Elementary School Recommendations for Family moving to DC from Australia

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shepherd Park is a nice neighborhood, but OP should be aware that buying there would mean that her kids have to cross the park (by car or bus) in order to get to middle and high school. Same for her if she works in Georgetown. Commute-wise, it would be better for all of them if they live west of the park.

Also, while Shepherd Elementary is fine, it is not on par with the Deal and Hardy feeders west of the park.

OP Here: Thank you very much for this advice. Which park should we be west of? Thanks!

As the other PP said, it's Rock Creek Park that runs north-south through the city. Due to Washington's history of segregation, the areas west of RCP (WOTP) are the historically whiter, wealthier ones, where the public schools have a longer history of upper middle class attendance and are therefore generally high performing. They are more suburban in character and have lower levels of violent crime. They are also the areas where upper middle class international families tend to gravitate, partly due to the fact that most embassies are west of the park, but there are also many international transplants in those neighborhoods who have no connections to the embassies.

Neighborhoods east of RCP (EOTP) will be more urban, more racially diverse, have more crime, and generally lower performing schools (although there are some high performing schools EOTP as well). This is not to say that they are unsafe (most are not), but there is definitely more violent crime than WOTP if you look at the statistics (google DC crime map if this is of concern to you). Some neighborhoods EOTP are also rather suburban, but many will be more interesting in terms of restaurants and bars and have more of a feel of being in the city.

Since the best public middle schools and the only good public high school in DC are WOTP, I would recommend settling there. Yes, it is true that there is a dedicated bus that takes kids to Deal/Wilson from feeder neighborhoods EOTP, but if you live in AU Park/Tenleytown, or in the eastern parts of Chevy Chase DC, your kids will be able to walk or bike to school, which in my opinion is invaluable.

I live EOTP and generally agree with this summary of things. However, I would say that there is a fair amount of international diversity in some EOTP neighborhoods too--perhaps more so now than in years past. For example, I can think of neighbors who speak French, Spanish, German, Italian, Swahili, Amharic, Finnish, etc. in ours. Also have neighbors from anglophone countries (UK, Caribbean, etc.).

I realized I can't think of anyone from Australia or New Zealand, though--but lots of other parts of the world represented.

[Anonymous]

This is the most depressing thread ever. For all the rah raving about diversity and picking on posters who want high performance and diversity, when it comes down to it everyone merely pushes the rich white wannabe suburbs known as WOTP?? Screw that.

This OP has been looking in Takoma and Brookland. Stop steering them toward the elites. OP, I’m in Brookland and it’s great. You can try the lottery and have a pathway. If it’s a no go, move to Takoma Park. Skip the snooty NW and it’s oh so diverse World Bank employees and share the true diversity of DC with your children as much as you can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shepherd Park is a nice neighborhood, but OP should be aware that buying there would mean that her kids have to cross the park (by car or bus) in order to get to middle and high school. Same for her if she works in Georgetown. Commute-wise, it would be better for all of them if they live west of the park.

Also, while Shepherd Elementary is fine, it is not on par with the Deal and Hardy feeders west of the park.

OP Here: Thank you very much for this advice. Which park should we be west of? Thanks!

As the other PP said, it's Rock Creek Park that runs north-south through the city. Due to Washington's history of segregation, the areas west of RCP (WOTP) are the historically whiter, wealthier ones, where the public schools have a longer history of upper middle class attendance and are therefore generally high performing. They are more suburban in character and have lower levels of violent crime. They are also the areas where upper middle class international families tend to gravitate, partly due to the fact that most embassies are west of the park, but there are also many international transplants in those neighborhoods who have no connections to the embassies.

Neighborhoods east of RCP (EOTP) will be more urban, more racially diverse, have more crime, and generally lower performing schools (although there are some high performing schools EOTP as well). This is not to say that they are unsafe (most are not), but there is definitely more violent crime than WOTP if you look at the statistics (google DC crime map if this is of concern to you). Some neighborhoods EOTP are also rather suburban, but many will be more interesting in terms of restaurants and bars and have more of a feel of being in the city.

