Which elementary school in Arlington?

[Anonymous]

Everyone I know in APS has been happy with their school — though I will be totally honest, my sample size doesn’t include much of South Arlington. Our friends in S Arlington have been more likely to go private vs N Arlington (just in my sample- not asserting this as true across the board)

Arlington isn’t without its challenges, but if you want schools that are better than DC, good parks, and proximity to DC, it checks those boxes.

APS doesn’t make it easy to find, but you can also apply for an in district transfer from many of the more crowded schools to a less crowded school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not that hard to figure out. Some people simply like walking, biking.

Then take a nice walk or bike ride. It's one single factor among many factors in deciding boundaries and school use and not every kid who could walk to school is going to be able to walk to school.

Ok? I agree that it’s one of many factors that should be considered for boundary planning.

PP seemed confused about why some people prefer to walk their kids to school.

You might be missing the context of recent debates around this topic. APS needs to do redo middle school boundaries and it started a massive outcry on this very topic. People who want their children to continue to walk to school are willing to throw just about anyone under the bus (no pun intended) just so long as their kids get to keep walking.

"Walking" is such a ridiculous red-herring. All it means is they don't want to give up that particular school, because no kid is "walkable" to their elementary AND middle AND high school. At some point, they aren't "walking."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Probably start with high school and work backward. Many people think Washington-Libery and Yorktown are equally good for HS. Some think Yorktown is better, which is code for wealthier and/or less diverse.
Middle school- people like Dorthy Hamm, then Williamsburg.
Elementary- people like ATS, if you get a spot in the lottery. Distant second is Jamestown and Taylor. I don't know why people don't mention Glebe with Jamestown and Taylor. They all seem interchangeable to me.

I don't think this is true at all. Do people like Williamsburg? I've heard it's not good for kids with IEPs, for example. And I live in N Arl but don't want my daughter going to Yorktown. Or ATS. Again, OP, it depends on what you're looking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Probably start with high school and work backward. Many people think Washington-Libery and Yorktown are equally good for HS. Some think Yorktown is better, which is code for wealthier and/or less diverse.
Middle school- people like Dorthy Hamm, then Williamsburg.
Elementary- people like ATS, if you get a spot in the lottery. Distant second is Jamestown and Taylor. I don't know why people don't mention Glebe with Jamestown and Taylor. They all seem interchangeable to me.

Wakefield is perfectly good as well. So damn sick of everyone focusing on WL and YHS. WHS has very intelligent and very high achieving students. They may not be top competitors athletically; but their band and arts programs are on par and it offers the same AP opportunities as YHS.

I don't know how PP came up with their rank order. It clearly comes from a north Arlington perspective, which, OP, is unfortunately the dominating perspective you will get on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not that hard to figure out. Some people simply like walking, biking.

Then take a nice walk or bike ride. It's one single factor among many factors in deciding boundaries and school use and not every kid who could walk to school is going to be able to walk to school.

Ok? I agree that it’s one of many factors that should be considered for boundary planning.

PP seemed confused about why some people prefer to walk their kids to school.

You might be missing the context of recent debates around this topic. APS needs to do redo middle school boundaries and it started a massive outcry on this very topic. People who want their children to continue to walk to school are willing to throw just about anyone under the bus (no pun intended) just so long as their kids get to keep walking.

"Walking" is such a ridiculous red-herring. All it means is they don't want to give up that particular school, because no kid is "walkable" to their elementary AND middle AND high school. At some point, they aren't "walking."

Huh? People near me do walk/bike to ES/MS/HS. 22201

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had no idea it was so controversial to like to incorporate a walk with your kids into your day. Walking to the elementary school with my kids is one of my favorite things about where we live. It's just nice to get out in the morning and walk and chat with people. It links me to my community. It's feels far less stressful than getting in a vehicle and punting your progeny out into the street while someone yells at you to hurry up and reminds you not to touch them.

But yeah, the people across the street from us are zoned for a different elementary school even though they're 2.5 blocks away from the one we walk to. The way APS draws boundaries is bananas and if you're a walker now, you might not be a walker a year from now.

For actual advice that OP asked for, we like the Westover neighborhood, OP. Schools are fine.

Just as another point of view, my child bussed for all of elementary and our bus stop was a real social hub. I met all my neighbors that way. The kids really bonded too. Very community building. I think many people have never been on a bus route and don't know what it's really like so just adding the perspective.

The bolded portion of the PP's response is confusing to me and I don't know what this means.

+100
You can still walk to the bus stop with your child and get out and socialize with members of your neighborhood community. You aren't going to walk your middle or high schooler, and you aren't going to accompany them to the bus stop, either. So "walkability" is primarily thrown out there to retain elementary boundaries. People only know what they have and don't understand that there are similar benefits, or different advantages, to the ways other people know.

