Reply to Okay, here goes....Alexandria Schools?

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[quote=Anonymous]OP, you clearly know that any question of this nature is going to draw out the ACPS fans (myself included) and several ACPS detractors (many of whom don't seem to have, or have had, children in the ACPS schools, at least recently); what you might not see much are responses from parents who are in the generally to highly satisfied range but don't have absolute top views of ACPS nor horrible things to say.  This B through A- range is probably a majority of the parents, from what we've directly observed over the course of several years in ACPS, which we really like.

We withdrew DC from a local private school (well-known, but clearly second-tier) to an ACPS school, and within weeks it became clear to us that the ACPS curriculum is at least as advanced and comprehensive as essentially all of the area private schools' curricula.  The general level of attention from ACPS admins and faculty has, in our view, been exceptionally high (and relatively consistently so).  We went from an East End school to GW middle, which offers an all-honors option, and we've been happy in every material respect.

I suspect that some locals will tell you that the Lyles-Crouch (Old Town), Maury (Rosemont), MacArthur (Seminary Valley), George Mason (Beverly Hills) and Charles Barrett (Parkfairfax) elementary schools are viewed as being materially better than the other ACPS elementaries, and we can't disagree (we were at one for three years and we and our DC positively loved it, in every respect).  If you're in the Jefferson-Houston catchment (Parker-Gray and West Old Town), that school is in tough shape -- low level of parent socio-economics and parent commitment to the school, with typically poor testing results -- and you will still have limited school choice.  Likewise, in the Mount Vernon (North Del Ray) and Tucker (Cameron Station and Holmes Run) catchments, the schools are non-standard calendar, and you have the right to enroll in a different school if you'd like.  If you're organized and timely, this is not a problem (we went through the process and it worked perfectly).

The ACPS system is becoming more popular, and local private school enrollment is somewhat less sought-after than in the past.  As a result, a number of ACPS elementaries are at capacity.  When you look at places to live, check out both your catchment school AND also ask what the primary overflow school is.  Consider visiting the school(s) (all the ACPS schools welcome visitors and conduct tours for prospective parents).

We've had terrific luck with our middle school too, although not too many years ago, we might not have braved it.  The sole traditional high school, TC Williams, is gigantic, offers everything, and has a terrific college placement record -- especially for a school that caters to a real economic mix.  We know numerous TC families.  We know of no severe dissatisfaction -- none.  That said, obviously, a higher-performing kid is going to have a much better, easier, more enjoyable time at TC than a kid who is unmotivated and/or in a remedial program.

I'd be hesitant to believe the condemnatory posts that your inquiry might prompt.  ACPS is controversial.  The system used to be seriously deficient in many respects.  Improving the schools has required the Superintendent to break a lot of eggs to make a better omelet, and upset entrenched local interests in the process.  A small number of semi-pro agitators seem to spend all their free time trashing the schools.  Go look at one or too.  It will help you make more than real estate decisions.

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