Lower McLean vs North Arlington vs Vienna

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here. Fairfax County has its own problems. Teachers need to be paid as much as Arlington and Loudon Counties, for one. In addition, Fairfax/McLean class sizes are crowded, so they will be in the same situation as Arlington, before long. If you debate this, you know nothing about demographics over recent decades in the area.

Your facts are wrong and/or misleading. Average teacher compensation is higher in Fairfax than Loudoun; class sizes in FCPS aren't especially relevant to whether FCPS will have building capacity issues similar to APS; and the demographic trends in APS and FCPS over recent decades have been quite different (and the percentage growth in FCPS this year was about 11% of the percentage growth in APS).

Do you have any data to support your side? Or at least know people who reside in both, for comparison? Because you say something does not make it so.

Yes, it is based on data (APS, FCPS, WABE). Not sure why you would suggest otherwise.

Perhaps because there is no link.

This is not a term paper. APS and FCPS have their own web sites and FCPS maintains the annual WABE data compilations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean is best. Vienna is too far out and I'd be too nervous about the lack of clear plans to deal with school overcrowding in Arlington to buy there now.

Much smaller class sizes in Arlington.

+1

My third grader in Vienna has 20 in his class. Is Arlington that much smaller???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean is best. Vienna is too far out and I'd be too nervous about the lack of clear plans to deal with school overcrowding in Arlington to buy there now.

Much smaller class sizes in Arlington.

+1

My third grader in Vienna has 20 in his class. Is Arlington that much smaller???

I think the message of this thread is that Arlington is overcrowded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd only care about stats for the following clusters:

a) Yorktown clusters
b) W-L clusters
c) McLean clusters
d) Langley clusters
e) Madison clusters

I don't care about all of FCPS or APS.

2016 SAT Scores

Langley 1851
McLean 1821
Madison 1789
Yorktown 1752
Washington-Lee 1702

2016 US News Rankings - Virginia

McLean - #2
Madison - #3
Langley - #6
Yorktown - #13
Washington-Lee - #17

2016-17 National Merit Semifinalists

Langley 15
McLean 13
Madison 10
Washington-Lee 8
Yorktown 1

2016 Schooldigger Rankings - Virginia

McLean - #11
Langley - #12
Madison - #24
Yorktown - #59
Washington-Lee - #132

2016 Washington Post Regional Challenge Index

Washington-Lee - #5
McLean - #7
Yorktown - #11
Madison - #18
Langley - #21


2016-17 Enrollments

Yorktown 1880
Langley 1973
McLean 2053
Madison 2188
Washington-Lee 2330

Projected Over/Under Capacity 2021-22

Washington-Lee 540 over-capacity
Madison 295 over-capacity
McLean 263 over-capacity
Yorktown 190 over-capacity
Langley 401 under-capacity

[Anonymous]

Thank you. So it looks like Langley and McLean (even with its over-enrollment) look to be the best options, but no one has made a strong case for Vienna and Madison looks really good.

What are the pros for Vienna?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. So it looks like Langley and McLean (even with its over-enrollment) look to be the best options, but no one has made a strong case for Vienna and Madison looks really good.

What are the pros for Vienna?

Relative to McLean and North Arlington?

1) Housing is less expensive
2) Community is more kid-oriented (for example, more affordable family-friendly restaurants than McLean, fewer bars than Arlington)
3) Town of Vienna has its own government/events, but is smaller than McLean or North Arlington
4) Parents are younger, more relaxed
5) Better HS sports teams

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. So it looks like Langley and McLean (even with its over-enrollment) look to be the best options, but no one has made a strong case for Vienna and Madison looks really good.

What are the pros for Vienna?

Relative to McLean and North Arlington?

1) Housing is less expensive
2) Community is more kid-oriented (for example, more affordable family-friendly restaurants than McLean, fewer bars than Arlington)
3) Town of Vienna has its own government/events, but is smaller than McLean or North Arlington
4) Parents are younger, more relaxed
5) Better HS sports teams

+1

All are substantial considerations, OP. Good on you for asking before the big move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. So it looks like Langley and McLean (even with its over-enrollment) look to be the best options, but no one has made a strong case for Vienna and Madison looks really good.

What are the pros for Vienna?

Zero if the commute is for downtown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. So it looks like Langley and McLean (even with its over-enrollment) look to be the best options, but no one has made a strong case for Vienna and Madison looks really good.

What are the pros for Vienna?

Zero if the commute is for downtown.