We're just outside the walk zone for our elementary school. I was grateful for the two block walk to the bus stop, hanging out with the kids and parents until the bus came, and being back home a few minutes afterward. I would not have walked the 25-minute walk with two little kids in tow and then back again every morning - rain, sleet, or snow. Of course, APS doesn't go to school in the rain, so maybe I should just say hot or cold. Point is, walking is only a real thing if you're a 5-10 minute walk to the school. And even then, not necessarily. I knew people who lived ADJACENT to the school grounds but DROVE their kids because they dropped them off on their way to work. Seriously?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:stay away from LA. Go '07. Then go private.

Please, this - IF you have the same attitude as PP.
If not, love to have you and your kids here in South Arlington! Believe it or not, we have lovely neighborhoods down here and we even have kids who go on to graduate from top colleges and live successful lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had no idea it was so controversial to like to incorporate a walk with your kids into your day. Walking to the elementary school with my kids is one of my favorite things about where we live. It's just nice to get out in the morning and walk and chat with people. It links me to my community. It's feels far less stressful than getting in a vehicle and punting your progeny out into the street while someone yells at you to hurry up and reminds you not to touch them.

But yeah, the people across the street from us are zoned for a different elementary school even though they're 2.5 blocks away from the one we walk to. The way APS draws boundaries is bananas and if you're a walker now, you might not be a walker a year from now.

For actual advice that OP asked for, we like the Westover neighborhood, OP. Schools are fine.

Just as another point of view, my child bussed for all of elementary and our bus stop was a real social hub. I met all my neighbors that way. The kids really bonded too. Very community building. I think many people have never been on a bus route and don't know what it's really like so just adding the perspective.

The bolded portion of the PP's response is confusing to me and I don't know what this means.

Driving your own kids is stressful. The pickup/drop off is crazy. The line, the hustle, the enforcers. It's all very stressful. Agree that the bus and walking are both preferred.

The bus is a pain because it move the whole “get to school time” way earlier and then if your kid misses it it’s a huge pain.

That is entirely situation-dependent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Probably start with high school and work backward. Many people think Washington-Libery and Yorktown are equally good for HS. Some think Yorktown is better, which is code for wealthier and/or less diverse.
Middle school- people like Dorthy Hamm, then Williamsburg.
Elementary- people like ATS, if you get a spot in the lottery. Distant second is Jamestown and Taylor. I don't know why people don't mention Glebe with Jamestown and Taylor. They all seem interchangeable to me.

Basically all of the elementary schools that feed into Yorktown HS, Williamsburg and Hamm MS are interchangeable.

You get more diversity in income and testing outcomes as you move further south.

Including innovation?

I would have zero concerns with Innovation. It’s sited near what is probably the best walkable neighborhood in Arlington, and it feeds to Hamm and WL. They won’t ever move those kids anywhere but Williamsburg or Yorktown if they have to shift boundaries. It’s more diverse than the other N Arlington schools, and it’s in a solid set of schools for middle and high school.

I don't have any concerns about Innovation - I know several happy families there. I was questioning PP's comment that all ESs that feed into Hamm are interchangeable. Innovation looks a lot different than Jamestown. 30%+ vs. 4% FRL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not that hard to figure out. Some people simply like walking, biking.

Then take a nice walk or bike ride. It's one single factor among many factors in deciding boundaries and school use and not every kid who could walk to school is going to be able to walk to school.

Ok? I agree that it’s one of many factors that should be considered for boundary planning.

PP seemed confused about why some people prefer to walk their kids to school.

You might be missing the context of recent debates around this topic. APS needs to do redo middle school boundaries and it started a massive outcry on this very topic. People who want their children to continue to walk to school are willing to throw just about anyone under the bus (no pun intended) just so long as their kids get to keep walking.

"Walking" is such a ridiculous red-herring. All it means is they don't want to give up that particular school, because no kid is "walkable" to their elementary AND middle AND high school. At some point, they aren't "walking."

Huh? People near me do walk/bike to ES/MS/HS. 22201

+1 Ashton Heights, Long Branch/TJ/W-L. Not a short walk but is walkable. Because of work schedules/extended day we did generally drive in ES (,until 5th grader wanted to walk home instead of extended day), they consistently walked to and from for MS. Walked or biked in HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not that hard to figure out. Some people simply like walking, biking.

Then take a nice walk or bike ride. It's one single factor among many factors in deciding boundaries and school use and not every kid who could walk to school is going to be able to walk to school.

Ok? I agree that it’s one of many factors that should be considered for boundary planning.

PP seemed confused about why some people prefer to walk their kids to school.

You might be missing the context of recent debates around this topic. APS needs to do redo middle school boundaries and it started a massive outcry on this very topic. People who want their children to continue to walk to school are willing to throw just about anyone under the bus (no pun intended) just so long as their kids get to keep walking.

Ok. It’s a high priority for many families. They are entitled to their opinion.

