Lower rated schools in Falls Church and Arlington

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I consult greatschool all the time. Yes, we all know that greatschools is not the authority, so why repeat it again.
Still, wouldn't buy anywhere near a school rated lower than 7 and would be weary of 10. I don't know too many 10s and we are not rich enough to live in these neighborhoods that have schools rated 10.
One kids goes to school rated 8 in DC. I love the school and so does DS.
Our younger DC is entering one rated 9. I'm a little worried about that one because neighbor said the parents there are " too much".
We do live in DC right now, but are planning to move out in 5 years or so since DH works in Va and we'd like to shorten his commute. I'm looking at houses in Burke, W.Springfield, Oakton, Vienna, Fairfax, Annandale and Falls Church.
After looking at the house, I scroll down to the IB schools. Low rated schools and I'm done looking at the house. We put schools ahead of the house.
We are uncomfortable with diversity. Well, at least with the one where kids talk trash. I grew up talking trash and I don't want that for my children. Hasn't served me well at all.
Not afraid of the Spanish speaking children at all since our child speaks Spanish (his father is from SA, I'm from EE). We have actually found that many lower income children with whom we have come in contact are losing their Spanish kills or hiding them just to fit in.
Because of the schools, we are not ready to buy our forever home. We'd rather be ready to move for the best fit and will enjoy our forever home when kids are in college.

Op your kids are in preschool? Yes?
Waiting for them to be in college to buy a house is a terrible idea. South Arlington will have much more significantly gentrified ( it's already part way there) by that time. THe smart move is to buy into the area before it turns. The schools are good and safe. You can wait for it to be whiter and wealthier, but then you'll likely be priced out.
Keep your ear to the ground and try and buy into a block that isn't currently, but will be zoned Henry ( after the move). You might be able to score a deal before and extra 150k gets baked into the price.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Stay away from the poorly rated schools in Falls Church (Fairfax County). We bought our house before kids and aren't afraid of "diversity" so stayed. It hasn't been a great experience. A majority of the kids are behind academically, and as you get into middle school, there are physical fights etc. Many of our neighbors with kids have moved. We're planning on moving next spring. My opinion is based on experience, not great schools rating. There are a lot of issues faced by ESOL/low SES kids, and unfortunately it impacts other kids in the school when the ESOL/low SES kids are the majority. Also, buying for elementary and then moving is hard on kids, so I'd avoid doing that. Good luck with making your decision.

If you think higher SES schools don't have fights or bullying, you are in for a rude awakening.

I don't think that, but the physical fighting is more prevalent in lower SES schools. Bullying is all over and drugs are more prevalent in higher SES schools. Low academics and physical altercations are deal breakers for me. I think I'm more able to influence my kids on making good choices about saying no to drugs. I'm sure there are people who have good experiences in lower SES schools, but the combination of the low SES and high ESOL places a burden on the schools and teachers. I'm only telling the OP my opinion based on my experience. I think there are many posters who have no experience with lower SES/high ESOL schools who always chime in to say the PC "all schools are good if your child isn't poor." If the schools and peers don't matter, I'm not sure why people care if their kids go to Harvard vs. community college. I'm not a bigot, I'm fine with my kids having friends of different races and SES, I have just found that having a school with over 60 percent FARMS and high percentage of ESOL impacts the quality of the academics at the school.

You know those movies... Stand and Deliver, Lean on Me, and Dangerous Minds?

Yeah, we don't have the equivalent in Northern Virginia. There is so much stupidity to unpack in your post, and I'm very busy. I will say, if you don't understand the difference between community college and Harvard... I don't think there is any reasoning with you.

No, I do understand the difference between Harvard and community college. I also understand that when a school is over 60 percent FARMS and high ESOL, there is a significant negative impact on the academics. I'm telling OP my experience. Of course your opinion of my experience is more valid You can be as condescending as you would like, it doesn't change my opinion or my experience. It's up to Op to read the posts and make an informed decision. How about you tell OP your personal experience with low SES schools and rebut my post that way instead of resorting to saying how much stupidity there is in my post.

