Anthony Burns Elementary School

Posted: April 8, 2026

I actually LOVE this school. Not sure why it's listed as 4/10

Posted: April 8, 2026

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Posted: February 26, 2026

We’ve had a wonderful experience at Anthony Burns Elementary School. The teachers and staff are caring, professional, and truly dedicated to their students’ success.

The school provides a safe, welcoming environment with strong academics and great communication with parents. It’s clear that the leadership and staff genuinely care about every child’s growth, both academically and personally.

We’re very thankful to be part of this amazing school community.

Posted: February 26, 2026

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Posted: September 21, 2025

Great school in the area great stuff

Posted: September 21, 2025

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Posted: September 16, 2025

To All the Staff,

I am writing this letter to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude for the incredible work you do each and every day. As a parent I have witnessed the positive impact your dedication, patience, and passion for
Harmony ‘s education has had on her growth this year. From the warm welcomes in the morning to the thoughtful lessons and the care shown throughout the day, it is clear that you all go above and beyond to create a safe, engaging, and supportive environment.Harmony comes home excited to share what she’s learned, and it’s evident that she feels valued, seen, and inspired at school. That kind of enthusiasm and confidence is something that only happens when children are surrounded by people who genuinely care. Please know that your hard work does not go unnoticed. You are shaping not only young minds but also kind hearts and strong spirits. Thank you for making such a meaningful difference in Harmony.

Sincerely, The Spaulding Family

Posted: September 16, 2025

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Posted: August 7, 2025

Thank you for the teachers and school member great school

Posted: August 7, 2025

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Posted: November 21, 2024

This is the greatest school in the northern Virginia I believe. I feel happy and lucky my kids going to this school.

Posted: November 21, 2024

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Posted: November 5, 2022

My daughter loves this school and staff! She started last year on the 100th day to be exact. From the beginning, she was welcomed and supported. Her reading and writing has greatly improved and she actually wants to spend most of her free time reading! I’m not sure of the strategies that this amazing staff uses, but they are amazing. Thank you all for the outstanding care/teaching of my daughter.

Posted: November 5, 2022

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Posted: June 13, 2021

My child is a rising 1st graders here at ABES and we had an incredible experience for his kindergarten year. Even with this being an academic year like no other because of the pandemic, the teachers went above and beyond to make sure that these kids had a meaningful and wonderful kindergarten experience. The teachers and staff have been so caring and supportive as well as helpful when wanting to know strategies to help your child to be successful in school.

Posted: June 13, 2021

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Posted: November 1, 2020

This school is terrible with homework! If your child forgets their homework once, they are forced to walk around the playground during recess while all the other children play. It humiliates kids!

Posted: November 1, 2020

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Posted: November 1, 2020

TERRIBLE! I am a former student, and let me tell you, I had a terrible experience. The teachers are beyond rude, they search your kids stuff for no reason. The faculty is no help and they´re awfully rude. I was bullied and my mother tried to step in, but they were no help. The teachers publicly humiliate students in front of the rest of the class. There was a child in my classes who was disabled as well. The teacher would not let him use the bathroom so he went all over himself and she yelled at him. Disgraceful!

Posted: July 11, 2018

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Posted: July 11, 2018

We had the good fortune of sending our child to kindergarten in the mid-west prior to moving here. The type of work being done in the class room as well as the general effectiveness of the faculty and staff at A.B.E.S. were far below our prior experience. I imagine this is primarily a result of over crowded, underfunded classrooms, which are staffed by underpaid teachers. Until the county is prepared to adequately fund schools we will be sending our children to private school.

Posted: July 11, 2018

Posted: October 31, 2017

Rude and lazy. They are in a word bullies. There is no leadership and no communication. No one knows what they’re doing and it shows . Nothing but hostility from all adults

Posted: October 31, 2017

Our child has issues and the school acts like it’s nothing but a complete hassle

Posted: October 31, 2017

This is one of the worst. It’s hard for the school to deal with bullying children when the adults are all rude and bullies. We have a third grader that is severely bullied and the school did nothing to help until we threatened to take it to outside scoures

Posted: October 31, 2017

We sent several notes to the teacher of third grade and got no response until we threatened to go to the principal.

