See what makes our Stingers unique!

10 Reasons That Make Stenwood Special

At Stenwood Elementary, we take pride in our strong academic performance, active community, and diverse extracurricular offerings. Come see what makes Stenwood a special place for learning, growth, and community.

Strong Community Engagement

As one of our families stated on a feedback form: “So many people come out and are a part of events, share contact information, and really just create a sense of community and togetherness. It’s a wonderful place to be a part of with a loving, caring, and welcoming community of students, staff, & families! Everyone checks in with one another and is genuinely interested in collaboration and connection.” Quarterly, Stenwood invites families at each grade level to a Family Invite where we showcase our learning.

Positive School Culture

We foster a welcoming environment where diversity is celebrated. Thirty different languages are spoken in our students’ homes. Programs including This is Us Night and Power of Our Words help build a respectful and inclusive school culture. Family surveys consistently reflect high satisfaction with our positive climate, where we strive to have every child feel valued and supported.

High Academic Achievement

We consistently perform well on state-mandated assessments, demonstrating excellence across core subjects such as math and reading. 

Student Leadership Opportunities

A variety of school clubs offered for students to discover new interests and build their leadership skills. Some of these clubs are: WSES News Show, Go Green Club, Photo Bees, CARES Club, A/V Bee, Sound Crew, Student Council Association, and Patrols.

Active and Inclusive Parent-Teacher Association (PTA)

Our very supportive PTA hosts countless events throughout the school year, from well known events such as the 5k and 1 mile Fun Run to the Sweethearts Dance and the Variety Show. Other events include funding for CARES pizza, to assemblies featuring the Glen Echo Aquarium, Chua Martial Arts, Astronaut Tom Jones, and a science lab for all grade levels where students do hands-on experiments.

Robust Extracurricular Activities

After school activities include programs from Running Club, Chess, Pickleball, and Mexican Cooking to Coding with Minecraft. We offer a variety of activities throughout the school year. 

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) Lab

Students use the engineering design process to tackle challenges using critical thinking skills, while collaborating with classmates and building resiliency.

Focus on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

Students develop essential life skills such as emotional regulation, empathy, and responsible decision-making. Through SEL programs integrated into the curriculum, students are taught how to navigate social interactions, manage their feelings, and build positive relationships

Supportive Staff and Administration

Our staff is committed to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment. Staff work collaboratively to address the individual needs of each student to ensure all students are successful. Our families have shared that “Stenwood is a very warm environment with the most welcoming staff,” and “We have a wonderful administration who shows compassion and connection with the kids and parents. They are the core of the school.”

A Welcoming Library

Our library fosters a lifelong love for reading with a diverse collection of books and resources. Our librarian also hosts many events to inspire students to read such as Battle of the Books, Storybook Pumpkins, and Book Madness (similar to March Madness basketball). Students are also encouraged to participate in the Virginia Readers' Choice Awards, where they read nominated books and vote for their favorites.