Moving to VA from MCPS

[Anonymous]

DH and I are trying to decide if we should move to VA for better schools for our kids or stay in MoCo and go private/parochial. The VA HS boundaries we are looking at are: Yorktown (Arlington), Meridian and Marshall (Falls Church), McClean (Fairfax).
Here are some factors we are thinking through:
- Three kids, so parochial school PK-8 is ~350k.
- MCPS uses a lot of technology in early grades (K uses Chromebooks for educational games). I would prefer more limited (or non-existent, honestly) technology.
- MCPS allows cell phones (or has teacher enforcement of cell phone bans, which I believe is an ineffective policy).
- We are in MCPS’s Down County Consortium, so Blair HS is an option. Our elementary is fine but not great and MS (Sligo MS) doesn’t seem like a great option. Reading and math proficiency levels are not very good, even at our ES, which is not Title 1.

Will moving to VA actually address the concerns I have? I think my husband is leaning toward move to VA, get a nicer house, and get better schools while I lean toward staying in our more modest house and going to parochial school because it’s a better culture fit.

Any guidance on VA schools or generally thinking through this issue would be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Moving isn't going to change things. And, if you are paying for private, why move?

[Anonymous]

Dumb reason to move. The juice isn't worth the squeeze.

[Anonymous]

I think you would ultimately be disappointed in uprooting your life for those schools. You'll find many of the same issues that you are running away from.

[Anonymous]

All 3 of the districts you mention use a lot of technology in the early grades.

The phone policies in Virginia are rapidly evolving and the verdict is out on how effective enforcement will be.

Paying for private/parochial definitely can be a squeeze and when you wanted a nicer house instead like your DH could lead to some resentment. We ended up going parochial from a district mentioned and my DH still brings up the cost - and he was on board with the switch!

[Anonymous]

All the Arlington (APS) school board candidates are 100% against phone use in school. The Yondr pilot where phones are locked away all day is gaining traction. APS uses MacBook Air computers not Chromebooks in high school, but there is growing momentum against technology and in favor of textbooks, paper, etc. But the MacBooks do have broad support. iPads are used for elem and middle, although the MacBooks would be better for middle school.

Fairfax County (FCPS) schools all use Chromebooks. Many but not all APS and FCPS schools teach cursive and penmanship. You can enquire with the school. All Catholic Parochial schools still emphasize cursive.

Are you in the Einstein HS pyramid? I’ve heard very good things about that school. Not sure how McLean, Yorktown, or Marshall would be better—just more rich families. Blair’s magnet programs are also top notch and are nationally famous. Takoma Park and Eastern Middle Schools also have top notch magnet programs.

Just stay in MCPS, or if you are really uncomfortable, move into the nearby B-CC pyramid, which is also very multicultural/diverse, but might feel “better” perception-wise—due to the higher concentration of wealth there.

[Anonymous]

There is a real divide between MoCo/MD and Nova. If you have been in the DMV for a long time, you will be aware of it, and one area or the other will feel more comfortable for you. Are the school appreciably better or worse between MoCo and Nova? Maybe. But I would say that the feel of the two different areas is more important, and you should choose which one you prefer.

[Anonymous]

Virginia only started banning cell phones last month based on the governors demands. MCPS maybe be doing the same next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH and I are trying to decide if we should move to VA for better schools for our kids or stay in MoCo and go private/parochial. The VA HS boundaries we are looking at are: Yorktown (Arlington), Meridian and Marshall (Falls Church), McClean (Fairfax).
Here are some factors we are thinking through:
- Three kids, so parochial school PK-8 is ~350k.
- MCPS uses a lot of technology in early grades (K uses Chromebooks for educational games). I would prefer more limited (or non-existent, honestly) technology.
- MCPS allows cell phones (or has teacher enforcement of cell phone bans, which I believe is an ineffective policy).
- We are in MCPS’s Down County Consortium, so Blair HS is an option. Our elementary is fine but not great and MS (Sligo MS) doesn’t seem like a great option. Reading and math proficiency levels are not very good, even at our ES, which is not Title 1.

Will moving to VA actually address the concerns I have? I think my husband is leaning toward move to VA, get a nicer house, and get better schools while I lean toward staying in our more modest house and going to parochial school because it’s a better culture fit.

Any guidance on VA schools or generally thinking through this issue would be appreciated.

Why? That's so stupid. Do you want them to use chalk and slate or some shit like that?

The VA schools you're eyeing are remarkably similar to MCPS, so not sure what you think you're going to get that's different.

What a bizarre hostility to technology, though. Do you realize we live in the 21st Century and technology is a central part of how we live, work and learn?

Homeschool if you're determined to have luddites with no skills.

[Anonymous]

As a parent in Arlington, I think you should consider houses zoned for WL if you're willing to consider Yorktown. Many HS kids want access to the IB program and that's only at WL.

