Moving to DC - Murch or Eaton (or other?)

[AWL]

We're moving to DC from overseas and our oldest will start kindergarten in the fall. We also have a 2 year old and one on the way.

We're looking at rentals in Murch and Eaton districts (there aren't many!) and I wondered if anyone had thoughts on those schools and neighborhoods. We can't visit ahead of time unfortunately -- too far away.

My biggest concern about Eaton is that it's in a transitional space until the new facility is built. How is that for the kids? And other general thoughts about the quality of the school?

My concern with Murch is that it's big - do kids get the attention they need and can it be overwhelming for the smaller ones?

Then on neighborhoods, Cleveland Park seems like it might have more commercial activity and is slightly easier for commuting downtown, but Forest Hills seems like it has a few interesting spots and a nice community vibe overall (although I'm a little worried about moving somewhere too suburban..) Do people have strong opinions about either place?

Thanks so much for your thoughts!!

[Anonymous]

Key ES in the Palisades!

[Anonymous]

Murch is a wonderful community and there would likely be more rentals in that area with a bit more variety. Forest Hills itself is a bit suburban but other parts of the Murch district are not as much, and all of the Murch district is walkable to a few different shopping areas. We found Murch to be a good manageable size but I suppose it depends on your kid.

[Anonymous]

They are both excellent schools. With housing as hard to find as it is, focus on that and know you will be in a great school either way (also for Hearst, which covers some of Cleveland Park too). Swing space can be a pain but not a big deal at all to the kids, and the year will go by quickly (we did 2 years in the swing space that Eaton is in now and it was fine...and then it’s so nice to get the brand new facility once it’s done). PK and K at Murch are sort of separate from the older grades (different playground, enter the school on the other side of the building, classrooms in one area of the ground floor) and I think that’s by design to help the younger ones adjust to elementary school. But then they also do a lot of mixing at school wide events and there are “buddy classes” where older kids come in and read, etc. my daughter in K was so proud of having her “friends” in 5th grade who would say hi to her.

[Anonymous]

You’ll have more housing options in Forest Hills. The neighborhood is metro accessible and just a mile or two from Cleveland Park, so not a big deal. The neighborhood has the best bakery in DC and is close to both the Van Ness Commercial strip and the Tenleytown strip. There’s a great playground too.

[Anonymous]

Not Eaton. The school is currently under construction, so they've put the kids in a temporary "swing space" at another nearby site. Frankly, the temporary facility looks like a jail.

[Anonymous]

Also, if you're worried about the size of Murch, just know that the new Eaton will be larger than the original. They are expanding the size of the school so that they can take a lot more out-of-boundary kids. I have no issue with OOB kids, but if you're hoping for a "small school" setting then it won't be the new Eaton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, if you're worried about the size of Murch, just know that the new Eaton will be larger than the original. They are expanding the size of the school so that they can take a lot more out-of-boundary kids. I have no issue with OOB kids, but if you're hoping for a "small school" setting then it won't be the new Eaton.

Plus, Ethan is the designated school for the Ward 3 family homeless shelter. That’s fine in many ways, but those at-risk kids likely will have special needs which will require a lot of teacher resources and there will be lots of classroom turnover. Finally Murch feeds to the best middle school, Deal. Eaton feeds to second tier Hardy MS.

[Anonymous]

I would not worry that the community around Murch is too suburban. The area around Eaton and Murch are not fundamentally different.

A few points to consider:
Eaton - If you are going to live off of CT avenue - and walk uphill to school, with young kids, it can be a pain. [I am imagining someone pushing a double stroller with another child walking or scootering.

Murch - ease to get to school / to metro easier as the area around there is flat. Also - there is a daycare right across the street.

[Anonymous]

Murch is a big school with a small school feel to it. Very friendly place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, if you're worried about the size of Murch, just know that the new Eaton will be larger than the original. They are expanding the size of the school so that they can take a lot more out-of-boundary kids. I have no issue with OOB kids, but if you're hoping for a "small school" setting then it won't be the new Eaton.

