Capitol Hill families - If you moved to NW or burbs for school, do you have any regrets?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM posters can be kind of crazy. But there is a contagious angst about middle school options on CH.

It is well justified. We haven't heard from anyone claiming happiness with staying on the Hill AND sending kids through EH, SH, or Jefferson and then on to Eastern. There just aren't very many of those folks, which is why the OOB populations in those schools is so high.

This forum does not really represent the entire school age population accurately. Not sure how many people passively read these forums, but those who actively post are a very specific narrow part of the population. Not discounting their perspectives, but there are a lot of people who are not posting or engaging here. Our child will be starting at EH in August, as will most of their classmates. We know many families that are at EH or SH, and many that have gone elsewhere.
It was suggested on a previous thread about middle schools that if people are actually interested in hearing from these parents, perhaps a separate thread should be opened. Not to convince anyone to enroll anywhere but simply to answer and ask questions with these families that are actually at these DCPS middle schools, not the ones that have left. Then parents can learn from them and make their own decisions.

"As will most of their classmates" - because the 5th grade classes are tiny since everyone already left. Don't gaslight yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maury. Sent something like 27 kids there last year. Maybe even more this year and/or next. (Not a Maury/EH family).

A majority of Payne's 5th grade will be at EH next year as well. Not sure if it will stay this way, but as of now Payne has not had the 4th/5th grade drop off that other schools has had. As for high school, I know some families at Eastern, and I plan to learn more about the IB program while our child is at EH and plan to include that in our child/family's decision in a few years.

How much of Payne’s 5th grade class is already OOB?

~75%, I think.

If 75% of Payne's class is OOB, having "a majority of Payne's 5th grade" going to EH doesn't really say much about Hill buy-in....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We raised our kids in Arlington too, after moving to the DMV from elsewhere, not really being city people, and knowing nothing about DC. We’ve now lived in the area for decades, and moved to the city as young empty nesters several years ago.

There’s no doubt that our kids had a nice upbringing in a safe area with good schools. And they have fond memories of their childhood. And they like the DMV well enough that they have all settled here.

But none of them (four) is even considering living or raising their families in a place like Arlington (and, yes, they could afford it). It’s just that after being out of it for a while it’s now painfully obvious just how white, sterile and insular it was, and none of them want that either for themselves or their kids.

Did your kids go to Yorktown? My kids are at Gunston. It is definitely not rich, white and entitled.

Our kids attended North Arlington schools. No one with any real money moves from DC to South Arlington for the schools. Not because they’re not good - they are - but because they’re not perceived as good.

You’re the minority if you did.

I am the PP. My kids are in the bilingual program so my kids take a bus to Gunston instead of walking to our N. Arlington middle school. Gunston has great teachers and we are all glad we left the hill.

That’s great - good for you. But you didn’t move to South Arlington I see.

Lol - not the PP, but I DO live in South Arlington now. It is more diverse than anywhere in D.C. and the schools are great. And we did move here from DC because it is way more affordable. Guess we don't "have real money" like you. Congrats on that.

This thread is dumb because people of course justify their decision. No one wants to admit they made a mistake. "Oh, I moved to Seven Corners [or wherever in the soul-less burbs] and have no regrets; it is so wonderful here! It is so great!!!!"

1) South Arlington is NOT more diverse than anywhere in DC. It is 51% white, 14% black, 11% Asian, and 17% Hispanic. Sure, there are more Asians and Hispanics (but also more whites and fewer blacks) but to claim that South Arlington is more diverse than anywhere in DC is absurd. DC as a whole is 39% white, 46% black, 10% Hispanic, and 4% Asian.

2) The schools in South Arlington don't seem great. Most people in South Arlington send their kids to Wakefield High School which ranks #66 among high schools in the DMV. DC schools rank #2 and #3 in the DMV--way above Wakefield.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We raised our kids in Arlington too, after moving to the DMV from elsewhere, not really being city people, and knowing nothing about DC. We’ve now lived in the area for decades, and moved to the city as young empty nesters several years ago.

