Del Ray Public Schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We go to MVCS (not MVCC). The school has been very supportive for our children who require extra help and we haven’t had to fight a LOT like some schools tu get services and support. Our teachers have been almost universally good and most speak Spanish. They teach in pairs most of the time. Turnover/vacancies at the school aren’t huge problems like at some other schools. Our kids are not Spanish speakers and won’t be when they’re done, and the Spanish proficiency has disappointed me (especially since one could speak some Spanish when they started). Both are below grade level in at least one subject, but both have IEPs so hard to say if they’d be better off at another school. By DC standards we are not wealthy and are probably moving to Fairfax for middle. I’m very worried about my sensitive but academically strong kid finding themselves in a bad situation at GW and not being able to get out, or worse being bullied.

Communication in ACPS and from MVCS is HORRIBLE, where we often find out about something the day before or without sufficient notice. Grading is very opaque. The PTA is very active but has no influence on academic outcomes. They raise funds and coordinate activities. Funds support purchases on behalf of the school and teachers as well as the very extreme needs of lower income children. The range of populations are not well integrated beyond in the actual classrooms, and my children are not friends with any Spanish speaking families’ children (though we’ve tried, the language and income gaps are hard for either group to bridge I guess) and few non white kids are in our after care, not representativa of the population. The principal rules her staff with an iron fist and tries very, very hard to never interact with any parents on specific issues. Some of the APs are very good and the really bad ones have left as far as I can tell, but the bad ones were *bad.* The economic, health, and support needs of many students are very high, and the school fills the gap for those kids.

The focus in ACPS is 200% on “equity” not positive academic outcomes. Equity only means socio economic/racial and not of different types of learners and abilities OR everyone succeeds. Equity doesn’t mean lifting up those who need more help; it means no unfair advantages (so maybe even taking away things not everyone had across ACPS). Superintendents turn over frequently. The nonpartisan school board is very liberal on progressive policies, but most don’t actually send their kids to ACPS. There are nearly as many privates in Alexandria as public, and if you’re wealthy and live in Del Ray you’d be in good company sending your kids to private. Crazy for how much homes there cost.

Cora Kelly has very similar challenges to MVCS drawing from a very similar demographic range. You can opt out of MVCS if you do not want dual language but not CK. Many who don’t do MVCS go to CK. The transfer process for within ACPS is painful and not at all transparent. I know less about JH except that the school is new and very nice. The academics are not up to par. MVCS is old but well maintained but had some very serious mold issues a couple years ago. CK is old and looks its age.

So I would say I’m not 100% disappointment, but I kind of wish we had lived elsewhere. Del Ray is a lovely but pretty clique-y community. Commutes from there to Arlington or downtown DC are pretty easy though.

I was one of those parents that thought “Well mine are white and well off, so we’ll be fine statistically,” but at the time I didn’t know my kids would both need more than standard and wouldn’t sail through school easily.

Former MVCS parent here - I am so sorry to hear that the community is not what it once was. While there have always been challenges to bridging the language/economic divides, in the relatively recent past the PTA had made big strides - lots of activities designed to build community among the parents including an English/Spanish conversation group, and the Big Flea (RIP, Flea) was a great community building event that involved parents, kids, and community members from all parts of our community. My kids (now in high school/college) socialized a lot with their native Spanish speaking classmates and still have good friendships with several kids from their MVCS days. That school has such a special place in our hearts. I suspect the breakdown in community is one of the many bad results of the pandemic shut downs. Also, having lived in Del Ray for almost 30 years now, it has definitely changed - the newer residents seem more cliquey and less likely to get involved with the community. They move here because they want the events and stuff, but they don't want to be part of creating them. The great things about Del Ray were great because a bunch of people got together to do cool stuff for all of us (e.g., Art on the Ave started as a block party -- it's now a massive event. Still all volunteer run, but getting harder to do because it's a lot harder to get new people to volunteer than it used to be.)

