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Greenbrier Elementary

In the heart of the Greenbrier neighborhood sits Greenbrier Elementary School, built in 1962. The school has a long history of family involvement and student success. In 2009, it was named as a 2009 Blue Ribbon School Award winner from the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan presented the award personally at the school. Greenbrier consistently performs at high levels, having been named a Title I Distinguished School for seven consecutive years and the school has been recognized by the VDOE VIP Awards of Excellence from 2008-2011.

The school created a reading initiative called STAR more than 10 years ago to emphasize the importance of reading for success in school. It was soon expanded to include writing. Students now try to reach a goal of 30,000 hours of reading and writing each year.

With approximately 25% of our student population speaking English as a second language, Greenbrier offers intensive literacy instruction to build confidence and skills that will allow for full classroom participation.

Greenbrier Elementary School has a courtyard, outdoor amphitheater, nearby trails, and a stream to provide students with an outdoor classroom that brings science to life! Greenbrier students investigate by experimenting, analyzing, validating and applying data. Kindergarten through 2nd graders develop projects using science theories that they study all year. The school Ecology Club makes full use of the courtyard gardens, which include rain barrels, birdhouses, a pond, and a weathervane.

In 2010, Greenbrier began a partnership with Hearthwood Apartments that demonstrates its deep commitment to community involvement.  Greenbrier staff and volunteers offer homework help in a vacant apartment after school to students who live nearby.  They also help deliver food for the community pantry, Whole Foods Market donates snacks and the site serves as a destination for the school’s Running Club. (Ragged Mountain Running Shop sponsored shoes for the club!)

Mr. Kyner says one of the keys to the school’s success has been holding high expectations for all students and then providing support to meet those expectations.  The teachers in the classroom make the difference with their interactions every day.

Opportunities for Parent Involvement

The Greenbrier PTO is an active and supportive component of Greenbrier school. Student events are the focus of most parent nights and parent volunteers are a mainstay of the instructional program.

Back to School Night

This is a night to meet the Greenbrier staff, specifically your child‘s teacher. The evening offers two sessions in your child‘s classroom to hear more about your child‘s day.

Walking Wednesday

To promote walking to school, our buses drop students off at Kerry Lane and the amphitheater path. Heavy rain cancels; a light mist makes us walk faster.

PTO Coffee

After you drop your students off at 8:15 a.m., you can join other parents and Mr. Kyner under the K/1 overhang for a cup of coffee, a danish, and some conversation.

PTO Fall Picnic

This is an evening to come out and enjoy fun, food, and fellowship with Greenbrier families and staff.

Awards and Recognitions

• 2009 National Blue Ribbon School
  Selected by the U.S. Department of Education, Greenbrier is among 314 schools that met standards of excellence that exemplify school quality.
• 2008-11 Virginia Board of Education‘s VIP Excellence Award
• Title 1 Distinguished School for 7 years in a row

What Parents Say about Greenbrier

“Greenbrier Elementary has exceeded my high expectations from the start, but unbelievably gets better every year. It is a special place to grow and learn and my family has been privileged to be a part of it.”

“I have had a great experience with Greenbrier and have appreciated the teachers and love the small classes and close attention paid to each student in the classroom. I'm so glad there is a dedicated art and music room and time for PE and other "extras" that enrich the day.”

“Greenbrier Elementary School is an excellent learning environment, with a caring, welcoming, supportive staff…We feel so blessed and fortunate to have our children attending this exceptional school!”

Meet the Administrators

Principal Jim Kyner has spent 19 years in education, including nine years as a teacher at Greenbrier and four years as principal. He earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from Ohio Wesleyan University and a M.ED in Administration and Supervision from UVA. Married for 17 years, Jim has six children. He enjoys spending time with family, coaching, and is an active member in his local church.

Ms. Jodi Zeis joined Greenbrier this year as Assistant Principal. She has a B.S. from Millersville University in Elementary Education, a M.S. from Old Dominion University in special education, and a Ed.S. from UVA in Administration and Supervision. She taught in Virginia for nine years and was a teacher and assistant principal in SC before moving back to Virginia this year. She has been married for 11 years and has four boys. Jodi enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, photography, and painting. She freelances in her spare time for an educational magazine.

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