There’s no doubt that our kids had a nice upbringing in a safe area with good schools. And they have fond memories of their childhood. And they like the DMV well enough that they have all settled here.

But none of them (four) is even considering living or raising their families in a place like Arlington (and, yes, they could afford it). It’s just that after being out of it for a while it’s now painfully obvious just how white, sterile and insular it was, and none of them want that either for themselves or their kids.

Did your kids go to Yorktown? My kids are at Gunston. It is definitely not rich, white and entitled.

Our kids attended North Arlington schools. No one with any real money moves from DC to South Arlington for the schools. Not because they’re not good - they are - but because they’re not perceived as good.

You’re the minority if you did.

I am the PP. My kids are in the bilingual program so my kids take a bus to Gunston instead of walking to our N. Arlington middle school. Gunston has great teachers and we are all glad we left the hill.

That’s great - good for you. But you didn’t move to South Arlington I see.

Lol - not the PP, but I DO live in South Arlington now. It is more diverse than anywhere in D.C. and the schools are great. And we did move here from DC because it is way more affordable. Guess we don't "have real money" like you. Congrats on that.

This thread is dumb because people of course justify their decision. No one wants to admit they made a mistake. "Oh, I moved to Seven Corners [or wherever in the soul-less burbs] and have no regrets; it is so wonderful here! It is so great!!!!"

1) South Arlington is NOT more diverse than anywhere in DC. It is 51% white, 14% black, 11% Asian, and 17% Hispanic. Sure, there are more Asians and Hispanics (but also more whites and fewer blacks) but to claim that South Arlington is more diverse than anywhere in DC is absurd. DC as a whole is 39% white, 46% black, 10% Hispanic, and 4% Asian.

2) The schools in South Arlington don't seem great. Most people in South Arlington send their kids to Wakefield High School which ranks #66 among high schools in the DMV. DC schools rank #2 and #3 in the DMV--way above Wakefield.

Ummmm, #2 is very, very true and everyone in VA knows it. Arlington schools are not good; if you are going to move to VA for schools then do the deed and move to Fairfax where the schools really are very good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maury. Sent something like 27 kids there last year. Maybe even more this year and/or next. (Not a Maury/EH family).

A majority of Payne's 5th grade will be at EH next year as well. Not sure if it will stay this way, but as of now Payne has not had the 4th/5th grade drop off that other schools has had. As for high school, I know some families at Eastern, and I plan to learn more about the IB program while our child is at EH and plan to include that in our child/family's decision in a few years.

How much of Payne’s 5th grade class is already OOB?

~75%, I think.

If 75% of Payne's class is OOB, having "a majority of Payne's 5th grade" going to EH doesn't really say much about Hill buy-in....

I don't have the time to find/pull-up the numbers online, but I don't think that is an accurate percentage of the current 5th grade at Payne. And it is a smaller grade because the school is smaller - only two classes/grade -- it may join the 4th grade drop off in the future, but as it is right now, the classes remained full through fifth grade. And agree the most recent poster - this post has lost any actual purpose. Lots of good options out there, lots of good teachers out there. Do what suits you, and don't spend as much time worrying about it before or after.
The way our schools are funded is part of the problem b/c the more kids that enroll somewhere the more teachers they get to hire, bringing more programs, clubs, specialties etc. So it is always seems to be a bit of the chicken and the egg. Not sure if that is the case with suburban schools, not as familiar with how they are funded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We raised our kids in Arlington too, after moving to the DMV from elsewhere, not really being city people, and knowing nothing about DC. We’ve now lived in the area for decades, and moved to the city as young empty nesters several years ago.

There’s no doubt that our kids had a nice upbringing in a safe area with good schools. And they have fond memories of their childhood. And they like the DMV well enough that they have all settled here.