PP again. One other minor sticking point--not all EOTP neighborhoods have higher crime rates than WOTP. On the crime "heat" maps, our neighborhood is the same color (green) as WOTP. However, it is true that we are closer to higher crime areas than WOTP, so if that's a significant concern, then WOTP is definitely a better bet.

Since the best public middle schools and the only good public high school in DC are WOTP, I would recommend settling there. Yes, it is true that there is a dedicated bus that takes kids to Deal/Wilson from feeder neighborhoods EOTP, but if you live in AU Park/Tenleytown, or in the eastern parts of Chevy Chase DC, your kids will be able to walk or bike to school, which in my opinion is invaluable.

I live EOTP and generally agree with this summary of things. However, I would say that there is a fair amount of international diversity in some EOTP neighborhoods too--perhaps more so now than in years past. For example, I can think of neighbors who speak French, Spanish, German, Italian, Swahili, Amharic, Finnish, etc. in ours. Also have neighbors from anglophone countries (UK, Caribbean, etc.).

I realized I can't think of anyone from Australia or New Zealand, though--but lots of other parts of the world represented.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shepherd Park is a nice neighborhood, but OP should be aware that buying there would mean that her kids have to cross the park (by car or bus) in order to get to middle and high school. Same for her if she works in Georgetown. Commute-wise, it would be better for all of them if they live west of the park.

Also, while Shepherd Elementary is fine, it is not on par with the Deal and Hardy feeders west of the park.

OP Here: Thank you very much for this advice. Which park should we be west of? Thanks!

As the other PP said, it's Rock Creek Park that runs north-south through the city. Due to Washington's history of segregation, the areas west of RCP (WOTP) are the historically whiter, wealthier ones, where the public schools have a longer history of upper middle class attendance and are therefore generally high performing. They are more suburban in character and have lower levels of violent crime. They are also the areas where upper middle class international families tend to gravitate, partly due to the fact that most embassies are west of the park, but there are also many international transplants in those neighborhoods who have no connections to the embassies.

Neighborhoods east of RCP (EOTP) will be more urban, more racially diverse, have more crime, and generally lower performing schools (although there are some high performing schools EOTP as well). This is not to say that they are unsafe (most are not), but there is definitely more violent crime than WOTP if you look at the statistics (google DC crime map if this is of concern to you). Some neighborhoods EOTP are also rather suburban, but many will be more interesting in terms of restaurants and bars and have more of a feel of being in the city.

Since the best public middle schools and the only good public high school in DC are WOTP, I would recommend settling there. Yes, it is true that there is a dedicated bus that takes kids to Deal/Wilson from feeder neighborhoods EOTP, but if you live in AU Park/Tenleytown, or in the eastern parts of Chevy Chase DC, your kids will be able to walk or bike to school, which in my opinion is invaluable.

I live EOTP and generally agree with this summary of things. However, I would say that there is a fair amount of international diversity in some EOTP neighborhoods too--perhaps more so now than in years past. For example, I can think of neighbors who speak French, Spanish, German, Italian, Swahili, Amharic, Finnish, etc. in ours. Also have neighbors from anglophone countries (UK, Caribbean, etc.).

I realized I can't think of anyone from Australia or New Zealand, though--but lots of other parts of the world represented.

PP again. One other minor sticking point--not all EOTP neighborhoods have higher crime rates than WOTP. On the crime "heat" maps, our neighborhood is the same color (green) as WOTP. However, it is true that we are closer to higher crime areas than WOTP, so if that's a significant concern, then WOTP is definitely a better bet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the most depressing thread ever. For all the rah raving about diversity and picking on posters who want high performance and diversity, when it comes down to it everyone merely pushes the rich white wannabe suburbs known as WOTP?? Screw that.

