Definitely check out the HS. It comes a lot quicker than you think. Plus sell the house again for HS?

I would look at the neighborhoods near rt. 50 in Arlington, like the PPs mentioned and the Westover neighborhood. The schools are good, and not "pressure cookers" but I don't think any of the Arlington elementary schools are like that. (Arlington dos not have the AAP centers for gifted students that Fairfax County has.) I wouldn't worry about high school yet, and the boundaries will change.

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of schools on both sides of Rt. 50 in Arlington that parents are very happy with and that don't have the pressure of the N. Arlington schools. We know plenty of families who are happy with Ashlawn, Barrett, Barcroft, Campbell, and Patrick Henry elementaries, as well as both Kenmore and Thomas Jefferson middle schools. I wouldn't get too hung up about high schools yet because it is so far away for you. North Arlington will only get more expensive, more elite, and schools more competitive, and if high school boundaries are redrawn some of that may shift further south and the demographics of W-L and Wakefield may evolve.

All the schools you mention already have very good reputations in Arlington, although some families do not like the "modified" year-round program at Barcroft. So I don't think there's a need to "defend" them like you feel you need to here. And half the schools you mention are in N Arlington or take half their students from N Arlington. W-L already is a "pressure cooker" for a lot of students, so I don't know how it could get any "more competitive" or "elite" with some boundary changes. And as Columbia Pike becomes more upscale then Wakefield will change accordingly. The boundaries for all three high schools and the middle schools will inevitably change in a few years according to APS but don't expect anything too dramatic or massive demographic shifts.

If the OP likes Arlington, there are some homes in her price range in the McKinley, Barrett, Ashlawn, and maybe Tuckahoe districts in North Arlington. And many more options in the South Arlington school districts like Patrick Henry, Barcroft, Abingdon.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of schools on both sides of Rt. 50 in Arlington that parents are very happy with and that don't have the pressure of the N. Arlington schools. We know plenty of families who are happy with Ashlawn, Barrett, Barcroft, Campbell, and Patrick Henry elementaries, as well as both Kenmore and Thomas Jefferson middle schools. I wouldn't get too hung up about high schools yet because it is so far away for you. North Arlington will only get more expensive, more elite, and schools more competitive, and if high school boundaries are redrawn some of that may shift further south and the demographics of W-L and Wakefield may evolve.

Elite? Please.

Yes.

At what point do you think N. Arlington is going to gain more residents with lower levels of education and lower income levels than it does currently? The answer is never.

It's expensive, middle-brow territory. "Elite" and "Arlington" do not belong in the same sentence.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of schools on both sides of Rt. 50 in Arlington that parents are very happy with and that don't have the pressure of the N. Arlington schools. We know plenty of families who are happy with Ashlawn, Barrett, Barcroft, Campbell, and Patrick Henry elementaries, as well as both Kenmore and Thomas Jefferson middle schools. I wouldn't get too hung up about high schools yet because it is so far away for you. North Arlington will only get more expensive, more elite, and schools more competitive, and if high school boundaries are redrawn some of that may shift further south and the demographics of W-L and Wakefield may evolve.

Elite? Please.

Yes.

At what point do you think N. Arlington is going to gain more residents with lower levels of education and lower income levels than it does currently? The answer is never.

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of schools on both sides of Rt. 50 in Arlington that parents are very happy with and that don't have the pressure of the N. Arlington schools. We know plenty of families who are happy with Ashlawn, Barrett, Barcroft, Campbell, and Patrick Henry elementaries, as well as both Kenmore and Thomas Jefferson middle schools. I wouldn't get too hung up about high schools yet because it is so far away for you. North Arlington will only get more expensive, more elite, and schools more competitive, and if high school boundaries are redrawn some of that may shift further south and the demographics of W-L and Wakefield may evolve.

Elite? Please.

There are plenty of schools on both sides of Rt. 50 in Arlington that parents are very happy with and that don't have the pressure of the N. Arlington schools. We know plenty of families who are happy with Ashlawn, Barrett, Barcroft, Campbell, and Patrick Henry elementaries, as well as both Kenmore and Thomas Jefferson middle schools. I wouldn't get too hung up about high schools yet because it is so far away for you. North Arlington will only get more expensive, more elite, and schools more competitive, and if high school boundaries are redrawn some of that may shift further south and the demographics of W-L and Wakefield may evolve.

If you have a $700K budget, you'd have a hard time finding something in McLean now. How about Town of Vienna. Vienna ES is a smaller school.

I predict immediate flaming for saying this, but since you say you work in Alexandria/S. Arlington, I can tell you that we are happy with our Alexandria City Public School. Alexandria would also give you a bit more of the "small town feel" which you mentioned.
Some elementary schools are better than others, and you can always request a tour of any of the schools by calling them.

Falls Church would be a good move. Similar to Glover Park but you could be near Metro.

Can you handle the stress of charter lotteries? I couldn't, so we ruled out DC.

Anonymous wrote:Ok fair enough pp. I should have clarified: we are technically willing to punt on high schools with the option of private or moving, but I think you're right that the right school district is what I am looking for, not just elementary. Thanks.

Don't forget that by the time HS comes around your DD might have an opinion on the matter as well. And she might not be so gung ho about leaving all her friends behind in favor of the "better" high school. Not saying she should have the final say on this, but it will be much easier to avoid the fight and just choose the better overall district now.

Ok fair enough pp. I should have clarified: we are technically willing to punt on high schools with the option of private or moving, but I think you're right that the right school district is what I am looking for, not just elementary. Thanks.

Don't look at elementary schools....there are just too many to consider and truly evaluate them all.

Start with high schools. Compare those and narrow it down to one or two. Then look at the elementary schools that feed those high schools.

So, we'd like to move "for the schools". Problem is, I can't figure out where to move based on that requirement. I have concerns about the supposedly great schools in north Arlington and McLean because I don't see my daughter doing well in that pressure cooker environment. She's only 2, but so far I can tell that she's bright enough and reeeeeaaaally easygoing. I can see her getting totally lost/overlooked in a big competitive school or in one where other children have greater needs than her. This leads me maybe to falls church city...what do you all think? Schools are the main concern but we'd love to have a small town feel OR stay in dc (currently renting in glover park). Commute is also an issue so inside the beltway if possible. Work in Alexandria/S. Arlington so MD is out. Budget is around 700k. TIA!