and why are we defining the best schools as those with majority white populations? Our FCPS elementary school is considered one of the best in the county and is over 50% Asian. My daughter is a minority in her school, and we like it that way. We also are pretty far out in the burbs (fairfax/chantilly line).

I think this might fit the definition of "clown question"

If the OP wants to define for us what she wants in a school pyramid and neighborhood, that might help. I've said before in this forum that lots of people wouldn't consider my neighborhood because it is older and smaller homes and pretty far from the city. It works just fine for us as neither of us works downtown. It fit our budget and just happens to have a great school pyramid. Now, will we be able to say our child went to one of the "top 5 HS's" (so defined by this board)? No, because our true middle class budget wouldn't allow for that.

If anything, I think in Fairfax the "top 5 HS clusters" is what most here seem to aspire to and is probably our equivalent of JKLM. I would personally argue that it all comes down to SES when you're comparing HS's, as almost all the HS's in Fairfax are nationally ranked. As far as elementary schools go, there aren't many that people would just outright avoid and as someone already pointed out, there are 137? of them (the number keeps fluctuating since they closed one last year, but they are opening another one or two next year).

So, OP, if you would like to define what it is you are truly looking for in a neighborhood and school, we can help you. Otherwise, we are just speculating...and assuming you are a troll.

Some of you have your facts wrong. The JKLM schools range from 63-69% White. That's a lower percentage that in a few of the North Arlington schools, but very much in line with many schools in Fairfax. The main difference is that in Fairfax schools with 60-70% White students, the other students are more likely to be Asian or Hispanic than in DC, and less likely to be Black.

Schools in Fairfax with 60-70% White students include Armstrong, Cherry Run, Colvin Run, Crossfield, Forestville, Fox Mill, Haycock, Kent Gardens, Oak View, Oakton, Sangster, Sherman, Silverbrook, Stenwood, Stratford Landing, Sunrise Valley, Vienna, Virginia Run, and Waples Mill. Virtually all these schools are as good as the JKLM schools. Many other schools in Fairfax have over 70% White students, while most have below 60% white students, and again most of these schools are as good as JKLM. That's why the OP's question isn't really susceptible to an answer - "JKLM" is really a DC construct.

JKLMM schools do tend to be a bit less diverse than the schools in the suburbs but that's because typically most of the people that live in Upper NW tend to be WHite. In the wealthier parts of FFX you have Asians, and Middle Easterners. It's just a historical thing. They're all wealthy.

fyi, the best elementary schools in Northern Virginia tend to be much more diverse than the all white public elementary schools in Upper NW DC. For example, Arlington Science Focus, one of the highest performing schools in Northern Va, is close to 40 percent minority, and has 20% free/red lunch. Some of the schools in nearby Mclean and Falls Church are nearly 30% Asian.

If you're looking for close-in schools that closely mirror the demographics of those in upper NW, then Jamestown or Taylor in Arlington are the most similar. If you're open to some ethnic and socio-economic diversity, there are many more options.

Because it was a stupid question.

Anonymous wrote:And not one poster was helpful.

How can we be helpful if we don't know what JKLM is? Perhaps the OP needs to rephrase her question?

And not one poster was helpful.

You can't come to a VA Public Schools forum without first defining what the hey-hey JKLM is? I don't pay attention to DCPS AT ALL.

Anonymous wrote:The worst public school in FCPS is better than the best public school in DCPS. Stick a pin in a map and move, your neighborhood school would be better.

Not really. But the equivalent of JKLM in Fairfax would have as many letters as the alphabet, if not more.

The worst public school in FCPS is better than the best public school in DCPS. Stick a pin in a map and move, your neighborhood school would be better.

Troll alert.

If your oldest is only entering 1st, why are you moving now?

(My kids go to Taylor in North Arlington, and we love it, but if I were in NW, I would not be moving for elementary.)

Jamestown in Arlington

There are 138 elementary schools in Fairfax County. Are you kidding?

We live DC but are starting to think about moving to VA as our oldest will be entering 1st this fall. JKLM is the oft-quoted listing of the best DCPS schools. Is there something similar for Arlington and Fairfax?

I'd be very grateful for any help as I start to wrap my head around other school systems -