Marshall Road Elementary School

Posted: November 10, 2025

Posted: November 10, 2025

Posted: November 10, 2025

Posted: November 10, 2025

Posted: November 10, 2025

This is the worst school ever. Racism is real here, and the level of neglect is extremely high.

Posted: November 10, 2025

Posted: November 10, 2025

Posted: November 9, 2023

Posted: November 9, 2023

Posted: November 9, 2023

Posted: November 9, 2023

Posted: November 9, 2023

Posted: November 9, 2023

My child has been here for multiple years now. Their current teacher is amazing, and our previous teacher just wasn’t the right fit for our child. They were still a solid teacher that my child enjoyed.
I cannot say enough about how fabulous their current teacher is. She is beautifully managing a classroom with 6 kids above grade level and other kids who have just immigrated to the US with limited English. My child has been placed in the AAP program they need, and their teacher is actively seeking the higher curriculum needed. My child loves their classroom. They are grouped by capability with lessons geared to each group.
My child does have special needs. I proactively reached out to the school prior to their first school year and everything was well addressed. Their plan has been proactively managed with things added as needed. New things tried when the need arises.
My child also faced disciplinary actions. The school communications were great about what happened and how they would be addressing the challenges as they arose. I was never blamed for the behavior, expected to remediate only at home, or not part of the plan. I have been equally impressed with the emphasis on socio-emotional learning.
The community is great. My child has several friends and enjoys all the school activities such as the before school programs by the PTA, the community events, and seeing friends within our neighborhood. The SACC program is fabulous as well. The staff is fantastic and dedicated to their students.
Finally the rating is what it is for 2 reasons, the highest level of need in the Vienna community (serves the lowest income group) and MRES being the center for special needs in the area. I see this as a positive as a large portion of the school is of a higher socioeconomic class and being exposed to a larger community is a good thing for me.

Posted: November 9, 2023

Posted: November 9, 2023

Posted: August 11, 2022

Posted: August 11, 2022

Posted: August 11, 2022

Posted: August 11, 2022

Posted: August 11, 2022

Posted: August 11, 2022

I like Marshall road elementary school. My kids very happy to go school.

Posted: August 11, 2022

Posted: August 11, 2022

Posted: July 23, 2022

Posted: July 23, 2022

Posted: July 23, 2022

Posted: July 23, 2022

Posted: July 23, 2022

Posted: July 23, 2022

Administration, teachers, and support are beyond expectation. I was concerned moving from a very highly rated school in Arlington to Marshall Road ES given its rating on this site. It blows any of my children’s previous schools out of the water, to include private schools.

Posted: July 23, 2022

Posted: July 26, 2021

The teachers are amazing. The administration is trying so hard to improve. Yet, this school is failing to deliver quality education. Smart people can debate the reasons why . . . or explain why things are difficult . . . but the reality is that kids are not learning. Fairfax has failed the faculty, staff, and students. I am so thankful that we pulled our child out of Marshall Road. My heart breaks for the teachers and staff who are hamstrung by Fairfax.

Posted: July 26, 2021

Posted: July 26, 2021

Posted: July 26, 2021

Posted: July 26, 2021

Posted: July 26, 2021

Posted: July 26, 2021

Posted: July 26, 2021

Posted: May 10, 2021

I have had 4 children go to this school 2 of which are at UVA and 2 who are at Madison High School. This school prepared my children socially and academically. I love the staff and administrators that love helping children.

