The new principal at Randolph is temporary for two years. Next year they will hire a permanent replacement. The county seems pretty focused at helping that school succeed. Class sizes are small.

Yeah I would stick with north Arlington, not much difference in the low quality areas same as not much difference in the high quality north Arlington areas.

Anonymous wrote:I would take into account that Barcroft is year-round, with breaks at different times of year than Randolph. That was a factor for me in not buying in Barcroft. (I liked the security of knowing there was a wide selection of camps during the traditional summer break.)

Any way you could find something feeding into Henry or Oakridge? I feel like those two get significantly higher reviews, and they have a different demographic mix. (I think both are around 1/3 caucasian, 1/3 hispanic, 1/3 other.)

um... what?

Anonymous wrote:With boundary changes coming, you have to be incredibly stupid to buy anywhere but 22207. You can try to "save a buck" and buy a modest home in say the McKinley or the Patrick Henry zones, but you could EASILY be rezoned to something awful.

Better to buy right by Discovery, Nottingham, Jamestown or (north of) Taylor. Then you're set.

IHYDIAF

Anonymous wrote:Neither are well regarded. Try for Glebe instead.

Go away troll. If you have nothing useful to say, don't say anything.

With boundary changes coming, you have to be incredibly stupid to buy anywhere but 22207. You can try to "save a buck" and buy a modest home in say the McKinley or the Patrick Henry zones, but you could EASILY be rezoned to something awful.

Better to buy right by Discovery, Nottingham, Jamestown or (north of) Taylor. Then you're set.

Neither are well regarded. Try for Glebe instead.

I would take into account that Barcroft is year-round, with breaks at different times of year than Randolph. That was a factor for me in not buying in Barcroft. (I liked the security of knowing there was a wide selection of camps during the traditional summer break.)

Any way you could find something feeding into Henry or Oakridge? I feel like those two get significantly higher reviews, and they have a different demographic mix. (I think both are around 1/3 caucasian, 1/3 hispanic, 1/3 other.)

Barcroft is on a year-round schedule, but Randolph follows the traditional school calendar. For some families, the year-round calendar is preferable and for others it's a big deterrent to enrolling at Barcroft. Not sure if you were aware of that difference. I can't tell you anything about the new principal at Randolph because I haven't heard any feedback since she started. I have heard the same thing you have about Barcroft's principal, but have no firsthand knowledge. I do know that the staff and parents who knew Barcroft's former principal (I think she retired 3 or 4 years ago) compare the current principal to her predecessor often, and the current one seems to come up short in that regard. I don't know whether these were just big shoes to fill and anyone would be found inferior by comparison or whether the current principal truly lacks competence at managing staff and parental relationships. I think you should go visit both schools when they have open houses this winter. Can you put off making a decision until then? If not, perhaps call the schools and see if they'll let you visit now given your circumstances. Another thing to consider: if you live in the Barcroft zone and decide year-round isn't going to work for your family, you have the right to transfer to Randolph. But the catch is that they will not provide transportation. If you live in Randolph, I don't think you have the option to transfer into Barcroft. If for whatever reason you decide neither school fits your family's needs, there are three choice school options nearby that you would be eligible to apply to, but admission would not be guaranteed (Drew for Montessori, Campbell for Expeditionary Learning, Claremont for Spanish Immersion--transportation is provided to choice schools). Good luck with your decision.

Why does it matter

South Arlington elementary schools are interesting. When I moved here 12 years ago, Oakridge was the good school. Now Patrick Henry is great, and people are really positive about Claremont Immersion. Hoffman Boston is starting to gain much more positive feedback, and Abingdon seems to headed the same way.
Randolph has terrible scores, but its likely a good school. It is not diverse SES. It's like 80 percent poor.
Maybe with some shifted boundaries it would have a better mix.

Randolph has a new principal. I have heard positive things.
Randolph is a very small school (for Arlington) with a smallish attendance zone. They have had a very active PTA - I don't know whether that's still the same.
They also have the International Baccalaureate program of the elementary years. This program is very popular in middle and high school.

I don't know details about Barcroft- only that people often complain about the direction of the school here on the board.

You should look where exactly in the attendance zone you are buying, because there will be some boundary changes starting in 2017 for the 2019 school year.
Also compare Kenmore and Thomas Jefferson.

Anonymous wrote:Nottingham is the best

Shut up

Nottingham is the best

I am looking at two different townhouses in S. Arl. I have elementary kids. I've heard the principal at Randolph is popular with parents but not staff. And, I heard from a neighbor that the Barcroft principal is having trouble retaining staff--assistant principal left without notice in October or something. Can anyone tell me about these schools? I searched on here but didn't see much specific to these schools. It is important to me.