Everything else seems to point to Vienna as a better option than NoArlington. Commute really that bad? I get why McLean is so expensive now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. So it looks like Langley and McLean (even with its over-enrollment) look to be the best options, but no one has made a strong case for Vienna and Madison looks really good.

What are the pros for Vienna?

Zero if the commute is for downtown.

Everything else seems to point to Vienna as a better option than NoArlington. Commute really that bad? I get why McLean is so expensive now.

Commuting to Penn Quarter from Vienna by car is pretty bad. Metro is better, but then you have to show up early to get a parking space because the Vienna station is the end of the Orange Line and the lots fill up with people who live further west.

[Anonymous]

We moved to north Arlington about 2 years ago and we love it. Super neighborhood's with friendly people, block parties, and an active community. People are always outside and wave hello, etc. neighborhood's have sidewalks which is important to me. Our walkscore is 80 and we can walk to grocery, a variety of food options, schools, and are a short drive from D.C., airport, and Tysons. We seriously considered McLean also, but in our price range (800-950) the houses were not as nice, no sidewalks or neighborhood feel, and from what we saw less pride in ownership in terms of keeping up landscaping and exteriors. The main draw for us for McLean was that FCPS has 6th in elementary and we moved here with a rising 5th grader which we felt would make a better transition at the time. I still think that would have been better but we found a house we loved in Arlington and the school's have been good and my children's adjustment has gone well. Arlington also has great county parks, rec center class offerings, libraries, summer camp offerings are good, etc.
I feel like there is a really negative attitude towards north Arlington on this forum and it is a total stereotype that people are snobby, rich, etc. in my experience the people here are very friendly, down to earth, and I haven't encountered any snobbiness or "keeping up with the joneses" attitude that seems to be perpetuated on DCUM. On the contrary, most families have dual working parents and it's because of a high cost of living, not because they love their jobs or are both CEOs. I moved here as a SAHM and there were really not many with elementary aged kids who still stay home. I've since returned to work part-time. Everyone makes compromises when buyin a house and for people near me, the compromise is close-in with good schools but a smaller lot/house. You might make a different choice and that's okay.
Regarding the school overcrowding, I and the majority of parents I've met feel confident a 4th high school will be built. I've been super happy with the small class sizes in elementary and middle so far. I'm also a teacher and I am not afraid of the high school situation. I grew up with portable classrooms and it didn't affect the quality of my education- good teachers are what makes the difference there, and APS attracts the best because they pay more than FCPS. I see many teachers come over to APS because of the pay issue and preference for a smaller system.

[Anonymous]

PP here- sorry for the extra apostrophes due to autocorrect. I'm on my phone and didn't catch them before pressing submit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We moved to north Arlington about 2 years ago and we love it. Super neighborhood's with friendly people, block parties, and an active community. People are always outside and wave hello, etc. neighborhood's have sidewalks which is important to me. Our walkscore is 80 and we can walk to grocery, a variety of food options, schools, and are a short drive from D.C., airport, and Tysons. We seriously considered McLean also, but in our price range (800-950) the houses were not as nice, no sidewalks or neighborhood feel, and from what we saw less pride in ownership in terms of keeping up landscaping and exteriors. The main draw for us for McLean was that FCPS has 6th in elementary and we moved here with a rising 5th grader which we felt would make a better transition at the time. I still think that would have been better but we found a house we loved in Arlington and the school's have been good and my children's adjustment has gone well. Arlington also has great county parks, rec center class offerings, libraries, summer camp offerings are good, etc.
I feel like there is a really negative attitude towards north Arlington on this forum and it is a total stereotype that people are snobby, rich, etc. in my experience the people here are very friendly, down to earth, and I haven't encountered any snobbiness or "keeping up with the joneses" attitude that seems to be perpetuated on DCUM. On the contrary, most families have dual working parents and it's because of a high cost of living, not because they love their jobs or are both CEOs. I moved here as a SAHM and there were really not many with elementary aged kids who still stay home. I've since returned to work part-time. Everyone makes compromises when buyin a house and for people near me, the compromise is close-in with good schools but a smaller lot/house. You might make a different choice and that's okay.
Regarding the school overcrowding, I and the majority of parents I've met feel confident a 4th high school will be built. I've been super happy with the small class sizes in elementary and middle so far. I'm also a teacher and I am not afraid of the high school situation. I grew up with portable classrooms and it didn't affect the quality of my education- good teachers are what makes the difference there, and APS attracts the best because they pay more than FCPS. I see many teachers come over to APS because of the pay issue and preference for a smaller system.

