Considering a move to DC - Stoddert v. Eaton v. Hearst

[Anonymous]

If you're renting and enjoy city life, what about Ross? Great access to public transit, close to downtown, walkable neighborhood, really nice little school with very strong test scores.
You can always move for middle school/high school. Though more of the 5th graders are moving on to SWW at Francis Stevens for middle school now, so that could work. Then in high school you can regroup. Apply for SWW, Ellington, Banneker, or move inbounds for Wilson.

If not, any of the above elementary schools will work well. Have friends at many of them and they have had overall positive experiences. I'd pick based on proximity to school (walkable is wonderful), ease of commute for your work, and available housing. Renting gives you lots of flexibility.

[Anonymous]

PP here - BTW, DCPS school starts on August 26th. Are you thinking of moving before this school year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd choose Hearst (or Murch, though I know it isn't on your list). Best location for access to red line and easy driving routes. Eaton is about to go under construction, which the other two were just finished.

Eaton also has higher level of at-risk kids, who may present resources and disruption challenges in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't move. The schools are all too crowded! There are too many kids around in NW and DCPS can't handle it. There should be 2 new ES, 2 new MS and 1 HS WOTP to handle all the kids.

Hasn't Mayor Bowser promised "Ward 3 schools for all!"?

(She certainly said "Alice Deal for all.")

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't move. The schools are all too crowded! There are too many kids around in NW and DCPS can't handle it. There should be 2 new ES, 2 new MS and 1 HS WOTP to handle all the kids.

Hasn't Mayor Bowser promised "Ward 3 schools for all!"?

(She certainly said "Alice Deal for all.")

The Council isn't going to fund more Ward 3 schools. You might get dedicated Metrobuses to the under-capacity schools just east and southeast of Ward 3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd choose Hearst (or Murch, though I know it isn't on your list). Best location for access to red line and easy driving routes. Eaton is about to go under construction, which the other two were just finished.

Eaton also has higher level of at-risk kids, who may present resources and disruption challenges in the classroom.

Eaton has much greater OOB enrollment han other Ward Three elementary schools.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks again everyone! I hadn't considered Murch because I thought that the southern-most boundary of Hearst is about as far away from Arlington as I'd like to get for commute purposes. But upon second look, it doesn't really seem like there's that much difference geographically between Murch and Hearst. Will do more research on Murch.

Similarly, living IB for Mann seemed far from Arlington, too, if we're relying on public transportation. We probably could drive to work, though we'd prefer not to. Isn't the Chain Bridge a mess during rush hour?

I've heard great things about Ross, but because we'd already pulling DD out of one school system into another, I'd really like to minimize the number of moves going forward.
The prospect of going to Ross and then moving again to be IB for Deal or Hardy isn't as appealing as moving to be IB at one of the elementary schools that feeds Deal/Hardy. DD is already grumbling about missing her friends and is not very excited about moving. It would be a lot to expect of her to potentially make two moves that would cause her to start fresh all over again with a completely new group of kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks again everyone! I hadn't considered Murch because I thought that the southern-most boundary of Hearst is about as far away from Arlington as I'd like to get for commute purposes. But upon second look, it doesn't really seem like there's that much difference geographically between Murch and Hearst. Will do more research on Murch.

Similarly, living IB for Mann seemed far from Arlington, too, if we're relying on public transportation. We probably could drive to work, though we'd prefer not to. Isn't the Chain Bridge a mess during rush hour?

I've heard great things about Ross, but because we'd already pulling DD out of one school system into another, I'd really like to minimize the number of moves going forward.
The prospect of going to Ross and then moving again to be IB for Deal or Hardy isn't as appealing as moving to be IB at one of the elementary schools that feeds Deal/Hardy. DD is already grumbling about missing her friends and is not very excited about moving. It would be a lot to expect of her to potentially make two moves that would cause her to start fresh all over again with a completely new group of kids.

If you are looking to be more "city" don't do what is zoned for Mann. Walking your child too school - and then getting on public transportation is not in line with most people's commute. In addition - think about how your child is going to get to middle school.

For this reason, Stoddert, Murch and Hearst are really nice options. Most places are walking distance to both the elementary and middle school. Although not smack on the metro (this is why Janney is so popular) - Murch is a short walk to the Van Ness metro stop and Stoddert/Hearst you get on the bus.

[Anonymous]

Actually, Murch is .7 miles walking from both Van Ness and Tenleytown metro stops, so ~15 minute walk to each (one slightly up hill one slightly downhill), quicker to Van Ness if you manage to hop on a bus on Conn., but less exercise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All good schools. Why not Mann? Doesn't seem overcrowded yet. I'd visit them all. Think of aftercare and other offerings. I don't even know a good rental where people have been happy. Since you are going to rent, you can always move IB to Hardy or Deal. Lots of new kids in middle school, so it's not like your kid is the only new kid.

Because Mann’s catchment is suburban.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're renting and enjoy city life, what about Ross? Great access to public transit, close to downtown, walkable neighborhood, really nice little school with very strong test scores.
You can always move for middle school/high school. Though more of the 5th graders are moving on to SWW at Francis Stevens for middle school now, so that could work. Then in high school you can regroup. Apply for SWW, Ellington, Banneker, or move inbounds for Wilson.

If not, any of the above elementary schools will work well. Have friends at many of them and they have had overall positive experiences. I'd pick based on proximity to school (walkable is wonderful), ease of commute for your work, and available housing. Renting gives you lots of flexibility.

