ISO thoughts about S Arlington vs N Arlington schools (esp Gunston)
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
Hi! We're considering buying a house in Arlington as we have 2 small children (we sold our home in Alexandria). We really love S Arlington's location but understand that the elementary schools are top notch everywhere in N Arlington. While our oldest would not be going into 6th grade until either 2019 or 2020 (we may decide to hold him back a year since his birthday is August) we are seeking feedback on S Arlington schools specifically Oakridge and Gunston before we make our decision of committing to N or S Arlington for the next 10 or so years (no worries about high school yet - that's just so far away!!). We are aware that zoning in N Arlington elementary schools are to be finalized and that there is also talk that within a few years S Arlington schools might also be re zoned but for now, we are seeking insight into Gunston as our concern is whether moving from Alexandria into Arlington to go to Gunston Middle School is really "better" than staying put in Alex. Would be interested in general feedback also on living in N/S Arlington and if feedback on S Arlington elementary schools ie Barcroft.
Thanks! |
Anonymous
| If you are moving from Alexandria as we did, you're probably better off with North Arlington. |
Anonymous
| Please do a search. There is a previous thread from someone who visited several Arlington schools. Might be useful as you get started. |
Anonymous
OP here - I did see the thread about a number of elementary schools - unfortunately it did not cover Gunston or Oakridge. Thanks for any specific feedback on either. To the pp comment about being better off in N Arlington - any specific reasons please? We know that the schools are "better" but from my research, I'm not sure if it's the teachers, cirriculum or etc? I know that because boundaries will be changing, we are in N Arlington going to end up in a school in N arlington - we're not really going to pick a specific one. In S Arlington, we would specifically look at the Oakridge district. As for my kids - I'm really not inclined towards a heavy academic curriculum. I grew up in a private school environment and my husband went to the best HS here in Fairfax. Neither of us really "benefited" from those experience. Because neither of us are that gifted  I took honors/AP classes and went to GW but honestly, we seek to find an environment for our kids that will make learning enjoyable.
I do not want an insane number of hours of homework daily - I really want them to learn the basics of course and get the rewards of various programs - extracurriculars, neat programs, outdoor time, etc. I want them to learn and I will not be happy if they don't know the basics of course but I'm not looking to push them into gifted programs nor on that AP track if that's not how they tend. So for us, a good school means lots of great engaging teachers in a safe and progressive environment - creative, learning focused but not psycho academic - most of all a lot of parental involvement and the experience of being able to develop relationships/friendships. I speak fluent Mandarin, my kids will always have their Spanish nanny in their lives and have Spanish language opportunities so it's not something that's a priority for us to have a school offering 5 languages or something. I will teach my kids to play piano, speak Mandarin and I'd be happy if they fall in love with reading books for life I'd be fine if my kid wanted to go to a trade school for example if he loved working with his hands or something - college is not something that is a must do. Do I want them to be prepared? Hell yes but unlike a lot of N Arlington parents I think, we're a bit more relaxed about it That's cause my mom was a tiger mom and it really did drive me crazy! So if there are N/S Arlington schools that you think make a good fit for what we seek, thank you very much in advance for your thoughts.
|
Anonymous
I just thing the South Arlington schools have more in common with Alexandria than the North Arlington schools, so if you're the type who is leaving Alexandria because of the schools, you probably won't find South Arlington to your liking. If you're moving for other reasons and weren't worried about the schools in Alexandria, then I'm sure you'll be satisfied with South Arlington. |
Anonymous
| I think Alexandria is a much nicer place to live than South Arlington, and I'm not alone. I have to believe that will lead to improvements in the Alexandria schools and stagnation in South Arlington, which quite frankly is where some of those getting priced out of Alexandria seem to end up. |
Anonymous
| OP, I don't think you can get clarity here because the people who post here are mostly elitist and contrarians. I live in n. arl, and I am looking for the same thing you are. I will try to transfer my kid to gunston because I am looking for a more nurturing environment as well. I think claremont/oakridge would be a great choice for you. Both my husband and I are average as well, but we managed to carve out a great life for ourselves through discipline and by having not just school training abilities. So from that perspective, my outlook on what I want for my kids are similar to yours. You should go to gunston and have a talk with the people there, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Like all schools it has its issues I'm sure, but I don't that would deter my children from achieving success. If you the type who truly live your life through your own rhythm, you will not have anything to worry by picking gunston as your school. You'll find a more intimate environment for you kids. As the saying goes, the farther you climb up the economic ladder, the lonelier it gets. It is smart that you're looking for a balance. Good luck. |
Anonymous
|
I live in S. Arlington and love it. We are looking to buy in oakridge so that DS can go to Claremont and then eventually Gunston and Wakefield. I have also heard great things about oakridge.
TO be honest, I don't think you are going to find an honest unbiased view of S. Arlington schools here. Most of the folks on this board appear to only go by test scores and have some theory that if their kid doesn't go to school with the best test scores that they will wind up living in a gutter or something. IMO Arlington has great schools be it South or North Arlington. S. Arlington schools just "suffer" due to a higher level of ESL or poorer students (but that really isn't something I consider a downside). Have you checked out the school report cards? https://p1pe.doe.virginia.gov/reportcard/ IF you compare the two schools you can actually see that there isn't even that big of a difference in scores between Oakridge and Tuckahoe (i just picked a random N. Arlington school). IN fact, under the school safety section Oakridge had zero issues whereas Tuckahoe had one disorderly or disruptive behavior offense. Anyway, I guess all I am saying is the differences between the schools are not as black and white as this board likes to make it seems. I do not know much about the personality of the different schools though. |
Anonymous
|
North arlington schools are average compared to moco and fcps. South arlington are subpar.
Check out http://greatschools.net oakridge has a low score http://www.greatschools.org/virginia/arlington/126-Oakridge-Elementary-School/ Gunston is even worse http://www.greatschools.org/virginia/arlington/136-Gunston-Middle-School/ If you want to live in arlington I would stick with a yorktown pyramid. |
Anonymous
| i would ignore the great schools and look at the report cards. Sometimes the difference between a 9 on great scores and a 6 is a score of a 97 and a score of a 92. big whoop. |
Anonymous
+1 so refreshing to see this perspective on here. We are in N Arlington and feeling the same. We will be looking into the immersion programs and hope the kids follow all the way through to gunston and Wakefield. |
Anonymous
| Thank you to all pp and I appreciate so much the support of those who understand my perspective of offering my kids the chance to just enjoy their education. As a product of top schools endless activities scheduled by my parents (who I know just wanted me to have every opportunity) and growing up pressured to go into a white collar profession, I just don't want to do that to my kids. The beauty of this day and age is that there are so many paths available in learning and earning a living. For us the most important thing is trying to achieve balance - I will check out Gunston and we are leaning toward S Arlington. Thanks! |
Anonymous
I'm not sure what this means, but North Arlington schools as a group are exactly comparable and in many cases superior to moco and FCPS. |
Anonymous
This means we've got a troll. |
Anonymous
The pp who posted the "average" comment? Yeah, I guess you're right. That's a troll. Never mind. |