Moving to Va - which neighborhood/pyramid for great schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Fairfax is a huge, lumbering, and somewhat decaying county. It's school system is a mixed bag. Tread wisely.


It is still stronger than any other public school system in the DC region, measured by both breadth of programs and average test scores. With OP's budget, they will also have no difficulty finding something in a strong pyramid.

Perhaps, but Arlington schools just seem better. But other threads indicate that S Arlington is going down the tubes


Based on what? Snob appeal? Maybe you should take a look at the recent ratings--USNews, even the VA Governors awards. Where are the Arlington high schools on those lists?

Two-thirds of Arlington's high schools were in the top 20 of US News & World Report. 11 APS schools were 2015 Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) awards. Williamsburg was a 2015 Governor’s Award of Educational Excellence Recipient. http://www.apsva.us//site/Default.aspx?PageID=30073

In 2014, Arlington Public Schools (APS) was the recipient of the prestigious Medallion of Excellence Award presented by the U.S. Senate Productivity and Quality Awards for Virginia and the District of Columbia (SPQA). The Medallion Award is SPQA’s highest award level for performance excellence. Since the award was established in 1983, APS is only the ninth school division in Virginia to receive it and the first school division in nearly a decade to be recognized.
http://www.apsva.us/Page/25718

So, you're just being silly trash-talking Arlington. Sit down and shut up already. You opinion isn't valid.

(1) Six FFX Co. high schools (count 'em) were named before any of the APS high schools (Yorktown being the first at #11) were even named in the US News and World Report.
(2) Williamsburg is NOT a high school. Where are the APS high schools in the Governor's report? Meanwhile, McLean, Woodson and Madison from FFX were all named.
(3) I do not have to resort to ad hominem attacks to make my point. Therefore, I would say that my opinion is more valid than yours.

You didn't make a valid point at all. A higher percentage of Arlington high schools are in the top 20 for USNWR than Fairfax, for one thing. These ratings switch around year-to-year for another thing. You are seriously arguing that there's a whole lot difference between #8 and #12? Yorktown is still a Gold Medal high school, for crying out loud.

You're seriously obnoxious.

As for Williamsburg, it's a middle school. Fairfax also had only one middle school in the entire county (out of 23). I guess you could count Robinson, since it's 7-12, but whatever. A higher percentage of Arlington middle schools got recognition than did Fairfax.

As I said, this is silly. You can cling to whatever metric you wish to try to assuage your insecurity, but to denigrate Arlington just makes you look foolish.

So, no. Your opinion is completely invalid.

Not the PP, but the only poster who looks silly here is you. Grow up, or at least pick your fights more carefully. OP is not asking for information about Arlington. Save this nonsense for another day.

+1. I live in Arlington, but would not look here if I was working in Reston.

You can't just look at where your current job is located, but also where your likely next job will be located. Northern Arlington and souther nMcLean are perfect for commuting to many areas in the area. In the past 20 years, DH or I have had commutes to L'Enfant, Dulles, Bethesda, Tyson's and Van Ness- all were reasonable commutes from the same house. DH' has not changed companies, but his jurisdiction has changed three times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Fairfax is a huge, lumbering, and somewhat decaying county. It's school system is a mixed bag. Tread wisely.


It is still stronger than any other public school system in the DC region, measured by both breadth of programs and average test scores. With OP's budget, they will also have no difficulty finding something in a strong pyramid.

Perhaps, but Arlington schools just seem better. But other threads indicate that S Arlington is going down the tubes


Based on what? Snob appeal? Maybe you should take a look at the recent ratings--USNews, even the VA Governors awards. Where are the Arlington high schools on those lists?

Two-thirds of Arlington's high schools were in the top 20 of US News & World Report. 11 APS schools were 2015 Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) awards. Williamsburg was a 2015 Governor’s Award of Educational Excellence Recipient. http://www.apsva.us//site/Default.aspx?PageID=30073

In 2014, Arlington Public Schools (APS) was the recipient of the prestigious Medallion of Excellence Award presented by the U.S. Senate Productivity and Quality Awards for Virginia and the District of Columbia (SPQA). The Medallion Award is SPQA’s highest award level for performance excellence. Since the award was established in 1983, APS is only the ninth school division in Virginia to receive it and the first school division in nearly a decade to be recognized.
http://www.apsva.us/Page/25718

So, you're just being silly trash-talking Arlington. Sit down and shut up already. You opinion isn't valid.

