Alexandria (Fairfax County) School Ratings and Resale

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My impression from living in both is that families zoned for WP (22308) frequently send their kids to the public schools. This area is more expensive than houses zoned for MV (22309). You are more likely to find people there who send kids to private, although MV’s reputation seems to be improving. There are people who want to move to both areas.

Thank you, that's good to know and helps a lot.

Except it is not true. Mount Vernon’s reputation is not improving. FCPS is building an addition at West Potomac rather than move kids to Mount Vernon even though there is space. Some know this, but others are not aware and you can’t assume it’s already “baked into” the prices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you not like about the Kingstowne area?

Thanks for responding. Now, I'm not sure if we looked there. We're trying to learn our way around and it's been confusing to say the least. I'd love to hear your thoughts about the Kingstowne area -- what you like and what you don't, pros/cons, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Wilton Woods, Waynewood and Fort Hunt areas are the nicest ones you mentioned. I’d avoid the Groveton area or anything zoned for Mount Vernon HS.

Thank you for responding. I will remember that, as we continue to look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, don't you understand that the schools' reputations are already baked into the price? You will get more home for the dollar in a less desirable school zone...that benefits you as a buyer. When you sell, you will get less for the home than a house in a more desirable zone, but you paid less when you bought.

If your kids aren't using the schools, then buy in the neighborhood you like.

Don't you understand that some pyramids in that part of the county are viewed as improving (Edison), others are viewed as stable (Hayfield, West Potomac, South County), and some are viewed as likely to decline further (Lee, Mount Vernon)?

The market is not always 100% efficient, so people look for input about areas that may have more upside and downside potential.

Thank you for your input about the pyramids and for your very articulate explanation about upside and downside potential to the other poster. That is exactly what I was trying to ascertain and learning more about the school pyramids helps tremendously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Wilton Woods, Waynewood and Fort Hunt areas are the nicest ones you mentioned. I’d avoid the Groveton area or anything zoned for Mount Vernon HS.

I disagree. Mount Vernon has some of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the county - especially the ones that border the Potomac River. Because of the reputation of the schools, the homes in Mt Vernon are very reasonably priced. Many of the neighborhoods are not "cut throughs." No, the homes don't appreciate as fast as other homes in the 22308 zip code. But in 22308, if you want something in Waynewood, you're buying a 1950's or 1960's split level, with a carport (if you're lucky) and paying upwards of $700,000. In 22309, you can get a 3000 square foot home with two or three garages that is less than 30 years old for under $800,000. If you want a 1960's split, you'll pay $500,000.

Thanks for your input. What do you mean by "Many of the neighborhoods are not "cut throughs?'

We're definitely looking for character but not a 1950's or 1960's split level and preferably with a garage instead of a carport.

[Anonymous]

Wow, you are dumb

[Anonymous]

Hayfield is great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Wilton Woods, Waynewood and Fort Hunt areas are the nicest ones you mentioned. I’d avoid the Groveton area or anything zoned for Mount Vernon HS.

I disagree. Mount Vernon has some of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the county - especially the ones that border the Potomac River. Because of the reputation of the schools, the homes in Mt Vernon are very reasonably priced. Many of the neighborhoods are not "cut throughs." No, the homes don't appreciate as fast as other homes in the 22308 zip code. But in 22308, if you want something in Waynewood, you're buying a 1950's or 1960's split level, with a carport (if you're lucky) and paying upwards of $700,000. In 22309, you can get a 3000 square foot home with two or three garages that is less than 30 years old for under $800,000. If you want a 1960's split, you'll pay $500,000.

Thanks for your input. What do you mean by "Many of the neighborhoods are not "cut throughs?'

We're definitely looking for character but not a 1950's or 1960's split level and preferably with a garage instead of a carport.

In Mt Vernon, there are many neighborhoods that border the river (or one of the creeks.) When you enter the neighborhood, you can't drive into another neighborhood. Over in Ft Hunt (and some areas of Mt Vernon) there are numerous neighborhoods where you can drive from one neighborhood to another without driving on one of the main roads. So there are roads that become "cut through" roads within the neighborhood to get to another neighborhood (or to bypass a bigger road.) For example, I know how to cut through several neighborhoods in Ft Hunt to avoid Rt 1 and Ft Hunt Road and still get from Wal Mart to Target.

Its just a personal preference of mine to live in a neighborhood where you can't drive through it to get somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hayfield is great!

Maybe, but why does it have the lowest AP passrate in fcps?

[Anonymous]

22310 is where I'd look

[Anonymous]

We just moved out of franconia 22310. Your home will hold its value but not appreciate as much. Just find a home that you like. You are an empty nester. Is this an investment property or your family home?

I know townhouses in Kingstowne are high in demand and sell quickly if prices right. I’m sure there may be slight boom with amazon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hayfield is great!

+1. Shh! We need to keep flying underneath the radar so nobody notices us!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hayfield is great!

Maybe, but why does it have the lowest AP passrate in fcps?

My kids go there (honors students) and are thriving. Good students will always rise to the top, no matter where they are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hayfield is great!

Maybe, but why does it have the lowest AP passrate in fcps?

My kids go there (honors students) and are thriving. Good students will always rise to the top, no matter where they are.

Sure. But you'd think if the very top students are the ones taking AP calc AB, that more than 25% of those "top students" would pass the nationally standardized test at the end of the year. Those aren't the bottom of the barrel kids who are disrupting tbe classes so much that teachers can't teach or simply quit.

There are some successful kids there, but they are the minority and they stay in the AP classes. If your child wants to take any "on grade" classes, prepare for disruption.

[Anonymous]

Here are the AP exam pass rates at the AP schools in FCPS for 2017 (based on total number of AP tests taken):

TJ 97.4%
Langley 87.3%
McLean 85.4%
Woodson 79.3%
Chantilly 78.0%
Madison 76.2%
Lake Braddock 72.9%
Oakton 71.7%
Fairfax 68.5%
South County 68.4%
West Springfield 68.2%
Herndon 66.3%
Westfield 65.0%
Falls Church 63.1%
Centreville 62.9%
West Potomac 59.0%
Hayfield 56.8%