For families who are moving to the area with children figuring out the local school systems is a top priority. As an agent we can not make recommendations about area schools but we can provide you public information and reports provided by other sources. Fairfax County Schools were recently ranked #5 in the nation by Education Weekly and Thomas Jefferson HS in Fairfax County as been ranked the top high school in the nation by US News and World Report.
When it comes to learning more about the schools in the neighborhood where you are considering buying or renting there are a number of resources that you can check. With most of the county websites you can put in the address of the property you are interested in and it will give you the schools for each grade level. You then can read more about each individual school. Many families also check the Great Schools site to check on individual school ratings and you have friends or family already living in the area they are a good resource for you to check with as well. If you are enrolling a child for the first time in a Northern Virginia Schools you will need to come with the child yourself and have the following ready when you arrive to register. Some counties may have additional requirements but this list covers the basics of what you need:
Birth certificate for the child
Your proof of residence (lease or sales agreement)
Original Transcripts from their previous schools
Physical report within the last 12 month
TB test results
Immunization record
For public schools in Northern Virginia you can check the following county school sites for more information on registration requirements, school reports and boundaries for individual schools.
Virginia Department of Education
Alexandria City Public Schools
Arlington County Public Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools
Falls Church City Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Prince William County Public Schools
Stafford County Public Schools
Are you thinking about going back to school yourself? Then the choices are amazing. Both public and private schools dot the Northern Virginia area, many of them with more than one location. You can find a choice of schools that offer certificate programs, associate, undergraduate and graduate degrees. In addition to this list there are of number of schools that offer opportunities for accelerated degree programs for adults who have already completed 2 years of college and schools on local military installations who specialize in help those in the military finish school or consolidate credits towards their degree.
Sample of Accredited Post Secondary Schools with local operations
George Mason University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute-Falls Church Center
University of Virginia-Falls Church Center
Northern Virginia Community College
Marymount University
Strayer University
University of Mary Washington
University of Phoenix
Relocation is never easy and making the right choices about neighborhoods and schools are a large part of the process for families. Remember not to put the important papers you need for school registration on the moving truck. |