Arlington versus Fairfax

[jaorquina]

We have a preschooler and live to DC. I work in DC and DH works in Tysons. We're looking to move out of the district before our child reaches kindergarten age. We're considering Arlington or Vienna/McLean areas. Any options, pros & cons would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

There are hundreds of threads on this in the archives. I suggest reading through them.

[Anonymous]

Some people choose Arlington and some people choose Fairfax. Cost and commute are usually the main reasons, but there are some differences in the two school districts that may be determinitive for you.

[Anonymous]

Arlington. Hands down. Live in Vienna. Better funding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Arlington. Hands down. Live in Vienna. Better funding.

Meant to say I live in Vienna and Arlington has better funding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some people choose Arlington and some people choose Fairfax. Cost and commute are usually the main reasons, but there are some differences in the two school districts that may be determinitive for you.

They are both good options. Your personal priorities would really drive one over another.

[Anonymous]

jaorquina wrote:We have a preschooler and live to DC. I work in DC and DH works in Tysons. We're looking to move out of the district before our child reaches kindergarten age. We're considering Arlington or Vienna/McLean areas. Any options, pros & cons would be appreciated. Thanks!

I work in DC and have lived in each of Arlington, Vienna and McLean.

Given your situation, I would pick McLean hands down. Better commute to DC than Vienna, and more settled school situation than Arlington, which is facing major overcrowding in a few years with no obvious solutions. You can look at the 75-page thread on this forum where Arlington parents are fretting about the situation to get a feel for the ongoing angst.

If you live in McLean or nearby parts of Falls Church, your child will go to Langley, McLean or Marshall. They are all great schools, and between the three of them have enough seats to meet anticipated enrollment growth in the area, so getting redistricted from one to another would largely be a non-issue.

[Anonymous]

We are in Fairfax county and wish we could live in Arlington.

Reasons why Arlington county schools would have been better for us include:

Smaller class size. Our highly rated FCPS has large class size.

Arlington county school district is significantly smaller and seems less bureaucratic.

Arlington county schools do not have the advanced placement program therefore, you don't have this issue of schools being divided up between general education and advanced placement.

Arlington has significantly less weather related closures. Last year, I was in crisis mode with FCPS closures b/c DH was out of town and I was not able to take vacation days for all the closures. I was shuffling my children all over the place for various snow day camps which was stressful for me and for them.

It's a lot easier to get a spot in after school care in Arlington than Fairfax.

Teachers are better paid in Arlington.

I've heard there's less emphasis on testing in Arlington but I don't know that for a fact.

[Anonymous]

Are you basing your decision only on schools? The schools in those places are all good options. As a PP said, Arlington is really in flux because of school overcrowding, and there will likely be changes between now and 2025. There are so many factors to consider. Parts of Arlington (south of Lee Highway) are much more of an urban feel - smaller lots, easier access to public transportation and amenities. Most of Mclean is still very suburban - lots of space, bigger houses, bigger lots, car dependent. I don't have much experience with Vienna but I imagine it's a lot like Mclean, but with a less convenient commute to DC.

[Anonymous]

If what matters most to you are smaller classes and fewer snow days, go with Arlington.

Otherwise, FCPS has more to offer than APS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in Fairfax county and wish we could live in Arlington.

Reasons why Arlington county schools would have been better for us include:

Smaller class size. Our highly rated FCPS has large class size.

Arlington county school district is significantly smaller and seems less bureaucratic.

Arlington county schools do not have the advanced placement program therefore, you don't have this issue of schools being divided up between general education and advanced placement.

Arlington has significantly less weather related closures. Last year, I was in crisis mode with FCPS closures b/c DH was out of town and I was not able to take vacation days for all the closures. I was shuffling my children all over the place for various snow day camps which was stressful for me and for them.

It's a lot easier to get a spot in after school care in Arlington than Fairfax.

Teachers are better paid in Arlington.

I've heard there's less emphasis on testing in Arlington but I don't know that for a fact.

Are you sure you're from Fairfax? Because most people in Fairfax with kids in school know that the gifted program is called AAP (for advanced academics), not "advanced placement."

Both Arlington and Fairfax schools have either advanced placement (AP) or IB.

[Anonymous]

According to US News, six of the top 10 high schools in the state are in Fairfax. None are in Arlington.

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/virginia

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:According to US News, six of the top 10 high schools in the state are in Fairfax. None are in Arlington.

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/virginia

And Niche ranks APS first.
https://k12.niche.com/rankings/public-school-districts/best-overall/s/virginia/

Fortunately, most people recognize that rankings are silly and not indicative of the quality of education/experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to US News, six of the top 10 high schools in the state are in Fairfax. None are in Arlington.

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/virginia

And Niche ranks APS first.
https://k12.niche.com/rankings/public-school-districts/best-overall/s/virginia/

Fortunately, most people recognize that rankings are silly and not indicative of the quality of education/experience.

I've heard of US News. What is this "Niche" silliness?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to US News, six of the top 10 high schools in the state are in Fairfax. None are in Arlington.

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/virginia

And Niche ranks APS first.
https://k12.niche.com/rankings/public-school-districts/best-overall/s/virginia/

Fortunately, most people recognize that rankings are silly and not indicative of the quality of education/experience.

I've heard of US News. What is this "Niche" silliness?

Yet another ranking service that doesn't rely solely on test scores. Take your pick. They all have different algorithms. If you want to grind away at the #s and evaluate the infinitesimal differences between test scores or whatever, go nuts. Bottom line though is that there are a lot of great schools in Northern Virginia.