Ross works for a couple of years only — I doubt OP will want to move again.

[Anonymous]

We love city life- have lived on the Hill and now in Northwest. DC does not attend any of these schools, but we have friends at almost all due to sports/activities.

I would consider, as someone said earlier, where you might want to live. Personally even though our school is IB and sought after- we do covet some of the aspects of living in AU park where kids are able to roam just a bit more freely than say in Adams Morgan, Woodley Park or Van Ness. I think if you were to move to Eaton and be within Cleveland Park, you could also find that closeknit neighborhood feel.

For us, the family population around Ross was more for younger families. If you have an older child, think about who they will play with, what freedoms they might have on their own, etc.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks again everyone! I hadn't considered Murch because I thought that the southern-most boundary of Hearst is about as far away from Arlington as I'd like to get for commute purposes. But upon second look, it doesn't really seem like there's that much difference geographically between Murch and Hearst. Will do more research on Murch.

Similarly, living IB for Mann seemed far from Arlington, too, if we're relying on public transportation. We probably could drive to work, though we'd prefer not to. Isn't the Chain Bridge a mess during rush hour?

I've heard great things about Ross, but because we'd already pulling DD out of one school system into another, I'd really like to minimize the number of moves going forward.
The prospect of going to Ross and then moving again to be IB for Deal or Hardy isn't as appealing as moving to be IB at one of the elementary schools that feeds Deal/Hardy. DD is already grumbling about missing her friends and is not very excited about moving. It would be a lot to expect of her to potentially make two moves that would cause her to start fresh all over again with a completely new group of kids.

If you are looking to be more "city" don't do what is zoned for Mann. Walking your child too school - and then getting on public transportation is not in line with most people's commute. In addition - think about how your child is going to get to middle school.

For this reason, Stoddert, Murch and Hearst are really nice options. Most places are walking distance to both the elementary and middle school. Although not smack on the metro (this is why Janney is so popular) - Murch is a short walk to the Van Ness metro stop and Stoddert/Hearst you get on the bus.

Mann is an exceptional school. The real problem is, if your kid continues in DCPS, he or she goes to Hardy which is a step down academically.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks again everyone! I hadn't considered Murch because I thought that the southern-most boundary of Hearst is about as far away from Arlington as I'd like to get for commute purposes. But upon second look, it doesn't really seem like there's that much difference geographically between Murch and Hearst. Will do more research on Murch.

Similarly, living IB for Mann seemed far from Arlington, too, if we're relying on public transportation. We probably could drive to work, though we'd prefer not to. Isn't the Chain Bridge a mess during rush hour?

I've heard great things about Ross, but because we'd already pulling DD out of one school system into another, I'd really like to minimize the number of moves going forward.
The prospect of going to Ross and then moving again to be IB for Deal or Hardy isn't as appealing as moving to be IB at one of the elementary schools that feeds Deal/Hardy. DD is already grumbling about missing her friends and is not very excited about moving. It would be a lot to expect of her to potentially make two moves that would cause her to start fresh all over again with a completely new group of kids.

If you are looking to be more "city" don't do what is zoned for Mann. Walking your child too school - and then getting on public transportation is not in line with most people's commute. In addition - think about how your child is going to get to middle school.

For this reason, Stoddert, Murch and Hearst are really nice options. Most places are walking distance to both the elementary and middle school. Although not smack on the metro (this is why Janney is so popular) - Murch is a short walk to the Van Ness metro stop and Stoddert/Hearst you get on the bus.

Mann is an exceptional school. The real problem is, if your kid continues in DCPS, he or she goes to Hardy which is a step down academically.

Will it still be a step down 3-4 years from now? Seems like Hardy and Deal will be equals in the very near future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks again everyone! I hadn't considered Murch because I thought that the southern-most boundary of Hearst is about as far away from Arlington as I'd like to get for commute purposes. But upon second look, it doesn't really seem like there's that much difference geographically between Murch and Hearst. Will do more research on Murch.

Similarly, living IB for Mann seemed far from Arlington, too, if we're relying on public transportation. We probably could drive to work, though we'd prefer not to. Isn't the Chain Bridge a mess during rush hour?

I've heard great things about Ross, but because we'd already pulling DD out of one school system into another, I'd really like to minimize the number of moves going forward.
The prospect of going to Ross and then moving again to be IB for Deal or Hardy isn't as appealing as moving to be IB at one of the elementary schools that feeds Deal/Hardy. DD is already grumbling about missing her friends and is not very excited about moving. It would be a lot to expect of her to potentially make two moves that would cause her to start fresh all over again with a completely new group of kids.

If you are looking to be more "city" don't do what is zoned for Mann. Walking your child too school - and then getting on public transportation is not in line with most people's commute. In addition - think about how your child is going to get to middle school.

For this reason, Stoddert, Murch and Hearst are really nice options. Most places are walking distance to both the elementary and middle school. Although not smack on the metro (this is why Janney is so popular) - Murch is a short walk to the Van Ness metro stop and Stoddert/Hearst you get on the bus.

Mann is an exceptional school. The real problem is, if your kid continues in DCPS, he or she goes to Hardy which is a step down academically.

Will it still be a step down 3-4 years from now? Seems like Hardy and Deal will be equals in the very near future.

Deal will be a step down in 3-4 years.