Sterling Elementary School

Posted: January 30, 2026

Posted: January 30, 2026

Posted: January 30, 2026

Posted: January 30, 2026

Posted: January 30, 2026

Posted: January 30, 2026

Posted: January 30, 2026

Posted: January 30, 2026

Our family recently moved from Lowes Island to Sterling Cascade, and the transition to Sterling Elementary has been an absolute revelation. If you are a parent considering this school for your children, please know that it is a hidden gem. Principal Jennifer Short and Assistant Principal Colt Fletcher lead with total transparency and a deep commitment to safe community, diversity, and academic excellence.

The progress of our daughter Aafiya in the Special Education program has been life-changing. Thanks to the expertise of Ms. Karen Rios, Ms. Ericka Valles, Mrs. Long, Ajima Sarah, and her other dedicated teachers, Aafiya improved so much in just six months that she transitioned to the standard school bus. She is more communicative, confident and engaged than ever before.

Our first-grader, Sophia, is equally thriving under Ms. Jessica Thor and her team, including Ms. Alissa Westrick, Maria Burel, and Cody Horvath. Sophia comes home excited and curious every day, which is a stark, positive contrast to our previous school experience.

The administrative support here is truly unmatched. Ms. Rubidia Saravia Martinez spent an hour personally helping me navigate ParentVue and transportation forms to ensure everything was correct. She helps with everything you need as a parent. Additionally, Mr. Rafael Cruz (Transportation Lead) was incredibly responsive and helpful as we navigated the StopFinder app. Finally, the school’s use of ClassDojo is a total game-changer for parent-teacher communication, keeping us connected to our children's progress daily. We are so grateful to be part of the Sterling Elementary community.

Ms. Short, thank you so much for all the wonderful things you and all your great staff and teachers do for our children and community.

Posted: August 29, 2022

Posted: August 29, 2022

Posted: August 29, 2022

Posted: August 29, 2022

Posted: August 29, 2022

Posted: August 29, 2022

Posted: August 29, 2022

Posted: August 29, 2022

This school has dedicated teachers who will gladly spend extra time after school for their students and parents. The environment is positive as soon as you walk in the door. The administration is professional, communicative, and visual.

Posted: June 30, 2022

Posted: June 30, 2022

Posted: June 30, 2022

Posted: June 30, 2022

Posted: June 30, 2022

Posted: June 30, 2022

Posted: June 30, 2022

Posted: June 30, 2022

GREAT SCHOOL!! My kid loves to go to school every day...

Posted: August 6, 2017

Posted: August 6, 2017

Posted: August 6, 2017

Posted: August 6, 2017

Posted: August 6, 2017

I had experience with Sterling for 2 years. You will not find harder working, more caring teachers anywhere in the state. The administration knows each student well, and teachers and administrators go the extra mile to build a community of respect and kindness. Students enjoy coming to school and know that they are loved there.

Posted: August 6, 2017

Posted: August 6, 2017

Posted: July 27, 2017

Posted: July 27, 2017

Posted: July 27, 2017

Posted: July 27, 2017

Posted: July 27, 2017

Posted: July 27, 2017

Posted: July 27, 2017

My son has been at SES for 3 years, this is going to be his 4th year and he absolutely loves it. All the teachers he has had have been knowledgeable, caring, and extremely interested with his learning. He excels at math and reading and I know it has been due to the teachers that have instill that love of reading. The teachers have developed a personal communication with me regarding my son's learning progress and I've been welcome anytime I have a question about my child either by phone call or email. Principal Jennifer Scott and Vice Principal Fletcher are excellent, they both know my son by his name and every time they see him they are friendly and high-five him. I am happy with the education and attention my son gets at Sterling Elementary School.

Posted: July 19, 2017

Posted: July 19, 2017

Posted: July 19, 2017

Posted: July 19, 2017

Posted: July 19, 2017

The teachers engage with the parents to help make homework become more effective rather than a chore.

Posted: July 19, 2017

Posted: July 19, 2017

The administration and teachers are top notch. I have never seen such an effort to guide every child in their interactions with each other and staff while providing the best educational opportunities for each individual. It's amazing.

Posted: July 19, 2017

Posted: July 19, 2017

Posted: July 19, 2017

Posted: July 19, 2017

Posted: July 19, 2017

Posted: July 19, 2017

Posted: July 19, 2017

Sterling Elementary has the BEST teachers and administrators! I have been to many schools in my career and the love and care the teachers at this school have for their students is like no other. They go to great lengths to provide each child with the support they need to be successful. The administrators make sure the school community is like a family and show continuous love to the students and families that walk into the school.

Posted: March 27, 2015

Sterling Elementary School is one of the best schools in the area my son Abraham has been there for 2 years and he is nothing else but very happy with his teacher Mrs. West and all the other staff and friends, I cannot believe how he improved in his reading, math and science coming from a house that only speaks arabic I am very pleased with Sterling Elementary and the Principal Jennifer Scott she has improved this school and improved the learning for all the children, I will definetly recommend Sterling Elementary and I hope my review is helpful

Posted: August 22, 2014

I've had experience with SES for 5 years now. There has been a change of administration and our experience with both administrators has been un-gratifying. When our son was bullied, the first principle asked for us to remain 'positive' about the incidents. When there was a change in the administrators, the new principle needed a little arm twisting to act on an incident with a report to the superintendent of a child who became physical and aggressive towards our son . If you have a child with special needs you will receive very little support and understanding from the administrators and some teachers. There are very caring teachers who went above and beyond for our children. Our hopes for our community is that SES brings more resources to their special education and teaches a overall tolerance by educating staff and children at the school. We live in a diverse world and it would be beneficial to teach the children this early on . I have been an active member of the school and have donated my time and money to help this school become better, so I believe we are all responsible for the success of the school.

