Elementary Schools in Alexandria - help me choose!

[Anonymous]

We are in the process of buying a new home and we want to purchase in an area that feeds into a good public elementary school...by good I mean decent test scores, low number of kids on a free or reduced lunch, low teacher turnover, other indicators YOU feel make a good school.

ANY thoughts you can provide me on the following schools would be VERY appreciated. I know nothing and dont have friends in the area yet to ask...

Samuel Tucker Elementary School
Patrick Henry Elementary School
John Adams Elementary School
Douglas MacArthur Elementary
Cora Kelly Elementary School
Lyles Crouch Elementary School
George Mason Elementary School
Mount Vernon Elementary School
James K. Polk Elementary School
Maury Elementary School
Jefferson Houston Elementary School
William Ramsay Elementary School
Charles Barrett Elementary School

[Anonymous]

There are already several threads on this so search back in the forum. Some schools are over capacity and even if you move into the boundary your child can not attend so you need to call and confirm directly with the school.

Schools to look at:

Douglas MacArthur Elementary
Lyles Crouch Elementary School
George Mason Elementary School
Mount Vernon Elementary School
Maury Elementary School

[Anonymous]

I would drop Mount Vernon Elementary and add Charles Barrett to the list above. Possibly Samuel Tucker as well, if you are interested in year-round school and living in Cameron Station.

If you are in-boundary and don't leave registration until the absolute last minute you probably will get a spot. Many of the over-subscribed schools require an appointment for KG registration so the process is quite civilized. I had no problem registering my child at MacArthur recently. I just would not want to be counting on an administrative transfer this year.

[Anonymous]

Top three:
Mason, MacArthur, Barrett

[Anonymous]

Several of my neighbors swear by Lyles Crouch. I was also impressed to learn a school board member sends their child to Jefferson Houston even though it has not met AYP. I expect that this may mean that Jefferson Houston has a story that the test scores do not show.

[Anonymous]

Alexandria will not let you register at your assigned school if it is overcrowded. Buying in a district does not mean you can go to that school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alexandria will not let you register at your assigned school if it is overcrowded. Buying in a district does not mean you can go to that school.

This is true. It is best to call the school and find out directly about registering and not to depend on stories from others.

[Anonymous]

You should consider Waynewood Elementary - it meets all of your criteria.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should consider Waynewood Elementary - it meets all of your criteria.

Waynewood is in the Fairfax County portion of Alexandria. The schools OP listed are all City of Alexandria schools.