Sangster Elementary School

Posted: August 14, 2025

Both of my kids have now attended Sangster for a few years and I could not say enough great things about the school.

Posted: August 14, 2025

Posted: August 14, 2025

Posted: August 14, 2025

Posted: August 14, 2025

Posted: August 14, 2025

Posted: August 14, 2025

Posted: August 14, 2025

Posted: July 30, 2022

Sangster is an excellent school. Strong focus on academics and emotional well-being of the student. Parents are very engaged and supportive. The faculty is amazing and provides differential academic attention. Homework is reasonable and enrichment activities are plenty. The Covid protocols have been strong.

Posted: July 30, 2022

Posted: July 30, 2022

Posted: July 30, 2022

Posted: July 30, 2022

Posted: July 30, 2022

Posted: July 30, 2022

Posted: July 30, 2022

Posted: June 7, 2022

Posted: June 7, 2022

Posted: June 7, 2022

Posted: June 7, 2022

Posted: June 7, 2022

Posted: June 7, 2022

Posted: June 7, 2022

Posted: June 7, 2022

My kids enjoy going to school and I think that is testament to how well this school is run. The teachers are engaged, knowledgeable, experienced, and just generally good people. The front office staff is diligent and take safety and communication seriously. The library has a variety of books for levels and interests. The PTA works hard to put together some great programs throughout the year. I do wish there were more after school activities around STEM or arts available but that would be the only complaint.

Posted: March 17, 2022

Sangster is a good school. They'll tell you that about a million times when you talk to Principal/AP. But it's nothing better than the rest of the local Fairfax County schools. They have all the "advanced academic" kids from the 4 other local elementary schools, so of course their test grades are higher! I've had a son here and at Orange Hunt, and we liked the community of Orange Hunt better. Plus, Sangster likes to pump your kid full of homework even though study after study has shown no benefit at elementary level. So pointless! It's a good school though. Just don't think it's any BETTER than Hunt Valley, Orange Hunt, Cherry Run, etc.

Posted: March 17, 2022

Posted: March 17, 2022

Posted: March 17, 2022

Posted: March 17, 2022

Posted: March 17, 2022

Posted: March 17, 2022

Posted: March 17, 2022

Posted: October 17, 2019

I have 2 children at Sangster and one graduated last year after attending K through 6th. Sangster is a fantastic school. The principal does a great job of only hiring the BEST, most phenomenal teachers. The parents are very involved and supportive of whatever the school needs. It is fantastic to have the AAP program at the school because, if your child ends up participating, they do not need to switch schools to be at a center school. I can't imagine there being a better school in Fairfax County. I feel so grateful that my kids have been able to go to Sangster and you can tell that the other kids and parents feel the same way.

Posted: October 17, 2019

Posted: October 17, 2019

Posted: October 17, 2019

Posted: October 17, 2019

Posted: October 17, 2019

Posted: October 17, 2019

The administration could do better here. There is too much focus on protecting the rights of bullying kids and not enough focus on protecting those being bullied.

Posted: July 19, 2019

Posted: July 19, 2019

My child was bullied by the classroom teacher.

Posted: July 19, 2019

We had a terrible experience with this school. Perhaps the teachers and administration mean well, however, their actions over our time at this school displayed immaturity at best as well as negligence. I cannot describe the disappointment we felt when our child was bullied by the classroom teacher here, and our attempts to communicate with administration were ignored and diverted to secretarial staff so that the principals did not have to acknowledge the situation. Our child was physically endangered by the poor decision-making of leadership at this school. This is but the tip of the iceberg for us, but never have we been so relieved to move on. Our child is thrilled to be attending elsewhere - and we are thrilled to be leaving Sangster in the dust.

Posted: July 19, 2019

Posted: July 19, 2019

My child had a teacher who was unable to communicate clearly to the parents - no wonder I had to teach my child nearly every subject at home. The communication was so poor, parents would reach out to one another to try to understand what the teacher was trying to communicate, rather than trying to speak with the teacher. The teacher routinely talked in circles; endeavoring to communicate with the teacher was challenging as a parent. It became quite clear to me why my child felt they were not being taught in the classroom. I cannot imagine trying to learn from a teacher with such poor communication skills. The teacher has been at the school for many years.

