School Profile

F.S. Key Elementary is a nationally recognized Blue Ribbon School that works to achieve four instructional goals for every student from pre-K through 5th grade. We strive to:

• Help each student master critical learning skills;
• Encourage every student to discover his or her special abilities, while respecting the accomplishments of others;
• Ensure a healthy physical environment that promotes each student’s mental and physical development; and
• Provide the leadership, planning, and resources necessary to accomplish these goals.

The average class size is approximately 20 students per teacher. In addition to the teacher, there is an instructional aide for every pre-K, K, and 1st grade class.

The total number of students enrolled at Key for the 2017–18 school year was 410, and the projected enrollment for 2018–19 is 410. Approximately 8 percent of the students who attend Key are considered out-of-boundary.

Our school is led by Principal David Landeryou and Assistant Principals Jennifer Green and Kelly Penfield.

David Landeryou, Principal

Mr. Landeryou has more than 25 years of experience working in the education field and has served as principal at Key for the last 17 years. Under his leadership, Key was nationally recognized as a Blue Ribbon school in 2008. Additionally, Key was given Autonomous status for several​ years and recognized by the State Department as a Gold Ribbon school in 2014. Mr. Landeryou was awarded the Rubenstein Award for Highly Effective Leadership in 2012. Outside of his role at Key, Mr. Landeryou also served as a member of the Principal’s Cabinet where he was responsible for advising the Chancellor of DCPS. He has been a Mentor Principal in the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship and has supported the evaluation program as a master rater. Mr. Landeryou has a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from American University and a PhD in Education from George Mason University.

Jennifer Green, Assistant Principal

Jennifer Green has more than 16 years of experience as an educator. She has spent the majority of her teaching career at Key as a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teacher, as well as a Reading Specialist. She has also worked in Harford County, Maryland, as a Literacy Coach. Ms. Green became Assistant Principal at Key in 2014. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Shippensburg University, a master’s degree in Reading Specialization from Hood College, and a certificate in school leadership from Towson University. Ms. Green also works as an adjunct professor for American University, teaching educators pursuing their master’s degree in Educational Leadership with a focus on Literacy.​ Ms. Green was awarded the Rubenstein Award for Highly Effective Leadership in 2018.

Kelly Penfield, Assistant Principal

Kelly Penfield received her masters in Elementary Education from George Washington University in 2008. She has been a member of the Key team ever since. She started in the 5th grade that fall and taught there until 2016, specializing in math and social studies. From 2016 to 2018, she worked as a Teacher Leader (coach) in math. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Rhetoric and Communications from the University of Richmond.