Richard C. Haydon Elementary School

Posted: February 19, 2026

Haydon elementary had not shown any improvement with staff professionalism and accountability since the new principal took over in the last 3 years. Year after year regardless of issues raised about unprofessional staff and incidents among students you only receive lip service and left feeling like your concern is invalid. I say it’s lip services because staff you come in contact daily remain rude and unwelcoming despite of reporting incidents of their behavior. This school SEVERELY lacks diversity which results is a concern it’s self. School staff are evidence of the leadership they are provided and the community is left underwhelmed and let down to often.

Posted: February 19, 2026

Posted: February 19, 2026

Posted: February 19, 2026

Posted: February 19, 2026

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Posted: February 19, 2026

Posted: July 27, 2019

Posted: July 27, 2019

warm and welcoming by staff and school leaders

Posted: July 27, 2019

Posted: July 27, 2019

Posted: July 27, 2019

Posted: July 27, 2019

Posted: July 27, 2019

Posted: February 12, 2019

Posted: February 12, 2019

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Posted: February 12, 2019

Posted: February 12, 2019

My experience has been great, very dedicated teachers.

Posted: September 14, 2017

Racial discrimination was plentiful at this school.

Posted: September 26, 2016

Posted: September 26, 2016

Posted: September 26, 2016

Posted: September 26, 2016

Posted: September 26, 2016

Posted: September 26, 2016

Posted: September 26, 2016

My son has been here for 3 years and loves it. The staff, including admin, are friendly and caring. It is a shame that a few people with an agenda post negative things about a school without verification and without an opportunity to hear both sides of a story.

Posted: September 23, 2014

Great school with great teachers. My son has been going to this school for three years and unfortunately this is his last. We have had great teachers that truly care about the child's classroom experience and I consider both my son and my family lucky to have

Posted: July 23, 2014

My kids transferred into Haydon last fall from another city school. We are extremely happy with the school and the administration. I had the opportunity to volunteer in my kids' classrooms and in the office. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. I'm baffled by the negative reviews here. My kids are happy and progressing nicely in their education. I have never seen any of the staff or administration being disrespectful nor belittling. Also, the PTA is extremely involved and does a ton for the school. I really appreciate all their hard work.

Posted: February 9, 2014

Here is an honest evaluation of this school.... My child is in his 5th year here and I have wanted to write a rating many times but have chosen not to for fear of being unfair. Unfortunately, my opinion at the end of the day is still the same. this is a sub par school. If your child is classified Gifted and talented or in need of extra resources, they are fine. However, if they are just average or in our case, very brite but not falling in the GT spectrum, well they get to become excellent artists by perfecting their coloring and drawing skills on the back of their completed work while the rest of the class catches up. The PTA is barely existing as there is no involvement.... not more than 6 people including its board members at any given meeting and it just feels like everyone does what needs to be done to get by. Tough place to leave your child everyday.

Posted: January 30, 2014

4th year with several kids at Haydon. It's been a period of transition, but I have to say it really is a wonderful school. The teachers my kids have had are AWESOME and they absolutely love going to school each and every day. The kindness and empathy I've witnessed from the teachers, staff and students is incredible and as to the students, is certainly a credit to the hard work that this school has undertaken in the past several years. The PTA and it seems the administration, is working very hard to increase parental involvement, which is one key to the success of these children. It seems that the school, and the city, is very committed to obtaining the resources and providing the opportunity to help our children succeed.

Posted: January 11, 2014

I LOVE this school and my kids do, too. Not only are they happy but they are learning. I'm sure that the disgruntled parents who posted negative comments here are negative people by nature who see their glass as perpetually half empty. I would not hesitate to ever recommend this school to a family considering a move to this community! I do, however, wish that more parents would be involved with the volunteer opportunities available.

Posted: January 10, 2014

Haydon is a wonderful school. The faculty and staff care very much for the students and really get involved with them. My child is receiving an excellent education by teachers who genuinely care about her learning and well being . Dr. Wilder greets the children daily and is very involved in the school. Haydon is a wonderful asset to our community and I can't wait for my other child to start school there. It's such a positive environment for the students and teachers- Haydon truly is a part of our family!

Posted: November 4, 2013

Contrary to what others have written, I feel Haydon is an exemplary school. The administration is quite visible working with students and staff, delivering necessary supplies, dealing with discipline, offering support, giving praise to students and staff vocally, and always being so positive. I believe the staff at this school truly cares about its students, parents, and community.