I've done arts programming in Stuart, Robinson, Lake Braddock, and Wakefield. The kids were remarkably similar in all four schools. Nice kids. We will be sending our kid to Wakefield ( in about 10 years ), and have no reservations. We think it's an excellent school and will provide plenty of opportunities for our kid to excel.
So, where was this school with constant hallway brawls, and barely literate students?

I'm not sure where you got the bolded language from. I said there was a higher incidence of physical altercation, and that high FARMS and high ESOL adversely impact the academics of a school. The middle school I'm referring to is Glasgow. I'm glad, based on your experience you would send your kid to Wakefield. Based on my experience, I don't recommend Glasgow. Good for you for thinking that the only bad schools are the ones with constant hallway brawls, and barely literate students. I guess we have different standards, and I'm OK with that.

No, you have an imaginary narrative about inner city schools, and one bad experience. Kids can have a bad experience anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stay away from the poorly rated schools in Falls Church (Fairfax County). We bought our house before kids and aren't afraid of "diversity" so stayed. It hasn't been a great experience. A majority of the kids are behind academically, and as you get into middle school, there are physical fights etc. Many of our neighbors with kids have moved. We're planning on moving next spring. My opinion is based on experience, not great schools rating. There are a lot of issues faced by ESOL/low SES kids, and unfortunately it impacts other kids in the school when the ESOL/low SES kids are the majority. Also, buying for elementary and then moving is hard on kids, so I'd avoid doing that. Good luck with making your decision.

If you think higher SES schools don't have fights or bullying, you are in for a rude awakening.

Higher SES schools likely do not have groups of kids speaking in Spanish speaking badly ("talking trash") about the white non-Spanish speaking kids, who are a small minority of the school.

Well, welcome to life. White non-Spanish speaking individuals are going to be a minority in this country within a generation or less. Best to get used to it and accept the reality rather than futilely rage against it. Maybe start brushing up on your Spanish, and make sure your kids are learning it early and that they become accustomed to being a racial/ethnic minority.

Sure, I will share your prescient advice with my 5 yo Kindergartner. I will also share she is simply going to die eventually, so get over it already.

Do you hear yourself? You are likening the experience of being a racial/ethnic minority to DEATH. You need some self-reflection, stat. Perhaps if you allow your child the opportunity to experience the real world, and not just some artificial bubble of privilege, they won't hyperventilate at the thought of being a minority. Are you the same poster lamenting the dwindling number of natural blondes in the DC area? Ist, dass Sie mein Fuhrer?

[Anonymous]

... And off the rails.

Op never came back.
Well played troll.

[Anonymous]

I prefer the sign in front of the school to only be in English

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stay away from the poorly rated schools in Falls Church (Fairfax County). We bought our house before kids and aren't afraid of "diversity" so stayed. It hasn't been a great experience. A majority of the kids are behind academically, and as you get into middle school, there are physical fights etc. Many of our neighbors with kids have moved. We're planning on moving next spring. My opinion is based on experience, not great schools rating. There are a lot of issues faced by ESOL/low SES kids, and unfortunately it impacts other kids in the school when the ESOL/low SES kids are the majority. Also, buying for elementary and then moving is hard on kids, so I'd avoid doing that. Good luck with making your decision.

If you think higher SES schools don't have fights or bullying, you are in for a rude awakening.

I don't think that, but the physical fighting is more prevalent in lower SES schools. Bullying is all over and drugs are more prevalent in higher SES schools. Low academics and physical altercations are deal breakers for me. I think I'm more able to influence my kids on making good choices about saying no to drugs. I'm sure there are people who have good experiences in lower SES schools, but the combination of the low SES and high ESOL places a burden on the schools and teachers. I'm only telling the OP my opinion based on my experience. I think there are many posters who have no experience with lower SES/high ESOL schools who always chime in to say the PC "all schools are good if your child isn't poor." If the schools and peers don't matter, I'm not sure why people care if their kids go to Harvard vs. community college. I'm not a bigot, I'm fine with my kids having friends of different races and SES, I have just found that having a school with over 60 percent FARMS and high percentage of ESOL impacts the quality of the academics at the school.

