Our commute is about the same, since neither of us work in DC. I am expecting to get slammed for this. My children are in elementary school and now we have very involved parents and an active PTA. Many students who went to their school before were very nice from good families, but they didn't speak English so there were not a lot of playdates and activities going on in the neighborhood. We tried to set them up but it wasn't as easy. There were some English speaking families but many attended private school. I was worried many of the school resources went to the ESOL program. Also, there was increased crime in the neighborhood. Nothing serious, but cars were always getting broken into. We lived in a very nice area in the West Potomac district.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am struggling with this choice. Commute wise, living in this area would be absolute cake, but I look at the Burke schools (for example since they are in a similar price point) and I'm trying to figure out if the risk is worth living in a gorgeous area (I absolutely love the trail

Middle school and high school worry me.

There are good teachers at every school and good programs at West Potomac and Mount Vernon. If you are able to live in Burke or the other side of the county I would suggest those instead. We recently moved from this area and are happier with our new achool. We struggled with the decision for years because the houses are more affordable in S. Alex. We have a smaller house, better schools and still live near a trail.

Could you give the differences between the schools? What makes your current school better than your S. Alex. school? Also, did your commute change? Is it better/worse?

Anonymous wrote:I am struggling with this choice. Commute wise, living in this area would be absolute cake, but I look at the Burke schools (for example since they are in a similar price point) and I'm trying to figure out if the risk is worth living in a gorgeous area (I absolutely love the trail

Middle school and high school worry me.

There are good teachers at every school and good programs at West Potomac and Mount Vernon. If you are able to live in Burke or the other side of the county I would suggest those instead. We recently moved from this area and are happier with our new achool. We struggled with the decision for years because the houses are more affordable in S. Alex. We have a smaller house, better schools and still live near a trail.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
These are not good schools. If you want good FFX schools, you have to move away from Alexandria.



Yawn.

Yawn all you like. Those schools suck.

but I thought FCPS had the best schools in the country.... oh wait it's 2014 not 1990.

Anonymous wrote:I am struggling with this choice. Commute wise, living in this area would be absolute cake, but I look at the Burke schools (for example since they are in a similar price point) and I'm trying to figure out if the risk is worth living in a gorgeous area (I absolutely love the trail).

Middle school and high school worry me.

You could go visit the schools and see what you think. We have moved many times (military) and find that spending time in an area helps us get a better feel for the area. The WP/MV area has a small town feel which we love but it might not be the best fit for everyone.

Hollin Ghettos, seriously? I live around the corner and I would hardly call it a ghetto.

Anonymous wrote:So 8:33 makes fun of Waynewood for not being diverse enough, and then turns around at 8:34 and calls Hollin Meadows, a more diverse school, "Hollin Ghettos"?

What an asshole.

How do you know it was the same asshole? Could have been two different assholes.

I am struggling with this choice. Commute wise, living in this area would be absolute cake, but I look at the Burke schools (for example since they are in a similar price point) and I'm trying to figure out if the risk is worth living in a gorgeous area (I absolutely love the trail).

Middle school and high school worry me.

I can't personally speak to Hollin Meadows, although we know a number of nice families who are happy there. For our children (who take honors classes), they have been very happy at West Po and Carl Sandburg. I like the regular communication from all teachers, admin & PTA. Lots of opportunities to volunteer at both schools. Fairly new principals at both seem to be doing a good job. Very happy living in this area.

So 8:33 makes fun of Waynewood for not being diverse enough, and then turns around at 8:34 and calls Hollin Meadows, a more diverse school, "Hollin Ghettos"?

What an asshole.

Anonymous wrote:OK. Does anyone have any specific input on Hollin Meadows Elementary School?

Do you mean Hollin Ghettos?

Anonymous wrote:We live in Sandburg/West Po zone and honestly, it is fine. There may be gangs but our kids certainly don't mention it as a problem. Smoking pot among all socio-economic classes seems to be the biggest issue by mid high school-some richer kids start in middle school. It is a very diverse group of kids by middle school and high school. Most elementary schools are pretty diverse too. We happen to think it generally makes life richer.

We were one of many families from Rosemont/Del Ray who move down here every year. I have a relative who lives in Del Ray felt she had no option by middle school to send her kids off to Catholic school. We've felt no such need thus far.

You must not live in the Waynewood School District.

OK. Does anyone have any specific input on Hollin Meadows Elementary School?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
These are not good schools. If you want good FFX schools, you have to move away from Alexandria.



Yawn.

Yawn all you like. Those schools suck.

You suck.

Anonymous wrote:
These are not good schools. If you want good FFX schools, you have to move away from Alexandria.



Yawn.

Yawn all you like. Those schools suck.