Does anyone send the children to Jefferson-Houston in Alexandria?

[Anonymous]

We are zoned in this district and are going to try, yet again, to get an Administrative transfer to Maury. However, this is pretty unlikely to happen.

Life would be so much easier if we could stop with the private school tuition and just go to J-H, but we just cannot bring ourselves to do it. We have a rising 3rd and 1st grader. Does anyone have any experience with this school, for these grades?

[Anonymous]

You can reach out to the PTA. They've been actively reaching out to families that have traditionally opted out of JH (mostly at the rising K level.) And you can visit the school and meet the Principal. He's very open to meeting with prospective parents and giving personal tours. It's probably worth your time, even if you don't think you'll send your kids there.

This forum is the wrong place to get info on JH.

[Anonymous]

Have you toured the school? Call and they'll set up a time for a staff member to give you a tour. I would also reach out to the PTA.
As a final note, those kids in Maury you are trying to join will most likely be joining you at J-H after redistricting is completed, expected by the fall of 2016, so it might be worth just sticking with J-H.
Final note, I worked on a committee with a mom who's TAG-identified children went through J-H their entire elementary careers, and she was satisfied. Sorry I don't have more direct experience to share. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can reach out to the PTA. They've been actively reaching out to families that have traditionally opted out of JH (mostly at the rising K level.) And you can visit the school and meet the Principal. He's very open to meeting with prospective parents and giving personal tours. It's probably worth your time, even if you don't think you'll send your kids there.

This forum is the wrong place to get info on JH.

+1 million. Or any ACPS school, for that matter.

[Anonymous]

What percentage of the J-H population is well-educated, middle-class + families?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can reach out to the PTA. They've been actively reaching out to families that have traditionally opted out of JH (mostly at the rising K level.) And you can visit the school and meet the Principal. He's very open to meeting with prospective parents and giving personal tours. It's probably worth your time, even if you don't think you'll send your kids there.

This forum is the wrong place to get info on JH.

+1 million. Or any ACPS school, for that matter.

Totally disagree. Having had my kid in the ACPS system, I live with tremendous regret each and every day I see their struggle. Due diligence OP: you've got it right.

[Anonymous]

We are zoned in this district and are going to try, yet again, to get an Administrative transfer to Maury

Did you give up after one no the first attempt, or keep trying and appealing? What was your purported reason for wanting the transfer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

We are zoned in this district and are going to try, yet again, to get an Administrative transfer to Maury

Did you give up after one no the first attempt, or keep trying and appealing? What was your purported reason for wanting the transfer?

We all know why.

[Anonymous]

Try requesting a transfer to Charles Barrett. More room for transfers there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can reach out to the PTA. They've been actively reaching out to families that have traditionally opted out of JH (mostly at the rising K level.) And you can visit the school and meet the Principal. He's very open to meeting with prospective parents and giving personal tours. It's probably worth your time, even if you don't think you'll send your kids there.

This forum is the wrong place to get info on JH.

+1 million. Or any ACPS school, for that matter.

Truth hurts sometimes. I'm sorry. I'd rather hear truth than BS.

[Anonymous]

I just looked up JH (don't live in Alexandria). It's got a great student teacher ratio (9.5:1) but holy shit the rest of it. No. No way. I would suck it up and go private if that was my only option.

[Anonymous]

My neighbor sent a son the he JH middle school instead of GW and was happy with it.

[Anonymous]

Isn't it ranked the absolute worst elementary school in Virginia?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn't it ranked the absolute worst elementary school in Virginia?

It is 1086 out of 1102 elementary schools in Virginia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of the J-H population is well-educated, middle-class + families?

If that's all that mattered, why even bother considering public rather than home schooling? There isn't a single MCPS or FCPS school (let alone DCPS, ACPS, APS, or PGCS) with a large percentage of students with parents from selective colleges and DCUM standard middle-class incomes ($200k+). In the real DC metro area, most children are not white, have incomes well below $100k, and live with just one parent at some point in their childhood.

Oh, and make sure you tell the private school admissions staff that you're applying to stay away from that population and see how you fare in the application process.