Posted: October 31, 2017

Probably the rudest I’ve ever met. They are worse bullies than the bullies we met that are children. They are ineffective and terrible.

Posted: October 31, 2017

Nooooo . We have had nothing but issues. Miscommunication and bullying. There is no stance taken on curbing the bullying issue.

Posted: October 31, 2017

This is hands down the worst school I’ve ever seen. I was military and have had children in schools in Hazard and Louisville that we’re better . The issue with the bullies is out of hand. The office staff and teachers and rude and belligerent. Even the staff getting children to your cars is absolutely awful. They are rude and nasty to deal with. I get anxiety just picking up the kids

Posted: August 7, 2017

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Posted: August 7, 2017

My experience was absolutely horrible. My daughter was bullied throughout the year and little to no action was taken until the little boy busted her lip. It makes no sense that it took physical evidence to finally call attention to the matter. The administration is very slow and nonchalant about response.

Posted: July 23, 2017

Haven't seen or heard of an ounce of it.

Posted: July 23, 2017

Posted: July 23, 2017

Have had two daughters at the school and even transferring in from the Fairfax school system and a great school, they didn't regret it for a moment. Frankly, I have ZERO idea how this school gets such a low "great schools" rating and it makes me question their logarithms! In any case, the girls have absolutely LOVED their teachers. My my elder daughter has been accepted into second level AP math in middle school - so, that's a testament to great teaching (and encouraging hard work in the students).

Posted: July 23, 2017

My daughters are developing into some amazing individuals and they absolutely encourage development. They weren't biased at all - and in fact, let my eldest enter the "Focus" program mid-way through the school year when we moved here.

Posted: July 23, 2017

The principal was absolutely awesome and unbelievably dedicated. Stafford attracts some great talent from all over. Sadly, she's leaving this year, but I'm sure her replacement will be fine.

Posted: July 23, 2017

Absolutely - my younger daughter had a speech impediment and she's been progressing fine.

Posted: July 23, 2017

Teachers are awesome. The school LOOKS brand new. It's in a great neighborhood. They've always been patient in every way, and encourage hard work and attendance in ways that Fairfax County schools never did. Have no clue how this gets a 3 Great Schools rating.

Posted: June 9, 2017

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Posted: June 9, 2017

We loved and enjoyed Anthony Burns for my sons 5th grade year!!

Posted: June 9, 2017

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Posted: April 22, 2015

I do not like this school at all. First of the front office staff is so rude, they don't even speak when you come in. My son's first teacher left during the middle of the school year, we were not inform until her last day working at the school. You can't have any interaction with your child, (for instance if you wanted to drop in just to check up on him/her) they wouldn't allow it unless u have an appointment. I'm sick of this school and I don't recall my son having any homework until his new teacher arrived the beginning of this year. Don't allow your child/children to go here!

Posted: June 17, 2014

My children have attended ABES for 3 yrs, and we are pleased. Their class placement has been good, and transition from our old elem school out of state was flawless. They have excelled. I have found that parent involvement in the classroom has always been welcomed and there are lots of volunteer opportunities throughout the year outside of the classroom. I read other comments regarding lack of friendliness of office staff, and while I don't completely disagree, they are certainly not a mean bunch. My best advice to a new parent would be to involve yourself in your child's classroom as often as you can, and sign up with the PTO (it's free) to be contacted with other volunteer opportunities in the school. It is through these channels that you get to know staff and see their love for your children. The lunch room is not a quiet place, but 2 staff members can't possibly keep a lid on hundreds of children at once. The yeller has been gone, but I think if teachers were made to rotate lunch duty and/or the first 15mins were silent to eat you'd see a quieter lunch room..it works! The school struggles for volunteers, it desperately needs more parents/families to step up!

Posted: October 10, 2012

Although I don't have any of my own children attending to this school, I accompanied my neighbor today to join her and her 2nd grader for lunch at the school and I was shocked. There were 2 ladies with the children who keep order in the cafetaria and one of them was yelling horribly to the children for being loud and other things. I understand that because of the loud noise they would have to raise there voices, but yelling, that is different. You could see such fustration and anger in her face. In addition, that they have the children cleaning up the tables, picking up the silverware and trays. That should be done by these ladys which get paid, not the children. I really disliked this policy (if that is what it is) from this school. So far, I'm not enrolling my boy in this school. Kids are there to learn and interact with other children, not to be doing other people job!