Plus, Ethan is the designated school for the Ward 3 family homeless shelter. That’s fine in many ways, but those at-risk kids likely will have special needs which will require a lot of teacher resources and there will be lots of classroom turnover. Finally Murch feeds to the best middle school, Deal. Eaton feeds to second tier Hardy MS.

Wow. Love these friendly WOTP people. I'd actually suggest Eaton based on this feedback, so your kid can be less of an asshole when they grow up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not Eaton. The school is currently under construction, so they've put the kids in a temporary "swing space" at another nearby site. Frankly, the temporary facility looks like a jail.

Doesn’t sound like you have actually been there or are connected with Eaton.

OP, the schools are comparable with a few differences that may or may not be important to you or your children. Within the boundaries of both schools you will find a variety of housing including SFHs/duplexes/condos/apts and depending on where you are, can be pretty close to metro and basic shopping and restaurants. As for the schools, Eaton is undergoing a reno but the swing space (I have been there) is fine esp for one year with the promise of a fully renovated school after. Murch which occupied the same swing space (with no particularly alarming effects on the kids) was renovated in 2016-2018. Going forward, Eaton will be larger but not as large as Murch. Murch has a larger outdoor space. I cannot compare the interior spaces (gym, cafe, etc) since I haven’t seen the plans for Eaton. Murch feeds to Deal MS, Eaton to Hardy. Both are fine. Deal has a bit better rep right now but plenty of people prefer the smaller and less crowded atmosphere at Hardy. By the time your kids are in MS, things will likely be different.

GL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, if you're worried about the size of Murch, just know that the new Eaton will be larger than the original. They are expanding the size of the school so that they can take a lot more out-of-boundary kids. I have no issue with OOB kids, but if you're hoping for a "small school" setting then it won't be the new Eaton.

Plus, Ethan is the designated school for the Ward 3 family homeless shelter. That’s fine in many ways, but those at-risk kids likely will have special needs which will require a lot of teacher resources and there will be lots of classroom turnover. Finally Murch feeds to the best middle school, Deal. Eaton feeds to second tier Hardy MS.

Wow. Love these friendly WOTP people. I'd actually suggest Eaton based on this feedback, so your kid can be less of an asshole when they grow up.

And you assume the PPs are WOTP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, if you're worried about the size of Murch, just know that the new Eaton will be larger than the original. They are expanding the size of the school so that they can take a lot more out-of-boundary kids. I have no issue with OOB kids, but if you're hoping for a "small school" setting then it won't be the new Eaton.

Plus, Ethan is the designated school for the Ward 3 family homeless shelter. That’s fine in many ways, but those at-risk kids likely will have special needs which will require a lot of teacher resources and there will be lots of classroom turnover. Finally Murch feeds to the best middle school, Deal. Eaton feeds to second tier Hardy MS.

You must know a whole lot about the families who have yet to move into the shelter.
OP, Hardy will be number 1 middle school by the time your child goes to 6th grade.
Concentrate on finding a good rental. We hate our building (we own) which has ended up being much bigger problem that the schools in upper NW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, if you're worried about the size of Murch, just know that the new Eaton will be larger than the original. They are expanding the size of the school so that they can take a lot more out-of-boundary kids. I have no issue with OOB kids, but if you're hoping for a "small school" setting then it won't be the new Eaton.

Plus, Ethan is the designated school for the Ward 3 family homeless shelter. That’s fine in many ways, but those at-risk kids likely will have special needs which will require a lot of teacher resources and there will be lots of classroom turnover. Finally Murch feeds to the best middle school, Deal. Eaton feeds to second tier Hardy MS.

Ugh this attitude is so gross. You live in a city, in a community, and you have a chance to show grace to those who have less than you. Too bad you choose the opposite.