Harbor View

The receptionists are very rude. Great school but I subbed there a few times and the really bring the atmosphere down which is so disappointing being that they are the first faces you see. Maybe it’s just an attitude towards subs but that’s not the kind of person you want working with your children. Very unprofessional.

We have LOVED Occoquan. My child attended a different elementary school in PWC for the first few years and we wish we had been able to have them attend Occoquan from day 1! Our child has had a great experience, Mr. Lint is a wonderful principal. The teachers are fantastic and the front desk staff is super friendly. Love everything about this school!

Been at the school for a few years, and from administration, front desk , teachers and other staff have been top tier in my previous years. This school year 25-26 has been the worse year for me and my child. While they struggle with a teacher who can’t speak fluent English or Spanish, always is marking correct answers wrong several times. That confuses a child. Administration gets 0 stars from me. I feel as if they only think of their self when they have a whole body of students and staff to take into consideration. School has been in 8 months it’s no way you’re mis pronouncing kids names. I also feel and can see with my own eyes no rapport is being made with the kids. Administration is where you go to when you need help and this year those are the LAST people I will call. With the new school opening I hope things are different. If this school was open next year my child would not be attending strongly based off the administration. While the rest of the staff is still great I look forward to teacher appreciation week

My experience here was awful the teachers and staff members are lacking to do there work for example they don’t pay attention as much to the students I heard that students were vaping in the bathroom and talking about starting Gangs and other violent activities.

Lorton Elementary stands out for its diversity and unique character. While it may be considered an underdog, the constant changes in systems often overlook the real achievements of its students. Don't be misled by the statistics; this intimate school boasts some truly exceptional teachers.

I regret enrolling my child at Cardinal Montessori School. Despite its Montessori branding and legacy, our 2024–2025 experience was disappointing—marked by poor leadership, inconsistent communication, and inadequate care.We toured in February, submitted paperwork and payment promptly, then heard nothing until June—when we were added to the ProCare app with no guidance. In July, the school claimed invoices had been sent, but we never received them. Email headers showed we weren’t copied, yet they insisted otherwise, making us feel gaslit. The director once showed me a photo of my 3-year-old chewing paper and told me to “talk to her about telling the truth”—while the administration failed to model honesty themselves.Parent Night was announced last-minute, with no childcare or virtual option. I was told “no supplies” were needed, only to find out later—after tax-free weekend—that water bottles were required. Communication was delayed, unclear, or missing entirely.My daughter came home multiple times with injuries—swollen lips, scratches—none of which were documented or followed up. I began recording her accounts, which revealed a pattern of peer mistreatment. Still, no formal plan followed. Her orthotic shoes went missing for weeks. Once, she returned from a trip with no underwear. No one called or helped. I often picked her up with shoes on the wrong feet. Montessori encourages independence, but 3-year-olds still need help.Despite frequent requests for feedback, I was only told—over six months in—that she “struggles to focus.” Meanwhile, I received constant notes about age-typical behavior. She was unfairly singled out and under-supported.Staffing was unstable. The kind lead teacher wasn’t allowed to tell parents about her maternity leave until the last minute. No transition plan was shared. A chaotic Zoom call (cut short by a free account) summed it up.Other red flags:• Advertised 6:30 AM opening was really 7:00• No meals provided• Last-minute closures• No clear leadership or hiring plans• Relied on free Gmail/tools for communicationThe final straw? The director remarked she could “tell when [my daughter] switched homes”—a loaded comment in a co-parenting family.I stayed a year. It was a year too long.We’ve since moved her to a nurturing, structured school. I still believe in Montessori—but under current leadership, Cardinal falls short.

We had an over all great experience with St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School. My 4 children attended elementary and middle school. They all learn and thrive at the school, academically, socially, sports and most of all spirituality. They prepared the children for high school. The teachers are encouraging and supportive of the children to be successful. There are areas for improvement but they listen to the children and parents- teacher org.