Westgate ES

Although I love the West Springfield area, I do find that many of the military parents are clique-ish. (or there shared background causes them to hang out together, to be nice about it).

I've also found that there is a big rift in the west springfield area between the SAHM and the WOHM - but I assume that happens everywhere.

I've liked Fairfax Station, but I liked Halley a lot better than Silverbrook.

Anonymous wrote:

Do the schools with a lot of military have a high mobility rate? That isn't always desirable.

I don't know why anyone would say this. Some of the best families are these. We are not military, but have found that these families are often the ones volunteering at school, heading up clubs, etc. Many land here at the end of their careers and stay so I wouldn't say they necessarily move on. They know how to contribute and they are dedicated to education.

Yes, pentagon tours frequently come near the end of a military career and the families end up staying here. Many military families will buy here even when they know they might have to move for a two or three year tour. They rent out their house while they're gone and then move back in, so the kids are in the same house, same neighborhood, same schools. Military families tend to get very involved in their communities and will do what they can to help. You can do far worse than to have military families for neighbors.

I know people will laugh but we are at Churchill elementary and love the community. There is a part of the PTA that is a bit hoity toity, but in general, great parents!

Flint Hill Elementary in Vienna... Fantastic school, pretty small, great neighborhood. We love it.

The class sizes aren't small, but Stenwood ES is wonderful. Nice students, caring staff, good curriculum, lots of events throughout the year, recently renovated.

Of course active duty military families move more frequently than your average civilian family-- that's just the nature of their work. The same is true of Foreign Service families and a few other groups. But these families often contribute a LOT to their schools and communities despite knowing that they'll eventually be moving on. Their kids also have life experiences from their various assignments (including overseas) that can enrich their classmates.

Do the schools with a lot of military have a high mobility rate? That isn't always desirable.

I don't know why anyone would say this. Some of the best families are these. We are not military, but have found that these families are often the ones volunteering at school, heading up clubs, etc. Many land here at the end of their careers and stay so I wouldn't say they necessarily move on. They know how to contribute and they are dedicated to education.

West Springfield! We are in Rolling Valley/Irving/West Springfield pyramid and love it!

Do the schools with a lot of military have a high mobility rate? That isn't always desirable.

Anonymous wrote:we are in Springfield, zoned for Saratoga Elementary
Neighbors are mostly feds or Military as we are ten miles to Ft Belvoir and next to the NGA / FTB North
Moddle school and High school are iffy compared to other locations, but if you are involved with your kids they should do fine.
Good luck

We're also in the Saratoga district. We like the neighborhood and the school.

McLean schools. ESP chesterbrook or kent gardens

Anonymous wrote:Kings Park/ Kings Glen

+1

Cleremont, Bush Hill, Rose Hill, Franconia are all nice schools. They feed into Twain/Edison. The neighborhoods are modest - lots of feds/contractors/military. We're very happy with the area and schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stratford Landing. Amazing elementary school and we are happy leaving Old Town for the suburbs.

No. OP said s/he wants a school community WITHOUT pretentious parents. While I know there are many perfectly nice parents at SL including PP, I have never seen such vitriol and entitled parents as I've seen at this school. Also, it is bursting at the seams.

We are at Ft. Hunt and hoping for less pretension.