Arlington Elementary Schools: Jamestown, Nottingham, Discovery or Tuckahoe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots in Arlington were divided by size such that R-20 lots are much larger than R-6; it’s not too complicated, Google it. Generally speaking, neighborhoods farther north and farther east (closer to the river) have bigger lots. There are almost exclusively R-20 lots
NE Arlington and very few on the western side.

Bigger lots means, gen speaking, bigger houses. That means that the most expensive housing in Arlington tends to be North and East.

What does that mean for elementary schools? Like everywhere else in the US, diversity of race and income is coextensive (gen speaking) with housing prices. So, Jamestown and Taylor are the whitest/richest, followed by Nottingham/Doscovery, followed by Tuckahoe, Cardinal. Now people are going to say that’s not true and of course there are a million exceptions; a really really nice huge house in Cardinal. Totally true and, in my opinion, you aren’t a changing that much in terms of all kinds of diversity between these places.

The other piece is that land is flatter the farther you get from the river. Duh. So your chances of getting more useable space may have increase the further you go. Even if you have a huge R-20, 17,000 sq ft lot in Bellevue, it may be a useless forested hillside.

Finally, keep in mind that this is a public school system and the powers that be are constantly changing the boundaries, etc, for each of these places. So if you buy believing you really really like what you hear about Nottingham and it’s your dream school, just know that you could easily be moved/schools closed etc. It’s just part of being in a public school system.

The number correlates to the approximate square foot so R 20 is approximately 20,000 ft.² while on R10 is 10,000 ft.².

[Anonymous]

In my opinion, you are going to care a lot more about the lot and the builder you become stuck with than the ES between these choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pick the best lot. These are all demographically similar and the admin/teachers could change any time.

Agree. They all perform well because they are all mostly attended by rich, white kids. And if your kids are in ES or younger, it’s likely that MS and/or HS boundaries will change before they reach those ages. And you may decide to try for an option school at some point. So choose an area you want to live, don’t base it on a specific school pyramid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The new principal at Tuckahoe is really great and very invovled. We've been happy there. But like so many have said the boundaries or admin could easily change. Keep in mind Tuckahoe spilts for middle between Williamsburg and Sawson (depending where you live). Its the only elementary shool with a spilt but there has been talk of changing that (all to Williamsburg).
Also, some of these schools have varying homework policies. Tuckahoe currently does not give homework in any grade. I believe this is the same for Nottingham. I believe Jameston does have homework and unsure about Discovery. Personally I would like to see some homework in the older grades to prepare them for middle school. Probably not a deal breaker but something to think about.

I don't think you can go wrong and I'd probably choose based on lot, the street, distance to school...ie are you are walker but 20 minutes away becuase you are going to end up driving your kids every morning...Is the street a cul-de-sac, busy/not busy road, distance to middle school...youd be surprised how many are considered walkers but are really far. I might also go knock on some neighbors doors and get a feel for the street. I know that seems crazy but if you plan to live there for the next 20 years you want good neighbors! And seems some streets are really social and have lots of kids, while others are not.

Discovery started out as a no homework school, but are now giving homework starting in the 3rd grade now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The new principal at Tuckahoe is really great and very invovled. We've been happy there. But like so many have said the boundaries or admin could easily change. Keep in mind Tuckahoe spilts for middle between Williamsburg and Sawson (depending where you live). Its the only elementary shool with a spilt but there has been talk of changing that (all to Williamsburg).
Also, some of these schools have varying homework policies. Tuckahoe currently does not give homework in any grade. I believe this is the same for Nottingham. I believe Jameston does have homework and unsure about Discovery. Personally I would like to see some homework in the older grades to prepare them for middle school. Probably not a deal breaker but something to think about.

I don't think you can go wrong and I'd probably choose based on lot, the street, distance to school...ie are you are walker but 20 minutes away becuase you are going to end up driving your kids every morning...Is the street a cul-de-sac, busy/not busy road, distance to middle school...youd be surprised how many are considered walkers but are really far. I might also go knock on some neighbors doors and get a feel for the street. I know that seems crazy but if you plan to live there for the next 20 years you want good neighbors! And seems some streets are really social and have lots of kids, while others are not.

Nottingham also has a small portion that splits off to Swanson (the area south of Langston by Harrison).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The new principal at Tuckahoe is really great and very invovled. We've been happy there. But like so many have said the boundaries or admin could easily change. Keep in mind Tuckahoe spilts for middle between Williamsburg and Sawson (depending where you live). Its the only elementary shool with a spilt but there has been talk of changing that (all to Williamsburg).
Also, some of these schools have varying homework policies. Tuckahoe currently does not give homework in any grade. I believe this is the same for Nottingham. I believe Jameston does have homework and unsure about Discovery. Personally I would like to see some homework in the older grades to prepare them for middle school. Probably not a deal breaker but something to think about.

I don't think you can go wrong and I'd probably choose based on lot, the street, distance to school...ie are you are walker but 20 minutes away becuase you are going to end up driving your kids every morning...Is the street a cul-de-sac, busy/not busy road, distance to middle school...youd be surprised how many are considered walkers but are really far. I might also go knock on some neighbors doors and get a feel for the street. I know that seems crazy but if you plan to live there for the next 20 years you want good neighbors! And seems some streets are really social and have lots of kids, while others are not.

