public elem schools in fairfax and loudoun. Your experiences please

[Anonymous]

Look at the commute you would have, that will narrow things down.

Also, look at greatschools.com

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We won't buy until we're sure we've got it right. Although, for now, on one income, rental needs to be under $2300 so looking for best ES in fairfax or Loudoun on that budget. Once I return to work, I can comfortably say our home-buying budget would likely be in the 700s. It could be higher but that's dependent on too many unknowns right now. I am seeing that many of the McLean and fairfax schools rated at 9 or 10 on great schools seem to dictate rentals in the 3000s which is not possible for us at this time. If I had to narrow down what is most important in school it would be lots of opps for gifted kids, not just a "worksheet" curriculum. And of course top-down great principal and teachers. Good communication with parents. From what I'm gathering, it might be that LCPS excels in trying to bring up the poorer performing students but there don't seem to be many opportunities for the higher achieving or gifted kids. Don't shoot me if you find that totallly off but it's the theory I've started formulating.

I hate to play into the ratings game, but my DS went to Orange Hunt ES, Irving MS, and is now at WSHS. We were very happy with the elementary. It is a larger school, but to us didn't "feel" large. I see it is currently rated an "8". Hunt Valley ES is a 9. Irving is up there too. I think you could find a rental in this area closer to your budget.

+1 - also where are you commuting to? This area I do a 30-40 minute commute to DC via slugging, plus the bus is a back-up. I live in this area and for 3 years was working at Loudoun 1 and had a 1hour 15 minute commute EVERY DAY. Please value your working spouse's travel time.

Also, in that area to consider are Sangster and Cherry Run. Cherry Run feeds to Lake Braddock as does the majority of Sangster. LB is a great school.

[Anonymous]

My son goes to K in Bonnie Brae, rated "only" 7, but we think it is a great school and our friends in Burke area seem to have similar experiences. Schools in Robinson/ Lake Braddock and West Springfield piramids seem to always get good ratings and the community is very family friendly. You can find rentals in your pricerange and later upgrade if you like. Commute is relatively good to anywhere in NoVa so if you plan to work in NoVa or even DC it will be reasonable at least for the area. I also recommend that you look at others factors not only school as there are many good schools in FCPS.