Anonymous wrote:

I'm the poster who originally posted about more quality time, and this was exactly my point - door to desk, for me, including dropping DD off at daycare, is 20 minutes, if we take the bus, and 45 if we walk, which we do, when the weather is nice. It's not a particularly short walk, but it's a nice way to start the morning and is something that would not be possible before we moved to the District. I work in Dupont and I live in Columbia Heights. We used to live in a good school district in MD and moved when DD was 18 months because it was important to us to have our life less spread out than it had previously been. I'm well aware that there are a lot of vocal people on this board who are absolutely convinced that if you do not live in bounds for the JKLMM schools and do not strike it rich in the charter lottery, you'd better start paying for private school immediately or your kids are destined for a life of mediocrity, but I think that does a disservice to everyone for whom that's not an option. Are you suggesting that people who cannot afford to pick up and move to a better school district do not love their children?

This discussion presupposes that people have the option of moving, of course - if you can't, you can't, and you make the best of it. No one is suggesting those who can't move don't love their kids - well, other than a few idiot reactionaries, and I'd venture to say that concern for the working poor isn't high on their list of daily concerns.

I agree with your general points about living in the city - those are many of the reasons I live there as well, and in Columbia Heights, too. But with respect to school options, specifically in Columbia Heights - I think it IS a matter of striking gold in the charter or OOB lotteries, because the IB schools are completely unacceptable, at least to me. If we didn't hit one of the charter lotteries, we'd definitely have moved, and possibly to Arlington. So, PP, let me ask you - where does your daughter go to school?

She's 2. She goes to daycare in Dupont by my office. Our plan is to play the charter lotteries until she gets in somewhere. If she doesn't get into any of the places we like (the usual immersion things), I'm perfectly okay with her going to Tubman for kindergarten until she gets in somewhere better. If it turns out to not to be a good fit for her personally for whatever reason, we will reevaluate, but one of the reasons we picked where we picked was that the local option was acceptable for the younger years. My personal feeling is that middle school is terrible for everyone, no matter where you live (I went to two different highly ranked middle schools in the Midwest and they were both miserable experiences and I was so relieved when they were over), and that when we get to that point, we will figure things out.

I guess my point is that I think it's possible for kids to get good educations in less than the best schools - I did (did not go to the best high school in town because my parents could not afford to move to that district) and so did my husband, and we both did pretty well academically. It has also been my experience that schools that have low test scores tend to excel at other things. You just have to figure out what those things are.

Maybe that is overly optimistic, but I would rather be confident that we are all making the best decisions for our specific situations than castigate myself for failing before I've even begun.

In case we ate still responding to OP's original questions in this forum --

I find nothing appealing about Arlington (and abhor Northern Virginia --I lived there many years ago). When searching for a home I found that the homes, schools, and neighborhoods in Chevy Chase, MD/Bethesda >>> Arlington. We are now moving from Chevy Chase to D.C. and I am looking forward to residing in a more diverse neighborhood than my current one.

My brother's children attend public middle and high schools in Arlington. They pay too much for a tiny home, are surrounded by college kids, and their schools are hardly the gold standard.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me its very simple - I do not want to live in Virginia. Also, and I know that some of you will clutch your peals in horror, "good schools" in not even in my top three things to consider when I was looking for a place to live.

Selfish

... and, my kids came into my world not the other way around. I do my best to prepare them to be productive members of society but that does not mean that the decision that DH and I make revolve entirely around their needs - we balance. BTW, we also take them (ages 18 months and 6) to restuarants after 6pm - some of these places do not even have high chairs much less a kids menu. We never prepare special meals for them - they have been eating from the "family pot" since they could eat solids. The 18 month regularly takes naps in her car seat. Guess what, they are healthy, happy and well adjusted. Sleep in their own rooms (all night) and with very few exceptions will eat whatever I put in front of them.

I'm the poster who originally posted about more quality time, and this was exactly my point - door to desk, for me, including dropping DD off at daycare, is 20 minutes, if we take the bus, and 45 if we walk, which we do, when the weather is nice. It's not a particularly short walk, but it's a nice way to start the morning and is something that would not be possible before we moved to the District. I work in Dupont and I live in Columbia Heights. We used to live in a good school district in MD and moved when DD was 18 months because it was important to us to have our life less spread out than it had previously been. I'm well aware that there are a lot of vocal people on this board who are absolutely convinced that if you do not live in bounds for the JKLMM schools and do not strike it rich in the charter lottery, you'd better start paying for private school immediately or your kids are destined for a life of mediocrity, but I think that does a disservice to everyone for whom that's not an option. Are you suggesting that people who cannot afford to pick up and move to a better school district do not love their children?

This discussion presupposes that people have the option of moving, of course - if you can't, you can't, and you make the best of it. No one is suggesting those who can't move don't love their kids - well, other than a few idiot reactionaries, and I'd venture to say that concern for the working poor isn't high on their list of daily concerns.