Great post. We had a similar experience (in Annandale).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stay away from the poorly rated schools in Falls Church (Fairfax County). We bought our house before kids and aren't afraid of "diversity" so stayed. It hasn't been a great experience. A majority of the kids are behind academically, and as you get into middle school, there are physical fights etc. Many of our neighbors with kids have moved. We're planning on moving next spring. My opinion is based on experience, not great schools rating. There are a lot of issues faced by ESOL/low SES kids, and unfortunately it impacts other kids in the school when the ESOL/low SES kids are the majority. Also, buying for elementary and then moving is hard on kids, so I'd avoid doing that. Good luck with making your decision.

If you think higher SES schools don't have fights or bullying, you are in for a rude awakening.

I don't think that, but the physical fighting is more prevalent in lower SES schools. Bullying is all over and drugs are more prevalent in higher SES schools. Low academics and physical altercations are deal breakers for me. I think I'm more able to influence my kids on making good choices about saying no to drugs. I'm sure there are people who have good experiences in lower SES schools, but the combination of the low SES and high ESOL places a burden on the schools and teachers. I'm only telling the OP my opinion based on my experience. I think there are many posters who have no experience with lower SES/high ESOL schools who always chime in to say the PC "all schools are good if your child isn't poor." If the schools and peers don't matter, I'm not sure why people care if their kids go to Harvard vs. community college. I'm not a bigot, I'm fine with my kids having friends of different races and SES, I have just found that having a school with over 60 percent FARMS and high percentage of ESOL impacts the quality of the academics at the school.

Great post. We had a similar experience (in Annandale).

all those Koreans just freaked you out? Let me guess, too much violin practice?

[Anonymous]

I think PP doesn't understand that many of the Annandale elementary schools are now either majority or plurality Hispanic. The schools with the most Koreans are further west in Centreville, Chantilly and Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think PP doesn't understand that many of the Annandale elementary schools are now either majority or plurality Hispanic. The schools with the most Koreans are further west in Centreville, Chantilly and Fairfax.

And no one wants their kids in class with a bunch of Hispanics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You really shouldn't consult GreatSchools. It's not a reliable arbiter of school quality.

Wrong. Great schools has been extremely accurate about every school my kid has gone to.

That's probably confirmation bias. GreatSchools thinks my kid's school is a 10, and let me tell you -- it's not.

People generally don't view GreatSchools as credible.

DCUMer do. They base home buying decisions on these ratings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think PP doesn't understand that many of the Annandale elementary schools are now either majority or plurality Hispanic. The schools with the most Koreans are further west in Centreville, Chantilly and Fairfax.

I think the pp is trying to quiet any opinion that isn't positive about lower SES schools by making snide remarks. I think it should be ok for people to post their experiences without other posters bashing the poster. It would be great if people who disagreed would just post their own contrary experiences without saying things like how much stupidity is in a post. I posted my opinion because I wish I had gotten feed back before purchasing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You really shouldn't consult GreatSchools. It's not a reliable arbiter of school quality.

Wrong. Great schools has been extremely accurate about every school my kid has gone to.

That's probably confirmation bias. GreatSchools thinks my kid's school is a 10, and let me tell you -- it's not.

People generally don't view GreatSchools as credible.

DCUMer do. They base home buying decisions on these ratings.

Live behind a GS 2 elementary school. My property value has only pushed up up up. I guess most people aren't deterred.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think PP doesn't understand that many of the Annandale elementary schools are now either majority or plurality Hispanic. The schools with the most Koreans are further west in Centreville, Chantilly and Fairfax.

I think the pp is trying to quiet any opinion that isn't positive about lower SES schools by making snide remarks. I think it should be ok for people to post their experiences without other posters bashing the poster. It would be great if people who disagreed would just post their own contrary experiences without saying things like how much stupidity is in a post. I posted my opinion because I wish I had gotten feed back before purchasing.