Posted: November 4, 2013

I hope readers will not be discouraged by some of the negative comments they find here. (It is an unfortunate characteristic of humankind that people are sometimes quick to find fault but forget to speak words of praise when praise is deserved.) Haydon is a actually a wonderful school, with an incredibly enthusiastic and dedicated group of teachers and staff, an administration that is working hard to provide the very best opportunities and school environment for all Haydon students, a very supportive and engaged group of parents (which includes the PTA and other volunteers), and most importantly the most fantastic group of children you would ever want to meet. I certainly am greatly encouraged by the progress I have seen at Haydon in the past two years: students writing and critical thinking skills are showing great improvement, and students seem increasingly curious about the world around them and eager to learn. I wish every parent who is able to visit our school can take time to read some of the written work displayed in the hallways to see what I mean!

Posted: October 24, 2013

We got what Faquier County didn't want , and our children have paid. We have 11 families that have chosen to send their children to other city elementary schools, or pay tuition at other area public schools. Please City of Manassas , wake up and see what's happening right before your eyes. Yes, scores have risen but that goes to show you that hard work was ALREADY in progress!

Posted: June 23, 2013

Although Haydon is struggling for countless reasons, I wish parents and teachers who post only negative things would stop damaging our school further. Many of the teachers who left retired and our assistant principal is leaving because her family is moving. There are still many excellent teachers at Haydon and they care for their students every day. Please stop speaking for all of us parents and teachers. I am both and plan on continuing to do my best for my students and I know my own children will have teachers who care about them. The garbage spewed on this blog does absolutely nothing for our students.

Posted: November 19, 2012

Many of these comments are just ridiculous! I am in a position to see all the students in the building and I have yet to run across a single student who was scared of the principal! The biggest reason "Happy Haydon" may not be so happy anymore is that we are in the bottom 10% of schools in Virginia and we are in improvement with the Commonwealth! There is lots of work to be done at Haydon, changes to be implemented and major progress that needs to be made. The students and their success should be the most important focus right now. I've seen and heard many parents in the building gossiping and whispering about the current administration. This is counterproductive and creates a toxic atmosphere. I would even go so far as to say that much of the information commented on here only came from a handful of parents who are broadcasting their dissatisfaction and bruised feelings far and wide. It's true that this administration may not be as warm and fuzzy as the last, but they also stepped in to take over a very big mess that warm and fuzzy left us in. Back off and give the woman a chance!

Posted: November 1, 2012

I would like to thank the new admin staff! They are both very "kid friendly" and have made great changes already! This is a hard spot to be in...with the previous scores being where they are...it is evident what was happening here was not enough, and our kids deserve the best! I hope the complainers get on board, and start supporting them both...instead of hindering with ugly comments. The kids are the ones we should all be focused on. Instead of complaining... volunteer some time in the class... I am sure there are kids who could use help on math problems....or even read to a couple, It is time we all pitch in... these ladies did not make this mess (the SOL scores), and we all need to help our kids be successful! We have a great team of teachers ...from what I see and hear... I have heard very good comments about the needed changes that have happened from my kid's teachers. Change is always hard...but in this case, it is welcomed! Keep up the good work!

Posted: October 31, 2012

Last parent hasn't truly met principal, this lady talks down to parents, kids, and staff! Who can condone that behavior? I hope the school moves in a better direction, who wants there child's school to fail? The parents are just so used to a very friendly warm Haydon, the new atmosphere is just cold. Yes, lunch is quieter because the kids are SCARED and parents unwelcome. I don't send my child to school to be scared!

Posted: October 31, 2012

Not sure what some of those comments are about... Like my sons teacher, my daughters teacher has been a bit harsh, but principal helped me. Only know about lunch and car pick up changes. My kids are happier with lunch now, is quieter and not so crowded finally. Am super worried about rating here of 2 out of 10. What's that about? Are test scores that bad?

Posted: October 29, 2012

We have 3 of our children that attend Haydon and during the last couple of weeks there have been several changes in the school. The changes have recently come to "light" as I have had a chance to talk to fellow parents. The change in administration seems to be the biggest problem, and I totally see that! I can't say that I've been impressed with the changes, unfortunately. I can only hope that they will be able to improve over the next couple of months and that educating students will become its strongest feature.

Posted: October 28, 2012

So sad what this school has become, the principal is uninvolved and seems to be easily bothered by students! I wonder what the City of Manassas was thinking when they hired this lady. I have never felt so uncomfortable in a public place in my life. I look forward to our lease being up so we can move out if the Haydon district. Where was the new superintendent when this lady was hired?

Posted: September 26, 2012

I agree with the last post. My children have been going to Haydon for many years and we have gone through many principals and the new one has a lot to learn about being friendly and how to make the school inviting to all. I have never been a city of Manassas school, where I was not welcome. Haydon is probably the most unfriendly place I've ever visited. So hopefully the new administration will wake up and realize this isn t the way to run an elementary school.

Posted: September 28, 2010

My daughter just started 3rd grade at Haydon and has been there since she started Kindergarten. She has severe food allergies and the nurse, office staff, specials teachers and her classroom teachers have all be amazing to work with.

Posted: February 28, 2009