I feel like the street is so important. It seems like even one or two streets over can make a big difference in Arlington. If I were buying in that part of the county, I would want to be far from any main artery (Langston, Military, etc) and far from any streets that experience cut-through traffic. Every part of Arlington has gotten so much busier, even 22207. I feel like the whole point of being up there is to get some peace and quiet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The new principal at Tuckahoe is really great and very invovled. We've been happy there. But like so many have said the boundaries or admin could easily change. Keep in mind Tuckahoe spilts for middle between Williamsburg and Sawson (depending where you live). Its the only elementary shool with a spilt but there has been talk of changing that (all to Williamsburg).
Also, some of these schools have varying homework policies. Tuckahoe currently does not give homework in any grade. I believe this is the same for Nottingham. I believe Jameston does have homework and unsure about Discovery. Personally I would like to see some homework in the older grades to prepare them for middle school. Probably not a deal breaker but something to think about.

I don't think you can go wrong and I'd probably choose based on lot, the street, distance to school...ie are you are walker but 20 minutes away becuase you are going to end up driving your kids every morning...Is the street a cul-de-sac, busy/not busy road, distance to middle school...youd be surprised how many are considered walkers but are really far. I might also go knock on some neighbors doors and get a feel for the street. I know that seems crazy but if you plan to live there for the next 20 years you want good neighbors! And seems some streets are really social and have lots of kids, while others are not.

I feel like the street is so important. It seems like even one or two streets over can make a big difference in Arlington. If I were buying in that part of the county, I would want to be far from any main artery (Langston, Military, etc) and far from any streets that experience cut-through traffic. Every part of Arlington has gotten so much busier, even 22207. I feel like the whole point of being up there is to get some peace and quiet.

No one avoid who can afford the houses off of Langston/Military/Glebe/Nellie Custis does so because of those roads are “busy.” You are talking about $3M houses lady? Obviously I’m not talking about houses on those streets but one block off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The new principal at Tuckahoe is really great and very invovled. We've been happy there. But like so many have said the boundaries or admin could easily change. Keep in mind Tuckahoe spilts for middle between Williamsburg and Sawson (depending where you live). Its the only elementary shool with a spilt but there has been talk of changing that (all to Williamsburg).
Also, some of these schools have varying homework policies. Tuckahoe currently does not give homework in any grade. I believe this is the same for Nottingham. I believe Jameston does have homework and unsure about Discovery. Personally I would like to see some homework in the older grades to prepare them for middle school. Probably not a deal breaker but something to think about.

I don't think you can go wrong and I'd probably choose based on lot, the street, distance to school...ie are you are walker but 20 minutes away becuase you are going to end up driving your kids every morning...Is the street a cul-de-sac, busy/not busy road, distance to middle school...youd be surprised how many are considered walkers but are really far. I might also go knock on some neighbors doors and get a feel for the street. I know that seems crazy but if you plan to live there for the next 20 years you want good neighbors! And seems some streets are really social and have lots of kids, while others are not.

I feel like the street is so important. It seems like even one or two streets over can make a big difference in Arlington. If I were buying in that part of the county, I would want to be far from any main artery (Langston, Military, etc) and far from any streets that experience cut-through traffic. Every part of Arlington has gotten so much busier, even 22207. I feel like the whole point of being up there is to get some peace and quiet.

No one avoid who can afford the houses off of Langston/Military/Glebe/Nellie Custis does so because of those roads are “busy.” You are talking about $3M houses lady? Obviously I’m not talking about houses on those streets but one block off.

I would reply but I can't work through your post with all the typos- sorry!

[Anonymous]

My criteria would be

1) lot size/location
2) High School
3) Elem school

Go with the better lot. HS is more important than elem school. All 4 of those are basically the same and APS likes to change it up on people all the time. No guarantees you'll stay where you started unless you live across the street. Well, even that's not guaranteed.

[Anonymous]

I agree with all the advice to focus on the lot overall since they’re all good/similar enough schools. But I’ll add 2 cents of personal experience.

I have a child at Tuckahoe and we’ve been really happy there. My kid has had some really great teachers.

Also, I like living in the area around here. Depending on where you are, you can be walkable to a lot of parks/trails/EFC metro/Westover shops. You’re also close enough to go into FCC frequently. Lots are smaller, but I like that things around me are mostly a denser grid with sidewalks. Some areas farther north in the county can be hilly/windy and closer to big nature centers than shopping/amenities. Which can be very pretty and give you a lot of seclusion right close to DC vs denser lots with less privacy.

Personally I don’t mind being on a 6k sq ft lot close to a lot of homes because I like socializing with neighbors and seeing lots of dog walkers and kids out playing etc. But you may prefer a 10k sq ft lot on a cul de sac. Only you know what works best for your family.

[Anonymous]

Oh and you should add Cardinal Elementary to your list as well if you’re looking in 22205.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh and you should add Cardinal Elementary to your list as well if you’re looking in 22205.

why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh and you should add Cardinal Elementary to your list as well if you’re looking in 22205.

why?

Because there are only a handful of builders/lots available at any given time in N Arlington and the idea that this person is going to select based on ES is, according to every single poster, total nonsense. Since Cardinal is interchangeable with Nottingham for all intents and purposes. I mean, you’d decide to live in Nottingham but not Cardinal even if the lot was way better in Cardinal with a better builder? If so, you are obviously a moron.

[Anonymous]

This post is peak N. Arlington. 😂😂😂

[Anonymous]

Look, people will disagree but JES is half snoots and half very old parents. I would avoid.