Anonymous
Post 05/07/2015 14:20     Subject: Happiest Elementary Schools in Arlington/N. Fairfax Co.
OP, do you need to be happy, or just your kids? You're looking in an area where there are a lot of parents who think they know best, always. They complain mightily about a lot of things.

Their children, however, are perfectly happy at school and are learning plenty.

Even if you're not a complainer, it can be tiring to be surrounded by them.
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2015 14:10     Subject: Happiest Elementary Schools in Arlington/N. Fairfax Co.
Aren't there a lot of military families at Long Branch?
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2015 14:02     Subject: Happiest Elementary Schools in Arlington/N. Fairfax Co.
Kings park/ kings glen
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2015 14:02     Subject: Happiest Elementary Schools in Arlington/N. Fairfax Co.
We're at Arlington Traditional and we love it. But admission is lottery, so it can be very tough to get in.
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2015 13:48     Subject: Happiest Elementary Schools in Arlington/N. Fairfax Co.
Anonymous wrote:Are you military?
I'd look at areas with more pentagon commuters and people familar with your lifestyle. I think that would reflex back to the vibe you are looking for.

With that said I'd look at Orange Hunt, Sangster, Hunt Valley and the such. Most of the homes there are more in the $2500K rent range. But you've got buses and slugs to the pentagon.

But, you might also want to look at Crosspointe, the Halley side. They have a new pricniple since I've been a parent there, but I loved the vibe. I think rents in Crosspointe might me more what you are looking for.


OP referred to "Arlington/N. Fairfax Co." These are all "S. Fairfax Co." schools.
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2015 13:47     Subject: Happiest Elementary Schools in Arlington/N. Fairfax Co.
Are you military?
I'd look at areas with more pentagon commuters and people familar with your lifestyle. I think that would reflex back to the vibe you are looking for.

With that said I'd look at Orange Hunt, Sangster, Hunt Valley and the such. Most of the homes there are more in the $2500K rent range. But you've got buses and slugs to the pentagon.

But, you might also want to look at Crosspointe, the Halley side. They have a new pricniple since I've been a parent there, but I loved the vibe. I think rents in Crosspointe might me more what you are looking for.
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2015 13:41     Subject: Happiest Elementary Schools in Arlington/N. Fairfax Co.
Anonymous wrote:Happy school--look for one that practices Responsive Classrom.


Jamestown. My kids were very happy there.
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2015 13:18     Subject: Happiest Elementary Schools in Arlington/N. Fairfax Co.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Stay in North Arlington and check out tuckahoe, Ashlawn , science focus, jamestown or nottingham

http://www.schooldigger.com/go/VA/district/00270/search.aspx?level=1


ASFS is not a "happy" school. All of the kids and half of the parents are scared of the principal.


I feel like this is true at Jamestown as well. The school has a lot of pluses, but the principal is by no means warm and fuzzy.


I wholeheartedly disagree. The Jamestown principal is awesome. My daughter is in the 2nd grad there and she is very happy. Loves going to school and loves the principal.
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2015 13:18     Subject: Happiest Elementary Schools in Arlington/N. Fairfax Co.
Ashlawn, Tuckahoe or Glebe. I'd add McKinley to the list, but the construction next year is not going to be fun. Some Glebe and Tuckahoe kids will be moving to McKinley after teh construction is done and some Tuck. kids will be moving to Nottingham. So, neighborhoods matter if you don't want to change schools.
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2015 13:11     Subject: Happiest Elementary Schools in Arlington/N. Fairfax Co.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Stay in North Arlington and check out tuckahoe, Ashlawn , science focus, jamestown or nottingham

http://www.schooldigger.com/go/VA/district/00270/search.aspx?level=1


ASFS is not a "happy" school. All of the kids and half of the parents are scared of the principal.


I feel like this is true at Jamestown as well. The school has a lot of pluses, but the principal is by no means warm and fuzzy.
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2015 13:10     Subject: Happiest Elementary Schools in Arlington/N. Fairfax Co.
Anonymous wrote:Stay in North Arlington and check out tuckahoe, Ashlawn , science focus, jamestown or nottingham

http://www.schooldigger.com/go/VA/district/00270/search.aspx?level=1


ASFS is not a "happy" school. All of the kids and half of the parents are scared of the principal.
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2015 13:06     Subject: Re:Happiest Elementary Schools in Arlington/N. Fairfax Co.
Our school, Glebe, is pretty happy. We have a lot of fun events scattered throughout the year put on by the PTA and the kids have a lot of assemblies and field trips throughout the year. Teachers are mostly good, and the administration is friendly. I think a lot of this comes down to the principal and PTA.
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2015 13:06     Subject: Re:Happiest Elementary Schools in Arlington/N. Fairfax Co.
Check out Long Branch - relaxed, friendly school. A little further south than others mentioned so it's closer to the Pentagon. Also, lots of military families. Lots of kids in the surrounding Lyon Park/Ashton Heights neighborhood.
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2015 13:03     Subject: Happiest Elementary Schools in Arlington/N. Fairfax Co.
Anonymous wrote:Discovery! They have a 2 story slide inside the school!


This school hasn't even opened yet, so it's not really possible to say how "happy" it will be.
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2015 13:01     Subject: Happiest Elementary Schools in Arlington/N. Fairfax Co.
Happy school--look for one that practices Responsive Classrom.