Arlington Virginia Schools (house, diverse, price)

[edland]

As a long time (12 of the last 14 years) resident of Arlington County, I am dismayed by some of the mis-information and at times prejudice represented in a few of the posts on this site. This is particularly true wrt the school system and to a lesser extent regarding places to live.

Arlington is a small county whose extreme northern part tends to be more affluent than not only the rest of the county but the majority of the US. Some see this and find the rest of the county lacking. However, the county as a whole is safe, prosperous and the possessor of what has been argued to be one of the top school systems in the country. This is true whether the school is in "North" Arlington or "South" Arlington. My son has attended a 22204 zip elementary school (Patrick Henry) for the past 6 years where he has excelled. I also have nieces in North Arlington schools who likewise have excelled.

There is a persistent belief, perpetuated by some with no direct knowledge, that the schools south of route 50 are lacking in some way. Although the schools in the northern part of the county are less diverse both ethnically and economically, that does not make them better. In fact, with few exceptions, the students in all of Arlington's schools come from very solid middle class families. They go to schools with highly involved and caring educators and they live in a community that provides them with a wonderful place to grow up in. If you want to live somewhere close in and a great school system choose Arlington - North or South... While the price of a shorter commute may well be a smaller house and yard, you'll get more time to enjoy it.

[ACWhite]

Thanks for your post, edland. I agree with you.