(1) Six FFX Co. high schools (count 'em) were named before any of the APS high schools (Yorktown being the first at #11) were even named in the US News and World Report.
(2) Williamsburg is NOT a high school. Where are the APS high schools in the Governor's report? Meanwhile, McLean, Woodson and Madison from FFX were all named.
(3) I do not have to resort to ad hominem attacks to make my point. Therefore, I would say that my opinion is more valid than yours.

You didn't make a valid point at all. A higher percentage of Arlington high schools are in the top 20 for USNWR than Fairfax, for one thing. These ratings switch around year-to-year for another thing. You are seriously arguing that there's a whole lot difference between #8 and #12? Yorktown is still a Gold Medal high school, for crying out loud.

You're seriously obnoxious.

As for Williamsburg, it's a middle school. Fairfax also had only one middle school in the entire county (out of 23). I guess you could count Robinson, since it's 7-12, but whatever. A higher percentage of Arlington middle schools got recognition than did Fairfax.

As I said, this is silly. You can cling to whatever metric you wish to try to assuage your insecurity, but to denigrate Arlington just makes you look foolish.

So, no. Your opinion is completely invalid.

Not the PP, but the only poster who looks silly here is you. Grow up, or at least pick your fights more carefully. OP is not asking for information about Arlington. Save this nonsense for another day.

+1. I live in Arlington, but would not look here if I was working in Reston.

You can't just look at where your current job is located, but also where your likely next job will be located. Northern Arlington and souther nMcLean are perfect for commuting to many areas in the area. In the past 20 years, DH or I have had commutes to L'Enfant, Dulles, Bethesda, Tyson's and Van Ness- all were reasonable commutes from the same house. DH' has not changed companies, but his jurisdiction has changed three times.

Sure, some locations are more centrally located than others, but we don't know if OP would even consider other jobs in the area besides the one in Reston.

I would not recommend that the OP pay a premium for a longer commute to Reston from Arlington just because they possibly could end up working in DC some day. Lots of things are possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in Western Loudoun, Purcellville specifically (20132), and moved here because they have all A rated schools from kindergarten through high school. I work in Reston, and my commute is about 30 minutes if I take the Greenway. It used to take me longer when I lived in Great Falls because of all the traffic on Georgetown Pike. The Greenway is expensive but you'll save significantly on real estate vs Ashburn or nearby locations in Fairfax County. While I was thrilled with the schools I was surprised by the increase in my quality of life. This is a very family oriented community, a lot of professionals, and people seem to be much more social than back in Fairfax County.

Maybe if you work the graveyard shift...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Fairfax is a huge, lumbering, and somewhat decaying county. It's school system is a mixed bag. Tread wisely.


It is still stronger than any other public school system in the DC region, measured by both breadth of programs and average test scores. With OP's budget, they will also have no difficulty finding something in a strong pyramid.

Perhaps, but Arlington schools just seem better. But other threads indicate that S Arlington is going down the tubes


Based on what? Snob appeal? Maybe you should take a look at the recent ratings--USNews, even the VA Governors awards. Where are the Arlington high schools on those lists?

Two-thirds of Arlington's high schools were in the top 20 of US News & World Report. 11 APS schools were 2015 Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) awards. Williamsburg was a 2015 Governor’s Award of Educational Excellence Recipient. http://www.apsva.us//site/Default.aspx?PageID=30073

In 2014, Arlington Public Schools (APS) was the recipient of the prestigious Medallion of Excellence Award presented by the U.S. Senate Productivity and Quality Awards for Virginia and the District of Columbia (SPQA). The Medallion Award is SPQA’s highest award level for performance excellence. Since the award was established in 1983, APS is only the ninth school division in Virginia to receive it and the first school division in nearly a decade to be recognized.
http://www.apsva.us/Page/25718

So, you're just being silly trash-talking Arlington. Sit down and shut up already. You opinion isn't valid.

(1) Six FFX Co. high schools (count 'em) were named before any of the APS high schools (Yorktown being the first at #11) were even named in the US News and World Report.
(2) Williamsburg is NOT a high school. Where are the APS high schools in the Governor's report? Meanwhile, McLean, Woodson and Madison from FFX were all named.
(3) I do not have to resort to ad hominem attacks to make my point. Therefore, I would say that my opinion is more valid than yours.

You didn't make a valid point at all. A higher percentage of Arlington high schools are in the top 20 for USNWR than Fairfax, for one thing. These ratings switch around year-to-year for another thing. You are seriously arguing that there's a whole lot difference between #8 and #12? Yorktown is still a Gold Medal high school, for crying out loud.

You're seriously obnoxious.

