Top schools in FCPS-Alexandria area

[Anonymous]

Hi,
We are looking into moving to a single family neighborhood. We have sort of narrowed it down to 22315, 22308 and maybe 22309, we can also consider others around the same area. Can you share your experience with the schools in these zips. Lots of the schools don't seem to have high ratings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi,
We are looking into moving to a single family neighborhood. We have sort of narrowed it down to 22315, 22308 and maybe 22309, we can also consider others around the same area. Can you share your experience with the schools in these zips. Lots of the schools don't seem to have high ratings.

I'd consider looking in areas in 22315 zoned for Island Creek or Lane ES and then Hayfield Secondary. The elementary schools will provide a good foundation for honors/AP classes in middle and high school.

[Anonymous]

Schools across FCPS reflect the economic levels of their students' families. And the economic level of the families is represented by the cost of the housing that is built in an area (more or less).

There are no apartments in the Island Creek zone, so it tends to have the highest economic data (i.e. the lowest percentage of kids needing free or reduced priced meals). Hayfield ES's housing stock is lower priced. Both Lane and Hayfield ES have some apartments in their zones. Lane has some lower income housing units. HOWEVER, your child can get a good education at all of them, as well as at schools like Franconia and Springfield EStates (this is the AAP center for Lane, Hayfield and Island Creek). There are good communities in each of these schools.

In regards to 22315, the challenge will be finding a SFH b/c there aren't very many. There are some. I know there was a house for sale on Wynema in the Island Creek zone. But, there aren't many that come up for sale. Very livable area -- easy to get around, not so intense, easy to get your kids into activities, etc.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t do 22309 for public schools, but would recommend Waynewood or Stratford Landing in 22308. I prefer 22308 to the 22315, Kingstowne area. Kingstowne is much to built up for my liking and too much traffic as compared to driving the GW parkway and/or Fort Hunt Road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t do 22309 for public schools, but would recommend Waynewood or Stratford Landing in 22308. I prefer 22308 to the 22315, Kingstowne area. Kingstowne is much to built up for my liking and too much traffic as compared to driving the GW parkway and/or Fort Hunt Road.

Maybe, but I'd rather do Hayfield than Sandburg MS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t do 22309 for public schools, but would recommend Waynewood or Stratford Landing in 22308. I prefer 22308 to the 22315, Kingstowne area. Kingstowne is much to built up for my liking and too much traffic as compared to driving the GW parkway and/or Fort Hunt Road.

Stratford’s ratings are skewed because it’s a center school. If your kids will do AAP, it’s fine, but if they are regular curriculum, it’s dicey. I would try for Island Creek.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t do 22309 for public schools, but would recommend Waynewood or Stratford Landing in 22308. I prefer 22308 to the 22315, Kingstowne area. Kingstowne is much to built up for my liking and too much traffic as compared to driving the GW parkway and/or Fort Hunt Road.

Both of these elementary schools are great but we've heard from friends whose children are at Waynewood that it is just outstanding. The downside of that area is that it is zoned for Sandburg, which has its pros and cons.

[Anonymous]

My DS is in third at Hayfield ES. We have been very happy with it, and he has had a good experience all around, academic, social and enrichment. The PTA is very active, and it is a good group of families. A colleague has his child at Island Creek and he has said similar things. I have heard less good remarks about Lane and Springfield Estates.

DS also plays sports with kids at Stratford Landing and Waynewood. I have heard good things about both of these schools, especially Waynewood.

The problem in this entire area is MS and HS. We knew this when we bought our house, but we have one child so we may bridge this using private. I think Hayfield is acceptable but not great. The same for Edison. I would be hesitant to use West Potomac.

A non-trivial amount of kids, especially from Fort Hunt, look for private options especially for the higher grades.

The Kingstowne area especially is a good place to live with an easy commute to the city, and I make it into my job in Alexandria in 20 minutes. You should be aware of the weakness in the MS and HS options though.

[Anonymous]

22310 is another zip to consider. Wilton Woods, Clermont, Gunnell Estates, and Bush Hill Woods are all nice SFH neighborhoods. Very easy to get to schools, shopping, pools. Lots of commuting options too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:22310 is another zip to consider. Wilton Woods, Clermont, Gunnell Estates, and Bush Hill Woods are all nice SFH neighborhoods. Very easy to get to schools, shopping, pools. Lots of commuting options too.

Also, not guaranteed but Bush Hill is being suggested as a new AAP Center. Doesn’t mean it will happen

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t do 22309 for public schools, but would recommend Waynewood or Stratford Landing in 22308. I prefer 22308 to the 22315, Kingstowne area. Kingstowne is much to built up for my liking and too much traffic as compared to driving the GW parkway and/or Fort Hunt Road.

Both of these elementary schools are great but we've heard from friends whose children are at Waynewood that it is just outstanding. The downside of that area is that it is zoned for Sandburg, which has its pros and cons.

OP, if you are not white, your children will be very much in the minority at Waynewood.

[Anonymous]

thank you all for your comments, very helpful.
A house just cam up available in the woodlawn manor area, which if I recall is a nice area.
But the schools are
Washington Mill, Whitman, and mt Vernon high. What are your thoughts

[Anonymous]

In reference to going by the ratings, its hard to me because my kids right now attend RoseHill and it rates a 2/10 which extremely low. Yeah I wouldn't say I am super pleased with the school but I would have never thought it would be a 2.

[Anonymous]

Stratford Landing, Waynewood, Riverside Gardens and Stratford on the Potomac are all nice neighborhoods in 22308. The majority of the families in these areas send kids to Ft. Hunt, Stratford Landing and Waynewood elementaries. They all feed into Sandburg MS and West Po. There are strong parochial and independent private options close by if that interests you.

I prefer the GW pkwy neighborhoods over Kingstowne, but they are both nice areas. It's woodsy and less developed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stratford Landing, Waynewood, Riverside Gardens and Stratford on the Potomac are all nice neighborhoods in 22308. The majority of the families in these areas send kids to Ft. Hunt, Stratford Landing and Waynewood elementaries. They all feed into Sandburg MS and West Po. There are strong parochial and independent private options close by if that interests you.

I prefer the GW pkwy neighborhoods over Kingstowne, but they are both nice areas. It's woodsy and less developed.

Yes I agree that the neighborhoods are very nice in that area,...and elementary and even maybe middle schools are good. But what does everyone do for high school, private?