I don't dispute anything in your statement, but you have no basis for this belief. If you want it, you'd better look to recruit new people to run for school board who are going to find a way to make this happen. Because the current board is moving ahead in another direction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We moved to north Arlington about 2 years ago and we love it. Super neighborhood's with friendly people, block parties, and an active community. People are always outside and wave hello, etc. neighborhood's have sidewalks which is important to me. Our walkscore is 80 and we can walk to grocery, a variety of food options, schools, and are a short drive from D.C., airport, and Tysons. We seriously considered McLean also, but in our price range (800-950) the houses were not as nice, no sidewalks or neighborhood feel, and from what we saw less pride in ownership in terms of keeping up landscaping and exteriors. The main draw for us for McLean was that FCPS has 6th in elementary and we moved here with a rising 5th grader which we felt would make a better transition at the time. I still think that would have been better but we found a house we loved in Arlington and the school's have been good and my children's adjustment has gone well. Arlington also has great county parks, rec center class offerings, libraries, summer camp offerings are good, etc.
I feel like there is a really negative attitude towards north Arlington on this forum and it is a total stereotype that people are snobby, rich, etc. in my experience the people here are very friendly, down to earth, and I haven't encountered any snobbiness or "keeping up with the joneses" attitude that seems to be perpetuated on DCUM. On the contrary, most families have dual working parents and it's because of a high cost of living, not because they love their jobs or are both CEOs. I moved here as a SAHM and there were really not many with elementary aged kids who still stay home. I've since returned to work part-time. Everyone makes compromises when buyin a house and for people near me, the compromise is close-in with good schools but a smaller lot/house. You might make a different choice and that's okay.
Regarding the school overcrowding, I and the majority of parents I've met feel confident a 4th high school will be built. I've been super happy with the small class sizes in elementary and middle so far. I'm also a teacher and I am not afraid of the high school situation. I grew up with portable classrooms and it didn't affect the quality of my education- good teachers are what makes the difference there, and APS attracts the best because they pay more than FCPS. I see many teachers come over to APS because of the pay issue and preference for a smaller system.

They have no intention to build a 4th comprehensive high school. Not happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We moved to north Arlington about 2 years ago and we love it. Super neighborhood's with friendly people, block parties, and an active community. People are always outside and wave hello, etc. neighborhood's have sidewalks which is important to me. Our walkscore is 80 and we can walk to grocery, a variety of food options, schools, and are a short drive from D.C., airport, and Tysons. We seriously considered McLean also, but in our price range (800-950) the houses were not as nice, no sidewalks or neighborhood feel, and from what we saw less pride in ownership in terms of keeping up landscaping and exteriors. The main draw for us for McLean was that FCPS has 6th in elementary and we moved here with a rising 5th grader which we felt would make a better transition at the time. I still think that would have been better but we found a house we loved in Arlington and the school's have been good and my children's adjustment has gone well. Arlington also has great county parks, rec center class offerings, libraries, summer camp offerings are good, etc.
I feel like there is a really negative attitude towards north Arlington on this forum and it is a total stereotype that people are snobby, rich, etc. in my experience the people here are very friendly, down to earth, and I haven't encountered any snobbiness or "keeping up with the joneses" attitude that seems to be perpetuated on DCUM. On the contrary, most families have dual working parents and it's because of a high cost of living, not because they love their jobs or are both CEOs. I moved here as a SAHM and there were really not many with elementary aged kids who still stay home. I've since returned to work part-time. Everyone makes compromises when buyin a house and for people near me, the compromise is close-in with good schools but a smaller lot/house. You might make a different choice and that's okay.
Regarding the school overcrowding, I and the majority of parents I've met feel confident a 4th high school will be built. I've been super happy with the small class sizes in elementary and middle so far. I'm also a teacher and I am not afraid of the high school situation. I grew up with portable classrooms and it didn't affect the quality of my education- good teachers are what makes the difference there, and APS attracts the best because they pay more than FCPS. I see many teachers come over to APS because of the pay issue and preference for a smaller system.

I don't dispute anything in your statement, but you have no basis for this belief. If you want it, you'd better look to recruit new people to run for school board who are going to find a way to make this happen. Because the current board is moving ahead in another direction.

Agreed. We saw the writing on the wall in Arlington and moved to McLean. We haven't been disappointed. The public schools here simply teach to a higher level than in Arlington. APS has fallen victim to a sense of complacency, whether it comes to academics or addressing the capacity crisis. We used to joke that Arlington was "Field of Dreams" in reverse - "if they come, we won't build it" - but several of our former neighbors are now anxiously trying to get their kids into private schools because they don't know what the future in APS holds.