Current parent who works full time but is involved in the school, especially pre-COVID. I disagree with the cliquey poster. There’s a real effort to bridge the two communities and I have met people volunteering and found in general for it to be an open and accepting community. Also met lots of parents at birthday parties, soccer etc. I’d never describe the community on the whole as cliquey. You do see the same parents volunteering though, but I suppose that’s everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We go to MVCS (not MVCC). The school has been very supportive for our children who require extra help and we haven’t had to fight a LOT like some schools tu get services and support. Our teachers have been almost universally good and most speak Spanish. They teach in pairs most of the time. Turnover/vacancies at the school aren’t huge problems like at some other schools. Our kids are not Spanish speakers and won’t be when they’re done, and the Spanish proficiency has disappointed me (especially since one could speak some Spanish when they started). Both are below grade level in at least one subject, but both have IEPs so hard to say if they’d be better off at another school. By DC standards we are not wealthy and are probably moving to Fairfax for middle. I’m very worried about my sensitive but academically strong kid finding themselves in a bad situation at GW and not being able to get out, or worse being bullied.

Communication in ACPS and from MVCS is HORRIBLE, where we often find out about something the day before or without sufficient notice. Grading is very opaque. The PTA is very active but has no influence on academic outcomes. They raise funds and coordinate activities. Funds support purchases on behalf of the school and teachers as well as the very extreme needs of lower income children. The range of populations are not well integrated beyond in the actual classrooms, and my children are not friends with any Spanish speaking families’ children (though we’ve tried, the language and income gaps are hard for either group to bridge I guess) and few non white kids are in our after care, not representativa of the population. The principal rules her staff with an iron fist and tries very, very hard to never interact with any parents on specific issues. Some of the APs are very good and the really bad ones have left as far as I can tell, but the bad ones were *bad.* The economic, health, and support needs of many students are very high, and the school fills the gap for those kids.

The focus in ACPS is 200% on “equity” not positive academic outcomes. Equity only means socio economic/racial and not of different types of learners and abilities OR everyone succeeds. Equity doesn’t mean lifting up those who need more help; it means no unfair advantages (so maybe even taking away things not everyone had across ACPS). Superintendents turn over frequently. The nonpartisan school board is very liberal on progressive policies, but most don’t actually send their kids to ACPS. There are nearly as many privates in Alexandria as public, and if you’re wealthy and live in Del Ray you’d be in good company sending your kids to private. Crazy for how much homes there cost.

Cora Kelly has very similar challenges to MVCS drawing from a very similar demographic range. You can opt out of MVCS if you do not want dual language but not CK. Many who don’t do MVCS go to CK. The transfer process for within ACPS is painful and not at all transparent. I know less about JH except that the school is new and very nice. The academics are not up to par. MVCS is old but well maintained but had some very serious mold issues a couple years ago. CK is old and looks its age.

So I would say I’m not 100% disappointment, but I kind of wish we had lived elsewhere. Del Ray is a lovely but pretty clique-y community. Commutes from there to Arlington or downtown DC are pretty easy though.

I was one of those parents that thought “Well mine are white and well off, so we’ll be fine statistically,” but at the time I didn’t know my kids would both need more than standard and wouldn’t sail through school easily.

Former MVCS parent here - I am so sorry to hear that the community is not what it once was. While there have always been challenges to bridging the language/economic divides, in the relatively recent past the PTA had made big strides - lots of activities designed to build community among the parents including an English/Spanish conversation group, and the Big Flea (RIP, Flea) was a great community building event that involved parents, kids, and community members from all parts of our community. My kids (now in high school/college) socialized a lot with their native Spanish speaking classmates and still have good friendships with several kids from their MVCS days. That school has such a special place in our hearts. I suspect the breakdown in community is one of the many bad results of the pandemic shut downs. Also, having lived in Del Ray for almost 30 years now, it has definitely changed - the newer residents seem more cliquey and less likely to get involved with the community. They move here because they want the events and stuff, but they don't want to be part of creating them. The great things about Del Ray were great because a bunch of people got together to do cool stuff for all of us (e.g., Art on the Ave started as a block party -- it's now a massive event. Still all volunteer run, but getting harder to do because it's a lot harder to get new people to volunteer than it used to be.)

Current parent who works full time but is involved in the school, especially pre-COVID. I disagree with the cliquey poster. There’s a real effort to bridge the two communities and I have met people volunteering and found in general for it to be an open and accepting community. Also met lots of parents at birthday parties, soccer etc. I’d never describe the community on the whole as cliquey. You do see the same parents volunteering though, but I suppose that’s everywhere.