Posted: August 12, 2014

We are gearing up for a great year at Sterling Elementary and are looking forward to welcoming back our wonderful students and families. One star left for what we will work to achieve this school year! As a teacher I feel fortunate to have the professional experience and dedication of our administration and teacher community to help our students succeed.

Posted: June 28, 2014

The teachers get 5 stars, as they have to deal with an inept principal and admin.........can the principal get a negative star ?....very rude person

Posted: June 24, 2014

We have been very happy with Sterling Elem. The teachers and staff work very hard to make it the best school it can be. I feel like my child is getting a good education And looks forward to each day there.

Posted: June 19, 2014

I have been very happy with Sterling Elementary and have a rising 4th and 1st grader, who both are achieving high academic success. There are many wonderful teachers at Sterling. I do notice some recent negative comments from staff about the Principal, who was new this past school year. I think change with the administration can be hard, especially when the previous principal was loved by all. Hopefully, these issues can be worked out and improved for next year. As a parent, I did not notice any change, and was equally happy with this school year as compared to past school years. However, if teachers are unhappy, I think it's very important for them to be heard and hope that will be the case.

Posted: June 17, 2014

If you're a teacher looking for a job, avoid Sterling Elementary. There is a reason that there are so many openings. The administrator uses an intimidating style of leadership to RULE the school. This school used to be an amazing community of caring teachers and staff. In one year everything good about Sterling Elementary has been replaced with test scores and data. You'd be wise to look elsewhere. LCPS has plenty of other great schools to apply to.

Posted: June 17, 2014

The exodus has begun. Three staff members contracts are not being renewed by the principal. Several teachers have already secured transfers within the district. A half dozen or more teachers have applied for other positions or are seriously looking to leave. Even our vice principal is leaving. Who will be left? This has been a very upsetting year for the Sterling Staff. If you weren t a target, you know someone who was, and the empathy you feel for them is quite unsettling. Back in January we filled out a Staff Survey to express our concerns in the only way we felt safe. This survey was never shared with us. Even the VP never saw it. Apparently even the administrative supervisor didn t find anything wrong with what we had to report, or I would have expected things to change. They didn t. We have all tried to hold it together for our students, but I assure you, it hasn t been easy. It is a daily trial to work in an atmosphere where respect is lacking, and it is understandable that we all seek to work in an environment where respect for one another is a given. Sterling will be losing many wonderful staff members who have given their heart and soul to this school over the years.

Posted: April 7, 2014

Sterling Elementary School certainly is no longer an environment where everyone is welcomed. An inexperienced principal has set a confrontational tone which resonates throughout the school. Otherwise...5 stars

Posted: April 6, 2014

Sterling Elementary School fosters an environment where everyone is not only welcome, but encouraged to be herself/himself. There is a definite devotion to the children from the Principal down to the Custodial Staff. I have 3 children here and while we would like to move for other reasons, Sterling Elementary is what is making this decision difficult. The staff does everything possible to be available for extra help on the academic as well as social side of things. With a new PTA president and new Principal, there were some changes but change isn't bad. If someone expects you to give more so you are a better teacher or student, shouldn't she be commended, not criticized. People should not be so quick to judge...the Principal invites the students in to have lunch with her almost daily.

Posted: January 20, 2014

I am a parent at this school and have been for many years. If I were rating the school based on the teachers, it would be practically perfect. However based on the new administration, my rating is very low. SES used to feel like a big family and the students were definitely the priority. The school now feels like a prison and the new and young/inexperienced principal walks the halls like a warden. Parents no longer feel welcome and there is an obvious lack of interest in a partnership between the parents and the administration. This should not be our last year at SES but we are joining the mass exodus and will not be returning next year.

Posted: May 7, 2013

I am a parent of a child at Sterling ES and a member of the staff. As a parent, I could not ask for a more challenging, enriching and loving environment. I have two kids, one that is currently enrolled in Sterling ES and one in sixth grade. My sixth grader was well prepared for middle school and was accepted into all honors classes. Because of the strong academic foundation he learned at Sterling ES, and from his home environment, he is a thriving straight A middle school student. I do not expect any less of my daughter as she is receiving the same support. Not only is there a strong emphasis on academics by the faculty and administration, but there is strong PTA presence that builds a sense of community between the teachers, parents and administration. In response to the May 2nd post: I disagree, completely. The kindergarten team is dedicated - staying late into the evening to prepare for class the next day; accommodating demands of parent requests - caring, positive, and nurturing. The faculty and staff at Sterling are, by far, some of the hardest working and dedicated teachers in Loudoun County; to say otherwise is unjust.

Posted: May 5, 2013

Sterling ES works hard to ensure a quality education for all its students. It's administration works hard to involve parents and listen to their concerns as well as the teachers' concerns. I work at Sterling and I want to respond to the May 2 post. I'm confused by the comment "parents who are brave enough to volunteer..." This school is very safe, with wonderful students and parent volunteers who are vested in their child's educational life. The kindergarten teachers are warm, compassionate, and caring. It seems like this "teacher" has a personal vendetta against a school that wasn't the right fit for his/her and their child. This school is definitely probably better off without them.

Posted: May 5, 2013

Sterling Elementary School is a warm, safe place where children learn and grow! I also feel that the comments made on May 2nd were made by someone who is trying to get back at a school or teacher for no real reason but they are mad about a certain experience or a few events that have occurred. The school is a wonderful place with teachers that care very much about each and every student. The kindergarten team and the rest of the school does exactly what they need to do to ensure that the students learn what is needed and feel safe while doing it. The administration may be in a huge transition but they will do what it takes to ensure the school community continues on a positive path. I think it is a terrible thing that someone would get on here and say things that are so untrue about such a great group of professionals.