Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm Asian, DH is white, one kid is full Asian and the other is half-Asian, half white. We definitely looked for a school or area that was diverse racially, as well as somewhat economically. We landed in the West Springfield HS pyramid (kids are upper elementary currently). Their school isn't as racially diverse as others listed here but is 55% white, 45% non-white.

Growing up, I was one of 3 Asian kids in school and it was awful.

Same for my nieces. They absolutely hated it. They eventually moved when the youngest was still in HS to a school with way more Asian American students, and she was much happier (including with a more challenging school - more AP classes, etc.).

Anonymous wrote:How much does this factor into what neighborhood you live in and what school you choose? I live in an area of NOVA that has a good number of Hispanics, Asians/East Asians and mixed kids, and my child is mixed Asian and white. I keep going back and forth on whether to find a house here or look in NW DC. I looked at Wilson High, Deal, Murch demographics and the numbers are more like 30-50%+ black and Hispanic and only 5% Asian and/or 2-5% mixed race. If you are a minority parent or parent to a mixed (especially Asian/other race mix), how did this factor into your decision making? Growing up in a white area myself, it was important for me to find an area that was racially and socioeconomically diverse, but I go back and forth on whether the specific kind of racial diversity is important. What are your thoughts? I hated being only one of 2 Asian kids in my school, so that is where I am coming from.

We are looking at purchasing a home and settling down and I would love to hear other opinions.

Anonymous wrote:I'm Asian, DH is white, one kid is full Asian and the other is half-Asian, half white. We definitely looked for a school or area that was diverse racially, as well as somewhat economically. We landed in the West Springfield HS pyramid (kids are upper elementary currently). Their school isn't as racially diverse as others listed here but is 55% white, 45% non-white.

Growing up, I was one of 3 Asian kids in school and it was awful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We moved from North Arlington to Fairfax County (to a lower rated school) because I did not want my mixed (south asian/white) children being the only non-white kids in their classes (and yes, North Arlington is VERY white). Been there, done that and I hated being one of three non-white kids in my class. I wanted my children to be part of an inclusive, diverse school. Our Fairfax County school is maybe 30% Asian/South Asian, 30% Hispanic, 30% White and 10% African-American/African/Mixed/Other. My kids have friends of all races/colors/religions, they have several other mixed-race friends, and they are very happy.

I’m mixed race and so is my husband, and North Arlington is not SO white that my kids have ever been “onlies.” It’s frustrating to me that people complain about the lack of diversity, but then people of color don’t ever move here. I mean, how will it ever change if people make the same decision you made? I understand your choice and don’t judge you for it, but I think we could easily tip this area to be more diverse if a few more folks moved in. It wouldn’t take much, and a lot of young families with one Asian parent have moved into my neighborhood lately, so I’m hopeful for change.

Anonymous wrote:I would not want my child as the only or one of a few regardless of what race I was and yes, I would take it into consideration.

Anonymous wrote:Half Asian half white kids often look Hispanic. My one friend has 3 kids. 2 of her kids look very Asian but her daughter looks Latino. They go to a diverse school (30% Hispanic, 20% black). All 3 kids have plenty of friends and not a problem at all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much does this factor into what neighborhood you live in and what school you choose? I live in an area of NOVA that has a good number of Hispanics, Asians/East Asians and mixed kids, and my child is mixed Asian and white. I keep going back and forth on whether to find a house here or look in NW DC. I looked at Wilson High, Deal, Murch demographics and the numbers are more like 30-50%+ black and Hispanic and only 5% Asian and/or 2-5% mixed race. If you are a minority parent or parent to a mixed (especially Asian/other race mix), how did this factor into your decision making? Growing up in a white area myself, it was important for me to find an area that was racially and socioeconomically diverse, but I go back and forth on whether the specific kind of racial diversity is important. What are your thoughts? I hated being only one of 2 Asian kids in my school, so that is where I am coming from.

We are looking at purchasing a home and settling down and I would love to hear other opinions.

I'd find a school with great academics and at least 10% Asian Am representation. That's it.[/quote

I'm Asian and DH is White, we have 2 DD's and used to live in NOVA and now live in the suburbs in a majority upperclass white neighborhood in a different state. I miss the diversity of the NOVA area terribly and when our kids were in preschool there were at least 2-3 other half Asian/White children in their classes as well. (But my experience was that the mothers who were Asian saw me as competition rather than seeing the connections/similarities) So although nice for my kid to not feel like the only, it didn't really translate to anything during that time period we lived there in terms of community. However, as usual there are pros and cons with every place. I also hated being the only Asian growing up but it also made me kind of feel special.