.  

Staff Recognition 

We have a skillful, creative, premiere workforce that is engaged in supporting our school, community, and the school division. Stratford Landing has been recognized in several ways over the past school years, including special program recognitions and special employee recognitions. Several of our teachers have earned SEPTA awards and recognitions. One of our physical education teachers was shortlisted by NVA Mag for teacher of the year 2023. Our Get 2 Green leaders (staff members) have received district recognition for their work. We named our cafeteria the  Mr. John Adams Stratford Landing Cafeteria; in recognition of the retirement of a beloved 40+ years of service for our SLES building supervisor. Two special programs, a Gr 1 student shoe-tying initiative, and a school-wide letter-writing initiative, received special recognition from local news sources and FCPS.

Community Engagement

We have dynamic partnerships with our school and community at large that impact a positive, caring school culture and contribute positively to staff morale. We partner with George Mason University’s early identification and resource program through our annual Young Scholars Conference for students and families. We also maintain a partnership with the Mount Vernon High School (MVHS) STEP program and a partnership with the George Mason University (GMU) Internship program and promote teacher interns. Through our Casey Trees partnership, our students planted 60 new trees around campus. Our Gr 4 students water and maintain the trees. This was part of our Get2Green Initiative. One of our favorite days, “Senior Day” at SLES, sees numerous dolphin alumni return to SLES. In addition to the traditional “parade” celebration, our seniors returning also visit Gr 4-6 grade classrooms for Q&A sessions with our students. A highlight of the school year for many!  Other SLES initiated community partnerships include:  

School Culture

We take specific actions toward developing a positive and caring school culture that impacts the academic, social, and emotional development of our students positively. 90% of our students miss less than 10% of school. 100% (all students) receive a positive phone call home to families in the first two quarters of school. Additional specific actions our school takes include:

• Responsive Classroom approach

• Morning Meetings

• Zones of Regulation 

• Dolphin Decree 

• Distinguished Dolphins

• Daily school-wide address (morning news) from SLES administration.

• Bully-free activities and instruction through counselor visits.

A Robust Parent / Teacher Association (PTA)

SLES is fortunate to have an incredibly supportive, robust PTA with many volunteers and passionate families that care deeply for Stratford Landing. Our PTA has fundraising abilities to support community and school initiatives and maintain positive staff morale.

Some contributions from our PTA include: 

• Rock n’ Run, fundraiser and schoolwide event 

• Spring Fling, fundraiser, and school-wide event

• Trunk or Treat 

• Bingo nights

• School murals 

• Special classroom materials and program supplies including sensory items, pickleball equipment, novel units, ukuleles, rainy-day carts, and snacks.

• Military family coffees 

• Month of the Military Child events 

• Veteran’s Day, flag ceremony and guest speakers, luncheon 

• Scripps National Spelling Bee  

• Family Volunteer Room (complete tasks for staff and teachers)

• Community drives (gift cards, winter gear, pantry items) Positive and Caring Culture

Faculty and Staff Testimonials

At Stratford Landing, we seek input and feedback from our faculty frequently. Their testimonials speak to the great, collegial work environment we strive for here at Stratford Landing:

“My team is so amazing to work with. The guidance and collaboration is what keeps me grounded. I am so very happy and grateful to be working with such amazing individuals.”

“My team is such a tight-knit group. Sharing joys and triumphs but supporting each other in hardships and difficult situations. The love for the students is tangible across the team and the students thrive.”

 “I really appreciate being a part of a collaborative team and a team that truly supports each other.  In my third year at SLES, I feel such a different climate among the students and in the hallways. I know it is a process, but I see the changes happening and a very positive culture growing.”

“I have found SLES a positive environment to work in. Shout out to the many who work very hard and still have a smile or kind words to say.”

“I’ve been impressed with all of the teachers I work with. They truly care about the students in their class. And it shows.”

Special Recognitions

Several unique recognitions for Stratford Landing highlight how our staff go above and beyond for our students and families. 

Stratford Landing Elementary is proud to be recognized as a Purple Star School, honoring our commitment to supporting military-connected families. We provide tailored resources and programs to ensure a smooth transition for students from military families and create a welcoming environment where they feel valued and supported. This designation reflects our dedication to fostering a community of understanding, resilience, and inclusivity. Nearly 20% of our student population is military-connected at Stratford Landing. 

We were the proud recipient of the 2023-2024 FCPS EcoSchools Green Flag Award. Our FCPS Get2Green team is successful and engaged with our school. They have started a salmon raising program, planted trees around campus, began a recycling program, implemented a food share table, and maintained garden spaces. Our green team of students and teachers support other green efforts around our building. Our Get2Green work is student-driven. 

During the 2024-2025 school year, Stratford Landing celebrated its 60th anniversary! 

Student Testimonials

Our students love it here. Our students have trusted adults at SLES. They look forward to school. They enjoy spending time together with their teachers and classmates. Students regularly share pictures and stories of their love for their school. We celebrate those pictures and stories daily on our morning news show, during our classroom morning meetings, and throughout the school day. We make a big deal about “feel good” moments in a school day.  A new student who joined a class in the middle of the school year shared with their family, “I can’t believe how nice everyone was. They even asked me to play with them during recess. And they helped me learn where everything was. It was a great first day of school.”