Your experiences aren't stupid. Now, the conclusions you've drawn... Well, that's something else entirely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stay away from the poorly rated schools in Falls Church (Fairfax County). We bought our house before kids and aren't afraid of "diversity" so stayed. It hasn't been a great experience. A majority of the kids are behind academically, and as you get into middle school, there are physical fights etc. Many of our neighbors with kids have moved. We're planning on moving next spring. My opinion is based on experience, not great schools rating. There are a lot of issues faced by ESOL/low SES kids, and unfortunately it impacts other kids in the school when the ESOL/low SES kids are the majority. Also, buying for elementary and then moving is hard on kids, so I'd avoid doing that. Good luck with making your decision.

If you think higher SES schools don't have fights or bullying, you are in for a rude awakening.

I don't think that, but the physical fighting is more prevalent in lower SES schools. Bullying is all over and drugs are more prevalent in higher SES schools. Low academics and physical altercations are deal breakers for me. I think I'm more able to influence my kids on making good choices about saying no to drugs. I'm sure there are people who have good experiences in lower SES schools, but the combination of the low SES and high ESOL places a burden on the schools and teachers. I'm only telling the OP my opinion based on my experience. I think there are many posters who have no experience with lower SES/high ESOL schools who always chime in to say the PC "all schools are good if your child isn't poor." If the schools and peers don't matter, I'm not sure why people care if their kids go to Harvard vs. community college. I'm not a bigot, I'm fine with my kids having friends of different races and SES, I have just found that having a school with over 60 percent FARMS and high percentage of ESOL impacts the quality of the academics at the school.

Great post. We had a similar experience (in Annandale).

I do believe there is some value in GS, but only when it comes to the extreme ends of the rating scale. I think the 1-2s and 9-10s are legitimate as a measure for assessing quality. Its the middle batch (3-8) that IMO, really aren't all that different from each other in terms of the quality of education. Will your DC really be negatively impacted if he/she goes to a 3 rated school vs 6 rated school. Also, what happens when your 8 school drops to a 5 (happened to a number of my friends)? Time to move? Rubbish. My advice: speak to parents and visit the schools in the neighborhoods you are interested in settling in. We are so glad we did this. We saved thousands of dollars we did not have trying to squeeze into a Falls Church, N. Arlington, or McLean.

You want to talk about peer groups? My DS, who is at West Point now, recently graduated from a 3 rated HS (it actually increased to 3 while she was there). She also got accepted into one Ivy, and a number of very good schools. She was one of about 20 white kids who graduated from her school this year, which is mostly made up of Latinos and AAs. Most of the kids in her school struggled academically. She mostly gravitated towards higher performing students as part of her "circle". The thing is, people generally hang out with people similar to themselves. Even low rated schools have very bright kids. Most of her friends were low income AAs (not sure why not latinos) who, in some cases, outperformed her academically. Her "peers" went to respectable schools like UVA, W&M and Duke. They were anomalies in her school, no doubt, but her peer group was good enough.

Class disruptions?
There were occasional behavior incidents in class, and she even had one girl try to "bully" her on Snapchat. But it was nothing worth pulling her out over. And nothing we have not heard from our friends in wealthy areas. The teachers were excellent, the extras were good, and she excelled. If anything, it helped build character. She's extremely sensitive to racial issues (e.g. Freddie Gray case/police brutality), and even went to D.C. to protest last summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think PP doesn't understand that many of the Annandale elementary schools are now either majority or plurality Hispanic. The schools with the most Koreans are further west in Centreville, Chantilly and Fairfax.

I think the pp is trying to quiet any opinion that isn't positive about lower SES schools by making snide remarks. I think it should be ok for people to post their experiences without other posters bashing the poster. It would be great if people who disagreed would just post their own contrary experiences without saying things like how much stupidity is in a post. I posted my opinion because I wish I had gotten feed back before purchasing.

Your experiences aren't stupid. Now, the conclusions you've drawn... Well, that's something else entirely.

The conclusion that academics are affected by over 60 percent FARMS and high ESOL is stupid? Ok You clearly have no grounding in reality, and are too emotionally invested in the topic to have a rational exchange. Keep spouting your rudeness, and I'll move on as I've already responded to OP's request for feedback.