DC/VA neighborhoods that are great for black families

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will caveat my comment: we are a white family so l may not understand/grasp nuances. We live in Franconia (Bush Hill ES). Never realized how much I appreciated diversity until my children started attending BHES. So I would agree with the Kingstowne posters and would also recommend neighboring/overlapping Franconia or Springfield. As to Edison v Hayfield, both appear to be good schools for kids who are motivated to do well. Both are diverse. You can look to the websites for both schools to see demographics and relevant test scores. My son attends Edison, theoretically one of the worst-performing schools in Fairfax County, and he was happy there. And I was satisfied with his education.

I went to Edison as well. Of course I am much older, but I think the neighborhood is fairly the same. I now earn six figures and I'm in my early 30s. I think if you are in the advanced classes the experience will be very different. Almost everyone I know in advanced classes moved on to greater things in life. I will add that there are not as many black people in the advanced classes. I would say there were probably less than 50 total when I was going.

[Anonymous]

Hayfield has a larger black population and is AP. It's also a secondary school (grades 7-12). Edison has a larger Hispanic population, IB rather than AP, and an Academy with some specialized STEM courses. Both schools are in good condition but Edison was renovated more recently. I think more of Kingstowne goes to Hayfield than Edison, but it is split.

[Anonymous]

I would absolutely second the recommendation to look in MoCo as well. At your budget, if you want a SFH and diversity, Blair, Northwood, and Einstein clusters are really good bets.

For elementary schools, people speak highly of Oakland Terrace, Flora Singer, Takoma Park ES, East Silver Spring ES, Sligo Creek ES, Woodlin ES, and Highland View (this is not an exhaustive list, just the schools in OP's price range I've heard good things about).

For middle schools, Takoma Park MS just got a big addition and houses the STEM magnet for that part of the county. Silver Spring International MS is about to get a renovation and has the middle years IB program. Both schools are extremely diverse and have active affinity clubs.

Commute to DC is easy on the Red Line, and I think you'd find a lot of families like yours in any of the neighborhoods mentioned. As PPs said, Silver Spring is extremely diverse and has some of the best outcomes for Black boys in the country.

https://wamu.org/story/18/03/20/forget-wealth-and-neighborhood-the-racial-income-gap-persists/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would absolutely second the recommendation to look in MoCo as well. At your budget, if you want a SFH and diversity, Blair, Northwood, and Einstein clusters are really good bets.

For elementary schools, people speak highly of Oakland Terrace, Flora Singer, Takoma Park ES, East Silver Spring ES, Sligo Creek ES, Woodlin ES, and Highland View (this is not an exhaustive list, just the schools in OP's price range I've heard good things about).

For middle schools, Takoma Park MS just got a big addition and houses the STEM magnet for that part of the county. Silver Spring International MS is about to get a renovation and has the middle years IB program. Both schools are extremely diverse and have active affinity clubs.

Commute to DC is easy on the Red Line, and I think you'd find a lot of families like yours in any of the neighborhoods mentioned. As PPs said, Silver Spring is extremely diverse and has some of the best outcomes for Black boys in the country.

https://wamu.org/story/18/03/20/forget-wealth-and-neighborhood-the-racial-income-gap-persists/

+1. I earlier recommended Silver Spring, although I live in DC. Many SS neighborhoods seem to be good bets for middle class/professional black families:


"Hendren said the study did identify a few neighborhoods where black and white children often reach parity as adults. He highlighted some suburbs of Washington, D.C., including Silver Spring, Md., as having relatively low degrees of racial bias among white people — one significant predictor of whether or not black boys will match white boys in future earnings. Another factor present in the neighborhoods was high percentages of present black fathers, compared to the country as a whole."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would absolutely second the recommendation to look in MoCo as well. At your budget, if you want a SFH and diversity, Blair, Northwood, and Einstein clusters are really good bets.