But none of them (four) is even considering living or raising their families in a place like Arlington (and, yes, they could afford it). It’s just that after being out of it for a while it’s now painfully obvious just how white, sterile and insular it was, and none of them want that either for themselves or their kids.

Did your kids go to Yorktown? My kids are at Gunston. It is definitely not rich, white and entitled.

Our kids attended North Arlington schools. No one with any real money moves from DC to South Arlington for the schools. Not because they’re not good - they are - but because they’re not perceived as good.

You’re the minority if you did.

I am the PP. My kids are in the bilingual program so my kids take a bus to Gunston instead of walking to our N. Arlington middle school. Gunston has great teachers and we are all glad we left the hill.

That’s great - good for you. But you didn’t move to South Arlington I see.

Lol - not the PP, but I DO live in South Arlington now. It is more diverse than anywhere in D.C. and the schools are great. And we did move here from DC because it is way more affordable. Guess we don't "have real money" like you. Congrats on that.

This thread is dumb because people of course justify their decision. No one wants to admit they made a mistake. "Oh, I moved to Seven Corners [or wherever in the soul-less burbs] and have no regrets; it is so wonderful here! It is so great!!!!"

1) South Arlington is NOT more diverse than anywhere in DC. It is 51% white, 14% black, 11% Asian, and 17% Hispanic. Sure, there are more Asians and Hispanics (but also more whites and fewer blacks) but to claim that South Arlington is more diverse than anywhere in DC is absurd. DC as a whole is 39% white, 46% black, 10% Hispanic, and 4% Asian.

2) The schools in South Arlington don't seem great. Most people in South Arlington send their kids to Wakefield High School which ranks #66 among high schools in the DMV. DC schools rank #2 and #3 in the DMV--way above Wakefield.

Ummmm, #2 is very, very true and everyone in VA knows it. Arlington schools are not good; if you are going to move to VA for schools then do the deed and move to Fairfax where the schools really are very good.

But a few posters said they can’t afford N Arl so others suggested S Arl. I assume you’re referring to very specific school periods in Fairfax and it’s likely these folks are priced out of those areas too. Fairfax is huge but we all know which of its schools DCUM finds acceptable…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maury. Sent something like 27 kids there last year. Maybe even more this year and/or next. (Not a Maury/EH family).

A majority of Payne's 5th grade will be at EH next year as well. Not sure if it will stay this way, but as of now Payne has not had the 4th/5th grade drop off that other schools has had. As for high school, I know some families at Eastern, and I plan to learn more about the IB program while our child is at EH and plan to include that in our child/family's decision in a few years.

How much of Payne’s 5th grade class is already OOB?

~75%, I think.

If 75% of Payne's class is OOB, having "a majority of Payne's 5th grade" going to EH doesn't really say much about Hill buy-in....

I don't have the time to find/pull-up the numbers online, but I don't think that is an accurate percentage of the current 5th grade at Payne. And it is a smaller grade because the school is smaller - only two classes/grade -- it may join the 4th grade drop off in the future, but as it is right now, the classes remained full through fifth grade. And agree the most recent poster - this post has lost any actual purpose. Lots of good options out there, lots of good teachers out there. Do what suits you, and don't spend as much time worrying about it before or after.
The way our schools are funded is part of the problem b/c the more kids that enroll somewhere the more teachers they get to hire, bringing more programs, clubs, specialties etc. So it is always seems to be a bit of the chicken and the egg. Not sure if that is the case with suburban schools, not as familiar with how they are funded.

Payne is 54% IB overall. The ECE is close to all IB and the percentage drops every year (just like at virtually every school because of how the lottery works). So, sure, there could be one anomalous class, but realistically 25% IB for 5th is a good guess… That said, there are definitely some OOB Hill kids at Payne, so OOB doesn’t have to mean not from the Hill.

