Feedback on Arlington Public Elementary Schools

[Anonymous]

Hello. We are looking to move to a single family home in Arlington County and would love to hear feedback from Arlington County Public School parents on what the strongest elementary schools are in the area. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

All are strong in their own way, and there have been many threads on this topic in DCUM. Most Arlington parents you meet are very happy with their schools--most say you can't go wrong in Arlington. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

In terms of what I have heard, ie "reputation," some of the tops are: Taylor, Jamestown, Tuckahoe, Nottingham, and Arlington Traditional. I think this has something to do with less diversity though as some schools in South Arlington have more English as a Second Language students, which makes their test scores a bit lower. I agree that every Arlington parent I know loves their school to include those in S. Arlington. I think you really cannot go wrong in this county -- you may simply be able to find a better fit, given all of the school choice options, such as Spanish Immersion, Science Focus, Traditional, etc. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

thanks so much everyone!

[Anonymous]

We live in the Nottingham District but DS goes to one of the county-wide schools. Both Nottingham and Tuckahoe are overcrowded and there's no sign that the situation's going to get better any time soon, unless the County alters the school boundaries. I can't speak to Jamestown or Taylor. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In terms of what I have heard, ie "reputation," some of the tops are: Taylor, Jamestown, Tuckahoe, Nottingham, and Arlington Traditional. I think this has something to do with less diversity though as some schools in South Arlington have more English as a Second Language students, which makes their test scores a bit lower. I agree that every Arlington parent I know loves their school to include those in S. Arlington. I think you really cannot go wrong in this county -- you may simply be able to find a better fit, given all of the school choice options, such as Spanish Immersion, Science Focus, Traditional, etc. Good luck!

Agree with this totally. I certainly wouldn't go solely by test scores as they are not a good representation of what the school has to offer. Our school is Glebe, and while we don't have a child there yet, people who have kids there rave about it. However, its test scores are lower because it does have a more diverse population - not a bad thing in my opinion. While I love living in Arlington I do think it is very segregated in certain areas. While I am sure the education at all the schools is excellent, I would like my kids to be exposed to children from different people and backgrounds, as this is more like the "real world". Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in the Nottingham District but DS goes to one of the county-wide schools. Both Nottingham and Tuckahoe are overcrowded and there's no sign that the situation's going to get better any time soon, unless the County alters the school boundaries. I can't speak to Jamestown or Taylor. Good luck!

Which county-wide school does your son go to and have you been pleased with it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in the Nottingham District but DS goes to one of the county-wide schools. Both Nottingham and Tuckahoe are overcrowded and there's no sign that the situation's going to get better any time soon, unless the County alters the school boundaries. I can't speak to Jamestown or Taylor. Good luck!

Which county-wide school does your son go to and have you been pleased with it?

DS goes to Claremont (one of the dual-immersion schools). We've been incredibly pleased with it -- curriculum, teachers, the school community, physical plant. We have neighbors whose kids go to Arlington Traditional School and who likewise really like that school. As one of the other posters said, it's hard to go wrong with any of the schools in Arlington. The County really does offer families a lot of school choices.

[Anonymous]

Ashlawn ES parent - love it! wonderful school, great community, has been a fantastic place for my child.

[Anonymous]

Many of the county-wide programs have lotteries for the spots, so don't buy a house counting on that working out.

I attend an Arlington school not mentioned so far - one that doesn't have great test scores, but does have children from a range of backgrounds. I am happy with our school and the education my child is getting. There's nothing I don't like that would be solved by moving elsewhere (the SOL is affecting all schools.)

[Anonymous]

Another Claremont family here and we couldn't be more pleased. The principal is fantastic, the arts are wonderful, the teachers are caring and really 'get' our child and how he learns. VERY happy.