Looking for Excellent AND Diverse Public School System in NOVA (Alexandria: real estate, 2015)

[cautious-mom]

After living in the DC area for several years, my family relocated to the Atlanta area. Now we might be moving back!

We're an interracial couple (black/white) with an elementary school aged biracial child. We're both attorneys, but I'm currently a stay-at-home mom. My husband would be working in Alexandria if we move up there. He would not want a long commute to work.

What we're looking for is an affordable neighborhood (our budget is $550K-$600K) in NOVA where the public schools are excellent and diverse. A liberal and/or diverse neighborhood with friendly neighbors and lots of kids would be great too!

If it helps to know this, we would probably choose something like Silver Spring's Montgomery Blair HS cluster if we were going to live in Maryland. It took us a long time to find what we were looking for here. We ultimately chose a family-oriented neighborhood in the City of Decatur and would like something similar.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[FindingZen]

The good news for you is that Northern Virginia as a whole is rather diverse. In addition, most if not all schools in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties (not sure about Prince William County) perform at or above the national average on standardized tests. There are some who are concerned above the relatively lower-performing schools where there is a higher percentage of lower-income/non-native English speaking students... but that's another story.
The "best" schools often have upper-income households whose home value could surpass your budget.

I'll let others more knowledgeable get into specific schools... but generally speaking, Burke, West Springfield, Kingstowne (FFX County section of Alexandria), Annandale and Falls Church would be convenient areas with generally desirable schools. Assuming you're looking for a SFH, note that these may not necessarily be newer properties at your price point. You may need to add $100K or more for that. Otherwise, that could mean a newer townhome... or perhaps a trip out to Loudoun or Prince William Counties.

[Caladium]

Schools are probably the #1 topic on this forum. If you use the search function for this forum, you'll find all sorts of threads about schools.

[cautious-mom]

Thanks Tone509. I sorta figured we'd be priced out of the areas with the "best" schools. I'll look into the areas you suggested to see if there's a SFH in our price range.

Caladium: Thanks for your reply too. I did search this forum before posting, but couldn't find anything directly addressing my question.

[JD984]

The FCPS web site (www.fcps.edu) has all sorts of information about school demographics and test scores. However, if you're trying to get a feel for schools in particular parts of the county, the information in the FCPS Capital Improvement Plan may be helpful (it's a big document, though):

http://www.fcps.edu/fts/cipbook2011-2015.pdf

In terms of searching for SFHs in your price range, the FranklyMLS web site is awesome as you can tailor your searches based on price, location and school districts (if you choose):

Moderator cut: No links to individual real estate sites, generic MLS is fine

Based on what you've described, and if you're willing to consider an older home, homes in the Belle View, Hollin Meadows and/or Stratford Landing ES districts in the Alexandria part of Fairfax County might be areas you'd want to consider.

Good luck.

[tgbwc]

I think you could find a SFH for less than $600k with good schools, especially in the W. Springfield and Burke areas. What type of SFH would you want (size, age...?)

This is one I was thinking of, but looks like it just went under contract:
Moderator cut: No links to individual real estate sites, generic MLS is fine

Why not? Here's two more.


Moderator cut: No links to individual real estate sites, generic MLS is fine

Moderator cut: No links to individual real estate sites, generic MLS is fine

[JD984]

This is a nice area as well. One cautionary note - the physical plant at West Springfield HS apparently is in poor condition and it's going to be several years still before it's renovated. That might matter to some prospective residents, and not to others.

[cautious-mom]

Thanks JEB77 and TGBWC! I'll look into all of your suggestions.

TGBWC: Thanks for asking--we love older homes, but we were sorta hoping to avoid split-levels and split-foyers. Of course, if we have no choice . . . .

By the way, to those who responded to my inquiry: If you're a realtor who specializes in any of the areas listed above, please feel free to DM me. Thanks