Posted: May 10, 2021

Posted: May 10, 2021

Posted: May 10, 2021

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Posted: May 10, 2021

Posted: May 10, 2021

Posted: May 10, 2021

Posted: January 6, 2021

I should start by saying I’m an educator myself and this was a bad experience. 1. Our child attended an after school activity and the bus from that activity came to pick her up. Around October my husband went to watch our child’s activity about 30 minutes after she was supposed to arrive and she was not there. When we asked the people in charge of the activity they said the school informed them our child wasn’t there. However she did attend school that day and we hadn’t heard anything. We began calling the school and I was about to call the police. In the end, the school forgot to get her to the bus and when they discovered this, instead of calling to inform us, they called the activity place to come back to pick our child up. It took over 45 minutes for her to get to her destination and in that time we didn’t know what was happening or where she was. We did meet with the assistant principal(AP) who did take responsibility for their mistake.
2. After my mother, a retired elementary principal went on a field trip with our child’s class she told me I needed to volunteer to observe what was happening in the classroom. I did just that. Upon arrival the class was still in a special. I was alerted to their return down the hallway to yelling, noise, and one student running into various empty classrooms. The students arrived and the teacher left the para, who happened to be a substitute, with 29 students. I started pulling groups to read in the hallway. Each time I entered the classroom chaos was occurring. One child was running around hitting others, another child was flipping his chair and actually tripped me, another child took her book bag and hit it over the head of another. The para was almost in tears asking me how to call the office for help. I, as the parent, went and got help. All the while, my child was sitting at her desk almost in tears and begging me to take her home.
3. I called a meeting with the AP about what I had witnessed. She was upset and claimed she would fix things. I was invited to observe again and that time during carpet time one child went up to another and kicked her in the head. The AP looked at me embarrassed and said something to the child. No children were listening and it was chaos again.
4. During COVID I realized my child was well behind in reading. I needed to put her on a program to catch her up. If she hadn’t been home due to COVID she would not be able to read.
We pulled her out and she is now thriving.

Posted: January 6, 2021

Posted: January 6, 2021

Posted: January 6, 2021

Posted: January 6, 2021

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Posted: January 6, 2021

Posted: January 6, 2021

Posted: April 4, 2019

Excellent. We transitioned a child from a private school and are extremely happy with the school.

Posted: April 4, 2019

Reasonable amounts of homework. Both reinforces and challenges.

Posted: April 4, 2019

Our experience had been excellent. Principal has been supportive of identifying appropriate teachers.

Posted: April 4, 2019

Posted: April 4, 2019

Posted: April 4, 2019

Posted: April 4, 2019

Posted: August 14, 2018

All of my children's teachers have been exceptional.

Posted: August 14, 2018

Posted: August 14, 2018

Principal Heiges is an excellent principal and is very involved with parents.

Posted: August 14, 2018

Posted: August 14, 2018

Posted: August 14, 2018

We've had two children at this school and both experiences have been excellent.

Posted: May 16, 2018

Positivity Project in 2017-18 is a success. My kids often talk about the lessons shared in class

Posted: May 16, 2018

Administration is close to families and knows what is going on in the community. Admin has a good relationship with teachers

Posted: May 16, 2018

My kids get what they need at MRES. One of my children has a 504 and the school has been creative and effective in managing his needs.

Posted: May 16, 2018

This is given the attention that it needs

Posted: May 16, 2018

My children are receiving exactly what they need at Marshall Road. Most importantly, they are learning how to be good citizens. Their academic knowledge is strong. There is a strong focus on reading. Treating other respectfully and being a good human is important to our family

Posted: May 16, 2018

Children are required to read each night. Sometimes math is given as review. There isn't a great deal of homework but that's appears to be the current educational trend, especially for elementary

Posted: May 16, 2018

My child has always been placed in the class that is best for him. Specialists and teachers are great with all types of students

Posted: April 9, 2018

Posted: April 9, 2018

Posted: April 9, 2018

Posted: April 9, 2018

it is okay with all the questions i answered

Posted: April 9, 2018

my kid is 5thgrade and no homework

Posted: December 18, 2017

Posted: December 18, 2017

Posted: December 18, 2017

Posted: December 18, 2017

Posted: December 18, 2017

Posted: December 18, 2017

Posted: December 18, 2017

This school is poorly educated but has friendly staff

Posted: November 19, 2017

Posted: November 19, 2017

Posted: November 19, 2017

We had an instance of this and both the teacher and counselor helped my child.

Posted: November 19, 2017

10/10! This is a fabulous school. Our children bounce into school everyday and really enjoy learning.

Posted: November 19, 2017

They follow current research based best practices. My kids get a little bit of homework and it is appropriate.

Posted: November 19, 2017

Both my children have had awesome teachers.

Posted: November 19, 2017

Fabulous counselors. My kids do not have any significant issues but they know the counselor.

Posted: August 28, 2017

This is an incredible school. We just moved from Maryland and couldn't be happier with the school. They are very academic focused and really provide excellent attention to individual students.

Posted: August 28, 2017

Posted: August 28, 2017

Posted: August 28, 2017

Posted: August 28, 2017

Posted: August 28, 2017

Posted: August 28, 2017

Posted: August 10, 2017

Posted: August 10, 2017

Posted: August 10, 2017

My child has been beaten in this school. There was no justice desicion made after we complained.

Posted: August 10, 2017

Posted: August 10, 2017

Posted: August 10, 2017

Our child was beaten in this school by a peer.

