moving to VA for the schools-where would you go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're in FCC. The taxes are annoyingly high, but you'll pay less than you do in DC all-in, and you'll likely get the same house for less in FCC vs. North Arlington, which accounts for some of the tax difference.

This is totally anecdotal so take it with a grain of salt, but the houses we liked in FCC were $100k or so less than the comparable houses we liked in N. Arlington. For us this meant we were slightly ahead on a monthly basis in FCC, even after taxes, than buying a more expensive similar house in Arlington.

Regarding diversity, I was pleasantly surprised to find more racial diversity in FCC than I would have assumed from reading this board. It is true that there is less SES diversity (I think FARMS is about 7-8%, but that's off the top of my head) than much of FCPS or APS. But -- again anecdotally -- I don't see a huge difference in racial diversity between GMHS and Yorktown HS. If diversity is really important I'd give Wakefield a hard look even though scores are lower and people tend to slam it sight-unseen on this board.

If I could sum up most of what I hear into gross generalizations, it would be:

FCC: Small, high quality schools, less diversity, high taxes, getting more popular/overcrowded

* Note that the overcrowding may be less of an issue depending on your timeframe. FCCPS is opening a new, larger K-2 school in fall 2016, which will relieve pressure at both elementary schools. Crowding isn't a major issue at the relatively new middle school. And there are plans to rebuild the high school as well, though that's almost certainly a few years off.

N. Arlington: Larger, high quality schools, low diversity at Yorktown schools, more at W-L and Wakefield, widespread overcrowding and redistricting

Again with the emphasis on "diversity." Please don't assume people share your narrow and peculiar interest there. I've literally never heard of anyone state "diversity" as a criteria when looking for a school. Most people look at test scores, teacher quality. I guess some black people prefer all-black schools -- that's the case in my DC and PG Schools, I guess. But they're generally poor performing -- maybe they're the ones looking to break from homogeneity?

FCC schools do have a good reputation. From what I understand, however, is because it's such a small system that if there's a conflict for any reason you kind of have to live with it or go private. There's no room to transfer.

[Anonymous]

To the PP asking about "county wide choices", in Arlington, these "choice schools" are lottery-based, so there is no guarantee you will get into such a school. In fact, many people do not get into these schools, especially since I think almost all of them give preferences to siblings of those already enrolled. For example, Arlington Traditional School, while very good, is very difficult to get into.

[Anonymous]

I guess 14:45 and I hang around with very different people. For me, diversity is an important factor in choosing (and feeling comfortable with) a school and most people I speak to about school choice feel the same way. I grew up going to school as one of the very few people of my race/ethnicity and I do not want that experience for my family now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess 14:45 and I hang around with very different people. For me, diversity is an important factor in choosing (and feeling comfortable with) a school and most people I speak to about school choice feel the same way. I grew up going to school as one of the very few people of my race/ethnicity and I do not want that experience for my family now.

That certainly explains your unusual emphasis on it. I don't think when people evaluate where to live they consciously search for diversity in schools. It's just a peculiar way of thinking. But I can see how your experience there might make you value it more. Most people are focused on the quality of the school, not the color mix of its students. The exception is most people try to avoid schools with a lot of low SES (i.e. FARMS) because that signals there are probably problems with education quality and allocation of resources.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess 14:45 and I hang around with very different people. For me, diversity is an important factor in choosing (and feeling comfortable with) a school and most people I speak to about school choice feel the same way. I grew up going to school as one of the very few people of my race/ethnicity and I do not want that experience for my family now.

That certainly explains your unusual emphasis on it. I don't think when people evaluate where to live they consciously search for diversity in schools. It's just a peculiar way of thinking. But I can see how your experience there might make you value it more. Most people are focused on the quality of the school, not the color mix of its students. The exception is most people try to avoid schools with a lot of low SES (i.e. FARMS) because that signals there are probably problems with education quality and allocation of resources.

Many people will also avoid school pyramids with little SES diversity. It works in both directions.