Wakefield is a great school. I’ve worked over there, and can’t believe parents move to avoid it.

Anonymous wrote:We moved to Central Arlington from Shirlington in time for elementary school (N of Rt 50).

We were happy enough for elementary and middle school, but I wish I sent my daughter to Wakefield. It is a kinder and gentler school than W-L and would have been a better fit.

So I don't regret my move, but I probably didn't pick the right neighborhood in the end.

I don't think the issue with W-L is quality, but its size and location. From what I've seen, it's very chaotic and in some ways feels like an oversized middle school. There's more room to breathe at Wakefield.

We moved to Central Arlington from Shirlington in time for elementary school (N of Rt 50).

We were happy enough for elementary and middle school, but I wish I sent my daughter to Wakefield. It is a kinder and gentler school than W-L and would have been a better fit.

So I don't regret my move, but I probably didn't pick the right neighborhood in the end.

Moved for schools. No regrets. I think it all depends on how you felt about your old school/neighborhood and your new school/neighborhood. Our old school taught to the lowest common denominator. Our new school goes above and beyond. Our old neighborhood was a little too much togetherness. Our new neighborhood is friendly, but allows a bit more independence from the fishbowl of everyone being in everyone else's business. But the neighborhood is secondary. I moved for schools. I got better schools. Happy!

Anonymous wrote:yes- ASFS.

What school did you leave? Key?

yes- ASFS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, I cannot stop reading OP's post and thinking they are listing fewer black/Hispanic children is a great reason to move.

No you are reading right. However, usually race becomes a shorthand for disruptiveness.

People say that a school with a lot of students lagging behind academically is a problem, but in my experience, it does not create a problem in the school if the school is properly differentiating in curriculum and instruction. The biggest problem in indiscipline and disruptiveness in the classroom that can scuttle any learning.

Disruptive students are from all races (though Asians have the lowest incidents of indiscipline or disruptiveness) however usually there are higher percentage of Black and Hispanic kids who misbehave. This has created a stereotype of all blacks and hispanics students being disruptive.

Yes, that's been my experience as well. In high school I was a 3rd grade classroom tutor for a neighboring low income elementary school. I would go every other day for an hour. It took me about three visits to understand that I wasn't there to help the kids who had problems learning; I had zero qualifications for that. My job was to take the 4 or 5 most disruptive kids in the class out in the hall to read a book or two, so that the other kids could actually get some of the teachers attention, if only for 45 mins or so.

That experience has influenced my perspective and expectation about sending my own kid to a school that is very poor. It's the disruptiveness. Not class. Not race. Not the amenities that wealthy parents at lavish on their neighborhood schools via PTA auctions and online fundraising.

Anonymous wrote:I still miss my old neighbors and friends from our old neighborhood. I’m glad my kids have new friends. It took years to be part of our old community so I can’t expect same in a few months.

This. It takes time. I don’t regret moving at all. In time we grew to like our new community just as much.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, I cannot stop reading OP's post and thinking they are listing fewer black/Hispanic children is a great reason to move.

No you are reading right. However, usually race becomes a shorthand for disruptiveness.

People say that a school with a lot of students lagging behind academically is a problem, but in my experience, it does not create a problem in the school if the school is properly differentiating in curriculum and instruction. The biggest problem in indiscipline and disruptiveness in the classroom that can scuttle any learning.

Disruptive students are from all races (though Asians have the lowest incidents of indiscipline or disruptiveness) however usually there are higher percentage of Black and Hispanic kids who misbehave. This has created a stereotype of all blacks and hispanics students being disruptive.

I am the OP. I have not witnessed disruptive black and Hispanic kids at our old school. Most of the disciplinary problems were with the white kids.

Anonymous wrote:Wow, I cannot stop reading OP's post and thinking they are listing fewer black/Hispanic children is a great reason to move.

No you are reading right. However, usually race becomes a shorthand for disruptiveness.

People say that a school with a lot of students lagging behind academically is a problem, but in my experience, it does not create a problem in the school if the school is properly differentiating in curriculum and instruction. The biggest problem in indiscipline and disruptiveness in the classroom that can scuttle any learning.

Disruptive students are from all races (though Asians have the lowest incidents of indiscipline or disruptiveness) however usually there are higher percentage of Black and Hispanic kids who misbehave. This has created a stereotype of all blacks and hispanics students being disruptive.