Arlington schools

[tburchar]

Hi everyone! I am in desperate need of help regarding schools. We are moving to the area for only 7 or 8 months right after this next school year starts (November 10). Trying to find an area that we can afford while ensuring it's in a good school district is insane!
I narrowed it down to the fairlington/shirlington area to rent and Abingdon elementary is the school zoned. Is this a good choice? I also noticed that ATS and Public school of Montessori look like nice options as well.
Any help would be appreciated.
I have never sent my kids ( needing prek, 1st, and 4th) to a public school so this is all new to me. I would prefer a school that has minimal to no use loads and a strong reading and math program.

Thank you everyone!!

[Anonymous]

*ipads* not loads...

[Anonymous]

ATS and Montessori are lottery schools, and you will never get in for those grades, especially not after missing the lottery (and thus being at the bottom of the waitlist). You’ll have to focus on neighborhood schools.

Abingdon is fine, not the strongest Arlington elementary but probably the best you’ll get for your budget.

[Anonymous]

Highly unlikely those optionschools will be available. APS is a mess right now.

[Anonymous]

Stick with notingham pyramid

[Anonymous]

I have friends in Fairlington with kids at Abington, and they all seem very happy with the school.

What’s your housing budget? Three kids might be tight in the units typically available in Fairlington. Where will you guys be commuting to for work?

[Anonymous]

Don't listen to all the nesayers about S. Arlington schools. Not all of us can afford N. Arlington. Everyone I know at Abingdon is extremely happy with the school and with the community. Fairlington is also a great community to raise kids in. They have a ton of fun community events.

[Anonymous]

for just 7-8 months any elementary school in arlington is just fine. any school in all of northern virginia is, frankly.

[Anonymous]

Remember, public pre-k is not guaranteed or even available for most people, so you will need to sign up for preschool or daycare, depending on your need.

What’s your monthly rental budget and where are your jobs? Ignore most of the crazies on here, but for those grades any Arlington school is fine. Focus on budget and commute.

[Anonymous]

You’ll have to find your own pre-k program privately. 1st graders use iPads minimally; 4th uses them much more as that grade has 1:1 devices. I agree that any school will be fine. You’ll likely be in an apartment for such a short stay so I’d focus on Glebe (staying at Avalon apartments), somewhere in Ballston attending either Ashlawn or Barrett; or stay at the oak wood in falls church city and attend school there.

[Anonymous]

No Arlington elementary school is truly "bad." For less than one school year, I wouldn't stress about it.
Since pre-K programs are not common in Arlington (and the few that are available are probably full and usually have income restrictions), you might want to base your housing search on what private pre-K programs are available to meet your needs.

[Anonymous]

For that short of a time period, any APS school will be generally fine. I would spend your energy applying to a lot of private preschools. There aren't enough preschool spots in Arlington so that's going to be the hard part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For that short of a time period, any APS school will be generally fine. I would spend your energy applying to a lot of private preschools. There aren't enough preschool spots in Arlington so that's going to be the hard part.

I agree with the others, Abington or something similar will serve you well. But good to look into preschool because January is when many of them do their applications and lists for the next school year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For that short of a time period, any APS school will be generally fine. I would spend your energy applying to a lot of private preschools. There aren't enough preschool spots in Arlington so that's going to be the hard part.

I agree with the others, Abington or something similar will serve you well. But good to look into preschool because January is when many of them do their applications and lists for the next school year.

If you work full time and need a full day preK there are several preschools in that area: STEM, Children’s International, Funshine, Trinity School of Early Learning

[tburchar]

Thank you all...our monthly budget is $2700 and I have spent days researching and rent prices are ridiculous!! I focused on Shirlington because I found 3 bedroom townhouses in our rent budget, yet all of the apartments are same price for a 2 bedroom!!!
My husband is military and we will be commuting to Anacostia Bolling in DC. I will need to call and see what the requirements are to get on the list...we qualify income wise for prek, and I was hoping to do only 1 drop off.