Any feedback on Patrick Henry in Arlington?

[Anonymous]

Are there any current families at Patrick Henry elementary school that can provide feedback on what they like (or don't like) about the school?

[Anonymous]

I live nearby but not in the Patrick Henry boundaries (although I would like to). A few years ago Arlington County was trying to close and move the Columbia Pike branch library (which is across the parking lot from the school) and I went to a town meeting/protest about that. There were literaly dozens of PH students and their familes there and the kids at the school had worked hard on signs and were all working together to talk about why they wanted the library near them. There were lots and lots of supportive parents there and I got the feeling that it is a realy friendly and community-minded atmosphere there. After seeing that I would love to have my child go there but unfortunately don't know anyone who currently sends their kid their. I have heard that the owner of the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse's kids go there though.

[Anonymous]

PP---forgive the misspelling of "there" please.

[Anonymous]

Not a current parent, but I would be if we could buy a house in the area! I've met the principal and she is exactly what I would want to lead a school. Kind but competent, knowledgable, and engaged. She got one of the Washington Post awards last year and seems very well regarded by all. I've never heard a substantial negative comment about the school.

[Anonymous]

I know it's one of the more popular South Arlington schools, but I can't offer much else.

[Anonymous]

We know a few families who send their kids there and are very happy. They love the principal, and apparently the principal loves the kids, and knows them really well.
The PTA is very active. I've heard only good things, we live not too far from the school.

[Anonymous]

I'm a current parent, and I have been very happy. We've found most of the teachers to be great. The PTA is definitely growing, and the principal is awesome. She is former military, so she's pretty tough and no nonsense, but also very caring toward all the kids. We've had a great experience so far. It's very diverse, probably one of the most diverse schools in Arlington. All groups are pretty equally represented and I think this year we'll be a little less than 40% FARMS. We were sold on it when we visited and talked to the principal. I highly recommend visiting.

[Anonymous]

If the 08:49 poster is still lurking, did you consider any other schools for your child? Our DD will be starting K in 2014, we live within boundaries, and everything I am hearing anecdotally makes me feel like PH will be a good fit. But curious at how others made their decision to enroll their child there, especially if you applied to any other Arlington County schools. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

It has a very high FARMS rate, around 60%. Usually that means fewer involved parents.

[Anonymous]

8:49 here. As I said earlier, the FARMS rate is around 40%, not 60% and it is dropping every year. Parental involvement, on the other hand, is growing.
To 6:43, I'm a teacher and I looked at many different schools before we chose to buy a house within the Henry boundary. We didn't apply to any other school. The principal is very open to allowing prospective parents to come in and observe Kindergarten classes and even allows you to request which teacher you want.
Are you Penrose or Arlington Heights?

[Anonymous]

6:43 here. We are actually Douglas park, between Glebe and Walter read so within the Henry border. Good to know about option to observe for prospective parents. I really like how our area near the Pike is growing as a community, and so I would prefer to further foster our community ties by enrolling my DC in our community school. I also saw that the FARMS rate is around 40% and that the test scores exceed state averages. Thanks to 8:49 for your additional feedback.

[Anonymous]

I'd try to get in Long Branch. The neighborhoods assigned to Henry are not nice, so of course it's a high poverty school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd try to get in Long Branch. The neighborhoods assigned to Henry are not nice, so of course it's a high poverty school.

I live in Alcova Heights (moved there a year ago) but we are former Arlington Heights residents. The neighborhoods around Henry are great. Our kids go to Campbell because we like the Expeditionary Learning model but everyone I know who has kids at Henry loves it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd try to get in Long Branch. The neighborhoods assigned to Henry are not nice, so of course it's a high poverty school.

Have you actually seen the neighborhoods in boundary for Henry? Most of the neighborhoods are well maintained single family homes or townhomes that would go for almost $1mil in North Arlington. Yes, there are some affordable apartments- mostly Fillmore Gardens and some smaller buildings along Courthouse Rd, but the neighborhood is actually very nice and growing with young professional families moving in.

[Anonymous]

We have been trying to get a house in boundary for PH and keep getting priced out. Yes, there are a mix of incomes in the school but it's NOT a high poverty neighborhood. Would love to move in boundary before DD starts kindergarten.