Somerville
Mitchells, VA 22729

Pearl Sample was not originally the school I wanted my children to attend when I moved to the area. I could not have been more wrong. PS has been nothing but great to my children. The can see their growth as they move through grades. If I have had any issues they have always been address accordingly. Go PS!

The school environment plays a major role in shaping students’ mental health, motivation, and overall experience, and unfortunately, my school fails badly in all of these areas. It is a terrible school where rudeness, negativity, and constant drama dominate daily life, making it an exhausting place to exist rather than a supportive place to learn.One of the biggest issues is how rude people are to each other. Basic respect feels nonexistent. Students are quick to judge, spread rumors, and make fun of others for the smallest things, whether it’s appearance, personality, or social status. Teachers often notice the behavior but either ignore it or dismiss it as “normal teenage behavior,” which only allows the problem to continue. When disrespect becomes normalized, it creates an environment where students feel unsafe expressing themselves or being authentic.Drama is another major problem that constantly disrupts the school. There is always some kind of conflict happening—friendship breakups, arguments blown out of proportion, or rumors spreading through social media within minutes. Instead of focusing on schoolwork, many students are more concerned about avoiding problems or defending themselves from accusations that aren’t even true. This nonstop drama creates stress and anxiety, making it difficult to focus on learning or personal growth.The toxic atmosphere also affects motivation. When students feel judged or targeted, school stops feeling meaningful. Classes feel like something to survive rather than engage in. A place that is supposed to prepare students for the future instead drains their energy and confidence. Over time, this can lead to burnout, poor academic performance, and a lack of trust in both peers and authority figures.Overall, the combination of rude behavior, constant drama, and lack of accountability makes this school a terrible environment. Instead of feeling like a community, it feels divided and hostile. Until respect, responsibility, and genuine support are prioritized, the school will continue to harm students more than it helps them.

Easternview High School has been an incredibly frustrating experience, especially when it comes to communication. It’s nearly impossible to get in touch with staff members, whether it’s the front office, administration, attendance office, or counselors—no one seems to respond or even acknowledge your concerns. The front office staff has been particularly rude every time I’ve had to call or visit, making what should be a simple conversation unnecessarily difficult and unpleasant. The administration and attendance staff aren’t any better, often dismissive or short with parents and students alike.On top of that, the counselors rarely respond to emails or calls, leaving students and parents without the guidance and support they desperately need. The coaches at this school are also very unhelpful and disrespectful, making it even harder for student athletes to feel supported or heard. Communication is a huge problem here. The staff seems unhappy and takes their frustrations out on the students, which is really unfair and damaging.Academically, the school is just as disappointing. When my child transferred here, there were hardly any clubs or extracurricular activities to get involved in. The selection of AP classes is extremely limited compared to other schools, which is a huge disadvantage for students hoping to challenge themselves or prepare for college. Overall, the education quality is just awful, leaving students with little motivation or opportunity to excel.