Posted: June 3, 2012

My 3 kids are all attending ABES. My older son started KG at ABES and he is graduating this year. I have nothing but praise and gratitude to all the staff, principal, assistant principal and of course all our beautiful teachers (including the one that "yells". I have volunteered few times in school, and as a parent, I understand what it takes to keep order in even a small setting like my house, I can only imagine how hard it is to keep order and discipline in a 20+ class. Yes there are those who need extra help in most classes, but overall "Hats off" to our ABES teachers for their patience, consistency and dedication. We also have a very active PTO that we are proud of. We are proud of our teachers and we LOVE our ABES teachers and staff. Grateful parent

Posted: May 28, 2012

In a word, awful. As a military family, we've experienced our share of schools across the spectrum, and this one fell short of our every expectation. From the first impression of the office staff; unfriendly, condescending and at times downright rude, to the administration's seeming disregard for any sort of parental involvement or input, it really left much to be desired. Our son's second grade teacher, while competent, was overwhelmed by the academic levels of the students in her class, and consequently those who, like my son, did not act out, were left to fend for themselves while those with behavioral problems received the majority of her time and attention. One of the third grade teachers was known as 'the yeller' by the other children, which went on for an entire school year. We transferred our children and are so glad we did as there are other, better options in Stafford.

Posted: May 3, 2012

This school is caring and supportive. I moved to Stafford, VA in July 2009 (a military family) and was pretty worried about my children going to a school who s Test scores fell below the state standards. However, once I arrived and my daughters attended school, I quickly spoke to their teachers because I wanted to know their character and how they felt about the school and its entirety. Last year (2010-2011) my daughter took the 3rd grade state tests. Prior to taking the tests, the teachers tested each student and whoever did not past the pre tests received tutors; my daughter fell slightly below (reading) and therefore had a tutor which was provided by the school. When the test results were available, my daughter passed with an advance in Reading, Math and Science. The parent who stated "the school puts children into cookie cutter class room" yes they do, but the teachers do a fantastic job at separating those levels. Those individuals who excel above the class are given Enrichments worksheet to keep their mind stimulated. My daughter excels in math therefore she always receives harder worksheet then the rest of class. I have very pleased with the school!

Posted: March 26, 2012

I can't speak highly enough about ABES. I have only ever had positive experiences with my child attending there. The faculty is great, and my child's teacher is constantly giving me feedback.

Posted: February 15, 2012

I am also shocked to see such negative reviews for this school. My daughter is in the third grade and has been coming here since Kindergarten. I did like her 2nd grade teacher but she is why I gave the teacher quality 4 stars. Her other two teachers have been excellent. Mainly, she was having major behavioral issues in the beginning of Kindergarten throughout first grade. They worked with me and really CARED about helping her behavior not affect her school work and now she is doing 100% better (and she is not on medication) which I think has a lot to do with her teacher this year as well. Both the vice principal and the principal (along with guidance, the school therapist, etc.) came to several meetings to discuss what we could do as a group to help improve her learning and behavior and they formed a whole behavioral chart / system for her. Also - I have been in the school A LOT as well as called in and no one has ever been rude to me, the staff has always been nice and friendly. She has never had a teacher change mid semester either, she did have a substitute at the end of the year last year because her main teacher had a baby which is obviously understandable.

Posted: January 27, 2012

I as shocked to see the negative review of this school. I have been nothing but impressed by the teachers and staff. I find the levels of students in my child's classes to vary greatly but the teachers really seem to meet the needs of all of the students. I am THRILLED that my child goes to school at ABES!!!

Posted: January 10, 2012

We moved here from Southern CA expecting the school to be an improvement. Unfortunately, we found the opposite. There tends to be a high turnover of teachers and a breakdown of comunication between the staff and the teachers. They also tend to put the children in "cookie cutters" instead of recognizing individual strengths or weaknesses. I have also heard many parents mention that the OFFICE STAFF IS VERY UNFRIENDLY!! I agree. Just a greeting smile would have been nice. After a few months, I transferred my child out of this school. I'm glad I did. Overall, this school is sub-par.