It's sad to say a school is bad. There are teachers who are giving their all each and every day and trying to make an impact in students lives. The sad truth about this school is that the problem starts with the principal. She is antisocial and appears to have no interest interacting with parents. Front desk staff are rude and parents aren't even allowed to take their kids to the classroom on the first day. Huge transient population which makes it difficult for teachers as they are constantly trying to incorporate a new student into their routine.
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2017
Good teachers who care about students. School level principal needs to be replaced as does overall school administration including superintendent.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2015
Great school. Great, experienced teachers and caring administrators. Was really happy when my kids were here - they get the young child.
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2015
My child went here and this was one of the BEST elementary schools in the Manassas area.
Submitted by other on August 22, 2013
As a grandparent of a Cougar elementary student who has volunteered for school activities and worked/dealt with the office staff and teachers alike, I find the school to be outstanding. Their curriculum, programs, activities and staff are all top notch, but the most important thing is that my grandson has learned so much since attending the school and he loves it there. The school deals with the students in a kind, caring manner, with a good balance of discipline when needed. Sometimes my daughter and I go to the school just to have lunch with my grandson, which they encourage, and we love the interaction with all of the children and staff while there. My daughter wants to move back to Arlington to be closer to her job but she stays in Mannassas so her boys can continue to attend Cougar Elementary.
Submitted by parent on June 27, 2013
Cougar Elementary was a good school a few years ago. Ever since the principal changed, it has gone downhill. Some of the teachers are fabulous but its a 50-50. Not impressed with the unhealthy choices of cafeteria food either.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2013
My son is halfway through his first grade year at Cougar and also attended his Kindergarden year there as well. I have really been wanting to move back to Arlington and closer to my job but honestly....Cougar Elementary is the reason I don't. Cougar is a great school. The teachers and staff are very attentive to my son's needs and any issue or question is addressed very well. They have good programs and activities at Cougar and I love that they have tech/computer lab (even for Kindergardeners!!) My son was having reading problems earlier in the year, Cougar also has reading specialists and that really helped my son and he is doing so well now! My younger son starts Kindergarden next year and after carefully checking other counties' schools reviews and stats, there is NO WAY that I am moving from Manassas Park anytime soon. I want my children to continue to have a great education in a good atmosphere. The school itself is also very nice, big and clean (Manassas Park Elementary as well).
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2012
Cougar is a good school for teaching kids the fundamentals of learning. They do have block scheduling and Tech Lab which is I think is great. My first year with Cougar was not a great experience. My only daughter was in K and there were three incidents where she came home hurt. 1) Black eye from someone's shoe 2) Bruised check where someone ran into her 3) her two top front teeth knocked out because she was pushed and fell into a table at the front of the room. My complaint about Cougar is I had to take the third incident to the Superindent for a report to be filed. Cougar didn't want to acknowledge the incident because it would then need to be filed with the state. I demanded she be moved to a different teacher which they did and she had no more incidents. She is now in 1st and there have been no incidents to date. Cougar has good class structure as the block scheduling but some of their teachers need help. Don't get me wrong a lot of the teachers are great but there are those few and Cougar doesn't do anything about those few.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2011
Our children are receiving an excellent education at Cougar! The teachers and administrators are top knotch educators and devote themselves to the kids. One of the features I like best at Cougar is the small class parallel block schedule which lets the teacher work with smaller groups of students for English and Math classes. There is also a heavy emphasis on technology so that even our Kindergardeners are working on computers in Technology Lab, and exciting music and art programs. The school administrators are very responsive to parents and they take pains to make a very diverse student body supportive of one another - students MUST treat each other with respect. I have not seen one bullying problem arise and that is because they start very early stressing the need to be kind and considerate of others. We moved to Manassas Park for the schools and we have not been disappointed.