Lake Barcroft is a wonderful community. Summers at the lake are as idyllic as you might imagine. It's a great place to raise a family and there are so many good school options including the public schools.

Anonymous wrote:If you want progressive and nature, Burgundy Farm is very close to Hollin Hills.

We are at Burgundy and are very happy.

Anonymous wrote:For those doing public, are you comfortable with schools? Have not heard good things about them, but I am glad there is a lot of support.

This is such a hot button and personal issue. No matter what you say, someone on DCUM will have a problem with it, but yes, not only am I comfortable with the schools, I like our schools. That doesn't mean there aren't things that bother me, but that has more to do with Virginia's Standards of Learning than our particular schools. Anyway, it's such a personal issue, for example, yesterday I was talking to a friend at the Earth Day event who had moved to McLean because she wasn't a fan of our high school (even thought they moved, they were volunteering at the event because she said she missed the neighborhood so much). However, right after that, I was talking to a senior at Stuart who was heading to UVA in the fall. Again, it's just such a personal issue. Our schools are very diverse socioeconmically and racially. That makes a lot of people nervous for all sorts of reasons and it definitely creates challenges for our schools. But again, most people in the neighborhood do send their kids to our public schools and are happy with them.

Anonymous wrote:Bailey's is more of a mixed bag as there are so many kids now and they are split between two buildings, one of which is a converted office building.

My kids have gone to Sleepy Hollow and Bailey's. I really loved Bailey's. We haven't been there in a few years but in addition to the Spanish immersion program, they have an arts/science focus and it wasn't until we started at Sleepy Hollow that I really realized what a great job they do integrating the arts into the curriculum. I really miss that aspect of Bailey's. I'm glad they split the school (it was huge!) and although I'm not a fan of an office building being used for a school, the parents I know who had kids there liked it.

Anonymous wrote:Drove through LB the other day. Lots of public school signs. Did see stickers for Congressional, Burgundy, Westminster, SSSAS, Potomac and Madeira. So some people choosing that route, JEB has a good IB program.

I think people in Lake Barcroft generally are happy with two of the elementary choices - Belvedere and Sleepy Hollow. Bailey's is more of a mixed bag as there are so many kids now and they are split between two buildings, one of which is a converted office building.

FCPS has tried in recent years to improve the administrative teams at both the MS and the HS, Glasgow and Stuart. The current principals make a big effort to communicate with parents and get involved in the community. The demographics in some of the nearby areas are just very high-needs and it's tough to sell people on the notion that "average" kids who already speak English will get enough attention.

Why Hollin Hall ? Waynewood and other neighborhoods further down Ft. Hunt Road have nicer lots and homes.

Also saw Catholic schools too.

Drove through LB the other day. Lots of public school signs. Did see stickers for Congressional, Burgundy, Westminster, SSSAS, Potomac and Madeira. So some people choosing that route, JEB has a good IB program.

For those doing public, are you comfortable with schools? Have not heard good things about them, but I am glad there is a lot of support.

16:19 again. I just wanted to respond to some of the above comments.

Hollin Hills and Lake Barcroft are actually kind of similar. Both are known for their midcentury modern homes and are in very wooded neighborhoods.

Most neighbors do NOT send their kids to private schools. I am one of the few that does and we do a mix of private and public. There are always exceptions but most of the families I know send their kids to our public schools.

A $600k budget is low for LB. Most houses start in the mid-$700s and lake front homes start at $1m and that would be a fixer-upper.

I live in Lake Barcroft. I have two kids in our public elementary and our middle school child at Burgundy Farm. The plan is to send them all (hopefully) to Burgundy for middle school and then to our public high school. I'm in a carpool for Burgundy so I drive about 3 times a week (one way). It's about a 25 minute drive. We love our neighborhood. There's a big earth day event tomorrow at one of the beaches if you want to come check it out. There will be music and food and lots of earth day type activities. It will give you a good feel for the community. It's from 2-5pm at Beach 5 which is on Waterway drive. You'll see the cars.

(The closest private school is Congressional and Pinecrest isn't too far either.)

Does anyone know of any progressive schools near Lake Barcroft? Is Burgundy Hills the closest one?

There are houses for under 800k on the lake! Check out redfin!

Hollin Hills is an awesome area, especially if you have kids. All the surrounding neighborhoods (Villamay, Waynewood, Stratford Landing, Riverside Gardens, Hollin Hall) are nice. Most have neighborhood pools too. You would be close to the bike trail and the river, which is so beautiful.

Check out SSAS, Browne Academy, Burgundy Farm, St. Louis and Aquinas Montessori for private schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a beautiful oasis right on lake barcroft. Very unique.

OP said they have a $600k budget. Are their houses in that price range in Lake Barcroft? I thought the prices were higher. What are you getting for $600k?

The lowest price house I know of in Lake Barcroft is $700K and it needs a lot of work - http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/6426-Crosswoods-Dr_Falls-Church_VA_22044_M58327-96177. Lakefront houses start at over $1M and that would be for a fixer upper.

Anonymous wrote:It's a beautiful oasis right on lake barcroft. Very unique.

OP said they have a $600k budget. Are their houses in that price range in Lake Barcroft? I thought the prices were higher. What are you getting for $600k?