Posted: July 19, 2019

My child was bullied by a teacher at this school. In spite of the school's claim that they support and implement the 'positivity project', never have I encountered an environment where the adults conducted themselves with less maturity than the elementary students themselves.

Posted: July 19, 2019

In spite of attempts to communicate with the leadership at the school, my attempts were ignored. I contacted administration months ago, and am still waiting for a return on my request for communication. The principal/aps avoid contact where possible, using secretarial staff to avoid dealing with situations they would rather ignore.

Posted: July 3, 2019

Lots of teacher turnover because of principals focus on test scores only, principal doesn’t support student extracurricular interests or creativity...every moment must be on test prep

Posted: July 3, 2019

Often students do not get the special education services they need in may—these specialists are pulled to proctor the SOL tests instead

Posted: July 3, 2019

Luckily my kid has avoided the bullying (a benefit of being a quiet introvert) and has gotten a great education from her teachers, but the school lacks clear leadership

Posted: July 3, 2019

Too much homework given in the lower grades—50 page math summer packet is not appropriate for rising 3rd graders

Posted: July 3, 2019

The teachers make this school great—innovative kind and energetic.

Posted: July 3, 2019

Lots of bullying goes unnoticed and unchecked by school leadership—children physically attacked on playground with no consequences, mean Girl behavior never addressed

Posted: April 29, 2018

The leadership at this school not only ignores bullying, it actively bullies parents that dare raise the issue.

Posted: April 29, 2018

Posted: April 29, 2018

Posted: April 29, 2018

Posted: April 29, 2018

The leadership at this school not only ignores bullying, it actively bullies parents that dare raise the issue.

Posted: April 29, 2018

Posted: April 29, 2018

The leadership at this school not only ignores bullying, it actively bullies parents that dare raise the issue.

Posted: April 20, 2018

Very disappointing. Many families look at the rating of the school and work hard to find housing in this school zone. But shortly after, with huge disappointment, they start exploring other options. Reddel and Macrina do not know what they are doing and need some training on understanding, listening, empathy, and humanity. There is a cruel world out there!

Posted: April 20, 2018

Posted: April 20, 2018

Both Principal Reddel and assistant principal Macrina are ineffective in handling conflict and other situations at school. The leader and teaching staff for the most part are so stressed out about the good reputation of the school, that they loose their simple humanity, understanding, and empathy. Students go through unexplained stress, anxiety, humiliation and embarrassment on daily basis, so that the leadership and teachers can get that A on their evaluation.

Posted: April 20, 2018

It does support children with learning difficulties to some extent; but again, everyone is always so stressed out and going on a 200 mph speed that they forget what humanity and empathy are.

Posted: April 20, 2018

Absolutely not! During recess teachers stand in the corner and chat while kids are being bullied. If a student comes with a complaint, they brush the student off, while other kids quickly catch on to that and start making fun of that student calling names such as "snitch, tattle-teller, etc". Very psychologically unsafe environment.

Posted: November 17, 2017

Posted: November 17, 2017

Posted: November 17, 2017

My child has been in Sangster for 2 years. Great experience so far. The teachers are loving, hard-working and dedicated to their students.

Posted: November 17, 2017

Not too much, not too little. I saw progress and my kid is motivated to learn.

Posted: November 17, 2017

Most of the teachers are very dedicated, bonded well with the kids. Ms. Brotemarkle is the best teacher one could have asked for. The Art teacher is so warm and creative with the kids.

Posted: November 17, 2017

Posted: November 17, 2017

Posted: August 24, 2017

Posted: August 24, 2017

We've had better experiences at our previous schools.

Posted: August 24, 2017

If what they teach is how leadership acts it will be difficult to instill these characters into children during their impressionable years.

Posted: August 24, 2017

If the attitude of this principle trickles down the ranks this school is doomed. She does not care for students as individuals but rather seems to run things for numbers to brag about.