I agree with your general points about living in the city - those are many of the reasons I live there as well, and in Columbia Heights, too. But with respect to school options, specifically in Columbia Heights - I think it IS a matter of striking gold in the charter or OOB lotteries, because the IB schools are completely unacceptable, at least to me. If we didn't hit one of the charter lotteries, we'd definitely have moved, and possibly to Arlington. So, PP, let me ask you - where does your daughter go to school?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn't the drug part happen over 20 years ago and last I checked Marion Barry is only relevant to a small few in the city - a nonfactor in my life as a DC resident.

I agree with. Twenty years is another generation. Many people talk about redemption and forgiveness on Sunday only, but their works and acts from Monday thru Saturday indicates their hypocrisy. If the only thing you can threo at somebody is a crack addiction from the 80s you have a weak argument and you are an unforgiving person.

If you think Barry's only negative is a 20 year old crack addiction, you need to wake up, Rip Van Winkle.

You really think the last time he smoked crack was 20 years ago?

Whatever, I don't hate Barry. I actually think has done some good things for DC and his Ward in particular since he's been back on the council. But he's pretty much an incomprehensible crazy old man at this point.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because life in the suburbs makes me want to spoon my eyes out.

again selfish parents not thinking of their kids

Why is it selfish of parents to raise their children in an urban area if they don't like the suburbs? My husband and I enjoy city living as do our children. We live in a condo, send our kids to a nurturing and very diverse public school, and we live within walking distance from our local grocery store, pizza place, parks, zoo, place of worship, library, coffe shop, community garden plot, sports fields and hiking creek. My husband bikes to work, and I have a short commute. I'm glad you like VA. Personally, I wouldn't move there. Get over it.

Not PP, but I live in Arlington and I live within walking distance to all of those things, except for the zoo (of course). My commute to DC is 8 minutes without traffic and 25 with. I can walk to my office in D.C. when I'm not telecommuting. I don't have to stress about private school (which is good, because like most Arlingtonians I had my kid a little on the younger side -- 30).

I am liberal and I hate that VA is, on the whole, not. However, I think that the growth of NoVA will continue to push this state liberal (and hope that passionate liberals who move here work to make it a better place) and love the local politics of Arlington. If people choose not to live here because of the backwards folks in Richmond, I understand, but that's sort of like choosing not to live in D.C. because of the often eye-rollingly bad local politics there.

You might not want to live here, but it's a nice place to live, and is very urban along the orange line.

THe reason why your state is such a great state to live in is because of the lack of liberals. You don't think so? Look at DC and MD.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Living an hour closer to where we work results in 2 hours more quality time (read: not in a car) per day with our kids. Also, neither of us grew up in a suburban utopia. Honestly, on this site, "school rankings" seems to be another way of trying to keep your kids from hanging out from anyone who doesn't have your same lifestyle. I am perfectly okay with my daughter going to preschool with kids whose parents do not speak English and kids whose parents make half what we make in a year. Living in the suburbs doesn't save you from a life of juvenile delinquency and ennui. This board is proof enough of that.

It's not a one hour commute to Arlington! It's one stop from the metro outside of DC. It takes a shorter amount of time to drive to Arlington then it does to Upper NW. You can map it, and you will see that Arlington is closer than Upper NW.

So, it seems that people want their coffee shops and to not commute in trade of better schools.

How long does it take you to get to work, door to door? For me, it is less than 10 minutes walking. More importantly, it is also less than 10 minutes walking to get to at least 10 museums on the weekends, many more can be reached in less than 20 minutes walking. That isn't possible in Arlington. But, I'm not saying there is anything wrong with living in Arlington, do it if it works for you; it isn't the choice that I have made for my family.

I'm the poster who originally posted about more quality time, and this was exactly my point - door to desk, for me, including dropping DD off at daycare, is 20 minutes, if we take the bus, and 45 if we walk, which we do, when the weather is nice. It's not a particularly short walk, but it's a nice way to start the morning and is something that would not be possible before we moved to the District. I work in Dupont and I live in Columbia Heights. We used to live in a good school district in MD and moved when DD was 18 months because it was important to us to have our life less spread out than it had previously been. I'm well aware that there are a lot of vocal people on this board who are absolutely convinced that if you do not live in bounds for the JKLMM schools and do not strike it rich in the charter lottery, you'd better start paying for private school immediately or your kids are destined for a life of mediocrity, but I think that does a disservice to everyone for whom that's not an option. Are you suggesting that people who cannot afford to pick up and move to a better school district do not love their children?

School ratings are not the only measure for quality of life and not the only measure for quality of education. A child's education is a comprehensive thing and does not stop at the doors of the schools. The more time I have with my kid, the more I can participate in her education. I sure as hell wouldn't have been able to work full time and volunteer at her preschool living where we lived before. It just wouldn't have been an option at all. Now it is.

