Any current families in Alexandria City public schools?

[Anonymous]

I am in the market to move and so far have been concentrating my search in Arlington because of everything I've heard about the schools. I live in Alexandria City now and love it - and really haven't found anything in Arlington that I love as much in my price range.

I haven't read the best things about Alexandria City schools, but am wondering what parents with kids in the system now think. (I have searched the archives but the posts are old.) I am looking at three houses - one would feed into Maury ES, GW, TC. One would be McArthur, GW, TC. The last would be Barrett, GW, TC.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I realize you are probably mostly focused on elementary right now for obvious reasons, but I just wanted to share that my family is actually hoping to move to Alexandria City so our child can attend TC. Our DC is in a good private right now, which is great, but for high school we are truly hoping to give DC a chance to experience the fuller experience that comes from public schools, and either TC or Yorktown are top on our list. So maybe you are better situated than you think!

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PP! I have been looking at houses that feed into Yorktown too, but I am not sure that North Arlington is really the place for us. That's why I decided to rethink Alexandria. I have gotten input on the elementary schools. I know nothing about the middle schools or Minnie Howard. Opinions on TC are mixed.

Anyone else with kids in these schools now?

[Anonymous]

My DC is at Maury. NOT very happy. Contemplating a switch to private. Rigid curriculum, excess focus on discipline, etc.

[Anonymous]

I'd say Charles Barrett 1st (fantastic parent community, happy families etc), then Maury (while there may be an issue with the principal's overall priorities/management, the parent community is excellent and I think there could easily be positive changes if parents spoke up.) MacArthur is considered good school, but I would worry about size.