South Arlington elementary options for introverted kid

[Anonymous]

TL;DR version: we are moving to NoVA next year with a modest budget (about $350k) and an introverted preschooler. What are some good elementary options?

DD is a classic introvert: the focus and attention span of a Zen master, gets worn out after too much activity/excitement. Not shy, but does her best with plenty of rest and time to work independently. I'm looking for an environment that's warm and calm. I would love a montessori but it sounds like it's hard to get in, especially in K -- true? I like the sound of Campbell too -- what are the chances of getting in if you live in one of the feeder school zones? We could very comfortably afford a condo in this area so if it's pretty easy to get in there, that would be a good option. And are there any other elementary schools that have a laid back vibe in K that we should be looking at (more unstructured time, maybe more independent time/centers, some period of quiet/rest time, stuff like that). I'm open to further out burbs, but would prefer to be close in so that DD spends less time in extended day and has more time at home to recharge. TIA.

[Anonymous]

Nothing about Arlington is laid back. Dog eat dog.

[Anonymous]

One of my friends is very laid-back and type B, and her kid is at Longbranch. They seem to really like it. Longbranch pulls from both North and South Arlington (the Eastern parts) and there is a good mix of ethnicities. Your price point might be tough, though - being closer in to DC means housing is expensive for commuting reasons.

I also have friends at Campbell and they seem to like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of my friends is very laid-back and type B, and her kid is at Longbranch. They seem to really like it. Longbranch pulls from both North and South Arlington (the Eastern parts) and there is a good mix of ethnicities. Your price point might be tough, though - being closer in to DC means housing is expensive for commuting reasons.

I also have friends at Campbell and they seem to like it.

We have had two kids go through Long Branch and it does seem to be a more laid-back environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of my friends is very laid-back and type B, and her kid is at Longbranch. They seem to really like it. Longbranch pulls from both North and South Arlington (the Eastern parts) and there is a good mix of ethnicities. Your price point might be tough, though - being closer in to DC means housing is expensive for commuting reasons.

I also have friends at Campbell and they seem to like it.

We have had two kids go through Long Branch and it does seem to be a more laid-back environment.

OP here - will check it out, thanks. There's been a handful of condos in our range pop up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing about Arlington is laid back. Dog eat dog.

I disagree -- it's all relative, of course, but I love living in South Arlington because it's a nice mix of overachievers and slacker parents. There are enough overachievers to make it so that I (an "achiever," not so much "overachiever") don't have to volunteer for more than I want to do at my son's school; there are enough slackers so that I'm reminded that not everything is urgent and the kids are all right, as they say.

At your price point, you could find a condo in Fairlington or Arlington Village, both really nice, friendly, laid-back (again, relatively speaking) neighborhoods.

My son is at Claremont, and I've found it to be warm, engaging, and pretty laid back, though it might not have as much unstructured time as you'd like. We have neighbors who really value unstructured time/free play and they have been extremely happy with Campbell.

Good luck! FWIW, I think you'll appreciate being close-in with an elementary schooler. I hate driving, so I already liked being close-in -- but now that my kid is in elementary, I appreciate not having a long commute even more!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing about Arlington is laid back. Dog eat dog.

I disagree -- it's all relative, of course, but I love living in South Arlington because it's a nice mix of overachievers and slacker parents. There are enough overachievers to make it so that I (an "achiever," not so much "overachiever") don't have to volunteer for more than I want to do at my son's school; there are enough slackers so that I'm reminded that not everything is urgent and the kids are all right, as they say.

At your price point, you could find a condo in Fairlington or Arlington Village, both really nice, friendly, laid-back (again, relatively speaking) neighborhoods.

My son is at Claremont, and I've found it to be warm, engaging, and pretty laid back, though it might not have as much unstructured time as you'd like. We have neighbors who really value unstructured time/free play and they have been extremely happy with Campbell.

Good luck! FWIW, I think you'll appreciate being close-in with an elementary schooler. I hate driving, so I already liked being close-in -- but now that my kid is in elementary, I appreciate not having a long commute even more!

Thanks for this! I'll check these out.

[Anonymous]

You should definitely apply for the Montessori program! I think we applied to every school we were eligible for. Got into Drew Model, waitlisted at a few others (ended up getting offered a spot at least one of them). Decided to go to Drew Model since it has classes through elementary school. Still have one child there but decided to move another to our neighborhood school to prepare for the middle school transition. There is a Montessori program at Gunston Middle that is terrific but we decided to go the traditional route.

[Anonymous]

FYI - If your household income is below $87,360, you receive priority admission to Montessori in Arlington and the tuition is free (for 3 and 4 year olds).

[Anonymous]

Below $87K and you get free preschool? Maybe I will move there and save some money. I'm a teacher and it costs a fortune for preschool in MC.

[Anonymous]

I believe it's actually on a sliding scale so may not be totally free (but I may be wrong). It makes it much more likely that you get a spot too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Below $87K and you get free preschool? Maybe I will move there and save some money. I'm a teacher and it costs a fortune for preschool in MC.

I stand corrected. "All students in the 3 year old year pay a fee for the program. Fees are based on a sliding scale based on the family household income. Students in the 4 year old year whose household income is below $86,000 a year, do not pay a fee for that year. The 5 year old year is considered the kindergarten year. There is no fee for the kindergarten year."

2016-2017 Montessori Fee Schedule: 2016-2017 Fee Schedule (http://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/40-1-20-2-Fee-Schedule-PIP-2016-2017-Effective-July-2016.pdf)

[Anonymous]

North Arlington didn't need to focus on ESOL and farms , you're better suited up there

[Anonymous]

For $350,000, you can MAYBE buy a decent one bedroom, one bath condo. Are you sure you know what you're getting into?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For $350,000, you can MAYBE buy a decent one bedroom, one bath condo. Are you sure you know what you're getting into?

That's not true. There are plenty of 2br condos in that range even zoned for schools like Henry. I should know - I own one.