Mantua or surrounding schools for a non-AAP kid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At this point, the only thing you'll find in Mantua at that price point will be a fixer upper or outright tear down.

+1. Under 850K will be very hard in Mantua. You'll have more options elsewhere in the Woodson pyramid.

Thanks - I've seen a few things around $850 that look nice (and we're okay with a fixer upper that's in good condition), are those priced to be bid up?

What are some other great schools in Woodson? We are very happy in our diverse ES right now, FWIW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only real options in your price point in the Mantua district are two townhouse communities. The one I have experience with is Chesterfield Mews off 50 and is a great neighborhood and very commuting friendly.

The truth is that all of the Woodson pyramid elementary schools are good and you can stay under $850k if you look at the area between 236 and Braddock Road. Rutherford and Truro are both great.

Thanks! We are moving OUT of a townhouse, we want a SFH

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, if your child is older, beyond the entry for separate AAP classes starting in 3rd grade, they will be somewhat happier at a Non-Center school.

Having said that, however, I don't think that needs to mandate your house/neighborhood selection.

It's just, FCPS s*cks separating-out the kids.

OP yeah, I have an older child that is not in AAP, and I've heard rather mixed things about Center schools, that was the only reason I mentioned it. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

We live a bit farther but nearby in Kings Park West. Kids are Oakview ES /Robinson SS. We’ve had 1 non-AAP and 2 AAP kids and were really happy with the ES instruction. Non-AAP kid went on to honors classes at Robinson and had no issues adjusting/doing well.

If Mantua isn’t an option, the areas S of Braddock are good contenders, as well

[Anonymous]

A bit OT: We just bought a house (paying over six digits) and the school we are zoned for is poorly rated. We are still planning on sending our kids, but there is a bit of us thinking private school. Ugh, it stinks!! Good luck, OP, I know it’s hard!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live a bit farther but nearby in Kings Park West. Kids are Oakview ES /Robinson SS. We’ve had 1 non-AAP and 2 AAP kids and were really happy with the ES instruction. Non-AAP kid went on to honors classes at Robinson and had no issues adjusting/doing well.

If Mantua isn’t an option, the areas S of Braddock are good contenders, as well

Thanks, we'll take a look!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Use the VRE for commute!!

They are commuting to Arlington

[Anonymous]

If you want to be in the Woodson pyramid in your price range, draw a box on Zillow using Braddock Road, Wakefield Chapel Road, Little River Turnpike, and Olley Lane. Anything in that box should be a SFH in under $800.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want to be in the Woodson pyramid in your price range, draw a box on Zillow using Braddock Road, Wakefield Chapel Road, Little River Turnpike, and Olley Lane. Anything in that box should be a SFH in under $800.

I agree with this strategy, but not everything in that box is under $800k in this market. Not even close. But you'll definitely find a decent 4 bdrm 2.5 bath that needs cosmetic updates for that price.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want to be in the Woodson pyramid in your price range, draw a box on Zillow using Braddock Road, Wakefield Chapel Road, Little River Turnpike, and Olley Lane. Anything in that box should be a SFH in under $800.

I agree with this strategy, but not everything in that box is under $800k in this market. Not even close. But you'll definitely find a decent 4 bdrm 2.5 bath that needs cosmetic updates for that price.

I just did this, and I know that there is next to no inventory right now, but there are zero homes listed under 800K that are 4+ bedrooms and are not sitting directly on a major road/not a tear down.

[Anonymous]

Echoing the above and highly recommend Burke/West Springfield. We will be listing our house in the Spring for $725k -- very nice, nice neighborhood, etc. Most of the houses in our neighborhood are $700-900k. One of our kids is non-AAP and she does fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Echoing the above and highly recommend Burke/West Springfield. We will be listing our house in the Spring for $725k -- very nice, nice neighborhood, etc. Most of the houses in our neighborhood are $700-900k. One of our kids is non-AAP and she does fine.

Thank you - can you post specific ES schools to help me search?

[Anonymous]

Check for houses in the Canterbury Woods or Wakefield Forest districts.

Borders are the beltway, Guinea road, Little River Turnpike, Braddock.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Echoing the above and highly recommend Burke/West Springfield. We will be listing our house in the Spring for $725k -- very nice, nice neighborhood, etc. Most of the houses in our neighborhood are $700-900k. One of our kids is non-AAP and she does fine.

Thank you - can you post specific ES schools to help me search?

My kids are Kings Park/Kings Glen, which serves neighborhoods right off Braddock (straight shot to 495). I would also look at Ravensworth, White Oaks (I think this is an AAP center school though), Cherry Run -- these schools all feed into Lake Braddock Secondary school for middle and high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t recommend Olde Creek. I would stick with mantua, Canterbury woods or Wakefield forest.

We have been very happy with Olde Creek, for multiple children. It’s a great community. If you know your kid isn’t AAP, I would not choose Mantua or Canterbury. Of course, FCPS is moving away from a center model so maybe it’s a moot point based on ages of your kids.