Posted: August 24, 2017

Posted: August 24, 2017

Posted: August 24, 2017

The office staff and teachers for the most part seem to be helpful and caring. The principal is a different story. She is cold-hearted and out of touch with children and parents. She either doesn't care or does not know how to deal with parents. She flat out refused to meet with us about our concerns. She talks like she runs the school like a business and the children are just numbers. A good leader should always listen to concerns and feedback regardless of if they agree with the concerns. Emphathy is not in her vocabulary and she comes across as more of a bully.

Posted: June 21, 2017

The good teachers seem to have no incentive to stay

Posted: June 21, 2017

Posted: June 21, 2017

Posted: June 21, 2017

The focus is on the AAP program, that's why the test scores are so high compared to other schools.

Posted: June 21, 2017

Posted: June 21, 2017

Turns out that some of the topics had to be taught at home, time should be used more wisely

Posted: June 21, 2017

Posted: June 18, 2017

Fantastic experience with wonderful teachers and administration.

Posted: June 18, 2017

Posted: June 18, 2017

Posted: June 18, 2017

Posted: June 18, 2017

Posted: June 18, 2017

Posted: June 18, 2017

Posted: November 14, 2016

My kids transferred this year and so far I have felt that the teachers and administration have done a fantastic job. My only concern is the lack of homework but perhaps it is something I should enjoy and trust that work is don't during the day.

Posted: October 19, 2016

Posted: October 19, 2016

Posted: October 19, 2016

Posted: October 19, 2016

Posted: October 19, 2016

Posted: October 19, 2016

Posted: October 19, 2016

Our son recently transferred from OHES. We loved the principal and staff there, and we nervous about changing to the larger Sangster. Our nervousness has been erased, and we have been consistently blown away by the outstanding principal and staff of Sangster. We have never experienced such a high level of communication, care and concern before. No matter what the issue, whether schoolwork, classroom or bus-related, someone is always quick to find a solution and help us work through it. Our son hasn't made many friends, but thanks to his wonderful teacher, he excited every day to board the bus (esp. on Friday STEM days). Big thank you to everyone. Oh, and not sure what beef the previous reviewer had with the principal, but if you can't spell principal correctly...I'm not going to take your review of Sangster too seriously.

Posted: August 31, 2016

The new principle is awful. So many great teachers have left because of the new leadership team. In my opinion, the School Board needs to take a closer look at what is going on.

Posted: August 31, 2016

Posted: August 31, 2016

Posted: August 31, 2016

Posted: July 10, 2016

You will hit and miss with each year.. most of the teachers are great. I could not say the same about the new principal.

Posted: July 10, 2016

For the AAP class, I think it is just right. For regular classes, not enough.

Posted: July 10, 2016

When many great teachers are leaving Sangster, then it is not fair for the students who are attending Sangster.

Posted: July 10, 2016

There were so many teachers leaving Sangster when school end this year. All three AAP teachers quitted Sangster and moved to other school. The numbers of teachers moved on from Sangster is alarming and I am not sure why the Fairfax County School Board is not looking into this matter and find out why. My guess would be the principal and vice principal. It is going downhill with this new leadership and the school board needs to take action before it gets worse.

Posted: May 31, 2016

Posted: May 31, 2016

Posted: May 31, 2016

Posted: May 31, 2016

We have been at Sangster since 2009. During that time, we've had some great teachers but over the past two years, this school has had some curriculum struggles between AAP an General Education. Turn-around may be possible next year. The PE and music and band and strings teachers are absolutely awesome. The parents care about the school quality more than anywhere I've seen.

Posted: May 4, 2016

We are just finishing up our 3rd year at this school and headed into our forth with gusto. We have loved this school!!! I have one child in full time AAP and on child not in full time AAP....both of my children have received wonderful educations. The teachers have been amazing and we love the new principal. She runs a tight ship but that is because she cares about our school, our kids, our teachers and the parents!

Posted: May 4, 2016

Posted: May 4, 2016

Posted: May 4, 2016

Posted: March 28, 2016

Posted: March 28, 2016

We have had a great experience at Sangster, and have found that over the past 2 years, the current principal has introduced some well needed improvements and guidance for the staff. The teachers are responsive, the school has a great atmosphere, and the administration is focused on student achievement and school improvement.

