Need HS recs--- Moving to the area after years in Beijing; low budget but high flexibility

[Anonymous]

Okay, I'm jumping into the fray of DCUM.

After nearly a decade in Beijing, we are moving back to The States. We three have enjoyed an extravagant lifestyle on a single mom's salary here, and as an educator I've been able to work with good schools, poorly managed schools, and many "developing schools."

The "DC Area" -- most likely in the state of VA -- will be where we land in August 2011. Obviously, spring Open Houses and the like are not possible for us. We have elderly family in Mananas and contacts in Woodbridge, but none can offer school advice.

After extremely variegated educational experiences, Child 2 will be beginning HS. Child 1 is off to college. "Single Mom" -- that's me-- is currently hunting work with the anticipation of doing more PhD grad work in 2012.

C2 is not an honors student, and will have adjustment issues-- overseas living can produce a child who is both extra naive and extra aware of the world. C2's average school size has been under 100, average class size has been 10. We think we want a normal-sized US HS.
C2 is a reader and is ready to be pushed and challenged.

C2 would like to continue learning Chinese; currently, is classified as a "heritage speaker," although we are Caucasian not ethnically Asian. I only know that Fairfax, Marshall, and TJ HS for Science & Technology offer Chinese, and I'm sure we've missed deadlines and all sorts of requirements for the latter.

Who else has Chinese programs? We could choose to do Chinese outside of school. I'd like a school that believes in "taking good students and making them great" as opposed to a school that is the only drop of education in the world of the child. A range of school-based extra curricular activities and sports would be a plus -- C2 will not be a star athlete but wants to try things.

We will not be in a position to buy a home.

So, two questions for all of you:
1) Where should we try to live?
2) What HS?


Thanks, in advance, for all advising, discussing, and flaming :)

[Anonymous]

Here's some info on "World languages" offered by the Arlington Public Schools, and Chinese is offered. The options may vary by school. So you should contact the world languages office. Also, some school districts allow students to cross enroll at local community colleges for language classes and other specialized classes.

http://www.arlington.k12.va.us/15401082104136983/blank/browse.asp?a=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&c=66976

[Anonymous]

Op here--
"Arabic and Chinese classes will be offered during the school day again at every Arlington middle and high school."
Wow and thanks!!!

Part of my dilemma is that I don't even know the school districts, much less the schools, so research is overwhelming.

So, 4 more HS to add to the Chinese list:
Fairfax,
Marshall,
Wakefield
Washington-Lee
H-B Woodlawn
Yorktown

[Anonymous]

Before proceeding any further:
1. Where will you be working? A lengthy commute (especially by car) can kill your soul. By train it's not quite as bad, you can just sleep, read, catch up somewhat on work, etc.
2. What is your rental/purchase budget and desire for condo/townhome/SFH (and from there your desired lot/house size and age?)

Admission to H-B Woodlawn is by lottery from what I understand. I don't know how you get in mid-stream.

Marshall is well-regarded among FCPS schools, Fairfax is middle of the pack. Marshall is also the smallest high school in Fairfax County. The only real disadvantage is that it has an IB program, which may be more troublesome when it comes to getting actual college credit.

In Arlington, the reputation order is Yorktown -> Washington-Lee -> Wakefield (the latter has two destinations for students: Yale or jail.) I wouldn't really recommend Wakefield for a non-honors student.

Fairfax County Public Schools are quite possibly the best large school district in the country. Arlington County Public Schools are right up there as well.

If your job is in western Fairfax I would consider looking at the Loudoun County Public Schools due to a lower cost of living and schools that are nearly as good as Fairfax's. Prince William is okay provided you're in western Prince William; eastern Prince William is a place you live because you have to, not because you want to.

[Anonymous]

Based on your description, Marshall, Washington-Lee and H-B Woodlawn are probably the best bets.

[Anonymous]

If you think you might end up commuting to DC, I'd probably aim to live in the Washington-Lee boundary. Many of the homes around there are accessible to orange line metrorail or buslines. Some homes in Marshall's boundary would be accessible to West Falls Church metro, and you might find something a bit cheaper than in Arlington. There are probably more apartment options in Arlington. Some homes in Fairfax HS boundary are easily accessible to Vienna metro, or to 495/66.

Here's the site where you can put in a home's address and find out what Fairfax county school pyramid it feeds into: http://boundary.fcps.edu/boundary/

Living North of Route 50 in Arlington will get you in the W-L or Yorktown boundaries. (there are also a couple of small pockets in South Arlington that feed into W-L.) http://gis.arlingtonva.us/schoolmap/WebPages/Map/FundyViewer.aspx

[Anonymous]

This year's lottery for H-B is over. It's very difficult to get in from the normal lottery; a midstream opening is even rarer, and they'll work through the existing waitlist first I think. So leave H-B out of consideration.

Then: Where would you be doing graduate work? You need to think about your job and your kid's school, but you also need to think about how you're going to get from work to school if you're taking classes in the evening, because nothing sets that forehead vein a-bulging like a bad triangulated commute.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Super thanks for everything so far.
I was thinking lottery schools wouldn't be a choice. I'm well versed in IB (having taught in 3 IB schools) but that's not the programme for C2.
The commute we have now is walk 15, train 25(standing), Hunt cab ~10, ride cab 35. Can't get anything done.

This is slightly off topic, but as an educator I don't promote the small-classes-are-best theory. It's only bad over 30, although over 20 will highlight a weaker teacher more quickly.

Headed to George Mason, but that's not for at least a year unless things realty fall together well and I can do a Spring start.

Employment-- I'm also almost out of time to be hired to teach, and my cred.s won't let me Admin in VA. So, tutoring centers or subbing? (as blythe as I sound, it's pretty scary).

[Anonymous]

City of Falls Church - George Mason HS may be an option as well. Believe it offers Mandarin, and they're used to kids coming from overseas (lots of foreign service kids). And there are decent rental options - mostly apartments.

[Anonymous]

Yes, George Mason high school in Falls Church offers several years of Mandarin.

Also, re: your employment options, Arlington Public Schools is usually still hiring teachers into the summer. I don't know what you're looking for, but they currently have 2 openings for "Distance Learning Mandarin Chinese Teacher", among other job openings.

http://www.apsva.us/15401081145652513/site/default.asp

Best wishes on your move and welcome home!

[Anonymous]

I don't think you are almost out of time to teach...a LOT of my friends are teachers and all of them got their jobs during the summer. Good luck in your search!