Herbert J. Saunders Middle School

13557 Spriggs Road

Manassas, VA 20112

School District

Prince William County Public Schools
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Prince William County Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 11, 2025

Saunders Middle School is the worst school by far. I sent my children to this school for 8th grade. The learning environment was inappropriate and suffocating. My children could not learn a single thing being in that school and I will not bring them back or enroll them to this school again. The bullying and report systems are completely useless and they do not care about it. They don't follow through with it the reports, like sexism, racism, sexual assault/harassment, stalking, etc. There have been students unpunished for their actions, but feel the need report students holding hands. It's absolutely absurd! It's falling apart! I would not recommend this school to anyone! Not even my worst enemy!
Submitted by parent on July 23, 2024

My daughter is entering her 2nd year at Saunders. The teachers were really supportive and communicated their expectations from the students/parents. My daughter did experience some bullying in the first few months of the school year that affected her emotionally/mentally. My daughter was called the N word and to my knowledge the students who called her that were talked to but not disciplined. I think the school could do a better job with bringing parents together with students who bully or discriminate to have at least a conversation about what they did wrong and how their actions affect other students. Otherwise, the school is ok.
Submitted by student on July 10, 2024

a very good school and I have studied the only problem is busses if the busses are coming on time it will be good and more fun.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2024

My child has just finished 7th, their second year at Saunders. We are very pleased by how much their have learned and grown, both academically and socially. Each year they have had teachers who have pushed them to do their best, and even in classes where they struggled before, teachers have gone above and beyond to help them succeed in all areas. Like a lot of parents, I was worried about how my child would do in those chaotic middle school days, but two years in, not only are we relieved, we are very impressed with our child’s progress. They will be well prepared for high school and beyond.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2024

Would not recommend this school at all . It’s not safe and stuff are not fair to the students .
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2021

Excellent school - many of the teachers have advanced degrees and have many years of experience. Wonderful school.
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2019

Great school with fantastic staffs. I love this school and my kids love too.
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2019

Awesome teachers, office staffs and very caring principal
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2019

Very satisfied. great teachers with great work ethics.
Submitted by other on October 23, 2019

Excellent experience with two different students, 5 years apart.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2018

Amazing staff. They are always kind and seem to go above and beyond to help to ensure my child needs were met. 100% in tuned with the students.
Submitted by other on April 03, 2017

This school is amazing!! The teachers, staff, and administration are friendly, supportive and amazing. The kids really are good kids, my son lost his phone after school, and it was turned in and the security officer kept it for him until he could get it the next day. My son also had an emergency surgery and the teachers emailed him, and sent him cards. And worked very hard to keep him involved and on point with his notes, studies, homework, and test. Even upon return they stayed late to help with some concepts that he missed and was confused about. Mr. Strang, the orchestra teacher is AMAZING!!! We were constantly amazed at the concerts that he put together, and after my daughter went to high school, she still thinks fondly of him, and seemed to learn more in middle school than high school. The administration is always present in the hallways and are sympathetic and fair. I feel my students were safe, well educated, and thrived at Saunders! Bullying has never been an issue for my kids, and being a family that moves a lot sometimes school aren't as welcoming to newcomers, not the case at Saunders. This is one school both kids are sad about leaving!
Submitted by other on January 05, 2016

**This opinion-based post applies to the leadership at Saunders Middle School in the Prince William County School District, and to an unfortunate handful of teachers and staff who have forgotten their pedagogical oath to reach and teach all learners.**"It's A We Thing" at Saunders? It sure is, but in the most self-righteous form of school leadership we have ever experienced. If middle school isn't difficult enough, you can be assured that it's more so at Saunders with like-atmospheric teacher-comments and attitudes below: that the only problems at Saunders stem from "parents and students don't follow the rules". We guess that the teacher who "growls" at her students or the resource officer who has been given the full authority to threaten and file for termination of parental rights should be commended, or at least accepted as vocational privilege? Beware parents! "They" will protect their school, but in our opinion, "they" have failed miserably at wholly-protecting, empowering, and understanding the 21st Century learner and child. One size fits all at Saunders Middle School, and if your children are a bit too big for their mold, you might experience labeling and targeting of which you would have never imagined. Lastly, "zero tolerance of bullying" does not exist. Environmental bullying is a learned (and tolerated) behavior, and when our children finally exercise their right to say "this is the last time you will hurt me or my friends", the subtle and "hidden rules" of school leadership diminish any chance for student- and self-development of assertion and esteem. Good luck!
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2015