Posted: August 10, 2017

Posted: August 9, 2017

NO homework is given and not accountable if they don't do it.

Posted: August 9, 2017

Most teachers there do the bare minimum.

Posted: August 9, 2017

There's no culture of respect that is taught to the students or caring for each other or their personal property, no sense of community or caring, too much bullying goes on there.

Posted: August 9, 2017

Principal not a strong leader runs away from problems, doesn't generate fresh and innovate ideas, never around.

Posted: August 9, 2017

They have a strong program for learning disabilities.

Posted: August 9, 2017

Have witnessed many bullying incidents and nothing done about it, too much bullying goes on there.

Posted: August 9, 2017

Terrible experience, too much bullying, bare minimum curriculum of teaching, weak leadership and uncaring of principal

Posted: August 8, 2017

Posted: August 8, 2017

Posted: August 8, 2017

Posted: August 8, 2017

Posted: August 8, 2017

Posted: August 8, 2017

Posted: August 8, 2017

Very badly run , no effective leadership from principal, students are not really cared for and no respect, no learning, teachers do what they want and dont care either, not accountable.

Posted: June 25, 2017

There is very little respect to parents and children. The staff acts like they are doing you a favor to accept your child as a student.

Posted: June 25, 2017

The homework is a waste of time. Students are not held accountable to ensure homework is turned in. Most parents don't even bother with h.w. because the h.w. is not in parallel with current materials being taught.

Posted: June 25, 2017

Teachers do what they want and do not follow a curriculum (very shocking)! The teachers have no plan and no one ensures all students get a fair education and for them to at be taught the basic curriculum.

Posted: June 25, 2017

MRES is a very poorly run school. Principle Heiges, Mr. Henson and lots of the staff do absolutely nothing to provide quality education to these students. In fact, they even act selfishly in preventing the school to grow. I would recommend you send your children anywhere but MRES. It is not a healthy and promoting environment I think for the students educational and emotional growth.

Posted: June 21, 2017

Excellent school with experienced staff and very supportive of the student's personal development.

Posted: June 21, 2017

Posted: June 21, 2017

Posted: June 21, 2017

Posted: June 21, 2017

Posted: June 21, 2017

Posted: June 21, 2017

Posted: June 1, 2017

MRES lacks leadership and Principle Heiges and her chosen entourage is a major reason for this school's lack of growth. They purposely withhold and hide information from the parents and students. The wise parents don't send their children to MRES. The children do not get a fair education in comparison to surrounding FCPS schools. The school does everything to prevent parents and students from knowing and learning what goes on in the classroom. Princ. Heiges smiles at you but truly does not care about the students and their families.

Posted: June 1, 2017

Posted: June 1, 2017

Posted: June 1, 2017

Posted: June 1, 2017

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Posted: June 1, 2017

Posted: October 3, 2016

Posted: October 3, 2016

Posted: October 3, 2016

Posted: October 3, 2016

Posted: October 3, 2016

My daughter scored above the final measurement during the first testing period, and had nowhere to go (as far as scores). They wouldn't adjust to her level and told me they want all children reading at the same level by the end of kindergarten. Pure foolishness!

Posted: October 3, 2016

Posted: October 3, 2016

My child went here for kindergarten in 2013-2014. What child doesn't want to go to school for kindergarten? My daughter hated it! It was a fight every day to get her to go. My daughter went to private school at Merritt Academy for K3 and K4 and was more advanced that the material they were teaching. The teacher would not adjust to my daughter's level, and tried to call her a delinquent instead. They didn't like for me to show up to see what was going on. The principal told me "I'm sure whatever the teacher said is what really happened." (Then why can't I go on back?) The worst part of my child's time there was during the first full week of school, they released my daughter early, without a note from me, to a child care provider who didn't have access to pick up children from the school in the afternoon PERIOD. And I had to ride around Fairfax trying to figure out where my child was at 6:00 PM when most stuff is CLOSED! When I confronted the principal, she admitted that there were no checks and balances and didn't apologize once. We could've probably pressed charges, but I just took my daughter out of there ASAP! When we moved, my daughter went from being a "delinquent" to a "social butterfly"... it's amazing how the only thing that changed was the environment. Be very cautious of this school!

Posted: September 19, 2016

It is hard for these qualities to be in a school when the administrator does not possess any of these qualities. She should be fired!

Posted: September 19, 2016

The principal will smile and lie directly to you. Jen has no moral values and went as far as lying about what my daughter did just to make herself look good. Be cautious at this school. They truly do not have the children's best interest and mistreat them!