This OP has been looking in Takoma and Brookland. Stop steering them toward the elites. OP, I’m in Brookland and it’s great. You can try the lottery and have a pathway. If it’s a no go, move to Takoma Park. Skip the snooty NW and it’s oh so diverse World Bank employees and share the true diversity of DC with your children as much as you can.

a) OP wants a guarantee, not the lottery. She can afford $1.25m for a house, so she can afford to live where the highest-performing schools are located.
b) "move to Takoma Park...and share the true diversity of DC" makes no sense since Takoma Park is in Maryland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aussie here. I don’t know what your commute would be like but perhaps worth looking at inner suburbs of Maryland. We are in the Bannockburn neighbourhood, a very wooded area and pretty international due to large numbers of World Bank families. Excellent primary, middle and high schools but car reliant. If you like the walkability of inner city Melbourne then you could look at Somerset and Chevy Chase. With all my recommendations, there are interesting well-travelled people and good schools but they definitely would lack the vibrant and funky vibe of where you currently live.

I know... we are giving up something pretty spectacular leaving here I'm afraid. Currently on the Northcote/ Fitzroy North border here in Melbourne and my children attend school in Princes Hill. We are so happy with this inner north lifestyle. But, I just can't find a place in America that replicates it. So, I'm prioritising schools and our jobs first. It's going to be really hard to leave.

[Anonymous]

OP. Good luck on your upcoming move. One factor to include in your review should be an evaluation of the reaction of administration to beefing. Not sure about Australia, but you definitely see beefing going in DC, both WOTP and OTP. Look l for an administration that is willing to call beefing out as beefing and can launch an anti-beefing agenda into action. You need to look at all kinds of beefing— between teachers and parents, between kids and even among parents — to get the full story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the most depressing thread ever. For all the rah raving about diversity and picking on posters who want high performance and diversity, when it comes down to it everyone merely pushes the rich white wannabe suburbs known as WOTP?? Screw that.

This OP has been looking in Takoma and Brookland. Stop steering them toward the elites. OP, I’m in Brookland and it’s great. You can try the lottery and have a pathway. If it’s a no go, move to Takoma Park. Skip the snooty NW and it’s oh so diverse World Bank employees and share the true diversity of DC with your children as much as you can.

I have lived in AU Park and EotP. I will take my EoTP neighborhood hands down. We are far happier EotP than in AU Park. I agree with you! FWIW, the crime is the same in both neighborhoods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the most depressing thread ever. For all the rah raving about diversity and picking on posters who want high performance and diversity, when it comes down to it everyone merely pushes the rich white wannabe suburbs known as WOTP?? Screw that.

This OP has been looking in Takoma and Brookland. Stop steering them toward the elites. OP, I’m in Brookland and it’s great. You can try the lottery and have a pathway. If it’s a no go, move to Takoma Park. Skip the snooty NW and it’s oh so diverse World Bank employees and share the true diversity of DC with your children as much as you can.

a) OP wants a guarantee, not the lottery. She can afford $1.25m for a house, so she can afford to live where the highest-performing schools are located.
b) "move to Takoma Park...and share the true diversity of DC" makes no sense since Takoma Park is in Maryland.

And OP is smart to want a guarantee. She already has school age kids. It's not clear she would even be able to do the lottery for the first year. Even if she could, she would have ONE shot. It would be crazy to put yourself in a position where you would potentially have to move immediately.

This is very different from someone pregnant or with a newborn giving Brookland a go. They would have at least 5 years and could probably do a few years of EEC inbound while having a few years to try their luck at the lottery.

[Anonymous]

Depends on if you would send your kids to schools with lots Aborigines back home. A similar dynamic plays out in DC too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the most depressing thread ever. For all the rah raving about diversity and picking on posters who want high performance and diversity, when it comes down to it everyone merely pushes the rich white wannabe suburbs known as WOTP?? Screw that.

This OP has been looking in Takoma and Brookland. Stop steering them toward the elites. OP, I’m in Brookland and it’s great. You can try the lottery and have a pathway. If it’s a no go, move to Takoma Park. Skip the snooty NW and it’s oh so diverse World Bank employees and share the true diversity of DC with your children as much as you can.

