Best middle school in arlington

[Anonymous]

My kids are currently in DHMS.I really like the principal, school etc. My kid is a "one of a few school ambassador" whose role is to help new students like your daughter feel welcome and find her way around the place, have a "buddy" until they settle in.

When some kids have no one to eat lunch with, the counselors will set up lunches with other kids who are asked to join, My other kid is part of one of these groups to help out a kid.

The grades are also separated by floors so that the younger kids are away from the older kids - this does reduce bullying although I have no doubt in grade bullying still happens.

Finally even though the school is large (DHMS is currently underenrolled) the teachers know the kids and keep track of grades etc. I got a call from one of the teachers when my kid's grade were slipping and we were able to get her back on track.

[fran83]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are currently in DHMS.I really like the principal, school etc. My kid is a "one of a few school ambassador" whose role is to help new students like your daughter feel welcome and find her way around the place, have a "buddy" until they settle in.

When some kids have no one to eat lunch with, the counselors will set up lunches with other kids who are asked to join, My other kid is part of one of these groups to help out a kid.

The grades are also separated by floors so that the younger kids are away from the older kids - this does reduce bullying although I have no doubt in grade bullying still happens.

Finally even though the school is large (DHMS is currently underenrolled) the teachers know the kids and keep track of grades etc. I got a call from one of the teachers when my kid's grade were slipping and we were able to get her back on track.

This is very encouraging.Thank you very much.

I have a few questions if you don't mind. We will of course phone the school soon if we settle for it but would like to know:

1)Does the school provide school bus?
2)Our daughter will turn 13 in october this year, do you have an idea which grade she will join?Or is it dependent on entry exams?
3)Which region will you recommend us to look for a house/apartment?
4)Is it sure that we get the school if we are within its boundaries?
5)Since we will be renting do you know how long should the lease be to obtain admission.

Thank you

[Anonymous]

fran83 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are currently in DHMS.I really like the principal, school etc. My kid is a "one of a few school ambassador" whose role is to help new students like your daughter feel welcome and find her way around the place, have a "buddy" until they settle in.

When some kids have no one to eat lunch with, the counselors will set up lunches with other kids who are asked to join, My other kid is part of one of these groups to help out a kid.

The grades are also separated by floors so that the younger kids are away from the older kids - this does reduce bullying although I have no doubt in grade bullying still happens.

Finally even though the school is large (DHMS is currently underenrolled) the teachers know the kids and keep track of grades etc. I got a call from one of the teachers when my kid's grade were slipping and we were able to get her back on track.

This is very encouraging.Thank you very much.

I have a few questions if you don't mind. We will of course phone the school soon if we settle for it but would like to know:

1)Does the school provide school bus?
2)Our daughter will turn 13 in october this year, do you have an idea which grade she will join?Or is it dependent on entry exams?
3)Which region will you recommend us to look for a house/apartment?
4)Is it sure that we get the school if we are within its boundaries?
5)Since we will be renting do you know how long should the lease be to obtain admission.

Thank you

1) Whether or not you get a bus depends on where you are in the zone. I think if you are within 1.5 miles you would be a walker, outside that with some exceptions you would get a school bus.
2) Placement would depend on equivalent grade where she is coming from. There are no entry exams. But, with no other info, a student who is 12 at the start of school, turning 13 in Oct. would likely be in 7th grade.
3) The middle school boundary map is here: https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Map_Middle_School_2022_23-1.pdf If you are looking to rent an apartment and be zoned to Hamm, I'd focus on Rosslyn and Courthouse neighborhoods or along Lee Hwy (old name)/Langston Blvd (new name)
4) Yes, if you are in boundary you are guaranteed a spot in the middle school.
5) No duration of rental needed, just proof of current address.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

fran83 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are currently in DHMS.I really like the principal, school etc. My kid is a "one of a few school ambassador" whose role is to help new students like your daughter feel welcome and find her way around the place, have a "buddy" until they settle in.

When some kids have no one to eat lunch with, the counselors will set up lunches with other kids who are asked to join, My other kid is part of one of these groups to help out a kid.

The grades are also separated by floors so that the younger kids are away from the older kids - this does reduce bullying although I have no doubt in grade bullying still happens.

