Best elementary school in Arlington

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought Tuckahoe and McKinley have the best scores. Are they teach to the test? How would a sensitive kid do?

It's not good to be overly sensitive in general.

You'd fit in as a teacher at our school.

Probably jump right up to vice-principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought Tuckahoe and McKinley have the best scores. Are they teach to the test? How would a sensitive kid do?

It's not good to be overly sensitive in general.

You'd fit in as a teacher at our school.

Probably jump right up to vice-principal.

Even if our Principal dies or retires--it won't make a difference since the Vice is just as nasty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

We also have two children at ASFS and agree with much of the above. Personally I'd pick one of the smaller, neighborhood schools with warm principals. McKinley, Ashlawn. They are truly THE BEST for elementary school.

1 at ASFS and agree. I'd toss a vote at the ones that generally keep quiet (Ashlawn, McKinley, Glebe). Any school with lots of DCUM boosters raises red flags.

I am hearing this more and more and am very concerned. I have a kid who is in Key/ASFS zone for K next year and I truly don't know what to do.

We were very happy at Key. Kiddo got a great education and the atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and fostered creativity in learning. Excellent gifted program, great teachers overall.

[Anonymous]

It's interesting that no one has mentioned Taylor here. We have two kids there and have found it a great place for them. Excellent teachers, a friendly and involved group of parents and happy kids, generally. The homework annoys me and it feels unnecessary. The in-class instruction seems to present more than enough challenges. The school is one of the biggest in Arlington, I think, but somehow fosters a good sense of community. The principal is still relatively new and finding his way but his arrival doesn't seem to have upset the apple cart too much (some teachers complain quietly about things that don't seem too major).

[Anonymous]

The problem is that OP asked for "the best elementary," as if there is consensus on what that would be. How many of us have extensive experience with schools in Arlington other than the ones our children have attended, or have a solid basis for comparison? Even if someone has extensive personal knowledge of several schools, her assessment of those schools is still one person's personal opinion.

I have friends with kids at Taylor, ATS, McKinley, Tuckahoe, Nottingham, ASFS, Glebe, Ashlawn, Jamestown, and now Discovery. Probably others I've forgotten. Most of them are happy, even thrilled with their schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that OP asked for "the best elementary," as if there is consensus on what that would be. How many of us have extensive experience with schools in Arlington other than the ones our children have attended, or have a solid basis for comparison? Even if someone has extensive personal knowledge of several schools, her assessment of those schools is still one person's personal opinion.

I have friends with kids at Taylor, ATS, McKinley, Tuckahoe, Nottingham, ASFS, Glebe, Ashlawn, Jamestown, and now Discovery. Probably others I've forgotten. Most of them are happy, even thrilled with their schools.

I live in a neighborhood that is split among three elementary schools: Key, ASF and Taylor. I know families, many, at all three. From former preschool, my friends from my gym, co-workers and sports team friends--we know many families at every school on the list. We often talk about different policies, environment, homework, administration, etc. You get a pretty good feel for how different some of these schools are. Age is another consideration--the longer people are at a school the cracks are often wider...what was so wonderful at the K level isn't so much as the kids move through the years. I was happy with many of the teachers at the school and felt my goods were learning and mastering a large amount of material---but as the years have gone by the social aspect and administration at the school is horrid. It's awful that kids don't like their school---even if they like their friends and some of the teachers. It's run like a high-security prison. Hands behind back, don't talk at lunch or I'll blow my whistle at you, no tag--nothing boisterous at recess, teach to the test questions...REALLY HOW MANY YEARS DO WE HAVE TO LEARN ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER?!?!?!! He's an SOL question and my kids have had two long segments in different years about him. My kid ask why they think he's more important than our First President.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that OP asked for "the best elementary," as if there is consensus on what that would be. How many of us have extensive experience with schools in Arlington other than the ones our children have attended, or have a solid basis for comparison? Even if someone has extensive personal knowledge of several schools, her assessment of those schools is still one person's personal opinion.

