Can you help me identify great FCPS pyramids where we can get an afforable SFH?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a baby and are outgrowing our townhouse. Is it possible to afford a 4 bedroom house inside the beltway in FFX county for less than $700k with a good school pyramid? Any specific pyramids and neighborhoods that you would recommend? I know very little about schools, and would love some advice or somewhere to start our search. We are in Falls Church (not FCC) now and would like to stay relatively close by. I've heard good things about Sleepy Hollow and Lake Barcroft but I don't know anything about the schools or if there are other neighborhoods we ahould consider. Thank you!

Langley High School doesn't allow houses in this price range.

http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Mc-Lean-VA/pmf,pf_pt/46465_rid/days_sort/39.111282,-77.068405,38.881813,-77.431984_rect/11_zm/u1_sch/91398_sc/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are people talking about madison high school (town of vienna) it is not even close to being inside the beltway.

Because Madison and Marshall draw from some of the same middle and elementary schools and are both in Vienna, so folks around here think of them as being close (and the inside the beltway distinction is less important if you already live here).

That said, I think there are many who view Madison as more desirable, which is also code for more "white" and lower FARMS.

Maybe it's "code" for AP rather than IB, higher test scores, stronger extra-curriculars, and more community support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Why are people talking about madison high school (town of vienna) it is not even close to being inside the beltway.

Because Madison and Marshall draw from some of the same middle and elementary schools and are both in Vienna, so folks around here think of them as being close (and the inside the beltway distinction is less important if you already live here).

That said, I think there are many who view Madison as more desirable, which is also code for more "white" and lower FARMS.

No, it's not because it's more "white." It's because of this:

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/virginia

George Mason (FCCPS) and Madison (FCPS) both outrank Langley here, so any discussion of top schools should include Madison, even if it is outside the Beltway.

OP, are you also looking in Falls Church City? You said you wanted to stay close by.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Thanks! this gives us some places to consider. Are there any suggestions on elementary or middle? HS seems so far away for us now that really we just want to make sure we have a good MS to flow into.

Diversity is a plus for us but want a school that is capable of educating all kids not just the advantaged kids.

[Anonymous]

Diversity is a plus for us but want a school that is capable of educating all kids not just the advantaged kids.

I think that's true of every school in this area. Remember, parents also have a responsibility to help their children achieve by giving support at home, taking school seriously and not treating it like day care, checking if homework is done, making sure the student attends school every day, etc. If parents/guardians do not do their part, it's pretty hard for even the finest school to ensure a child's success.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a baby and are outgrowing our townhouse. Is it possible to afford a 4 bedroom house inside the beltway in FFX county for less than $700k with a good school pyramid? Any specific pyramids and neighborhoods that you would recommend? I know very little about schools, and would love some advice or somewhere to start our search. We are in Falls Church (not FCC) now and would like to stay relatively close by. I've heard good things about Sleepy Hollow and Lake Barcroft but I don't know anything about the schools or if there are other neighborhoods we ahould consider. Thank you!

There is a neighborhood on the south side of Route 7 that is in the Timber Lane ES district that feeds into Longfellow and McLean. Timber Lane is a split feeder. You may find a few houses that fit your requirements. It is inside the beltway.

[Anonymous]

I would like to say that if you are buying a $700k house, it will pretty much always be in a good school district. I mean you aren't looking in Bailey's Crossroads are you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks! this gives us some places to consider. Are there any suggestions on elementary or middle? HS seems so far away for us now that really we just want to make sure we have a good MS to flow into.

Diversity is a plus for us but want a school that is capable of educating all kids not just the advantaged kids.

What kind of diversity are you seeking? Religious? Economic? Racial? Ethnic? Gender? Age? Special needs? Educational?

IME, economic diversity is the hardest to attain in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the Madison distrct you are going to be competing with the tear down crowd. That price is not so available as it once was

Teardowns are at about the 500k level. Maybe 550K for a big lot. It is tight, but there is a market at 600-700K.

Tear downs went up to $650-700 this past year. All that new construction.

That's complete bs. Teardowns in madison school district are still around 500k. For 650 to 700k No one could teardown and built something new especially when the ceiling is about 1.2 million. Teardowns in McLean are 650-700.

Good luck with that!

[Anonymous]

OP better stay out of Lsngley and Madison if you want that diversity you require

[Anonymous]

West Potomac. Can't go wrong!