Should we leave Alexandria?
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Anonymous
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Our oldest daughter will enter kindergarten next year. We had planned to send her to the elementary we are zoned for, one of the ones that's supposed to be "better" - but the recent abysmal report card from the state is seriously disturbing. Not a single school fully accredited in ACPS, almost all elementaries (including ours) listed as off track. I've seen many defend clerical issues that led to the scores, but even if that's true - it's no prize. It's also bad and indicative of the kind of environment that's been allowed to continue in the system here it seems.
It would be a huge stretch to pay for private. We love living in ALX, but it seems like the families around us much be much much richer if they can afford to send multiple kids to private school and continue to live in the community. Do we just leave Alexandria for Bethesda or somewhere else? Uprooting our lives to move? Do we plant a money tree and hope for the best? What are families here doing? Thanks. |
Anonymous
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My kids are in high school now.
We left before K. You’ll build community somewhere else and be very happy. Just do it now. |
Anonymous
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Following because we are in the exact same position, except our oldest starts K in two years instead of next. And our school is “Needs Intensive Support” or whatever the lowest is.
We love our neighborhood. I think it is hard to find something as walkable outside of DC. People will say Falls Church, Vienna, etc but they are just not the same. Downtown Bethesda probably is but it’s super expensive to live close enough to have the same convenience. And most other places are not as close to the city or as convenient to get in. Unfortunately I don’t see change coming anytime soon. The School Board and central office are a mess, and a small but vocal group of parents resist any change aiming to make the system as a whole better (see redistricting, middle school capacity). For now, we are likely to try out the local school and then reassess. Whether that means private or move, no idea. I would prefer stay and go private. Spouse would prefer to move. |
Anonymous
| ^^let me add to my response that the safety issues in middle and high school are pretty astonishing. Several stabbings at the high school, the school closing early last (?) winter for a brawl, increased fights/assaults on the semi-annual safety report, low percentages of students feeling safe as reported on the climate equity surveys. I could probably live with it if it was just mediocre academics, as we could supplement that. But the safety issues are significant. |
Anonymous
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My kids are recent graduates. Went K-12 through ACPS.
If you are involved parents that care about your kids' education, ACPS will offer your kids what they need. That's what always make the difference, regardless of school. Yes, you will also witness a lot of time and effort devoted to servicing the needs of kids who are struggling academically and/or emotionally. As for the safety issues... I get the concerns, but the reality is that the kids that get into those fights are unlikely to directly impact your kid. Even most ACPS bashers admit will say things like "ACPS is bad, but MY elementary school is okay." 
That's because they get to know that community, and learn to like it. I don't think you have to make a decision now. You can always switch at middle school. Having said that... Middle school was not a great time for my kids, because... it's middle school (!) which was also not a great time for me, when I was at one of the "top" Fairfax County schools. People conflate the challenges of early adolescence as something particularly bad at the ACPS schools, but the experiences of my kids and those of family friends with kids in different are public schools doesn't bear that out. As for high school, the amount of APs and clubs and activities that were available to my kids are truly impressive. The offerings read more like a small college than a high school. What ACPS represents is society--ALL of society. In addition to the academic knowledge my kids gained, they will tell you they are really glad they went to ACPS because of the diversity they experienced and learned to coexist with. |
Anonymous
| Move to Arlington County. Better schools. More option schools as well. Commutes will be similar to Alexandria. |
Anonymous
Which elementary? I wouldn't pay any mind to the not accredited thing because every school was marked because of facilities and a safety plan. Even in brand new buildings! Did they complete the form wrong?! Very weird. |
Anonymous
| If you are an involved parent, your kids will be fine. Yale or jail...or JMU. |
Anonymous
Anonymous
| We live in Del Ray and chose private. It’s a stretch but we only have one kid and bought our house when things were more affordable. Honestly in your shoes I’d probably do public for George mason and Lyle’s crouch; maaaybe brooks. But not the others . Then move or pay for middle school |
Anonymous
| I have one recent graduate and one high schooler. We also vaguely considered private school as the oldest was entering kindergarten but decided to give ACPS a try - and have not regretted our decision. I agree with the other ACPS parent that safety issues are exaggerated - my kids have never felt unsafe in school. And while they have suffered through some bad teachers, they have also learned from some truly amazing and dedicated teachers. My college student - now at an ivy league school - does not feel academically unprepared or inferior to the kids who went private. Also, the ACHS experience - going to school with kids from extremely different backgrounds and life experiences - is not to be underestimated in terms of preparing you for the real world. |
Anonymous
| Whatever you think your children need—deserve—from their school experience, assume that the parents at the nearby public housing complex want the same. No, don’t just assume it. Do something about it. Send your kids to school with their kids. Use the energy you have otherwise directed at fighting to get your daughter a slot at the competitive private school to fight for more computers at the public school. Use your connections to power and money and innovation to make your local school—the one you are now sending your child to—better. Don’t just acknowledge your liberal guilt—listen to it. |
Anonymous
Lol this was not a particularly compelling case for getting people to send their kids to public schools. |
Anonymous
Ah yes George Mason, the only school that was just expanded and redistricted to include more single family housing. |