Academically strong middle school in VA or DC with an easy commute to Suitland

[HelenZ]

My 5th grader daughter and I relocated to DC area last summer. My job is in Suitland MD, and I decided to settle in Alexandria part of Fairfax Co.
Clermont ES was ranked high and we rented a town house within a walking distance. However, the school turned out to be a nightmare.
I would love to hear some suggestions for a good neighborhood with an academically strong middle school, an an easy commute to Suitland. It can be either VA , MD or DC. Also, if any one knows of a not too expensive private school with a good tennis program. Being a single mother, safety is also a concern for me. Any suggestion or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Have you looked at Browne Academy? They're in Alexandria and have a good academic program. They also have scholarship and financial aid which, as a single mom, you would probably qualify for.

They also have wonderful teachers and a nice group of kids.

[Anonymous]

Look at Burgundy Farm as well, which is right across the road from Browne.

[Anonymous]

This is the OP. I did see the Browne Academy and Burgundy Farm school listings on greatschools web site, unfortunately( or maybe fortunately), I make too much money to qualify for a financial aid, but not enough to actually be able to afford the tuition. She also loves playing tennis, and has been playing competativly for a few years now. I can not even imagine asking her to give up tennis to pay for a private school. That would break her heart! Right now, I am basicaly home schooling her on my own, that is how bad academically her school is.
Is there any hope for Alexandria in terms of public school system?

[Anonymous]

How do you home school while working?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the OP. I did see the Browne Academy and Burgundy Farm school listings on greatschools web site, unfortunately( or maybe fortunately), I make too much money to qualify for a financial aid, but not enough to actually be able to afford the tuition. She also loves playing tennis, and has been playing competativly for a few years now. I can not even imagine asking her to give up tennis to pay for a private school. That would break her heart! Right now, I am basicaly home schooling her on my own, that is how bad academically her school is.
Is there any hope for Alexandria in terms of public school system?

There is no income guideline for financial aid. I was in the same position as you and applied and received a small amount - enough to cover what I needed.

[Anonymous]

You could look in the Annandale areas close to the Beltway that feed into Frost MS and Woodson HS. Areas like Mantua, Canterbury Woods, Wakefield Forest, Little Run, etc. These would all be a relatively easy commute to Suitland on the Beltway (basically against traffic).

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all the advice. Is it too late now to apply to a private school for the next year? Or, does it depend on a school?
How about city of Alexandria? Anything good there? I didn't see anything positive so far.
As for home schooling, I didn't say I do it while working. That wouldn't be possible, would it?

[Anonymous]

It's not too late to apply for a middle school placement at a K-8 school since most of the schools have a few openings each year as other kids leave to go to 6th-12th grade schools.

There is an article in the WP today in the pull-out Virginia section on some "good stuff" happening at the public middle school in Alexandria. You might post in the Virginia public school forum if you want more info about public schools.

HTH

[Anonymous]

My DC was in private until this year. Many of her VERY BRIGHT classmates at TC Williams went to George Washington Middle School. It sounds like it was a very good place for them. If your child ends up going there, the band program and the crew program are very strong with great groups of academically motivated kids.

[Anonymous]

Check out Carl Sandberg off Ft Hunt road. The area is graet and the middle school is supposed to be good.