Choosing a 5 school over a 9 school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ditto the PPs, it's not your place to get involved. How far apart are these schools?

We're in Fairfax. Mom is in Alexandria. So maybe 12 miles ~ 20 minutes-ish.

Alexandria City or Alexandria postal code in Fairfax County?

[/quote

I was going to ask the same thing. I also agree with many of the pp to go and check out the schools and not rely just on great schools. Also, what do the kids wants? Do they have more friends in mom's neighborhood and want to go there, or maybe more friends in your neighborhood? Also, I know custody is 50/50, not sure how the split is, but 12 miles can take a long time during rush hour in this area. Keep that in mind for the kids. I have a friend who's kids drive almost an hour 2 times a week to their school from their dad's house, often they are late and the school has even contacted the parents about the situation. It's a tough situation no matter how it plays out. I think you are doing the right thing by letting the bio parents decide, but I also applaud you for thinking about what is best for the kids.

[Anonymous]

Yah this is a great concern and could get you custody

[Anonymous]

OP: Living here in the 9 school district -- people have sacrificed at LOT to be here. So you might want to tell your DH. The schools are really, really different. I think great schools understates the not as good schools.

[Anonymous]

I have some experience with a school with a 5 rating. We left it and moved into a house with a school rated 9. We were all unhappy with the 5 school. Your stepchildren are lucky that you care enough to look into this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yah this is a great concern and could get you custody

????

[Anonymous]

Definitely get those kids out of the 5 school. You don't want them to be screwed up for the rest of their lives.

[Anonymous]

Don't rely solely on Great Schools.

[Anonymous]

Kids should go to school with whomever will be taking them to activities and playdates.

[Anonymous]

In all honesty, a 5 elementary school is less concerning to me than a 5 middle/high school which has a greater chance of other problems that your kids might be exposed to (school violence, weapons infractions, drug use, greater rates of truancy, etc.) My advice is search the name of the school on here and see if people say anything about it and check the test scores and demographics and see if you're comfortable with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In all honesty, a 5 elementary school is less concerning to me than a 5 middle/high school which has a greater chance of other problems that your kids might be exposed to (school violence, weapons infractions, drug use, greater rates of truancy, etc.) My advice is search the name of the school on here and see if people say anything about it and check the test scores and demographics and see if you're comfortable with it.

Elementary school drug ring led by middle schooler, police say
http://www.ksl.com/?sid=23732107

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In all honesty, a 5 elementary school is less concerning to me than a 5 middle/high school which has a greater chance of other problems that your kids might be exposed to (school violence, weapons infractions, drug use, greater rates of truancy, etc.) My advice is search the name of the school on here and see if people say anything about it and check the test scores and demographics and see if you're comfortable with it.

Elementary school drug ring led by middle schooler, police say
http://www.ksl.com/?sid=23732107

That's not even around here ... And that's why OP needs to do her research about school safety statistics which FCPS lists for each school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't rely solely on Great Schools.

Agree - mostly angry people take the time to post there. Check out the Virginia DoE report cards first, if you want to get involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ditto the PPs, it's not your place to get involved. How far apart are these schools?

We're in Fairfax. Mom is in Alexandria. So maybe 12 miles ~ 20 minutes-ish.

Alexandria City or Alexandria postal code in Fairfax County?

Alexandria postal code in FFX.

[Anonymous]

OP back to clarify once more...

DH is not trying to get custody. There's no reason to mess with the current agreement.

We split the play dates and activities 50/50 as well, so I'm not sure I understand the PP about the kids going to school with whomever takes them to playdates/activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP back to clarify once more...

DH is not trying to get custody. There's no reason to mess with the current agreement.

We split the play dates and activities 50/50 as well, so I'm not sure I understand the PP about the kids going to school with whomever takes them to playdates/activities.

Oh and I forgot to say thanks to the PP who suggested I compare the pass rates for both schools! I did not know that information was available was on the VA Department of Education website. The Fairfax school has a pass rate of 87% for English and 85% for math. That's for all students - not a specific racial group (my SC are multiracial). The Alexandria school's pass rates are 67%/English and 65%/math. Also, thanks for the honest feedback on Great Schools. I had no idea if it was reliable or not, so your thoughts are appreciated.

In case anyone is curious, I haven't shared any of this with DH. I think you all have convinced me that it's just not my place to comment.