I would look first at all the locations I'd consider based on your commute (a BIG factor - the biggest for me, frankly) and then look at the high schools to narrow it down further. If the high school is good, chances are the other schools in the pyramid are pretty good. But you can always ask on these boards once you narrow it down to a couple of schools. Honestly, once I had the high school and commute that I wanted, I probably would just pick the house I liked.

I chose Arlington because I've always lived in VA and commute to DC. I decided on North Arlington, with either high school being fine, and then just found a house I liked, knowing that there weren't really any bad elementaries in North Arlington.

I disagree on this point. I think you look at a neighborhood you love in a location you love and relax about schools. MoCo is a great school district. I realize there are differences among the schools, high schools especially, but I don't think a measurement of the quality of those schools now (especially if only measured by test scores) is that relevant at all to your life when your child won't attend it for 10 more years. If a high school still doesn't meet your standards in 10 years, you can move or go private or whatever, but you and your children will have enjoyed 10 years in a place you love.

PP- that's great advice, thanks. Any other tips? (since we're in the same boat you were just in!)

I have a 2 year old and a 4 year old, and we moved in January. What I did was research the high schools. I decided which high school I wanted my kids to go to, that then narrowed down the elementary schools to consider, so I was able to research them. There are too many different elementary schools to consider if you don't narrow it down to at least a few high schools first.

Hi there. We've got twin toddlers in Bethesda. We're looking to buy next year and wondering how we should approach schools. Should we consider only the elementary, elem and MS or Elem, MS and HS cluster when we look to buy? Since we have a chance to live almost anywhere in the area, how should we approach the neighborhood search? (Commute aside.)

TIA!