Anonymous wrote:

sophie123 wrote:Really helpful. Am making a list of all suggestions ahead of a visit this month. Any others? Most grateful.

I think you need to keep in mind the commute. It can be brutal around here. Clearly the closer to downtown, the shorter the commute. Make sure you and your partner try it out from various points when you come to visit.

How long will you be here? In the city I would suggest looking at the neighborhoods that feed to:

Janney (AU Park)
Key (Palisades)
Lafayette (Chevy Chase DC)
Murch (Chevy Chase/North Cleveland Park)
Horace Mann (Spring Valley, Wesley Heights)

These are often referred to as JKLMM schools.

In Bethesda I would look at the neighborhoods that feed to:
Wood Acres
Westbrook
Bannockburn
Bethesda Elemenatry
Somerset
Bradley Hills Elementary
Chevy Chase Elementary/Rosemary Hills

I'd add Eaton, Hearst, Stoddard, Hyde & Oyster to the list of DC schools to look into.

If you won't be living in DC long enough for your oldest to attend middle school here , Ross & Brent are also worth looking into. Both are great schools but don't feed into very strong middle & high schools.

How long do you plan to stay? Two years or forever. If it is forever, you should probably look at middle and high school options as well, and move backwards from there to decide on an elementary school. Fairfax, Arlington, and Montgomery County all have highly ranked public high schools.

Even if your son learned to read a year early, don't be tempted to push him ahead of other kids his age. Many people here opt to keep their July/August/Sept kids back so your son could be very young for his class. This becomes an issue at the other end at high school and also when they head off to the temptations of college.

Also for future questions, I'd recommend posting anonymously. You don't need an account for this forum. I hope your real name isn't Sophie...

I would strongly recommend Murch, which has a large number of international students, as well as excellent teachers and administration. The Murch boundaries will put you on Metro's red line, which will make for an easy commute to Farragut North. There are both large, family-friendly apartments along Connecticut Ave. convenient to the school, and lovely houses with yards off the avenue. I'm sure the principal would be happy to meet with you.

You might want to consider Shepherd Park, Takoma Park, or Silver Spring as well. All a little less bland than Bethesda.

Anonymous wrote:commute will be to Farragut North. I see Bethesda looks relatively easy commute-wise. Which is the best site to look at for property? And another Q, when visiting schools, is it normal (as it is here) to ask to meet the headteacher? Thank you all so much

Sometimes its the head teacher, or Principal who shows you around, sometimes its a parent volunteer - depending on the school.

OP, you can also look in arlington with that commute. Well regarded public schools, a bit more affordable. I don't think the privates will take you for this next September.

Many of the DC public schools offer open houses (group tours). You can look by individual school at DCPS.

commute will be to Farragut North. I see Bethesda looks relatively easy commute-wise. Which is the best site to look at for property? And another Q, when visiting schools, is it normal (as it is here) to ask to meet the headteacher? Thank you all so much

OP, look on military by owner.com for a rental in that relatively generous price range you stated. Schools and commute, schools and commute. that drives the market here.

OP, where specifically will you and your spouse be working? I can't tell from your post if you will be working in NW DC, or if you will be in the suburbs. It will make a big difference when giving suggestions.

If in DC, where? Do you know what Metro stop you'll be on?

Don't know if this is an option, but there is a British School in DC. Cost is $25K-$30K per year, and I don't know how difficult it is to get in. But thought I'd throw it out there.

http://www.nordangliaeducation.com/our-schools/washington