I have an 8th grader and a 6th grader currently at this school. This school is fantastic! To start the teachers are great! As stated in many of the reviews, Mr. Anderson is an over the top teacher who is loved by all the children. He certainly deserves the title of "world's best teacher". But honestly, I have yet to come across one bad teacher at this school. I appreciate the open communication, the emails I receive just to say my child is great and thanking me for sending her. As far as the principal, I am blown away by the negative comments. She is amazing! Any time I have gone up to the school she has been there and always smiling. I happen to walk into the office one day while she was talking and laughing with her office staff and it meant a lot when I could tell they too liked her. I have had to email her with some questions and expected a response within 24-48 hours, especially since it was the start of school, and was impressed when I received a lengthy response addressing all my questions late that evening from her home. I for one appreciate the rules that are in place. Those rules are what keeps Saunders a safe place for my 2 girls. Neither have yet to complain about any rules being unreasonable. She and the teachers are also always visible. They can be seen cheering on their students at athletic events and participating in after school events with the students. For those that have anything negative to say about the school, I would recommend that you look into ways you can support the school and your student and then you too will see how lucky we are to have our children in such a wonderful school.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2014

Lunch is a place where kids should communicate with one another. We're deprived from that because we have to sit with our class with the same people. We can't make new friends if we're stuck with the same people every day.
Submitted by other on August 22, 2014

Honestly, Saunders Middle school is an OK school. Three stars basically describe it, average. Last year, when I was in 6th grade there were really cool teachers who actually cared for their students, such as Mr. Anderson, Ms.Folly, etc. And then there were teacher who frankly didn't care what the heck you did. There was a sub which I will not name, who "teach " in math after our other Math teacher Ms. Sturgill had a heart attack. The sub barely provided us with work and since I was in the advanced math, she just expected us to get everything right, so we weren't really learning anything...A lot of kids that year had their math grades go down that year...and then theres the new principle, who is WAY over the top with the rules. But hey, who am I to complain about? I'm just another kid.
Submitted by parent on June 29, 2014

Saunders Middle school has disappointed me beyond belief. They allowed my 6 grade girl to get in a car with a man...when she was supposed to be on the bus several times. I signed the paper for her to ride the late bus and she did not. They have not notified me if she was doing poorly in a class. She was a victim of bullying and they would not even call me back after I left messages with the secretary for the Principal and the Vp and the security officer.....on one called to follow up on the "I will kill you " threat. Oh....her locker was broken and wow during that time when being worked on by the maint. staff her Ipad was stolen....she couldn't get into her locker to get her text books even.
Submitted by other on June 28, 2014

New school and my rating will be updated as I get to know the teachers and staff
Submitted by teacher on November 03, 2013

The students who attend Saunders Middle School are creative, smart, wonderful young children who come to school to learn. There are some parents and children who have a hard time following rules and they are the students who have the most difficulty. Many parents volunteer at our school and we truly appreciate them; for the parents who feel that lunch should be "open " then perhaps you'd like to volunteer you time to do lunch duty. Perhaps more time could be spent with your child reviewing school work and explaining the importance of grades. As teachers at the school we talk about how the apple never falls far from the tree.Well behaved, educated student usually have supportive and involved students. I would like to receive a thank you for providing students with class materials (that I bought with my own money) like pencils and paper when they show up with none or when I give a student lunch money because they have charged their lunch account too many times. Please, work with the school and we will work with you. Saunders Middle School is a great place to come as a student who wants to learn and a great place for a teacher who wants to teach.
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2013

I thought saunders middle school was an ok school but with the new principal,I see it's gone for the worst. This principal is horrible with her new rules just like the lunch rule. Lunch is for kids to eat and talk with friends from other classes. I feel horrible for the students who go there now with this disgrace of a principal.