Moving to NoVA. Looking for house in Leesburg and Ashburn. Schools? (Fairfax: home builders, buyer)

[sp1568]

We're going in 3 weeks to look for a house.

Are there any middle schools that are outstanding? Any we should avoid? How about elementary? Or, are they all pretty much the same and it really doesn't matter?

We were there a month ago and toured Belmont Ridge MS and Newton-Lee Elementary. We were impressed by both and were wondering how the other schools in the area compared.

Thanks!

[5stones]

best MS in Leesburg is Smarts Mill. (IMO) The principal Mr Steuart is very "hands on" and VERY present in the school. knows just about every kid there by name etc...

I didn't care for Simpson MS. Heard good and bad about Harper Park MS, academics are good, problems with behavior etc...

Ashburn schools pretty much all seem very good. Belmont Ridge has a good rep. Farmwell Station MS has a very good rep and has won various awards etc...

for HS I prefer Loudoun County to Heritage in Leesburg (but county is crowded)

HS in Ashburn...They all seem pretty solid and I think I'd give the edge to Ashburn over Leesburg on the HS.

[twinmma]

We live in Ashburn, but our kids are toddlers so don't have first hand knowledge of the schools other than to say we have been told they all are great and once you live here I think you will see why...really not a bad part to Ashburn. Very nice, surburbia type of place. I love it here. I am in Ashburn Farm and love walking the trails with the kids.
Good luck with your move. If you want any advice on any homes, DM me and I can give you my opinion. (not an agent...just follow the market here in Ashburn pretty closely as a hobby so to speak)

[Mr. Mark]

In general terms Loudoun County schools are very good. In my opinion because Loudoun is primarily a newer community than Fairfax County the school system has newer (better) technology available but the teachers don't have the credentials or reputation of Fairfax County. They still rank in the top tier of the USA from what I've heard.

As a new home buyer your housing choices will be fantastic in Loudoun County. Again, as a new community, new home builders are taking a beating as are sellers of resale homes. My recommendation would be to buy close to one of the Town Centers (Brambleton, Belmont Country Club, Broadlands, Landsdowne, Countryside, River Creek) which should increase the value of your house over time (3-5 years) as appreciation comes back to those areas.

[sp1568]

Thanks for the replies. We've narrowed down the areas we're going to look in by the middle school areas. We're looking in the areas that go to Belmont Ridge, Eagle Ridge and Farmwell Station. So, I guess that would pretty much be Broadlands, Ashburn (Ridges, Farm, Village...what's the difference?) and the Belmont and Lansdowne areas (though not as likely due to $$$).

[5stones]

Those are all good MS. Seriously you will not have a problem with any of the schools in Ashburn.

[VEIK]

BTW, do they have school ratings for those areas online?

Or are they too young to have any rating at all....

[5stones]

Great schools gives Eagle ridge and Farmwell a rating of 8. very good for a middle school.
I believe Belmont is too new to be rated yet. maybe on the VA schools website.

I've had friends that have kids in Farmewell and I have never heard anything negative about it. I believe one of the Teachers there got VA teacher of the year.

Seriously Loudoun County schools are AWESOME, you will not be dissapointed. We just left the area and I miss the curriculum, all my kids are ahead in school here.