You may have met a lot of parents at birthday parties. One of my kids has never even been invited to a birthday party, so…. Guess our experience isn’t valid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We go to MVCS (not MVCC). The school has been very supportive for our children who require extra help and we haven’t had to fight a LOT like some schools tu get services and support. Our teachers have been almost universally good and most speak Spanish. They teach in pairs most of the time. Turnover/vacancies at the school aren’t huge problems like at some other schools. Our kids are not Spanish speakers and won’t be when they’re done, and the Spanish proficiency has disappointed me (especially since one could speak some Spanish when they started). Both are below grade level in at least one subject, but both have IEPs so hard to say if they’d be better off at another school. By DC standards we are not wealthy and are probably moving to Fairfax for middle. I’m very worried about my sensitive but academically strong kid finding themselves in a bad situation at GW and not being able to get out, or worse being bullied.

Communication in ACPS and from MVCS is HORRIBLE, where we often find out about something the day before or without sufficient notice. Grading is very opaque. The PTA is very active but has no influence on academic outcomes. They raise funds and coordinate activities. Funds support purchases on behalf of the school and teachers as well as the very extreme needs of lower income children. The range of populations are not well integrated beyond in the actual classrooms, and my children are not friends with any Spanish speaking families’ children (though we’ve tried, the language and income gaps are hard for either group to bridge I guess) and few non white kids are in our after care, not representativa of the population. The principal rules her staff with an iron fist and tries very, very hard to never interact with any parents on specific issues. Some of the APs are very good and the really bad ones have left as far as I can tell, but the bad ones were *bad.* The economic, health, and support needs of many students are very high, and the school fills the gap for those kids.

The focus in ACPS is 200% on “equity” not positive academic outcomes. Equity only means socio economic/racial and not of different types of learners and abilities OR everyone succeeds. Equity doesn’t mean lifting up those who need more help; it means no unfair advantages (so maybe even taking away things not everyone had across ACPS). Superintendents turn over frequently. The nonpartisan school board is very liberal on progressive policies, but most don’t actually send their kids to ACPS. There are nearly as many privates in Alexandria as public, and if you’re wealthy and live in Del Ray you’d be in good company sending your kids to private. Crazy for how much homes there cost.

Cora Kelly has very similar challenges to MVCS drawing from a very similar demographic range. You can opt out of MVCS if you do not want dual language but not CK. Many who don’t do MVCS go to CK. The transfer process for within ACPS is painful and not at all transparent. I know less about JH except that the school is new and very nice. The academics are not up to par. MVCS is old but well maintained but had some very serious mold issues a couple years ago. CK is old and looks its age.

So I would say I’m not 100% disappointment, but I kind of wish we had lived elsewhere. Del Ray is a lovely but pretty clique-y community. Commutes from there to Arlington or downtown DC are pretty easy though.

I was one of those parents that thought “Well mine are white and well off, so we’ll be fine statistically,” but at the time I didn’t know my kids would both need more than standard and wouldn’t sail through school easily.

Former MVCS parent here - I am so sorry to hear that the community is not what it once was. While there have always been challenges to bridging the language/economic divides, in the relatively recent past the PTA had made big strides - lots of activities designed to build community among the parents including an English/Spanish conversation group, and the Big Flea (RIP, Flea) was a great community building event that involved parents, kids, and community members from all parts of our community. My kids (now in high school/college) socialized a lot with their native Spanish speaking classmates and still have good friendships with several kids from their MVCS days. That school has such a special place in our hearts. I suspect the breakdown in community is one of the many bad results of the pandemic shut downs. Also, having lived in Del Ray for almost 30 years now, it has definitely changed - the newer residents seem more cliquey and less likely to get involved with the community. They move here because they want the events and stuff, but they don't want to be part of creating them. The great things about Del Ray were great because a bunch of people got together to do cool stuff for all of us (e.g., Art on the Ave started as a block party -- it's now a massive event. Still all volunteer run, but getting harder to do because it's a lot harder to get new people to volunteer than it used to be.)

Current parent who works full time but is involved in the school, especially pre-COVID. I disagree with the cliquey poster. There’s a real effort to bridge the two communities and I have met people volunteering and found in general for it to be an open and accepting community. Also met lots of parents at birthday parties, soccer etc. I’d never describe the community on the whole as cliquey. You do see the same parents volunteering though, but I suppose that’s everywhere.

