Sangster Elementary School

7420 Reservation Drive

School District

Fairfax County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Fairfax 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 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.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 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.
Submitted by parent on 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.
Submitted by parent on 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.
Submitted by parent on 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.
Submitted by parent on July 03, 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
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2018

The leadership at this school not only ignores bullying, it actively bullies parents that dare raise the issue.
Submitted by parent on 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!
Submitted by parent on 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.
Submitted by parent on 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.
Submitted by parent on June 21, 2017

The focus is on the AAP program, that's why the test scores are so high compared to other schools.
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2017

Fantastic experience with wonderful teachers and administration.
Submitted by other on 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.
Submitted by parent on 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.
Submitted by parent on 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.
Submitted by parent on 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.
Submitted by parent on 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.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 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!
Submitted by other on 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.
Submitted by parent on 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.