[Anonymous]

Most people on CH can’t afford to move or go private, so they are really stuck. However there are more charter high schools than the ones DCUM finds acceptable and many families I know send their kids to these high schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We raised our kids in Arlington too, after moving to the DMV from elsewhere, not really being city people, and knowing nothing about DC. We’ve now lived in the area for decades, and moved to the city as young empty nesters several years ago.

There’s no doubt that our kids had a nice upbringing in a safe area with good schools. And they have fond memories of their childhood. And they like the DMV well enough that they have all settled here.

But none of them (four) is even considering living or raising their families in a place like Arlington (and, yes, they could afford it). It’s just that after being out of it for a while it’s now painfully obvious just how white, sterile and insular it was, and none of them want that either for themselves or their kids.

Did your kids go to Yorktown? My kids are at Gunston. It is definitely not rich, white and entitled.

Our kids attended North Arlington schools. No one with any real money moves from DC to South Arlington for the schools. Not because they’re not good - they are - but because they’re not perceived as good.

You’re the minority if you did.

I am the PP. My kids are in the bilingual program so my kids take a bus to Gunston instead of walking to our N. Arlington middle school. Gunston has great teachers and we are all glad we left the hill.

That’s great - good for you. But you didn’t move to South Arlington I see.

Lol - not the PP, but I DO live in South Arlington now. It is more diverse than anywhere in D.C. and the schools are great. And we did move here from DC because it is way more affordable. Guess we don't "have real money" like you. Congrats on that.

This thread is dumb because people of course justify their decision. No one wants to admit they made a mistake. "Oh, I moved to Seven Corners [or wherever in the soul-less burbs] and have no regrets; it is so wonderful here! It is so great!!!!"

1) South Arlington is NOT more diverse than anywhere in DC. It is 51% white, 14% black, 11% Asian, and 17% Hispanic. Sure, there are more Asians and Hispanics (but also more whites and fewer blacks) but to claim that South Arlington is more diverse than anywhere in DC is absurd. DC as a whole is 39% white, 46% black, 10% Hispanic, and 4% Asian.

2) The schools in South Arlington don't seem great. Most people in South Arlington send their kids to Wakefield High School which ranks #66 among high schools in the DMV. DC schools rank #2 and #3 in the DMV--way above Wakefield.

Ummmm, #2 is very, very true and everyone in VA knows it. Arlington schools are not good; if you are going to move to VA for schools then do the deed and move to Fairfax where the schools really are very good.

This whole post is discussing options for people on the Hill who don't get a good lottery option. Are you suggesting that Wakefield is worse than Eastern? Surely Eastern doesn't rank #2 or #3 in the DMV.

Most initially suggested targeting WL in Arlington as a good balance between academics, diversity, a short commute to DC, and walkability. Then we were told it was too expensive. So then people mentioned Wakefield as a more affordable option. And now you disagree? Are there highly ranked, equally affordable, non-lottery options in DC? If so, I'm guessing they're not ranked #2 or #3 either, but are on par with Wakefield or worse.

If folks are prioritizing schools, they of course can move to Fairfax. But then they'll give up a short commute and walkability, as well as potentially diversity and affordability.

For those on the Hill with a good lottery option, of course you should take it. This discussion is for people didn't win the lottery or don't want to deal with that possibility.

[Anonymous]

If a charter school (literally any charter school) opened a charter HS in Ward 6, it would instantly become have a mile long waitlist. If it were another campus of Latin or BASIS, it would become the toughest get in town. But even if it were a totally unknown charter organization, it would fill classes with a long waitlist the year it opened. Some people would view it as a back up for Walls/Banneker/Private while those remained first choice, for some it would instantly jump to the top of their list. This fact (and it is a fact) is pretty much all you need to know about the HS situation on the Hill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maury. Sent something like 27 kids there last year. Maybe even more this year and/or next. (Not a Maury/EH family).