Posted: March 11, 2016

Our second child is now finishing at Sangster. In the almost decade we've experienced the school, it has steadily declined - especially the last couple of years. Sangster has always had the tendency to be the sort of school parents who like to brag about test scores at cocktail parties love.

In the past, I felt like the administration at least was interested in engaging with parents. No longer. The new principal is bureaucratic, inflexible, and condescending. That is clearly starting the permeate the rest of the school. The previous comments about the gossipy and clubby nature of the PTA and the popular crowd are certainly true - but perhaps true everywhere. The teachers are a mixed bag, some years are better than others. The counseling program has been good throughout.

We will be very glad when our daughter leaves Sangster after this year.

Posted: September 18, 2015

Our family has been with this school since 2010. In this time, we have weathered numerous principles and even brief periods without one. Despite the inconsistent leadership, I have never had cause to complain in a public manner regarding our experiences - until now. The newest principle has proven herself to be completely uninterested in the well-being of individual students and fails to communicate with or listen to any concerns that parents raise. We fear this attitude will trickle down to the rest of the administration at Sangster and ruin what has until recently been a great school.

Posted: June 2, 2015

We've had a wonderful experience at this school. The teachers have been excellent. The staff is helpful and friendly. The PTA strives to improve the student experience. My kids are happy and learning a tremendous amount. What more could you hope for?

Posted: June 2, 2015

Posted: June 2, 2015

Posted: June 2, 2015

Posted: July 25, 2014

I had a great experience at Sangster this last year. I come from a military family, and spent 6th grade at Sangster. I had an awesome bunch of teachers. We had some homework, although not a lot. We had fun while still learning. Some of the kids were great people, and I couldn't be more happy with the friends I made this year. Specials were amazing, and I couldn't have been more happy about how the year turned out. But, I give Sangster 4 stars. My gripes are in Musical Theater and the sever GT and Gen Ed division. In theater, everyone who tried out had to get a part, so it turned into 65 kids on a small stage. Also, a lot of people with amazing voices got put in extras, and only her favorites got leads. Some of them had good voices and some there were people with not so good voices. Another thing, the person running it had no control over the kids. Everyone talked and talked, even while others were preforming. And the GT Gen ED division was terrible. There was no real social interaction, and one thought that the other was snobbish and rude, or know it all's and dumb. It was not true in anyway, as both had good people. Overall, it was a good school, but some things could be better.

Posted: September 1, 2013

We are a military family transferred to northern Virginia. Sangster is it is a typical southern school. The Fairfax County Public School system as latched on to the Common Core fad where profiteering belies education. Typical of Virginia schools, we were met by the "sorting hat" for pigeon-holing based on some nebulous criteria. Students in this school are either college bound or McDonald's bound; there is no middle. Students are either taught critical thinking skills, or fantastic regurgitation skills. I've never encountered a more scripted curriculum than at Sangster. Students who are not deemed college material are discouraged from thinking outside the box (it interferes with the script). The grading system is as cryptic as a Nostradamus prophecy; students are graded 4,3,2, or 1 in two areas - academic performance and "effort." Academic performance is based what you would expect - graded tests, papers, and homework. Effort considers subjective factors like academic endurance, group dynamics, and personality traits such as introversion and eye contact. Applying for advanced placement programs is worse than filing taxes. We'll be glad when this assignment is over!

Posted: April 21, 2012

This is a huge elementary school with tremendous parental involvement. This is our first year at this school and overall have been happy with it. Our child's main teacher is responsive and dedicated. There are always instructional aides in and out of the classroom for extra help and supervision. There is a lot of team teaching which is a great concept but there is a lack of communication with the non homeroom teacher. Academically, for our child the work is rather easy and it would be nice to see her more challenged in the core subjects. I am not thrilled with the language arts program but that seems to be a county guideline not school specific. There is a heavy focus on preparing for the SOL testing this time of year. I think time could be bette than on test taking but that seems to be the way of the world now. The music teacher my child has Ms. R seems to be really great too. My child seems to enjoy art, library and sometimes PE as well.

