Neighborhoods in Fairfax/Prince William/Loudoun Counties?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you ok with the Fairfax county public schools goal of "equity" in education? You should probably look into what that means, and if that's something your want for your kids.

I dont think anyone has a choice in public schools these days. My only priority is my kids. Not at the expense of others but will make whatever sacrifices I need to so they can have the best I can afford.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This house just came on the market in my neighborhood. I wouldn't put a lot of credence into the school ratings. Go to the FCPS website and look up the data yourself to get a better idea of the academics.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Springfield/7790-Tangier-Dr-22153/home/9802938

That's beautiful! But I need help re the schools. What kind of data do you suggest we look up? It seems to me that the low ratings are due to ESL kids, right? But I've talked to teachers who work in those schools and they say that they do, in fact, spend a disproportionate amount of time w the kids who need more help. Isn't that a valid concern? What else separates a 5 from an 8 if not that? I truly want to understand. We are both working outside the home and while we want to be involved w our kids education, we do really need the schools to do the heavy lifting. There must be some valid reasons that 8s and 9s are considered better?

Many of the schools that are 8-10 are higher SES schools and plenty of those parents are supplementing their kids education with math classes, language classes, music lessons, and the like. While I am sure that there are some kids who do really well just attending school many kids who are ahead or excel in high school have parents who have supplemented or providing tutoring. If you are counting on the schools doing the heavy lifting then your kids are not likely to do great. They will probably be fine but middle of the pack.

There are tons of studies that show that involved parents matter in a kids educational outcome. High income families have the time, money, or both to be able to make sure that their kids stay on grade level or get ahead. Their kids go to school knowing their letters, sounds, numbers, shapes, colors and the like. They are on track or ahead from day one. The kids who have learning issues have parents who can get them tested privately and get IEPs at school as well are private tutoring or therapy. They have access to extra curricular activities.

What separates a 5 from an 8? Money and involved parents.

Yes that's how my daughter entered PreK. Knowing alphabet, colors, numbers, etc. I don't want to lose ground because her teachers need to spend more time with others. But it sounds like I'll need to find the time to continue that at home regardless.

Thank you for the helpful feedback. Much appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, we went for Language Immersion because we figured it was the best bang for our buck in FCPS. There was no indication that our kid needed any special services and that he would be fine in Gen Ed. He was starting to read and could do basic math in K. Language Immersion would provide something that was challenging and could potentially be useful. If he sticks with the language, he will be able to enter high school having completed 2 years of high school language which opens up space for electives or dual enrollment language classes that will count for college credits. It helps that his class size is shrinking every year, as kids move or leave the program. So he and his classmates are getting more time with the Teacher as the subject material is getting harder.

There is a magnet science school and a magnets arts school for Elementary kids in FCPS.

For the most part, the question you are asking is what programs and solutions exist for kids on grade level or who are ahead. What programs are in place for kids who are behind? Schools with higher income families tend to have more opportunities, because parents are more vocal in their demands. Not to mention the PTAs have more money to spend to support extra curricular activities and events that support Teachers.

You can get a solid, if not great, education at the vast majority of FCPS schools if you are an involved parent but it is a lot easier at the schools with fewer lower SES families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, we went for Language Immersion because we figured it was the best bang for our buck in FCPS. There was no indication that our kid needed any special services and that he would be fine in Gen Ed. He was starting to read and could do basic math in K. Language Immersion would provide something that was challenging and could potentially be useful. If he sticks with the language, he will be able to enter high school having completed 2 years of high school language which opens up space for electives or dual enrollment language classes that will count for college credits. It helps that his class size is shrinking every year, as kids move or leave the program. So he and his classmates are getting more time with the Teacher as the subject material is getting harder.

There is a magnet science school and a magnets arts school for Elementary kids in FCPS.