You may have met a lot of parents at birthday parties. One of my kids has never even been invited to a birthday party, so…. Guess our experience isn’t valid?

It's not only sad when people refuse to acknowledge your lived experience, it's bullying. I'm sorry and I believe you.

[Anonymous]

Alexandria is such a nice area. I spent a lot of time in Del Ray and had a lot of friends there when our kids were babies and in preschool. Every single one of us moved or went to private school by mid elementary. Save yourself the hassle. Don’t move there. It’s really wonderful when you are working adults with no kids but our lives and priorities changed fast. Don’t do it.

[Anonymous]

Also, pick any thread and read about the 9th grade center MH and the high school. You need to be aware of the issues or willing to pay for private. Here’s the first one I saw. https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1116654.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alexandria is such a nice area. I spent a lot of time in Del Ray and had a lot of friends there when our kids were babies and in preschool. Every single one of us moved or went to private school by mid elementary. Save yourself the hassle. Don’t move there. It’s really wonderful when you are working adults with no kids but our lives and priorities changed fast. Don’t do it.

Listen to this person. They are 100% correct. And don't delude yourself like I did and think elementary will be ok and by the time my kid gets to middle school or high school, the issues will be resolved. Unless the state gets involved things will only get worse. It seems crazy but this is clearly what the city wants - chaos and bad schools. This is what they keep voting for.

[Anonymous]

Alexandria is such a nice area. I spent a lot of time in Del Ray and had a lot of friends there when our kids were babies and in preschool. Every single one of us moved or went to private school by mid elementary. Save yourself the hassle. Don’t move there. It’s really wonderful when you are working adults with no kids but our lives and priorities changed fast. Don’t do it.


Listen to this person. They are 100% correct. And don't delude yourself like I did and think elementary will be ok and by the time my kid gets to middle school or high school, the issues will be resolved.

I actually did find elementary to be ok. The academic part of GWMS has been good, but the social part has not been great. We are ready to moving to private for high school.

[ECNLDD]

Anonymous wrote:

Alexandria is such a nice area. I spent a lot of time in Del Ray and had a lot of friends there when our kids were babies and in preschool. Every single one of us moved or went to private school by mid elementary. Save yourself the hassle. Don’t move there. It’s really wonderful when you are working adults with no kids but our lives and priorities changed fast. Don’t do it.


Listen to this person. They are 100% correct. And don't delude yourself like I did and think elementary will be ok and by the time my kid gets to middle school or high school, the issues will be resolved.

I actually did find elementary to be ok. The academic part of GWMS has been good, but the social part has not been great. We are ready to moving to private for high school.

We will do the same.

[Anonymous]

I know many people who do just fine with the Maury-GW- TC. Though will say most of our friends have older, now HS- ages DC. Those with younger DC are hoping for private for HS and there aren’t enough options- even if you are will in travel to DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Alexandria is such a nice area. I spent a lot of time in Del Ray and had a lot of friends there when our kids were babies and in preschool. Every single one of us moved or went to private school by mid elementary. Save yourself the hassle. Don’t move there. It’s really wonderful when you are working adults with no kids but our lives and priorities changed fast. Don’t do it.


Listen to this person. They are 100% correct. And don't delude yourself like I did and think elementary will be ok and by the time my kid gets to middle school or high school, the issues will be resolved.

I actually did find elementary to be ok. The academic part of GWMS has been good, but the social part has not been great. We are ready to moving to private for high school.

Get your kid evaluated independently ASAP. I know kids in honors at GW, getting good grades but parents got suspicious so got the kids evaluated. They were multiple grade levels below where they should have been. Don't wait for summer....all the good tutors will be taken.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]Does anyone have first hand experience with Jefferson-Houston? I'm not interested in rumors about the school but information from parents who currently have kids there or know kids who attend the school.[/quote]

Hi there, JH parent here. JH has been a great school for my two kids and we have a wonderful community. The IB program is fantastic, and teachers are warm and very supportive. The administration cares deeply about the kids. The PTA is very active and hosts many events throughout the year. Please reach out to the pta to be connected to parents. The school offers tours as well if you call them. The JH zones are half of Del Ray, part of Old Town, and Potomac Yards. Kids zoned for JH are able to go to GW for middle if they choose.