I have lived in AU Park and EotP. I will take my EoTP neighborhood hands down. We are far happier EotP than in AU Park. I agree with you! FWIW, the crime is the same in both neighborhoods.

What is your IB Middle School? Are you sending your child there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the most depressing thread ever. For all the rah raving about diversity and picking on posters who want high performance and diversity, when it comes down to it everyone merely pushes the rich white wannabe suburbs known as WOTP?? Screw that.

This OP has been looking in Takoma and Brookland. Stop steering them toward the elites. OP, I’m in Brookland and it’s great. You can try the lottery and have a pathway. If it’s a no go, move to Takoma Park. Skip the snooty NW and it’s oh so diverse World Bank employees and share the true diversity of DC with your children as much as you can.

a) OP wants a guarantee, not the lottery. She can afford $1.25m for a house, so she can afford to live where the highest-performing schools are located.
b) "move to Takoma Park...and share the true diversity of DC" makes no sense since Takoma Park is in Maryland.

And OP is smart to want a guarantee. She already has school age kids. It's not clear she would even be able to do the lottery for the first year. Even if she could, she would have ONE shot. It would be crazy to put yourself in a position where you would potentially have to move immediately.

This is very different from someone pregnant or with a newborn giving Brookland a go. They would have at least 5 years and could probably do a few years of EEC inbound while having a few years to try their luck at the lottery.

I would still strongly consider Takoma Park as opposed to AU. Similar vibe re suburban feel, but more funky/fun. Or, Shepard area as others have suggested.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the most depressing thread ever. For all the rah raving about diversity and picking on posters who want high performance and diversity, when it comes down to it everyone merely pushes the rich white wannabe suburbs known as WOTP?? Screw that.

This OP has been looking in Takoma and Brookland. Stop steering them toward the elites. OP, I’m in Brookland and it’s great. You can try the lottery and have a pathway. If it’s a no go, move to Takoma Park. Skip the snooty NW and it’s oh so diverse World Bank employees and share the true diversity of DC with your children as much as you can.

I have lived in AU Park and EotP. I will take my EoTP neighborhood hands down. We are far happier EotP than in AU Park. I agree with you! FWIW, the crime is the same in both neighborhoods.

Which EOTP neighborhood did you move to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the most depressing thread ever. For all the rah raving about diversity and picking on posters who want high performance and diversity, when it comes down to it everyone merely pushes the rich white wannabe suburbs known as WOTP?? Screw that.

This OP has been looking in Takoma and Brookland. Stop steering them toward the elites. OP, I’m in Brookland and it’s great. You can try the lottery and have a pathway. If it’s a no go, move to Takoma Park. Skip the snooty NW and it’s oh so diverse World Bank employees and share the true diversity of DC with your children as much as you can.

a) OP wants a guarantee, not the lottery. She can afford $1.25m for a house, so she can afford to live where the highest-performing schools are located.
b) "move to Takoma Park...and share the true diversity of DC" makes no sense since Takoma Park is in Maryland.

And OP is smart to want a guarantee. She already has school age kids. It's not clear she would even be able to do the lottery for the first year. Even if she could, she would have ONE shot. It would be crazy to put yourself in a position where you would potentially have to move immediately.

This is very different from someone pregnant or with a newborn giving Brookland a go. They would have at least 5 years and could probably do a few years of EEC inbound while having a few years to try their luck at the lottery.

I would still strongly consider Takoma Park as opposed to AU. Similar vibe re suburban feel, but more funky/fun. Or, Shepard area as others have suggested.

I like both neighborhoods (live in AU Park, but had almost bought in TP), but the commute would be a lot more difficult from TP if her office is near Georgetown. And in Takoma Park you really want to be in a historic district to be in a walkable area and near the metro. Much of Takoma Park is not that walkable.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, that should say "the" historic district, not "a" historic district.