I have friends with kids at Taylor, ATS, McKinley, Tuckahoe, Nottingham, ASFS, Glebe, Ashlawn, Jamestown, and now Discovery. Probably others I've forgotten. Most of them are happy, even thrilled with their schools.

I live in a neighborhood that is split among three elementary schools: Key, ASF and Taylor. I know families, many, at all three. From former preschool, my friends from my gym, co-workers and sports team friends--we know many families at every school on the list. We often talk about different policies, environment, homework, administration, etc. You get a pretty good feel for how different some of these schools are. Age is another consideration--the longer people are at a school the cracks are often wider...what was so wonderful at the K level isn't so much as the kids move through the years. I was happy with many of the teachers at the school and felt my goods were learning and mastering a large amount of material---but as the years have gone by the social aspect and administration at the school is horrid. It's awful that kids don't like their school---even if they like their friends and some of the teachers. It's run like a high-security prison. Hands behind back, don't talk at lunch or I'll blow my whistle at you, no tag--nothing boisterous at recess, teach to the test questions...REALLY HOW MANY YEARS DO WE HAVE TO LEARN ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER?!?!?!! He's an SOL question and my kids have had two long segments in different years about him. My kid ask why they think he's more important than our First President.

'kids' not 'goods'.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that OP asked for "the best elementary," as if there is consensus on what that would be. How many of us have extensive experience with schools in Arlington other than the ones our children have attended, or have a solid basis for comparison? Even if someone has extensive personal knowledge of several schools, her assessment of those schools is still one person's personal opinion.

I have friends with kids at Taylor, ATS, McKinley, Tuckahoe, Nottingham, ASFS, Glebe, Ashlawn, Jamestown, and now Discovery. Probably others I've forgotten. Most of them are happy, even thrilled with their schools.

I live in a neighborhood that is split among three elementary schools: Key, ASF and Taylor. I know families, many, at all three. From former preschool, my friends from my gym, co-workers and sports team friends--we know many families at every school on the list. We often talk about different policies, environment, homework, administration, etc. You get a pretty good feel for how different some of these schools are. Age is another consideration--the longer people are at a school the cracks are often wider...what was so wonderful at the K level isn't so much as the kids move through the years. I was happy with many of the teachers at the school and felt my goods were learning and mastering a large amount of material---but as the years have gone by the social aspect and administration at the school is horrid. It's awful that kids don't like their school---even if they like their friends and some of the teachers. It's run like a high-security prison. Hands behind back, don't talk at lunch or I'll blow my whistle at you, no tag--nothing boisterous at recess, teach to the test questions...REALLY HOW MANY YEARS DO WE HAVE TO LEARN ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER?!?!?!! He's an SOL question and my kids have had two long segments in different years about him. My kid ask why they think he's more important than our First President.

It's really sad how they've found ways to systematically suck the joy out of the environment.

To address PP's comment about what is "best". To me, the "best" would provide an ideal environment to nurture and develop the whole child - emotionally, academically, physically, socially - not just get the best test scores. I posted earlier that I think the smaller neighborhood schools would be the best place to achieve this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that OP asked for "the best elementary," as if there is consensus on what that would be. How many of us have extensive experience with schools in Arlington other than the ones our children have attended, or have a solid basis for comparison? Even if someone has extensive personal knowledge of several schools, her assessment of those schools is still one person's personal opinion.

I have friends with kids at Taylor, ATS, McKinley, Tuckahoe, Nottingham, ASFS, Glebe, Ashlawn, Jamestown, and now Discovery. Probably others I've forgotten. Most of them are happy, even thrilled with their schools.