For elementary schools, people speak highly of Oakland Terrace, Flora Singer, Takoma Park ES, East Silver Spring ES, Sligo Creek ES, Woodlin ES, and Highland View (this is not an exhaustive list, just the schools in OP's price range I've heard good things about).

For middle schools, Takoma Park MS just got a big addition and houses the STEM magnet for that part of the county. Silver Spring International MS is about to get a renovation and has the middle years IB program. Both schools are extremely diverse and have active affinity clubs.

Commute to DC is easy on the Red Line, and I think you'd find a lot of families like yours in any of the neighborhoods mentioned. As PPs said, Silver Spring is extremely diverse and has some of the best outcomes for Black boys in the country.

https://wamu.org/story/18/03/20/forget-wealth-and-neighborhood-the-racial-income-gap-persists/

+1. I earlier recommended Silver Spring, although I live in DC. Many SS neighborhoods seem to be good bets for middle class/professional black families:


"Hendren said the study did identify a few neighborhoods where black and white children often reach parity as adults. He highlighted some suburbs of Washington, D.C., including Silver Spring, Md., as having relatively low degrees of racial bias among white people — one significant predictor of whether or not black boys will match white boys in future earnings. Another factor present in the neighborhoods was high percentages of present black fathers, compared to the country as a whole."

This is really great news to read about SS, and accurate from my experience. I really don't think anywhere else in the region provides the comfort level as far as diversity is concerned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The houses are nice in PG but the schools are low performing and even the private schools are subpar

As for the “whites” comment, they wouldn’t step foot in PG county either especially Largo, Upper Marlboro, Suitland
Stop making this about, OPs question was a solid question parents to children of color ask.

Op, I’m in the same boat as you. I’d look to MOCO if you wanted to stay in the area
Or Annandale, Fairfax depending on how far you want to go out Loudon County has a good solid school system.

Husband and I are both products of PG county public schools. My HS was highly ranked, his was not. We both make well into the 6 figures into our early 30s. In our careers we are always one of the few minorities, but growing up in PG county showed us that these careers were even possible. Being taught by people who looked like us, seeing doctors/lawyers/engineers that looked like us and not dealing with the unconscious bias that runs rampant in majority white school systems was invaluable. So when people say "a good school system", it largely depends on what you value for your children. We value academics and their overall experience. As people of color, their experience shapes how they view themselves and the rest of the world. We've lived all over and ultimately decided to return to PG, it offers something unique that we haven't found anywhere else. We want our children to have that too.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I, too am a product of Prince George’s County.
Where, I would not return to raise my children under the structure of the teaching or environment. Much like yourself, I am wel into “six figures” however, that’s an easy goal. I’m not looking to validate myself because of my income because of Prince George’s.
Prince George’s County lacks in education, extra-circular activity and overall culture and diversity. Yes, while I do agree with you that the County has something extremely special having sought after professions in these roles that are of color. It still lacks many areas where you’d want to raise your child to have fundamentally.
For instance, I want my child to be raised around other races. I want child to be exposed to other cultures and understand worldly exchanges. Prince George’s County is a bubble, it’s a mentality and unfortunately it’s still a moderately crime area. I would not feel as safe having my child attend schools that I attended.

You do what is good for your family, and I believe what OP was looking for is reasonable for the reason as to why mentioned PG is out of the equation.

I probably should've added the detail about PG County's diversity. Growing up, my neighbor and best friend and many of my closest friends were white, hispanic, jewish, biracial and korean. Our current neighborhood is equally as diverse, skewing black. We are the only african americans in our culdesac (sandwiched between white and hispanic neighbors), and there are a few different races/ethnicity on our block. However, the key was seeing people of color in certain positions that you wont see elsewhere. Seeing people that looked like me in positions of power allowed me to see myself, and is a huge part of why we are successful.

My husband and I were both in extracurricular activities including band, SGA, science clubs, etc. We had strong (and weak) teachers, but our parents didn't completely depend on them to carry us academically. I'll add the caveat that I grew up and live in an "affluent" area of the county and its far more diverse than most parts. My schools and neighborhood were also (and still) safe. I felt less safe in my former (and very expensive) northern va neighborhood. Living outside of PG for a long time really made me realize how amazing it was. Everyone has different experiences, ours was positive.. even academically.