For the most part, the question you are asking is what programs and solutions exist for kids on grade level or who are ahead. What programs are in place for kids who are behind? Schools with higher income families tend to have more opportunities, because parents are more vocal in their demands. Not to mention the PTAs have more money to spend to support extra curricular activities and events that support Teachers.

You can get a solid, if not great, education at the vast majority of FCPS schools if you are an involved parent but it is a lot easier at the schools with fewer lower SES families.

This makes perfect sense. I'm overwhelmed with the idea of applying for public schools, magnets, etc. I need my kids in pre and after school care, and I need to know where they will be haha. Getting into some nice option school or whatever at the last minute and then not having extended day cause we didn't apply in time is not an option. The options are killing me! I grew up in a small Midwestern suburb where I went to the very good public schools. I then went to a very good college and am objectively successful but we don't have dual high incomes and can't afford places like McLean. So I just kinda want easy! Rant over

[Anonymous]

Every ES has a list of pre and after care programs that drops off and picks up. Once you are registered at the school you can get on the wait list for SACC and ask for the after care list. The schools know who picks up and drops off.

The applications for Language Immersion and Magnet schools are simply a form saying you are interested but you need to provide transportation if you are out of boundary, which is why I would look for a program and move into it if possible if you are interested.

Look for a house and neighborhood that you like and take it from there. Your kids have a good chance of being successful and doing well in most schools if you are an involved parent. Part of the reason we bought the house we did was because I was intrigued by the language program at the ES. We didn’t know if we would use it but I liked the option. And the house fit us nicely, the commute was good, and the price was right. The neighborhood has been great, the school is excellent, and our kid is in the language program. We have friends with one kid in LI and one kid in Gen Ed because they picked the program that fir their kids best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you ok with the Fairfax county public schools goal of "equity" in education? You should probably look into what that means, and if that's something your want for your kids.

I dont think anyone has a choice in public schools these days. My only priority is my kids. Not at the expense of others but will make whatever sacrifices I need to so they can have the best I can afford.

Of course you have a choice; the choice is to not buy a house in Fairfax county and send your kids to their public schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:you could look at 22033. Your commute might be a little more than an hour. We are zoned for Navy, Franklin, Oakton and our house/neighborhood hovers around $740-850k. neighborhood pool is a big deal with a swim team. Franklin Farm also would probably fit in your price range (high school is Oakton or Chantilly depending which part you live in).

+1 on 22033. Also look at Greenbriar. - few houses up/coming soon meeting your budget and requirements. For Greenbriar specifically - very walkable to libraries, parks, all 3 levels of school, retail. Great community feel.

Personally I wouldn’t move out of Fairfax County on an $800k budget and commuting to the city 2x/week but that’s just me.

Like here? Does seem good! Not a lot of inventory. Is this also a military turnover spot?

https://redf.in/SsaIFB

Yes, that neighborhood. Not a while lot of inventory anywhere right now but should get better in the spring. No, not a military turnover spot although I’m sure there are some military families.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Fairfax/4103-Mt-Echo-Ln-22033/home/9505724

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Fairfax/13117-Penndale-Ln-22033/home/9496585

I live on Poplar Tree and we are very confused about what is going on with the property right by stringfellow. It sold a few months ago, but it appears it never closed. The house directly behind it is in the middle of a massive construction project-we wonder if that is what blew up the previous deal? I have a friend who lives across the street from the house under construction - I could ask if she knows.

We love living in Greenbriar. It is such an ideal neighborhood for school aged kids. My girls can walk to all 3 levels of public school. The Chantilly homecoming parade happens right in our neighborhood. It is like living in a small town, really.

There are military families, but it definitely isn't an overwhelming presence. There are quite a few of the teachers at the schools who live in the community.

During the pandemic, we sometimes did wish for a LITTLE more room in our house (we live in the largest model, which is 2200 sf), but we have so much of what we want right in the neighborhood. We were able to do some renovations to our house when interest rates were crazy low, so we now have a slightly more modernized house than we had before. We will stay until our elementary schooler finishes high school, at least.