I live in a neighborhood that is split among three elementary schools: Key, ASF and Taylor. I know families, many, at all three. From former preschool, my friends from my gym, co-workers and sports team friends--we know many families at every school on the list. We often talk about different policies, environment, homework, administration, etc. You get a pretty good feel for how different some of these schools are. Age is another consideration--the longer people are at a school the cracks are often wider...what was so wonderful at the K level isn't so much as the kids move through the years. I was happy with many of the teachers at the school and felt my goods were learning and mastering a large amount of material---but as the years have gone by the social aspect and administration at the school is horrid. It's awful that kids don't like their school---even if they like their friends and some of the teachers. It's run like a high-security prison. Hands behind back, don't talk at lunch or I'll blow my whistle at you, no tag--nothing boisterous at recess, teach to the test questions...REALLY HOW MANY YEARS DO WE HAVE TO LEARN ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER?!?!?!! He's an SOL question and my kids have had two long segments in different years about him. My kid ask why they think he's more important than our First President.

Ok, well what school is this where the administration is horrid and kids are so restricted?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that OP asked for "the best elementary," as if there is consensus on what that would be. How many of us have extensive experience with schools in Arlington other than the ones our children have attended, or have a solid basis for comparison? Even if someone has extensive personal knowledge of several schools, her assessment of those schools is still one person's personal opinion.

I have friends with kids at Taylor, ATS, McKinley, Tuckahoe, Nottingham, ASFS, Glebe, Ashlawn, Jamestown, and now Discovery. Probably others I've forgotten. Most of them are happy, even thrilled with their schools.

I live in a neighborhood that is split among three elementary schools: Key, ASF and Taylor. I know families, many, at all three. From former preschool, my friends from my gym, co-workers and sports team friends--we know many families at every school on the list. We often talk about different policies, environment, homework, administration, etc. You get a pretty good feel for how different some of these schools are. Age is another consideration--the longer people are at a school the cracks are often wider...what was so wonderful at the K level isn't so much as the kids move through the years. I was happy with many of the teachers at the school and felt my goods were learning and mastering a large amount of material---but as the years have gone by the social aspect and administration at the school is horrid. It's awful that kids don't like their school---even if they like their friends and some of the teachers. It's run like a high-security prison. Hands behind back, don't talk at lunch or I'll blow my whistle at you, no tag--nothing boisterous at recess, teach to the test questions...REALLY HOW MANY YEARS DO WE HAVE TO LEARN ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER?!?!?!! He's an SOL question and my kids have had two long segments in different years about him. My kid ask why they think he's more important than our First President.

Ok, well what school is this where the administration is horrid and kids are so restricted?

ASF

[Anonymous]

Maybe Patrick Henry should be added to the list? I've always heard good things about the school.

Patrick Henry Elementary School Named 2015 Blue Ribbon School
Henry One of Only Seven Public Schools in Virginia to Receive This Honor

http://www.apsva.us/Page/31938

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe Patrick Henry should be added to the list? I've always heard good things about the school.

Patrick Henry Elementary School Named 2015 Blue Ribbon School
Henry One of Only Seven Public Schools in Virginia to Receive This Honor

http://www.apsva.us/Page/31938

I've heard mixed reviews from parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought Tuckahoe and McKinley have the best scores. Are they teach to the test? How would a sensitive kid do?

Tuckahoe definately doesn't have best scores. McKinley does well. ATS is the best test wise:

http://wtop.com/virginia/2015/08/best-worst-northern-va-schools-on-reading-math-more/

[Anonymous]

It amazes me that parents complain about too much testing yet then test scores are used to justify the best. Serious logical disconnect!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that OP asked for "the best elementary," as if there is consensus on what that would be. How many of us have extensive experience with schools in Arlington other than the ones our children have attended, or have a solid basis for comparison? Even if someone has extensive personal knowledge of several schools, her assessment of those schools is still one person's personal opinion.

I have friends with kids at Taylor, ATS, McKinley, Tuckahoe, Nottingham, ASFS, Glebe, Ashlawn, Jamestown, and now Discovery. Probably others I've forgotten. Most of them are happy, even thrilled with their schools.

Diverse list there, chief.