Choosing between West Springfield and Wakefield Forest

[Anonymous]

Our child is starting kindergarten in the fall and we are in the process of moving to a new school district. We have narrowed our home search to two school districts - West Springfield and Wakefield Forest. I would love to hear your thought on these two elementary schools. Is there anything that would make you prefer one over the other?

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there anything that would make you prefer one over the other?

The middle and high schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there anything that would make you prefer one over the other?

The middle and high schools.

Well, yes, I realize that. I am under the impression that both elementary schools feed into good schools. I was wondering if there are any parents who can provide insights into the schools that will help us make a more informed decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there anything that would make you prefer one over the other?

The middle and high schools.

Well, yes, I realize that. I am under the impression that both elementary schools feed into good schools. I was wondering if there are any parents who can provide insights into the schools that will help us make a more informed decision.

The two middle and high schools that these ES feed into are very different.

[Anonymous]

West Springfield is an AMAZING elementary! I would pick that one hands down. Plus, it feeds to better high school and middle school. West Springfield, no question!

[Anonymous]

PP here: Also, not a lot of houses come up in West Springfield Elementary district. So those are coveted. I'm zoned for another elementary that is in the pyramid, and that is truly the best elementary in the pyramid.

[Anonymous]

Average SAT Scores (2016): Woodson 1755, West Springfield 1659

[Anonymous]

The Pressure Cooker Factor is much higher at Frost and Woodson.

[Anonymous]

How's the commute from each one? That would be a big factor for me. Both MS/HS pyramids are supposed to be very good, so I'd probably be fairly neutral between them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How's the commute from each one? That would be a big factor for me. Both MS/HS pyramids are supposed to be very good, so I'd probably be fairly neutral between them.

I think that the West Springfield commute is marginally easier (we both work in downtown DC) but it's not a huge difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Pressure Cooker Factor is much higher at Frost and Woodson.

Does that trickle down at all to the elementary schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:West Springfield is an AMAZING elementary! I would pick that one hands down. Plus, it feeds to better high school and middle school. West Springfield, no question!

Uh, no. Frost and Woodson have a decided edge over Irving and West Springfield.

[Anonymous]

I noticed that West Springfield's ratings dropped a lot from 2012 to 2016 (https://www.schooldigger.com/go/VA/schools/0126000584/school.aspx). Anyone know what happened? It seems like an unusually steep decline, especially from 2015-2016.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Pressure Cooker Factor is much higher at Frost and Woodson.

Does that trickle down at all to the elementary schools?

So sorry -- I made the assumption the home search would involve a home purchase. In general, people who purchase a home are planning to stay in the home for a while. If the OP is not purchasing a home and instead seeking a rental, it would be much easier to move before middle school begins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Pressure Cooker Factor is much higher at Frost and Woodson.

Does that trickle down at all to the elementary schools?[/quote

I don't know if the pressure cooker thing is real or rumor, but it definitely doesn't trickle down to Wakefield Forest. I have two kids there and we've been happy with it. The new principal (formerly the vice principal) instituted a little/no homework policy this year, of which I personally am a huge fan. And we live in Truro, which is a great neighborhood.