Posted: September 7, 2016

Parents are involved at this school; the PTA is very active and committed. Excellent teachers and principal.

Posted: August 26, 2015

I have two children attending this school. I’d say the school is below average when it comes to math curriculum and use of technology in the classroom. Part of the problem is a pathetic “Every Day Math” curriculum that the school follows (jumps all over the place before kids have a chance to master a skill). More progressive schools and districts ditched it a long time ago. The other part is that most teachers in upper grades are stuck in a rut and just teach to the test. In which case you have to rely on using worksheet-based method, which they do. I’ve seen stacks and stacks of paper coming home each week. It is certainly not a school that uses hands-on/ project based learning, especially in 4th and 5th grades. The only way for me to know what’s going on is to go through those stacks of worksheets. It shouldn’t be the only way. Why not send parents a monthly outline on what the kids will be doing in core classes beforehand so we can engage them at home on those topics? Or use the blackboard website to blog on what the class is working on? Nobody uses it. Forget the fact that if the kid forgets a piece of paper with math homework, you’re out of luck. Better get on the phone and start harassing other parents, there’s no other way to get it. Administration- the principle is ok. My kids don’t really interact with her on a regular basis. Doubt she even knows their names. Assistant principals- Mr. Z is definitely more personable and knows how to work with children. The other assistant would be better off handling teenagers, not younger kids who seem to fear him. Lack of good math/science curriculum, coupled with lack of engaging teaching methods and meaningful communication makes our experience at this school below average.

Posted: May 17, 2015

My son is a kindergartner at Marshall Road Elementary and I've been extremely pleased with his experience there. He loves his class, his teachers, and the administrators. His teacher is fantastic and I've been very impressed by the weekly communication from the teachers, the creativity of the curriculum, and the types of activities that are done. The school is in great shape, has nice facilities, and seems to have caring and engaged leadership.

Posted: April 6, 2015

Marshall road school is a good school.my children love it very much.i hope they make progress every day.

Posted: February 22, 2015

My son took first grade from MRES , great principle and assistant principle .His teacher was Mrs Wisinger one of the best teachers is the school. My son loves his new school but he definitely miss MRES.

Posted: November 8, 2013

Amazing, the school truly has great staff. The teachers really try to reach out to the student. It is a safe and mind building enviorment, as long as the child has potential they will do really well.

Posted: November 8, 2013

Excellent, my kids have been getting amazing grades, this school truly does go above and beyond.

Posted: November 8, 2013

I have really been amazed from my children's grades. They are really doing amazing thanks to this school.

Posted: September 19, 2013

The administration and teachers have demonstrated a level of caring and expertise that is truly impressive. My son has thrived in this very positive and supportive environment. I have seen not any kind of over focus on SOLs, but instead I've seen teachers who care and an administration that has been open to my participation in helping my son's education. It's a great place for a kid to learn and thrive.

Posted: August 26, 2013

A small town feel community with caring teachers and excellent academics. A strong PTA and volunteer of community, great principal leadership, it's a great school. I would like to see more technology, perhaps ipads for all the kids and more programs for the higher achieved children but its a warm environment, I would like to see spelling bees for instance and level 4 academics if possible added.

Posted: June 3, 2013

This is my first year at Marshall road and I already don't like it. The leadership is terrible. My teacher is very mean and my classmates and parents don't like her. The administration keep talking about how Marshall road is a great school but I don't know. Someone even said that this was the worst year ever. I really like my old school a lot better. The advanced academics don't push us hard enough and all they care about is the SOLs. Most kids ignore me and lots of rumors get passed around. I am kind of disappointed. Lots of kids don't even listen. I was hoping for new friends and more opportunities.

Posted: April 27, 2013

Although the leadership could improve at this school, the teachers are excellent. The children love their school, school pride is very high and the level of academics ares stellar. I have been very happy sending two of my children through Marshall Road.

Posted: March 23, 2013

Marshall Road is an excellent school. It is diverse and learning is differentiated in the classrooms to fit the needs each student. If you have the opportunity to have your child in Mrs. Thomas' first grade class, consider yourself blessed. She is caring, kind, and constantly challenges her students to do their best.. She loves having parents work with students in the classroom and is always available to chat about your child. There are other excellent teachers at Marshall Road but Mrs. Thomas goes above and beyond. She even goes to baseball and basketball games to see her students play! Marshall Road is a great school and my children love it there.