Finally even though the school is large (DHMS is currently underenrolled) the teachers know the kids and keep track of grades etc. I got a call from one of
the teachers when my kid's grade were slipping and we were able to get her back on track.

This is very encouraging.Thank you very much.

I have a few questions if you don't mind. We will of course phone the school soon if we settle for it but would like to know:

1)Does the school provide school bus?
2)Our daughter will turn 13 in october this year, do you have an idea which grade she will join?Or is it dependent on entry exams?
3)Which region will you recommend us to look for a house/apartment?
4)Is it sure that we get the school if we are within its boundaries?
5)Since we will be renting do you know how long should the lease be to obtain admission.

Thank you

1) Whether or not you get a bus depends on where you are in the zone. I think if you are within 1.5 miles you would be a walker, outside that with some exceptions you would get a school bus.
2) Placement would depend on equivalent grade where she is coming from. There are no entry exams. But, with no other info, a student who is 12 at the start of school, turning 13 in Oct. would likely be in 7th grade.
3) The middle school boundary map is here: https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Map_Middle_School_2022_23-1.pdf If you are looking to rent an apartment and be zoned to Hamm, I'd focus on Rosslyn and Courthouse neighborhoods or along Lee Hwy (old name)/Langston Blvd (new name)
4) Yes, if you are in boundary you are guaranteed a spot in the middle school.
5) No duration of rental needed, just proof of current address.

Thank you.Very nice of you.We appreciate and we are very grateful.

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much for helping us. We have obtained i think all the information we needed.Thank you again

[Anonymous]

Parent here with kids at both Dorothy Hamm and Washington-Liberty.

Hamm is right now pretty under-enrolled (but more housing is on the way) so in some classes, it is only 15 kids to 1 teacher. No bullying issues, but there are bad-behaved kids at every school. Some teachers are hit and miss, like all schools, but overall it is a great experience and nice neighborhoods that are close to lots of activities and parks for kids. My kid is very happy there.

Washington Liberty - Big student body, but it is more diverse than Yorktown. My child is athletic and a white kid and enrolls in AP, some IB and mostly Intensified classes, which keeps him away from kids that are not so academically focused during the day - kind of like a private school inside a much larger school. You can get out of the school what you want. But as mentioned before, many wealthy kids do go to W&L so admissions to VA colleges is still very difficult since so many kids are super achievers. My kid is very happy there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

fran83 wrote:Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post. We are looking for good academic records, conducive environment for learning, diversity, good discipline, extracurricular activities(swimming would be a plus), 'friendly' educators/teachers. We have been looking at ratings on several platforms and some reviews are concerning. We are worried about bullying since she will be joining in March. So a school with welcoming students will be great. Now, someone mentioned IB, this would be a plus since she has been studying in a british style framework.

I would not worry about bullying. Try to join a swim program now if you can. There’s york and NCAP. All of the high schools have pools. What’s your budget?

The MSs all have swim teams too.

Arlington Aquatic Club is a county-supported year round club team that’s worth a look. It is primarily other Arlington kids, so it would be a great opportunity for your new kid to meet other kids. It’s less expensive than York and NCAP. Check deadlines for new swimmer assessments.

[Anonymous]

If you want walkable and want to be car-free, you should stick with Arlington, particularly N Arl. The Clarendon/Courthouse/Rosslyn neighborhoods are your next bet.

[Anonymous]

I saw a sign at 1407 N. Lincoln St, Arlington 22201 coming soon as a rental - heard the neighbor is moving overseas for an assignment. Looks like it was recently renovated with more rooms and a real garage, it feeds both Dorothy Hamm and Washington Liberty and walking distance (no bus) to each. I assume rent will be under $6K / month.

[Anonymous]

fran83 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

fran83 wrote:Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post. We are looking for good academic records, conducive environment for learning, diversity, good discipline, extracurricular activities(swimming would be a plus), 'friendly' educators/teachers. We have been looking at ratings on several platforms and some reviews are concerning. We are worried about bullying since she will be joining in March. So a school with welcoming students will be great. Now, someone mentioned IB, this would be a plus since she has been studying in a british style framework.

I would not worry about bullying. Try to join a swim program now if you can. There’s york and NCAP. All of the high schools have pools. What’s your budget?

