The terrible choices in DC are caused by DCPS' unwillingness to meet the needs of high-achievers through subject tracking in every school, at least for math and english. How can we maybe join forces to fix this, maybe a petition? I don't know politics but this charter lottery hell vs. crap public school is insane, and everybody with a lottery number is a potential for lost tax revenue to the city. Maybe the council is unaware of this?

I do not view sleeping on a pull out as a viable option. Sorry. I do not think that makes me either a snob or an uncaring parent. Agree with OP about the terrible choices for schools for middle income families- And I live few miles outside beltway in MD so not exactly A "short" commute.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost all of the elementary schools in Fairfax County have 900-1100 students. That's just too big and then the middle schools are just as large but with only 7th and 8th grade.

Yes there are some large ES, but I wouldn't say that "almost all" are 900-1100. In the McLean Pyramid: Haycock, Kent Gardens and Timber Lane are large, but Chesterbrook, Franklin Sherman and Lemon Road are not. All are larger than they were 10 years ago when eldest DC started K.

Haycock and Kent Gardens are big, but Timber Lane is smaller than Chesterbrook (and smaller than it was 10 years ago). Some Lemon Road students go to McLean, but it's in the Marshall pyramid. Both Sherman and Lemon Road have under 450 students.

My kids are in Shrevewood, which is nearby in Falls Church. It's under 700 (maybe 650?).

Anonymous wrote:I really, really don't want to derail this thread into a Real Estate thread, but I believe it's worth point out this:

If a middle-ish income person is willing to compromise on space and a yard, it is emphatically NOT hard to buy or rent in a top school pyramid in the very-close suburbs -- or JKLM/Deal/Wilson in DC.

This necessitates condo ownership or apartment rental. And a modest one at that -- maybe the kids share the big bedroom, mom and dad sleep on a pull-out queen sleeper, and the family rents a storage unit for Christmas decorations, sleds, suitcases and camping equipment.

I know, because we are living this lifestyle right now, that a family with a HHI of < $100,000 can live within boundary for Somerset >> BCC or Murch >> Deal-Wilson.

+1

It's all about compromise. If you live in a small town, you opt out of other amenities nearby and lots of jobs to choose from and possibly have to put up with a mediocre public school, but you get a great house and safe neighborhood. If you live in the suburbs, you have to drive, but have a nice house and probably a decent school system and safe neighborhood. If you live in the city, you compromise on living space, but can enjoy things close by and a short commute. DC has more than enough money for schools, so money isn't the issue. I think if their schools were better, DC would be more popular for families even with the reduced space. It's hard to "have it all" but if you can compromise and give up worrying about the smaller stuff, you can make any of these work on a middle income salary.

I really, really don't want to derail this thread into a Real Estate thread, but I believe it's worth point out this:

If a middle-ish income person is willing to compromise on space and a yard, it is emphatically NOT hard to buy or rent in a top school pyramid in the very-close suburbs -- or JKLM/Deal/Wilson in DC.

This necessitates condo ownership or apartment rental. And a modest one at that -- maybe the kids share the big bedroom, mom and dad sleep on a pull-out queen sleeper, and the family rents a storage unit for Christmas decorations, sleds, suitcases and camping equipment.

I know, because we are living this lifestyle right now, that a family with a HHI of < $100,000 can live within boundary for Somerset >> BCC or Murch >> Deal-Wilson.

Anonymous wrote:Wow, which elementaries have 1100 students? That's crazy.

Bailey's, Fort Belvoir and Powell.

Anonymous wrote:Wow, which elementaries have 1100 students? That's crazy.

When we were looking at elementary school ours in MoCo was the largest in MD.

Many middles schools in MoCo are 900+.

Wow, which elementaries have 1100 students? That's crazy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost all of the elementary schools in Fairfax County have 900-1100 students. That's just too big and then the middle schools are just as large but with only 7th and 8th grade.

Yes there are some large ES, but I wouldn't say that "almost all" are 900-1100. In the McLean Pyramid: Haycock, Kent Gardens and Timber Lane are large, but Chesterbrook, Franklin Sherman and Lemon Road are not. All are larger than they were 10 years ago when eldest DC started K.

Haycock and Kent Gardens are big, but Timber Lane is smaller than Chesterbrook (and smaller than it was 10 years ago). Some Lemon Road students go to McLean, but it's in the Marshall pyramid. Both Sherman and Lemon Road have under 450 students.

Anonymous wrote:Almost all of the elementary schools in Fairfax County have 900-1100 students. That's just too big and then the middle schools are just as large but with only 7th and 8th grade.

Wrong. There are 20 elementary schools in Fairfax with over 900 students, out of 139 elementary schools in total. So roughly one in seven are that large.

Check your facts next time, or admit you're making things up.

Anonymous wrote:Almost all of the elementary schools in Fairfax County have 900-1100 students. That's just too big and then the middle schools are just as large but with only 7th and 8th grade.

Yes there are some large ES, but I wouldn't say that "almost all" are 900-1100. In the McLean Pyramid: Haycock, Kent Gardens and Timber Lane are large, but Chesterbrook, Franklin Sherman and Lemon Road are not. All are larger than they were 10 years ago when eldest DC started K.

Almost all of the elementary schools in Fairfax County have 900-1100 students. That's just too big and then the middle schools are just as large but with only 7th and 8th grade.

OP. My job is downtown; it would be hard to find something in my industry in the suburbs, but I wouldn't mind a short commute. PP, this has nothing to do with tastes or attitudes. Also not trying to be a hipster, nor am I from a small town. I'm DC born and bred. Are you from Ohio? I hear its nice there.

I'm not actually trying to elicit the typical bitchy comments this forum tends to generate, so maybe go troll the comments section of some Lean In type article.

Don't take this the wrong way OP, but it seems like you want it all...short commute, good public schools and affordable housing. Unfortunately, it is difficult to get all 3 in this area. Middle income parents have viable options - if they are willing to sacrifice one of the other factors. But I know very few middle icome parents in this area that can achieve the trifecta.