Sure and some of them also think they're entitled to whatever they want at the expense of other kids. This is not on topic to OP except to prepare OP for how next level the obnoxious Arlington crowd can be.

Yup. You are certainly proving your own point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Probably start with high school and work backward. Many people think Washington-Libery and Yorktown are equally good for HS. Some think Yorktown is better, which is code for wealthier and/or less diverse.
Middle school- people like Dorthy Hamm, then Williamsburg.
Elementary- people like ATS, if you get a spot in the lottery. Distant second is Jamestown and Taylor. I don't know why people don't mention Glebe with Jamestown and Taylor. They all seem interchangeable to me.

Basically all of the elementary schools that feed into Yorktown HS, Williamsburg and Hamm MS are interchangeable.

You get more diversity in income and testing outcomes as you move further south.

Including innovation?

Right now Innovation is very diverse and well balanced. It’s a great school community! My kids are doing well there.

That said, in a few years the huge Marbella redevelopment (all Committed Affordable) will come online and send 100+ new higher needs students to the school. There’s a decent chance APS will just decide to tank it and move Woodbury Park there as well as signaled in the pre-CIP report. If I were moving to Arlington with toddlers I would be wary.

Not all poor kids are high needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not that hard to figure out. Some people simply like walking, biking.

Then take a nice walk or bike ride. It's one single factor among many factors in deciding boundaries and school use and not every kid who could walk to school is going to be able to walk to school.

Ok? I agree that it’s one of many factors that should be considered for boundary planning.

PP seemed confused about why some people prefer to walk their kids to school.

You might be missing the context of recent debates around this topic. APS needs to do redo middle school boundaries and it started a massive outcry on this very topic. People who want their children to continue to walk to school are willing to throw just about anyone under the bus (no pun intended) just so long as their kids get to keep walking.

"Walking" is such a ridiculous red-herring. All it means is they don't want to give up that particular school, because no kid is "walkable" to their elementary AND middle AND high school. At some point, they aren't "walking."

Huh? People near me do walk/bike to ES/MS/HS. 22201

You must be a uniquely situated neighborhood. So how far are they walking to each school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Probably start with high school and work backward. Many people think Washington-Libery and Yorktown are equally good for HS. Some think Yorktown is better, which is code for wealthier and/or less diverse.
Middle school- people like Dorthy Hamm, then Williamsburg.
Elementary- people like ATS, if you get a spot in the lottery. Distant second is Jamestown and Taylor. I don't know why people don't mention Glebe with Jamestown and Taylor. They all seem interchangeable to me.

Basically all of the elementary schools that feed into Yorktown HS, Williamsburg and Hamm MS are interchangeable.

You get more diversity in income and testing outcomes as you move further south.

Including innovation?

I would have zero concerns with Innovation. It’s sited near what is probably the best walkable neighborhood in Arlington, and it feeds to Hamm and WL. They won’t ever move those kids anywhere but Williamsburg or Yorktown if they have to shift boundaries. It’s more diverse than the other N Arlington schools, and it’s in a solid set of schools for middle and high school.

I don't have any concerns about Innovation - I know several happy families there. I was questioning PP's comment that all ESs that feed into Hamm are interchangeable. Innovation looks a lot different than Jamestown. 30%+ vs. 4% FRL

The housing stock and neighborhood feel are bigger decisionmakers than the elementary school for each neighborhood. Anyone who is choosing a home in the Innovation boundary isn't looking for a Jamestown experience. Both schools are good.

Put another way, I wouldn't choose a neighborhood based on the differences between Jamestown and Innovation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not that hard to figure out. Some people simply like walking, biking.

Then take a nice walk or bike ride. It's one single factor among many factors in deciding boundaries and school use and not every kid who could walk to school is going to be able to walk to school.

Ok? I agree that it’s one of many factors that should be considered for boundary planning.

PP seemed confused about why some people prefer to walk their kids to school.

You might be missing the context of recent debates around this topic. APS needs to do redo middle school boundaries and it started a massive outcry on this very topic. People who want their children to continue to walk to school are willing to throw just about anyone under the bus (no pun intended) just so long as their kids get to keep walking.

"Walking" is such a ridiculous red-herring. All it means is they don't want to give up that particular school, because no kid is "walkable" to their elementary AND middle AND high school. At some point, they aren't "walking."

Huh? People near me do walk/bike to ES/MS/HS. 22201

You must be a uniquely situated neighborhood. So how far are they walking to each school?

I am in walk zone for all 3 with Cardinal/Swanson/Yorktown.

The walk zones for the high schools are quite large. The walk zones get bigger as they get older. So while I'm in Yorktown walk zone, realistically I'm driving my kid in the morning. It's a solid 30 minute walk, which my teen does home most of the time. From my observation plenty of people in the middle school walk zones also choose to drive their kids in the morning with the early start time.