She will be joining middle school. We will see regarding swimming when we are in ghe US then. You said not to worry about bullying. This is not really a problem then? We have read several reviews and we were quite concerned about that.

Swimming is offered as an afternoon school sport in all middle schools except Kenmore (and HB), however there may be differences between the schools (co-ed or not, competitive or not)- the swim meets are at the different high school pools in Spring, all comprehensive high schools have pools on campus. Due dates for physicals are in mid-late February and practices start around that time. As far as bullying there was a lot of talk about Swanson at one point recently, but I don't know anything first hand (you'll find old threads here) and perhaps that has been handled now. Williamsburg is the highest SES MS school and almost all white, least diverse. I've heard good things about Hamm from some who just started there. I've also heard good things about Kenmore from recent grads, especially in regards to their performing and fine arts program, Kenmore has the highest percentage of low SES students. TJ has the IB middle school program, but the IB high school program is separate and with separate admission, most info can be found on the W-L High school website. What this program does require is taking 5 continuous years of the same foreign language, something extremely common in Europe, but nearly unheard of in the US just a few decades ago. The differences in Arlington between the middle schools in regards to SES of the student population are staggering. However, from the personal accounts of friends (so, subjectively speaking) this does not seem to translate to a difference in preparedness for high school or negative experiences.

Wishing you all the best and welcome to Arlington!

[Anonymous]

fran83 wrote:


She will be joining middle school. We will see regarding swimming when we are in ghe US then. You said not to worry about bullying. This is not really a problem then? We have read several reviews and we were quite concerned about that.



Swimming is offered as an afternoon school sport in all middle schools except Kenmore (and HB), however there may be differences between the schools (co-ed or not, competitive or not)- the swim meets are at the different high school pools in Spring, all comprehensive high schools have pools on campus. Due dates for physicals are in mid-late February and practices start around that time. As far as bullying there was a lot of talk about Swanson at one point recently, but I don't know anything first hand (you'll find old threads here) and perhaps that has been handled now. Williamsburg is the highest SES MS school and almost all white, least diverse. I've heard good things about Hamm from some who just started there. I've also heard good things about Kenmore from recent grads, especially in regards to their performing and fine arts program, Kenmore has the highest percentage of low SES students. TJ has the IB middle school program, but the IB high school program is separate and with separate admission, most info can be found on the W-L High school website. What this program does require is taking 5 continuous years of the same foreign language, something extremely common in Europe, but nearly unheard of in the US just a few decades ago. The differences in Arlington between the middle schools in regards to SES of the student population are staggering. However, from the personal accounts of friends (so, subjectively speaking) this does not seem to translate to a difference in preparedness for high school or negative experiences.

Wishing you all the best and welcome to Arlington!

This is truly a tribute to the quality of the teachers at the South Arlington MS schools. They go the extra mile.

[Anonymous]

Hi.Just saw we had some more advice and information. We really really appreciate. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Welcome to Arlington OP! I am international as well. Where are you from? When people here say diverse they mean racially and not necessarily people coming from foreign/international backgrounds. Out of all the schools I would also pick Dorothy Hamm though we are zoned for Williamsburg. If you are looking for schools with kids with a lot of foreign backgrounds, then I would pick Mclean over Arlington. However in general, Rosslyn, Clarendon, Virginia Square and Ballston will have the most students with international backgrounds. Also no need to use your real name on DCUM, just keep it anonymous I highly suggest you join MONA (Moms of North Arlington). They have both a listserv and a facebook group. https://www.monamoms.org/

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Thanks.We are from Mauritius.

[Anonymous]

Welcome to Arlington OP! I am international as well. Where are you from? When people here say diverse they mean racially and not necessarily people coming from foreign/international backgrounds. Out of all the schools I would also pick Dorothy Hamm though we are zoned for Williamsburg. If you are looking for schools with kids with a lot of foreign backgrounds, then I would pick Mclean over Arlington. However in general, Rosslyn, Clarendon, Virginia Square and Ballston will have the most students with international backgrounds. Also no need to use your real name on DCUM, just keep it anonymous I highly suggest you join MONA (Moms of North Arlington). They have both a listserv and a facebook group. https://www.monamoms.org/

South Arlington has a huge international community. Surprising that PP didn't know that.