[Anonymous]

My spouse and I are African-American and we're happy so far in West Springfield with our two little kids. We're in the West Springfield HS district and did a lot of research on schools in the area (DC, MD and VA) where black students perform well and it's one of the few without an achievement gap.

The area is predominantly white (outside of PG county, that's basically unavoidable), but it's still pretty decent. We're in a neighborhood with a high number of Asian, African, and Hispanic families.

Also, the area is popular for military which means increased likelihood of minorities.

I'm ivy league educated and a lawyer (for whatever either of those are worth) and many of my AA friends and colleagues have settled in this area and even more are looking to move in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Black in our area does not just mean African Americans.

Would you be comfortable with a neighborhood where black = mostly families of recent African immigrants?

I don't know where you've been. I'm African-American (black) and we call ourselves black so where did you get this information?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My spouse and I are African-American and we're happy so far in West Springfield with our two little kids. We're in the West Springfield HS district and did a lot of research on schools in the area (DC, MD and VA) where black students perform well and it's one of the few without an achievement gap.

The area is predominantly white (outside of PG county, that's basically unavoidable), but it's still pretty decent. We're in a neighborhood with a high number of Asian, African, and Hispanic families.

Also, the area is popular for military which means increased likelihood of minorities.

I'm ivy league educated and a lawyer (for whatever either of those are worth) and many of my AA friends and colleagues have settled in this area and even more are looking to move in.

Yes, if you look at great schools and filter by AA it shows black students do very well in this area. This is a very nice area in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Np here, wow I considered starting a similar thread yesterday. I am also black, in the process of moving, and heavily basing my decision where to move on the needs of my AA son.

I want to live in peace and want the same for my son. Anywhere with even the slightest hint of racism is out, as is PG county. I currently live in SS, and honestly think this is one of the few areas in the region that is truly diverse. I wish options weren't so limited, but they appear to be.

Slightest hint of racism? What do you exactly mean by this? I'm not trying to be rude but just honestly curious.

There are parts of PG County that are very diverse. My neighborhood in College Park is super diverse in all categories. My neighbor on one side is a white gay DINK couple, my neighbor on the left is a young Latino family. Down the street we have residents that have been living here for 30 years along with young couples that just moved in last year. My city councilman is South Asian and mayor is a gay. It isn't just all black but there is nothing wrong with that either. Plenty of nice areas in Largo and Upper Marlboro if you are looking for a more suburban area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Given the recent events - what neighborhoods are great for black families AND/or DINKS. Budget is 650. Not interested in Pg county due to schools and policing issues. Not familiar with MOCO. Also would like a healthy amount of diversity as I want my black child to maintain a sense of identity. Hate to ask this question but there it is.

Recent events, you mean those two hundreds murders in Baltimore so far?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Black in our area does not just mean African Americans.

Would you be comfortable with a neighborhood where black = mostly families of recent African immigrants?

I don't know where you've been. I'm African-American (black) and we call ourselves black so where did you get this information?

You failed in reading comprehension 101.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Black in our area does not just mean African Americans.

Would you be comfortable with a neighborhood where black = mostly families of recent African immigrants?

I don't know where you've been. I'm African-American (black) and we call ourselves black so where did you get this information?

PP is noting a difference between African Americans and recent immigrants from Africa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Black in our area does not just mean African Americans.

Would you be comfortable with a neighborhood where black = mostly families of recent African immigrants?

I don't know where you've been. I'm African-American (black) and we call ourselves black so where did you get this information?

You failed in reading comprehension 101.

+1

[Anonymous]

Lots of people have mentioned this but look in Manor Park/Takoma Park DC. Lots of kids, diverse and lots of long time residents. Very few renters (from my experience). A good amount of green space for kids. You can still find some good deals on houses. We are a mixed race family FWIW.