I think the difference is that once you get to MS/HS, the school community is no longer the same as the neighborhood community. Lots of strong neighborhood communities in the deal/jr feeder neighborhoods. And the schools themselves have really strong energy and my kids would report “communities” although as a parent I am much less a part if that than ES. That is in part a function of kids being older and more independent and in part due to the schools pulling from a lot of different neighborhoods. You are just not going to find anywhere in the dmv where all the kids in the HS also live within a few miles of each other in the same neighborhood.

Deal is a reasonable but not great middle school and same for JR. They seem better than they are because so many other schools are terrible. Move if you are trying to avoid even worse schools. You may or may not find community

Deal 6th - there is a community feel. My kid walks to school with friends. MS is a big independence change that the kids need to go through. There is a sign up for parent volunteering that is longer term and shorter term (for example - the play, the winter market, welcoming new teachers).

You can tour the schools and do virtual and in person open houses. Look at the activities and clubs. They will make friends from classes and clubs. I would not be afraid of the size unless your kid has an adjustment/anxiety disorder that makes them struggle with any large group. Deal has a way of making "big" smaller. We had hesitations about Deal and I can't believe I spent one second worrying. The principal said that it's her goal that Deal is a fit for every kid. They know early on if it's not a good fit.

I agree to check out neighborhoods where there are kids at Deal. Keep in mind many people do private at middle and high school in NW DC. You may not find the "perfect" neighborhood if you don't already know people who go to Deal and it may change grade to grade.