South Arlington public schools: good? bad?

[Anonymous]

DH and I rent in South Arlington and are thinking of buying a home around here. A friend of mine mentioned that So. Arlington schools aren't as good as N. Arlington, partly because of the large proportion of ESL learners. Does anyone here have experience with south arlington schools (around shirlington, for example)? Info about specific schools would be really helpful.

Second question-- there's a chance my kids will be GT (please don't flame, everyone in my family is either gifted or autistic). I have read some criticisms on this board of Arlington GT programs. Does anyone have any experience with GT in south arlington schools?

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure how much of it is that the NArl schools are better and how much is that they have better test scores. Is better teaching or higher SES at work? I live in NArl, but a neighbor chooses to send her kids to Campbell, so it's not as though crossing Arlington Boulevard is going to drop you into Here There Be Dragons territory.

I think there is one poster (maybe multiple believers, I dunno) who wants everyone to know that profoundly gifted children do better in G&T schools. I don't know if your family's gifted members are profoundly gifted or just regular gifted. I have one child who has been identified as gifted, but only in a couple of areas, and the differentiated instruction and pull-outs he gets have served him fine so far. But that's NArl.

[Anonymous]

I agree that it depends on your definition of good. Yes, S. Arlington schools are more diverse and do have more ESOL students, but that doesn't make them bad. Like the pp said, non native English speakers will usually bring the school's test scores down, so in that respect they are not as "good" as some other schools without that ESOL population. But the curriculum is the same throughout the county and I am sure the teachers are just as good in those schools, too. I am an ESOL teacher in Fairfax County and while my ESOL students struggle to learn English, they are certainly as smart are the native English speakers and are not discipline problems in the classroom. I would really recommend you ask your neighbors and perhaps visit the schools to see what the vibe is that you get from them. It really depends what you think works for you and your family.

[Anonymous]

Best bet is to visit the schools vs. give a great deal of weight to things posted on an anonymous forum. And if your kids are GT, you've got time to work through those issues. Visit the schools and see which one(s) seem to click the best for you.

[Anonymous]

Abingdon is one s. arlington school that is AMAZING!!! don't discount the S. Arlington schools...and a lot of the N. Arlington schools are really overcrowded...

[Anonymous]

We rented there for years. Moved before our kids were school age, but I know our neighbors were happy with the elementary school for their daughter (the one a few blocks above Arlington Ridge road, can't remember the name). And then she got into H-B Woodlawn.

[Anonymous]

My way-above-grade-level kids go to an elementary school in S Arlington that is at least 50% ESL, 50% free lunch, etc, and they do just fine. We haven't ever had a problem with the super-smart one not getting the attention and assignments he needs. Don't be afraid of a school with a lot of poor kids who don't speak English at home. It's all about how the school is run and how good the teachers are. I'd say that any school in Arlington handles these issues very well.

[Anonymous]

People think really highly of TJ Middle School. We'll eventually send our kids there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My way-above-grade-level kids go to an elementary school in S Arlington that is at least 50% ESL, 50% free lunch, etc, and they do just fine. We haven't ever had a problem with the super-smart one not getting the attention and assignments he needs. Don't be afraid of a school with a lot of poor kids who don't speak English at home. It's all about how the school is run and how good the teachers are. I'd say that any school in Arlington handles these issues very well.

would you mind if i asked which school? as a mom w/soon to be school aged kids i really appreciate positive feedback of our neighborhood, s.arlington schools.

[Anonymous]

My boys attend Abingdon, We love it, My oldest is being identified as gifted, and they have made sure to keep him at the highest level he can handle.

We sent him to an extremely excellent private pre-school that was academic based for 2 years. I was concerned public school would hinder his progress. But he is thriving wonderfully and being challenged daily. I am very happy with Abingdon. The teachers really do care about my boys, and they love school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My boys attend Abingdon, We love it, My oldest is being identified as gifted, and they have made sure to keep him at the highest level he can handle.

We sent him to an extremely excellent private pre-school that was academic based for 2 years. I was concerned public school would hinder his progress. But he is thriving wonderfully and being challenged daily. I am very happy with Abingdon. The teachers really do care about my boys, and they love school.

that's so terrific to hear, thnx for sharing!

[Anonymous]

http://www.greatschools.org/school/parentReviews.page?id=121&state=VA&sortBy=dd&pager.offset=8

Some of the reviews here about TJMS worry me. To the extent that the S. Arlington schools have more gang involvement, I would be concerned especially for the middle school years. I personally went to a school that had gang involvement and nothing ruins a learning environment more than fights breaking out in the hallways or walking around afraid to piss off the wrong group of kids when you are only 12 or 13. Moreover, it only takes one or two trouble makers to ruin a class. My parents later moved to a more affluent neighborhood and the difference was night and day. And while there were a lot less minorities, the minorities were very integrated into the school, popular and smart. In my opinion, that is the preferred way of diversifying your child's life.

Some of the NOVA elementary schools are glaringly white, but when you get to the middle schools, like Swanson and Williamsburg, you will see that yes they are majority white, but because they are larger schools, they still have a substantial number of blacks, hispanics and asians.

That being said, your child can be successful at any of these schools. Gang activity is not going to prevent your child from getting an education, but to the extent that OP has options, then I think it's best to really look at all of the schools. Arlington has a large amount of information and stats on its website.

[Anonymous]

I have been a parent at TJ for 5 years. The principal is Arlington's principal of the year. I know a student who earned a spot at TJ High School, and many earn a spot to continue their IB education at Washington-Lee's competitive IB program.

I have never heard of a gang problem in my five years and am so happy the school is getting a face lift. My family will miss this amazing diverse school.