As for the Arlington-is-so-close evangelists, I'm glad you guys love where you live. I'm glad you want to spread the love, really. But not everyone wants what you want. Stop assuming that those of us who do not want to live in Arlington do not love our children. It's insulting and does you no favors.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn't the drug part happen over 20 years ago and last I checked Marion Barry is only relevant to a small few in the city - a nonfactor in my life as a DC resident.

I agree with. Twenty years is another generation. Many people talk about redemption and forgiveness on Sunday only, but their works and acts from Monday thru Saturday indicates their hypocrisy. If the only thing you can threo at somebody is a crack addiction from the 80s you have a weak argument and you are an unforgiving person.

If you think Barry's only negative is a 20 year old crack addiction, you need to wake up, Rip Van Winkle.

Anonymous wrote:Didn't the drug part happen over 20 years ago and last I checked Marion Barry is only relevant to a small few in the city - a nonfactor in my life as a DC resident.

I agree with. Twenty years is another generation. Many people talk about redemption and forgiveness on Sunday only, but their works and acts from Monday thru Saturday indicates their hypocrisy. If the only thing you can threo at somebody is a crack addiction from the 80s you have a weak argument and you are an unforgiving person.

Anonymous wrote:So, OP, are you in the BEST school district in Arlington? If not, why not? Don't you love your kids?

Also, do you ask this question of your Virginia bretheren who live in Alexandria? Or the far exurban counties, where schools are mediocre? No? How come? When someone lives in Wes-bum-fuck because they want 2 acres and a 6 br house, but the schools are only so-so, well, they have to do what's best for their family, but DC residents are irresponsible when they make the same calculation? Consistency isn't your strong suit, is it?

Can OP or one of the "you're selfish if you don't move to Arlington" posters answer this, please?

After reading this thread, it's obvious that any DC resident who cares about their kids' education will pick up stakes and move to Arlington.


But why stop there? Everyone who truly cares about education knows that Finland has the best system.

So quick, pack you bags. It's a small country, not everyone will get in.

Let Barry die in office. So we came rename Eastern to Marion Barry Senior High School.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn't the drug part happen over 20 years ago and last I checked Marion Barry is only relevant to a small few in the city - a nonfactor in my life as a DC resident.

Well, even if he's not your councilman he still has influence on decisions that affect you. I'm not saying its a bad thing. He's my councilman and I am voting for him again. It was 22 years ago. I agree, this thread needs to die. How about you Virginians start your own DC-hating thread in a VA forum. Unfortunately, it won't be as popular because we just don't give a damn.

Wait-- WHAT? Seriously? How is a coherent DCUM voting for Marion Barry?

As a District resident, even though I live in Ward 1, I implore you to rethink this!

No thanks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn't the drug part happen over 20 years ago and last I checked Marion Barry is only relevant to a small few in the city - a nonfactor in my life as a DC resident.

Well, even if he's not your councilman he still has influence on decisions that affect you. I'm not saying its a bad thing. He's my councilman and I am voting for him again. It was 22 years ago. I agree, this thread needs to die. How about you Virginians start your own DC-hating thread in a VA forum. Unfortunately, it won't be as popular because we just don't give a damn.

Wait-- WHAT? Seriously? How is a coherent DCUM voting for Marion Barry?

As a District resident, even though I live in Ward 1, I implore you to rethink this!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because life in the suburbs makes me want to spoon my eyes out.

again selfish parents not thinking of their kids

Why is it selfish of parents to raise their children in an urban area if they don't like the suburbs? My husband and I enjoy city living as do our children. We live in a condo, send our kids to a nurturing and very diverse public school, and we live within walking distance from our local grocery store, pizza place, parks, zoo, place of worship, library, coffe shop, community garden plot, sports fields and hiking creek. My husband bikes to work, and I have a short commute. I'm glad you like VA. Personally, I wouldn't move there. Get over it.

Not PP, but I live in Arlington and I live within walking distance to all of those things, except for the zoo (of course). My commute to DC is 8 minutes without traffic and 25 with. I can walk to my office in D.C. when I'm not telecommuting. I don't have to stress about private school (which is good, because like most Arlingtonians I had my kid a little on the younger side -- 30).

I am liberal and I hate that VA is, on the whole, not. However, I think that the growth of NoVA will continue to push this state liberal (and hope that passionate liberals who move here work to make it a better place) and love the local politics of Arlington. If people choose not to live here because of the backwards folks in Richmond, I understand, but that's sort of like choosing not to live in D.C. because of the often eye-rollingly bad local politics there.

You might not want to live here, but it's a nice place to live, and is very urban along the orange line.

Serious question, why are you on a DC school thread? I have often wondered why there are so many VA and MD parents on this thread and can't figure out why. Not trying to be rude, but I can't imagine ever going to the VA or MD forums. Is it just boredom? Curiosity? Nosiness?

I just read all the stuff on "Recent Topics" when I'm bored. Saw "Arlington" mentioned and read the thread.

Aha. I have always wondered this, too.