When Terra Centre Elementary (TC) opened in 1980, it was renowned throughout the Burke community for its unusual, ultramodern design. Conceptualized in response to the energy crisis of the 1970s, the school was built largely underground to boost efficiency. Three feet of earth covered the roof, to offset heat gain and loss, and solar panels harnessed energy.
Though the school completed a renovation in 2015, resulting in a building that looks quite different from its formative years, Terra Centre’s commitment to environmental innovation remains.
Enrolling approximately 630 students in its preschool and K-6 programs, this highly rated public school fosters “an environment where academic, social, emotional, and ethical growth is expected and where students share in and accept responsibility for their learning.”
With a student-teacher ratio of 14-to-1, the school prioritizes differentiated instruction, including unique offerings such as a STEAM lab and an outdoor discovery garden. When they’re not experimenting or planting, TC Tigers can participate in extracurriculars such as safety patrol, band, Odyssey of the Mind, chess, student council, and Socratic Seminar.
Thanks to strong community support, volunteerism, an active PTA, and a commitment to dynamic programs, Terra Centre Elementary remains as groundbreaking today as when its vision first broke ground decades ago.
Terra Centre Elementary School
Public Pre-K, Elementary School
|
Grade Pre-K-6
6000 Burke Centre Pky,
Burke, VA
Fairfax County Public Schools
School Details
Head of School
Ms. Michele Sims
Student Teacher Ratio
15:1
Math Proficiency
68%
Reading Proficiency
84%
Niche Grade
A-
A-
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
Reading Proficiency
84%
Math Proficiency
68%
Teachers
Student Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers
43
Full Time Teachers
43
Teachers in First or Second Year
18.8%
GreatSchools Rating
Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating Details
Teachers and Staff
Students Per Counselor
372:1
Student Diversity
Male
53.1%
Female
46.9%
White
61.4%
Hispanic
12.6%
Asian or Pacific Islander
11.9%
Two or more races
10%
Black
4%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
<1%
Interested in learning more about homes nearby? Reach out to Cathy Kane, an experienced agent in this school's attendance zone.
Specialty School Programs
Free/Reduced Lunch Offered
This School’s Reviews
GreatSchools Reviews
1/2/2023
This is the third year for my youngest one. We are happy with the school, the principal, the teachers and the admin staffs too. The aye reachable, responsive, and friendly. In overall, we found that the school serves what the kids need and parents’ expectations.
11/21/2021
Our second year at Terra Centre and we love this school. My son has been given opportunities for success, teachers and personal is friendly. Excellent library and librarian! Also it’s our fist year as parent of special kid going to special education preschool here, and I feel grateful about this pro...
5/23/2018
This is our second year at Terra Centre - overall we are very, very happy. The teachers really care and want to be there. The principal is visible but doesn't necessarily make time for one on one interaction with students. The school also needs to revisit how it handles students that are not necessa...
2/9/2018
It is our first year at Terra Center and we can say it feels good in all aspects. Teachers are good at what they have to do and loving to their students.The principal is friendly; a very nice person. The whole community feels like a big family. PTA organices the best events.In a nutshell, we love TC...
Agents Specializing in Attendance Zone
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Cathy Kane
Cathy Kane
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179 Total Sales
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$560K - $935K Price Range
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Jennifer Hernandez
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1 in Attendance Zone
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Sreedhar Maram
Responds QuicklyMaram Realty, LLC
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229 Total Sales
1 in Attendance Zone
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Kathleen Quintarelli
Kathleen Quintarelli
Weichert, REALTORS
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99 Total Sales
1 in Attendance Zone
$510,000 Price
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Carmen Carter-Howell
Carmen Carter-Howell
Samson Properties
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87 Total Sales
1 in Attendance Zone
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Deborah Hunter
Deborah Hunter
Century 21 Redwood Realty
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14 Total Sales
1 in Attendance Zone
$500,000 Price
Map
Attendance Zone
About Burke Centre
List Price Range
$260K - $1.1M
Homes For Sale
20
Average Home Value
$727,099
Median Lot Size
9,147 Sq Ft
% Renters
22%
Household Income
$167,663
% of College Grads
67.3%
Median Age
42
Average House Size
2,339 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
25.8%
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Additional Schools in the Area
- 7th to 12th
- Public
- 7th to 12th
- Public
- Pre-K to 12th
- Private
Parks in this Area
Royal Lake Park
Colonel Silas Burke Park
- Basketball
- Playground
Poburn Woods Park
Lake Barton Park
- Basketball
- Bike Trails
- Fishing
Burke Centre Field
- Baseball/Softball
- Parking Lot
Glen Cove Swim Club
Burke Pond Park
Bass Pond Park
Lynch Pond Park
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