As for Williamsburg, it's a middle school. Fairfax also had only one middle school in the entire county (out of 23). I guess you could count Robinson, since it's 7-12, but whatever. A higher percentage of Arlington middle schools got recognition than did Fairfax.

As I said, this is silly. You can cling to whatever metric you wish to try to assuage your insecurity, but to denigrate Arlington just makes you look foolish.

So, no. Your opinion is completely invalid.

Not the PP, but the only poster who looks silly here is you. Grow up, or at least pick your fights more carefully. OP is not asking for information about Arlington. Save this nonsense for another day.

+1. I live in Arlington, but would not look here if I was working in Reston.

You can't just look at where your current job is located, but also where your likely next job will be located. Northern Arlington and souther nMcLean are perfect for commuting to many areas in the area. In the past 20 years, DH or I have had commutes to L'Enfant, Dulles, Bethesda, Tyson's and Van Ness- all were reasonable commutes from the same house. DH' has not changed companies, but his jurisdiction has changed three times.

Sure, some locations are more centrally located than others, but we don't know if OP would even consider other jobs in the area besides the one in Reston.

I would not recommend that the OP pay a premium for a longer commute to Reston from Arlington just because they possibly could end up working in DC some day. Lots of things are possible.

Depends on the industry. Most high tech/IT jobs are in the NOVA suburbs, not in D.C.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Sure, some locations are more centrally located than others, but we don't know if OP would even consider other jobs in the area besides the one in Reston.

I would not recommend that the OP pay a premium for a longer commute to Reston from Arlington just because they possibly could end up working in DC some day. Lots of things are possible.

Depends on the industry. Most high tech/IT jobs are in the NOVA suburbs, not in D.C.

+1 I'm very happy living in Arlington but if I were moving to the area for a job in Reston I wouldn't buy here. You live in Arlington because you want to be closer to DC (I work in DC and DH splits time between Reston and DC). No reason to pay that premium when you could live farther out. Both districts have good schools to choose from.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the industry. Most high tech/IT jobs are in the NOVA suburbs, not in D.C.

+10000 Tysons, Reston, and Chantilly

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Depends on the industry. Most high tech/IT jobs are in the NOVA suburbs, not in D.C.

+10000 Tysons, Reston, and Chantilly

And the 270 corridor.

[Anonymous]

OP, I think you will love living in Reston. We do. Stick to North Reston, though. You have the $ for it, schools are very good (Aldrin and Armstrong Elementary), and its just lovely. $850 will get you a great SFH in a great, walkable neighborhood and a 5 minute commute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I think you will love living in Reston. We do. Stick to North Reston, though. You have the $ for it, schools are very good (Aldrin and Armstrong Elementary), and its just lovely. $850 will get you a great SFH in a great, walkable neighborhood and a 5 minute commute.

North Reston ??

What high schools would they go to ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I think you will love living in Reston. We do. Stick to North Reston, though. You have the $ for it, schools are very good (Aldrin and Armstrong Elementary), and its just lovely. $850 will get you a great SFH in a great, walkable neighborhood and a 5 minute commute.

North Reston ??

What high schools would they go to ?

and What middle schools would they go to ? How are they rated..?

[Anonymous]

Avoid Reston. You'll be at Herndon MS and Herndon HS or The reston MS (name escapes me) and south Lakes HS.

[Anonymous]

Avoid Reston. You'll be at Herndon MS and Herndon HS or The reston MS (name escapes me) and south Lakes HS.

There are great students and great teachers at all of those schools. I personally do not care for the IB program (South Lakes) but that is a personal opinion.

I know families from both schools and they are quite happy with them. Just because they are diverse does not make them bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Avoid Reston. You'll be at Herndon MS and Herndon HS or The reston MS (name escapes me) and south Lakes HS.

You're so knowledgeable that you don't know the name of Hughes MS and can't bother to find out? Lazy and stupid is no way to go through life, son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I think you will love living in Reston. We do. Stick to North Reston, though. You have the $ for it, schools are very good (Aldrin and Armstrong Elementary), and its just lovely. $850 will get you a great SFH in a great, walkable neighborhood and a 5 minute commute.

Are you going to send your kids to Herndon ms and hs or are you going to go private?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I think you will love living in Reston. We do. Stick to North Reston, though. You have the $ for it, schools are very good (Aldrin and Armstrong Elementary), and its just lovely. $850 will get you a great SFH in a great, walkable neighborhood and a 5 minute commute.

Are you going to send your kids to Herndon ms and hs or are you going to go private?

+1 Herndon Middle School, Herndon HS, and South Lakes HS are all poorly rated schools.