Arlington schools- a lot of the BS sounds familiar
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Anonymous
| I'm considering moving to NoVa because I'm burned out from the emotional socio-political mess that is DCPS. As part of my homework I've been reading the VA schools threads, and I'm reading the same disheartening themes. Low SES vs. high, which schools are screwed over from this. Overcrowding. Diversity/ Lack thereof, etc... I was not naive enough to think VA would be a magic wand, but I was hoping to lessen my anxiety meds over this. Doesn't seem like it. Can someone help me out here. I've already blown a gasket. Don't want to blow another one! TIA |
Anonymous
| Arlington is more of a continuum. Generally speaking the further north you go the higher SES you'll encounter, along with better test scores. |
Anonymous
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I'm not sure what your particular worry is. Most Arlington schools are outstanding. There is an overcrowding problem, however the redistricting plan for N. Arlington is complete - including one new elementary schools and large additions at two others. Similar efforts are going to start in south Arlington next year.
The schools are not cookie cutter. There are things that distinguish them, and there are some choice/lottery schools that are in high demand. If you are moving from NWDC my guess is that you won't be looking at houses zoned for the most challenged schools. Don't just read DCUM, spend a lot of time on the APS website. They have a page for each school with detailed test scores, demographic data and information about their focus areas and academic and extracurricular offerings. |
Anonymous
| ^^ Thank you for this. I'm off to the APS site now. We have a reasonable housing budget, so I don't want to waste my time freaking out about where to go for school if that can be avoided. I just don't want my kids in a trailer at a school, or zoned somewhere which may as well be back in DCPS with all of that drama. Sorry, if I sound obnoxious. I've just been through a terrible family situation and having to rethink moving amid the school schuffle mumbo has made me a certified whack job. I'd never admit that in person, though! |
Anonymous
Not to discourage you but you likely will have to accommodate yourself to trailers. The N Arlington schools and most of the choice schools have them at this point. There's been a real boom in the number of kids in most of the schools and the county is trying to adapt. |
Anonymous
Are you just referring to elementary schools? My understanding is that APS will end up redistricting kids to Wakefield in a few years, and that will be the Arlington equivalent of telling people they are no longer in boundary for Deal MS. There's a lot less drama in APS than DCPS, but with the uneven population growth in different parts of the county, it's not stress-free, either. |
Anonymous
| Holy Sh!t!!!! Just the sounds of your post made me cringe. Not being zoned for Deal anymore. Those words have sent many SAHMs to their bathrooms with razor blades in hand and wrists bared. My arm still hurts!!! Not trying to do that again. When will the zoning thing be figured out? I don't want too be to another can of worms... Sorry for the dark humor. It's all I've for at this point. That and birth control. Def. no more kids. Too neurotic for this sh!t!!! |
Anonymous
Expect High School and middle school rezoning within the next couple of years. Just my guess based on the APS timeline that was on the "More Students More Seats" section last fall. Wakefield HS in S Arlington was just rebuilt--it is beautiful--and will be under enrolled while the N Arlington high schools are very overcrowded. |
Anonymous
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Many of us who live near Rt 50 in N Arlington have already mentally prepared to be redistricted to Wakefield and even though someone on DCUM called me a liar for saying I was okay with this, I am and have spoken to several friends and neighbors recently who are also prepared for this to happen and also not at all dreading it.
But if you are looking for an elementary school without trailers? Good luck! |
Anonymous
| Deep breathe. People in Arlington like to bitch and complain about schools... But that's what people do. Nearly all the schools are great in a manner and you are going to be fine. |
Anonymous
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We purposely moved to S. Arlington from N. Arl. Couldn't take the entitled, competitive rich folks anymore. Our kids now go to a Title 1 school. They are thriving. It's been wonderful. Just because kids are poor it doesn't mean that they aren't kind or smart or good people.
It's the best thing we've done for our family. Our kids will go to Jefferson for middle school and Wakefield for high school and we are looking forward to it. |
Anonymous
| Where might the dividing line be to redistrict people to Wakefield? |
Anonymous
| OP, are you determined to be in Arlington? Could you handle Falls Church City or Fairfax County? |
Anonymous
It's anyone's guess. The transparent boundary process that was successful for the elementary schools would likely be used again. So, county citizens will help draw them up with help from the consultants. |
Anonymous
A few of my neighbors DCs are attending claremont and their kids are in the trailers and they really like them. I thought it was a bad thing, too, but they told me that the children and the teachers like being away from the hustle and bustle of the larger school. Once they pointed this out to me, I saw what a benefit it could be for the students and teacher. |