Thanks for all the useful info on neighborhoods and schools everyone! Extremely helpful! OP

Thank you, Campbell/St. Patrick's mom! That is a lovely story about the families helping each other. Sounds like a wonderful environment, especially if parents like you are there!

We are moving to a modest home over by VA Square metro. We just can't afford private school so we have to make the move to VA. St. Patrick's sounds great - wish we could afford a school like that!

Thanks again for being so helpful!

Anonymous wrote:OP again - thanks for the education about alternative programs within the Arlington county school system. I am intersted in the Campbell program as well. We have 1.5 years until my oldest goes to kindergarten do I need to start investigating options and getting on lotteries now for September 2013 or do I wait until after the September 2012 school year begins?

For 2013 you would submit your paperwork between February and April (check APS website for exact dates) of 2013. There's a little bit of a process. You have to go on a tour of your home school and have the principal sign transfer paperwork along with your application for the school you are choosing. You also have to have had a tour of your choice school and that principal will also sign the paperwork. The website has all the info.

OP again - thanks for the education about alternative programs within the Arlington county school system. I am intersted in the Campbell program as well. We have 1.5 years until my oldest goes to kindergarten do I need to start investigating options and getting on lotteries now for September 2013 or do I wait until after the September 2012 school year begins?

Anonymous wrote:PP thank you for overcoming the few nasty postings in this thread with your post. Your children are lucky to have you as a mother.

Thank you! That made my day!! I try my hardest, but I have lots of "moments" too.

PP thank you for overcoming the few nasty postings in this thread with your post. Your children are lucky to have you as a mother.

Anonymous wrote:Great! We will keep that in mind for #2! Much closer.

How did you end up at St. Patrick's? Tough commute?

Well, I used to teach in a couple of the private schools and had always heard great things about St. Patrick's, it's leadership, and it's teachers. We went on the tour and sent in the application the next day. It was a wonderful preschool experience for our children and worth every penny. My husband and I also went to private school PK-12 grades and we thought that this is what we would do for our children. This year we were staring down an almost $60,000 tuition bill and we decided that while we could do it, the alternative (Campbell) was/is just as good (and free!!). We are using the money saved to roll into college funds, retirement, we are giving more to local charities, travel, art classes, home improvements, etc.

Oh- another great story about community at Campbell. Just before school let out for break the school's counselor and the bilingual resource assistant sent out an email asking for gently used or new toys/clothes for Campbell families in dire need due to various circumstances. The community pulled together and we filled a room with toys and clothing. A couple of us got together and went out and bought Giant gift cards so that the families could have a holiday dinner. The school's staff and families really care about each other and it shows.

Back to St. Pat's and to answer your question, the commute to St. Pat's was not bad at all. It would take us longer in the mornings, but only about 12 minutes to get in for pick-up.

You definitely should look at Etz Hayim for your younger child. They start at 18 months and go through PK. It's wonderful.

Sorry for all the rambling...

Where are you moving in Arlington?

Great! We will keep that in mind for #2! Much closer.

How did you end up at St. Patrick's? Tough commute?

Welcome to Arlington!!!

I've heard the DCJCC is great. Our son went to Etz Hayim for a year when he was 2 (DH is Jewish on his Mom's side) and they were also Reggio based. The director received a lot of guidance from your director from what I can remember.

DCJCC. Moving to Arlington next month and trying to figure this all out.

Thank you again!

We were at St. Patrick's. Are you at St. John's?

More difficult from N. Arlington, but not impossible! I would go for a tour with the principal before the session and then go for the session and if it's what you really want I would let them know.

Thank you again! The info session is already on my calendar, but maybe I'll go visit sooner (sounds like they are open to individual tours).

Think it's difficult for a N Arlington child to get in via lottery?

And our LO is at a Reggio school in DC too - wonder if it's the same one!

Oh- a lot of parents pick up after school instead of doing the bus (I pick up on Fridays) and we've had spontaneous play dates right from the playground when I've picked up.

Anonymous wrote:Thank you so much!! Exactly what I was looking for (beyond the website). Our child is in a Reggio school right now so it really appeals to us for a few reasons.

Do the children at Campbell come from all over the county? Any issues with community from that sense? or at least playdates, etc.

Our children went to a Reggio preschool in DC... We are on the same page.

We do a lot of play dates. There are a bunch of children from Arlington Heights, Penrose, and Alcova that go to Campbell and our children all ride the same bus. I drop off in the morning (school starts at 8 am and the bus is too early for us) but we do the bus home and do play dates with children from the bus. We also do play dates with children who don't ride the bus. The lottery gives preference to Henry, Abingdon, Barcroft, Hoffman-Boston, Randolph, and Oakridge?? (can't remember) zoned folks which means that most of the students at Campbell live in S. Arlington which is small and easy to get around.

You should go visit.

Thank you so much!! Exactly what I was looking for (beyond the website). Our child is in a Reggio school right now so it really appeals to us for a few reasons.

Do the children at Campbell come from all over the county? Any issues with community from that sense? or at least playdates, etc.