J Michael Lunsford Middle School

I would rate my child’s experience as great. She loves going to school and mostly has good things to say about her teachers. I find that the teacher experience changes year to year. We’ve had some great and and some not so great classroom teachers but the principal, counselor, and other staff members have been great for my daughters experience. The school really cares about our kids and if there’s a problem they are quick to work with us to solve it. The community is quiet and my kid is getting a good education especially compared to neighboring counties who don’t give much attention.

This school administration leaves something to be desired. From defending poor reading programs to refusing services to special needs students. I am not alone. Parents talk, and this school does not serve the students that attend there.

We’ve called Little River home for about 5 years now and we love the support of the staff and administration. Each of our children’s teachers have loved them and pushed them to grow and solidify their love of learning even when things have been tough.

The School is amazing ,we have the best principal in the area , Mr Pack. There are a few other elementary schools in the South Riding neighborhood and we are blessed that we were able to go to this one. Liberty elementary far exceeds Hutchinson Farm elementary school in the neighborhood. Liberty has summer stem programs, and they host a lot of activities including a school dance and family bingo night. The culture of the school starts from the top down and every day the principal is actively participating with the students. This trickles down to all the staff that works there and the teachers carry on that excellence.

Terrible administration. Buffalo Trail did not hold up their end of our child's 504 plan, which was not a very difficult plan to follow. Our child came out below grade level in reading and math after two years at this horrible school. Buffalo Trail is overcrowded, and the Principal/Vice Principal and Dean only care that the kids sit down and shut up. A few teachers do their best, but there are many who are just hanging on until retirement. One teacher made a comment in front of me about a child (whom did something a bit ridiculous) "the world needs plumbers too". Nice attitude. During lunch the staff screams and yells at the students berating them. It's not the kids fault that Loudoun County has allowed this school to be overcrowded. During recesses the supervision of the children is nil. I've seen it personally. They let the kids play unsupervised which has led to bullying and scraps. They also let the children wander far off so no intervention can happen if an issue comes up. So happy to be out of this school.

I sent both of my boys to Monarch for their preschool experiences. There’s no greater comfort than to know that your kids are loved, nurtured, prayed for, and being taught with excellence from Bible stories to basic math and reading skills. My boys also learned so much basic life skills and made great friends during their time there. Ms. Grace is also extremely understanding, personable, and accommodating. My youngest received outside support from the county for his speech needs once a week and they were able to provide a space conducive for these private lessons. Hands down, this place is the best and I recommend it without any reservations.

This is truly a wonderful school. The care and dedication of the teachers and staff shine through in everything they do. Some of the most exceptional educators I’ve ever encountered are here. While I can’t speak for every classroom, my children have been incredibly fortunate to learn from teachers like Ms. Pitzen, Ms. Mixter, Ms. Bennett, Ms. Capayachi, Ms. Kimball, and Ms. Esposito... each one outstanding in their own way.Even after a full day of teaching, these educators continue to show up for their students during extracurricular activities, whether it be a soccer tournament, taekwondo belt ceremony, robotics competition, ensuring every child feels seen and supported. And they do all this while balancing families of their own. That’s not just dedication, that’s love.The office staff have always been warm, welcoming, and open, like an open book to me. They genuinely value family and community involvement and work hard to highlight the school’s strengths and unique character to the broader public.The principal is a remarkable leader and human being. Despite the many responsibilities she carries (both as a mom and as the head of the school) she makes a conscious effort to be present in the lives of the students. She’s not just supervising staff; she’s connecting with her scholars (as she calls them). Her presence and commitment make a real and lasting impact on the school’s culture.