A majority of Payne's 5th grade will be at EH next year as well. Not sure if it will stay this way, but as of now Payne has not had the 4th/5th grade drop off that other schools has had. As for high school, I know some families at Eastern, and I plan to learn more about the IB program while our child is at EH and plan to include that in our child/family's decision in a few years.

How much of Payne’s 5th grade class is already OOB?

~75%, I think.

If 75% of Payne's class is OOB, having "a majority of Payne's 5th grade" going to EH doesn't really say much about Hill buy-in....

I don't have the time to find/pull-up the numbers online, but I don't think that is an accurate percentage of the current 5th grade at Payne. And it is a smaller grade because the school is smaller - only two classes/grade -- it may join the 4th grade drop off in the future, but as it is right now, the classes remained full through fifth grade. And agree the most recent poster - this post has lost any actual purpose. Lots of good options out there, lots of good teachers out there. Do what suits you, and don't spend as much time worrying about it before or after.
The way our schools are funded is part of the problem b/c the more kids that enroll somewhere the more teachers they get to hire, bringing more programs, clubs, specialties etc. So it is always seems to be a bit of the chicken and the egg. Not sure if that is the case with suburban schools, not as familiar with how they are funded.

Payne is 54% IB overall. The ECE is close to all IB and the percentage drops every year (just like at virtually every school because of how the lottery works). So, sure, there could be one anomalous class, but realistically 25% IB for 5th is a good guess… That said, there are definitely some OOB Hill kids at Payne, so OOB doesn’t have to mean not from the Hill.

Totally - there are lots of families from the nearby Peabody/Watkins boundary, Tyler, and a few others. Also, who knows the exact percent may not even be published yet for the year that just ended. I noticed that number was from a year ago - as has been said on this thread tons, things change year to year. The fifth grade this year probably had 5x the number of in bounds kids than last year's class. But in the end, I think less about where people live, more about continuity from feeder schools/feeder pattern. And who knows what will happen with these percentages now that Payne/Tyler are sister schools as Tyler transitions to full immersion, and the boundary review process is underway. Gotta love DCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak for my family, but we are plan to see where their strengths/interests lie and then apply to high school that has a program that would fit, be it IB at Eastern, McKinley, Banneker, etc. We know families with kids at all of those (as well as others) and plan to have our kiddo (and us) talk and learn more about each as the time approaches. As stressful as it can be, being in a city with this many different options and specific different programs is a pretty great opportunity .

Why are there no charter schools on that list?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak for my family, but we are plan to see where their strengths/interests lie and then apply to high school that has a program that would fit, be it IB at Eastern, McKinley, Banneker, etc. We know families with kids at all of those (as well as others) and plan to have our kiddo (and us) talk and learn more about each as the time approaches. As stressful as it can be, being in a city with this many different options and specific different programs is a pretty great opportunity .

Why are there no charter schools on that list?

I’m guessing that’s because Basis, Latin, DCI if you don’t get in when middle school starts, chances are very, very slim for any chance whatsoever for high school and you are pretty shut out.

[Anonymous]

We moved to Falls Church City. It was a tough decision, but we're glad we did it. With 2 kids- they are now thriving at the neighborhood school and parents rave about the system. We lucked out with super friendly neighbors. I say go for it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If a charter school (literally any charter school) opened a charter HS in Ward 6, it would instantly become have a mile long waitlist. If it were another campus of Latin or BASIS, it would become the toughest get in town. But even if it were a totally unknown charter organization, it would fill classes with a long waitlist the year it opened. Some people would view it as a back up for Walls/Banneker/Private while those remained first choice, for some it would instantly jump to the top of their list. This fact (and it is a fact) is pretty much all you need to know about the HS situation on the Hill.

Nope.

Ward 6 has 3 charter high schools already that are not popular at all, and that you apparently don't even know about. Some random charter opening will not instantly "have a mile long waitlist."

The problem is not that easy to solve.