Loudoun County schools?

[Anonymous]

We're in MD, and for a variety of reasons are considering a move to Loudoun County. Thoughts on the schools? We're considering Lovettsville for the MARC commute via Point of Rocks.

[Anonymous]

Check to see how long the bus ride will be. Can be long out that way.

[Anonymous]

If it's taxes you're moving for, you'll make it up in increased commute costs. If you're in Lovettsville you'll find that Brunswick is closer to you.

What's wrong with Brunswick (IMO it ends up being a wash as MD real estate is cheaper)? (This is what PP was addressing for Lovettsville -- the school bus rides down to Purcellville for MS/HS can be 30-40 minutes.)

Now if it's "I've got a budget of $400k, want a SFH, and want non-terrible schools," that's fine -- a lot of DCUMers don't seem to understand that (1) not everyone wants to try their luck on charters/OOB stuff, (2) many elementary school kids like having a yard, or (3) many folks don't consider a >30 minute commute to be the root of all evil if the shorter commutes provide worse (for that family) alternatives.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all!
Not moving for lower taxes (though, hey, i'll take it). We're in close-in Bethesda, and I'm just feeling like this isn't the environment I want for my kids. Great place, but too many people for my tastes, and too competitive. Want fresh air, more open space, and the ethos that goes with that. Not anti-Brunswick, but figured if we're moving out that way anyway, might as well try to be in-state for UVA (not that we have any idea if that will pan out for our kids, but all other things being equal, why not). ALso, I'm becoming pretty skeptical of MCPS. But definitely considering Brunswick too.

[Anonymous]

How old are your kids?

Reminder - Loudoun does not have full day K.

I personally do not like how relationship based Loudoun county is for staffing schools. For example, a spot opens up for a 3rd grade teacher, a friend of the principal's from church is looking for a kob and is hired.

The person may have been the best candidate - but it is so relationship based that it becomes very much a who you know / who you are friends with environment among the teachers.

Do you think that Virginia's Standards of Learning are better than 2.0?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old are your kids?

Reminder - Loudoun does not have full day K.

I personally do not like how relationship based Loudoun county is for staffing schools. For example, a spot opens up for a 3rd grade teacher, a friend of the principal's from church is looking for a kob and is hired.

The person may have been the best candidate - but it is so relationship based that it becomes very much a who you know / who you are friends with environment among the teachers.

Do you think that Virginia's Standards of Learning are better than 2.0?

OP here -- I really have no idea if the VA Standards are better than 2.0 or not. (Happy to hear opinions on that one.) But currently hearing that MCPS is planning to give Ipads to Kindergarteners in the near future, which strikes me as idiotic. Also very not happy with the lack of emphasis on handwriting, which I think matters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How old are your kids?

Reminder - Loudoun does not have full day K.

I personally do not like how relationship based Loudoun county is for staffing schools. For example, a spot opens up for a 3rd grade teacher, a friend of the principal's from church is looking for a kob and is hired.

The person may have been the best candidate - but it is so relationship based that it becomes very much a who you know / who you are friends with environment among the teachers.

Do you think that Virginia's Standards of Learning are better than 2.0?

OP here -- I really have no idea if the VA Standards are better than 2.0 or not. (Happy to hear opinions on that one.) But currently hearing that MCPS is planning to give Ipads to Kindergarteners in the near future, which strikes me as idiotic. Also very not happy with the lack of emphasis on handwriting, which I think matters.

LCPS will probably give devices out to students who can't bring their own. Not sure if it will start in K or not.

VA SOL and 2.0 are flip side of the same thing IMO. Care about your kids and what they do, and they will do just fine -- at least that is my honest opinion.

I am also not sure if Loudoun competition for in-state spots at UVA is cutthroat the way it is from Fairfax schools.

As an aside, unincorporated Frederick MD ($1.186 per $100) has roughly taxes than Loudoun County ($1.155 per $100 and add on the car tax of $4.20 per $100 although 80% of the tax of a car under $20,000 is rebated by the state). It's when you get into towns and cities that the tax rate rises up. Income tax is about the same, MD has a state rate of ~3% and a county rate of ~3%, VA has a state rate of 5.5% (marginal on top dollars).

Most property in Frederick County MD is lower cost than property in Loudoun County VA, so consider that too if MARC is your main "attraction."

Good luck

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're in MD, and for a variety of reasons are considering a move to Loudoun County. Thoughts on the schools? We're considering Lovettsville for the MARC commute via Point of Rocks.

We're making this move this month. Lovettsville for Point of Rocks MARC. Did you make the move? Love to hear what you decided.