As far as technology use, in early elementary, iPads are primarily used for Dreambox, Lexia and assessments. In upper elementary they're also used for Reflex (an awesome app, IMO) and some class presentations and writing assignments. By middle school nearly all work is on the iPad.

Phones weren't an issue at all in elementary, as most kids don't have them. Our APS middle school already had phones away for the day before the new Youngkin policy--they have to be locked in lockers all day. That doesn't seem likely to change. I think the jury is still out on how phones will be restricted in HS, as it's logistically complicated since not all students have lockers and kids come and go from campus for various reasons during the school day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH and I are trying to decide if we should move to VA for better schools for our kids or stay in MoCo and go private/parochial. The VA HS boundaries we are looking at are: Yorktown (Arlington), Meridian and Marshall (Falls Church), McClean (Fairfax).
Here are some factors we are thinking through:
- Three kids, so parochial school PK-8 is ~350k.
- MCPS uses a lot of technology in early grades (K uses Chromebooks for educational games). I would prefer more limited (or non-existent, honestly) technology.
- MCPS allows cell phones (or has teacher enforcement of cell phone bans, which I believe is an ineffective policy).
- We are in MCPS’s Down County Consortium, so Blair HS is an option. Our elementary is fine but not great and MS (Sligo MS) doesn’t seem like a great option. Reading and math proficiency levels are not very good, even at our ES, which is not Title 1.

Will moving to VA actually address the concerns I have? I think my husband is leaning toward move to VA, get a nicer house, and get better schools while I lean toward staying in our more modest house and going to parochial school because it’s a better culture fit.

Any guidance on VA schools or generally thinking through this issue would be appreciated.

Why? That's so stupid. Do you want them to use chalk and slate or some shit like that?

The VA schools you're eyeing are remarkably similar to MCPS, so not sure what you think you're going to get that's different.

What a bizarre hostility to technology, though. Do you realize we live in the 21st Century and technology is a central part of how we live, work and learn?

Homeschool if you're determined to have luddites with no skills.

DP but the only “bizarre hostility” on this thread is your foaming-at-the-mouth comment in response to a position that is widely shared that there is too much technology in classrooms at the expense of physical materials and direct instruction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH and I are trying to decide if we should move to VA for better schools for our kids or stay in MoCo and go private/parochial. The VA HS boundaries we are looking at are: Yorktown (Arlington), Meridian and Marshall (Falls Church), McClean (Fairfax).
Here are some factors we are thinking through:
- Three kids, so parochial school PK-8 is ~350k.
- MCPS uses a lot of technology in early grades (K uses Chromebooks for educational games). I would prefer more limited (or non-existent, honestly) technology.
- MCPS allows cell phones (or has teacher enforcement of cell phone bans, which I believe is an ineffective policy).
- We are in MCPS’s Down County Consortium, so Blair HS is an option. Our elementary is fine but not great and MS (Sligo MS) doesn’t seem like a great option. Reading and math proficiency levels are not very good, even at our ES, which is not Title 1.

Will moving to VA actually address the concerns I have? I think my husband is leaning toward move to VA, get a nicer house, and get better schools while I lean toward staying in our more modest house and going to parochial school because it’s a better culture fit.

Any guidance on VA schools or generally thinking through this issue would be appreciated.

Why? That's so stupid. Do you want them to use chalk and slate or some shit like that?

The VA schools you're eyeing are remarkably similar to MCPS, so not sure what you think you're going to get that's different.

What a bizarre hostility to technology, though. Do you realize we live in the 21st Century and technology is a central part of how we live, work and learn?

Homeschool if you're determined to have luddites with no skills.

DP but the only “bizarre hostility” on this thread is your foaming-at-the-mouth comment in response to a position that is widely shared that there is too much technology in classrooms at the expense of physical materials and direct instruction.

Yes. Most parents prefer direct instruction / lectures / discussion vs. self directed (at your own pace) digital learning.

[Anonymous]

Marshall HS is in Fairfax County Public Schools, but with a Falls Church postal address. Be careful when buying a house. Many houses will list a "Falls Church" postal address but actually will be in Fairfax County outside Falls Church City.

Right now, among those options, if it were my kids then I would go for Yorktown HS in Arlington. Backup for us from those options would be Falls Church City and Meridian HS. We cannot afford a house in Yorktown part of APS.

APS is smaller which helps a lot. Both MCPS and FCPS are so large they become nearly unmanageable.

(On DCUM any school preference will be criticized, so OP expect vocal disagreement with this post later/below.).

[Anonymous]

Houses are more expensive in those areas than in MOCO. Whats your budget? If less than about $2.5m, I would stay in MOCO and go to catholic school.

[Anonymous]

Note that all the boundaries for school pyramids in FCPS are under review and will likely all change. The Mclean HS boundary just changed a few years ago. In APS, boundaries may or may not change again in the future. The last middle/high school boundary change was just over five years ago. So don’t just buy a new house based on your dream high school pyramid.