Posted: January 16, 2012

Our family thinks that the last review is atypical. The Sangster community is a grounded, middle-class bedroom community with friendly families, many of whom work for the military or government. In Fairfax County, there are snobby, exclusive, name-dropping, competitive communities, but these communities are NOT located in Springfield or Burke, which is precisely why my family relocated here (I grew up in the FCPS system and then moved quite a bit). Sangster is very welcoming and helpful to new families. Many students who have voluntarily transferred here from other local schools are very satisfied with the switch. Based on personal experience, the satisfaction of our kids, and the experiences of the other families in this community who we've known over the past eight years, Sangster is a fantastic elementary school. The teachers are kind and helpful. The academics are challenging. The homework is fair and does not burn out the students. We agree with the majority of reviewers who think Sangster is a wonderful school in a down-to-earth neighborhood with tremendous opportunities for kids both in the school and within the community.

Posted: December 16, 2011

We moved to the Fairfax system and the Sangster catchment area on the strength of its profile. We are ready to move just about anywhere but here. What the scores don't tell you is that the parents are competitive, materialistic and exclusive snobs who breed competitive, materialistic and exclusive children. Parents with children who have trouble adapting to the unwelcoming environment are told their kids are the ones with the problems. They shunt them into useless "lunch bunch" support groups or recommend professional counseling rather than admit that perhaps they are not creating a welcoming environment. The kids, who were happy and well-adjusted before, are now miserable. Be aware if this if moving here.

Posted: October 21, 2011

Sangster is a great school! I have 2 kids at Sangster and they are happy and challenged. The school has a new young principal - he is available to students and parents and on the cutting edge. The class size is larger than I would like but that seems to be an issue across the county. I am very happy with the atmosphere of the school - a wonderful place to be. On a side note - the new young principal could be a J. Crew Model!

Posted: September 11, 2011

Two years ago, I would have rated this school a 3-star based on agreement with the two 2010 posts (and the previous principal's over-interest on non-educational issues). The new principal (Chris Summers) seems to have better interest in parent involvement/support (not defensive/paranoid/interested in gossip-y issues like his predessor). And more importantly that frees up his time to focus on what's important: all the kid's education and the best tools possible for the teachers to succeed. Under his leadership, we fully expect the PTA to grow as well. Not important to us but may be to others: Sangster lost some sort of AAP rating this past summer (where as Hunt Valley got theirs)-- they got below passing score on their advanced academics programs.

Posted: April 24, 2011

I am very happy with the school. I have a 2nd grader in Sangster right now. This school has the best SACC (School Age Child Care) staffs. As a working mom I really appreciate it. PTA is very active. But, the school still offers half day kindergarten.

Posted: March 16, 2011

As a parent of two kids in 4th and 6th grade, who both started at Sangster, this has been a wonderful experience that I wish all family could have. Principal pretty much knows all kids by name as she greets them when they leave for the weekend on Fridays. Mrs Kinsey even finds time to teach math to younger kids. Teachers have all been wonderful, and they have caring counselors, like Mr Gillum. PTA is active and while we can't compare to other schools, talking to parents from other schools gives us an idea that we have simply been blessed with a "perfect" school.

Posted: March 2, 2011

Do you know how every school you walk into has an "air" about it? Sangster's "air" is positive, welcoming, and as child-centric as you will find in a public or private school. I have three children who have spent a combined total of nearly ten years at Sangster--the youngest is still there--after coming from a private-school environment. By all measures, Sangster provides an outstanding experience for its students. The single biggest factor in this, I believe, is the school's incredible emphasis on meeting each child where s/he is and doing whatever is necessary to ensure his / her growth and development. That focus on each child as an individual--along with the maintenance of a strong school community--starts right at the top with the Principal and carries through the entire staff. When you have people who are ready, willing, and able to do what's right for your child, you know you've hit the school jackpot. With the single-minded focus on the kids and as kind, caring, and professional a staff as I've encountered in any setting, Sangster merits every one of those stars.

Posted: November 8, 2010

Due to the lack of emphasis on teaching basic reading skills, the school routinely forces a number of parents with children who are below grade level readers to find outside resources to increase reading proficiency. Agree with previous comment regarding principal s heightened sensitivity to school gossip. The principal appears more focused on the winning the Governor s Award for Educational Excellence then simply meeting the needs of special education children. PTA and parent involvement with school activities is very good.