Woodley Hills Elementary School is located at 8718 Old Mt Vernon Rd, Alexandria, VA 22309, and is part of the Fairfax County Public Schools district. It serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, offering a foundation for early education in a diverse community.
Real Estate Considerations
For families looking to buy a home in this school district, the median home price in zip code 22309 is approximately $529,000 as of August 2024, reflecting a potentially affordable option compared to the broader Alexandria area’s median of $635,000. The school’s attendance zone can be checked using the FCPS Boundary Locator System (Boundary Locator).
Unexpected Detail: Community and Programs
An interesting aspect is the school’s Positive Behavior Support (PBIS) program, aimed at fostering a positive environment, which might be appealing for parents seeking supportive educational settings despite the school’s lower rankings.
Comprehensive Profile of Woodley Hills Elementary School
Woodley Hills Elementary School, nestled in Fairfax County, Virginia, is a public elementary institution serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. This detailed profile explores its history, current operations, demographics, real estate context, academic standings, and more, providing a thorough resource for families considering purchasing a home within its district.
Historical Background
Founded in 1952 during the post-World War II baby boom, Woodley Hills Elementary School was established to meet the growing demand for educational facilities in Fairfax County. The school initially catered to grades one through seven, reflecting the educational structure of the time. Expansions in 1955 and 1957 added classrooms to accommodate the influx of students. A significant shift occurred in 1960 when the seventh grade was reassigned to Walt Whitman Intermediate School following the county’s introduction of intermediate schools. Kindergarten was added in September 1968, aligning with county-wide changes. Notably, for the first 76 years of Fairfax County’s public school system, schools were segregated by race, and Woodley Hills admitted only white students until the end of the 1965-66 school year, marking its integration and the beginning of its diverse community today.
Current Parent Information
Parents at Woodley Hills Elementary School have access to various resources through the school’s website and the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) portal. A key tool is the SIS ParentVUE Account, which provides secure access to student information, including attendance, class performance, and demographic data, and links to Schoology, the district’s learning management system. Online registration is available for new and returning students, requiring a SIS ParentVUE Account, with instructions provided on the FCPS website (FCPS Online Registration). Communication is facilitated through email notifications and the school’s website, ensuring parents stay informed about school events and policies.
Demographics and Student Body
The school serves approximately 486 students, with a diverse racial composition: 64.4% Hispanic, 16.9% White, 13.2% African American, and the remainder from other racial backgrounds. A significant 74.3% of students receive free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high proportion from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, which qualifies the school as a Title I institution, receiving additional funding to support educational programs. The school caters to grades PK-6, offering a broad elementary education.
Real Estate Data and Housing Market
Located in zip code 22309, Alexandria, VA, Woodley Hills Elementary School’s attendance zone is part of a housing market with a median home price of approximately $529,000 as of August 2024, according to real estate data (Movoto 22309). This is slightly lower than the broader Alexandria median of $635,000, potentially making it an attractive option for families. The FCPS Boundary Locator System (Boundary Locator) can help determine if a property falls within the school’s zone, which is crucial for families prioritizing this school. The area’s housing market shows a median price per square foot of $291, with homes spending a median of 26 days on the market, indicating a slowing but still active market.
Academic Rankings and Performance
Woodley Hills Elementary School faces challenges in academic rankings. It is ranked #778-1037 out of 1037 elementary schools in Virginia by US News (US News Ranking), and SchoolDigger ranks it #1084 out of 1114 Virginia public elementary schools, placing it in the bottom 25% (SchoolDigger Ranking). Test scores indicate 22% proficiency in math and 37% in reading, both below state averages of 54% and 69%, respectively. Despite these rankings, the school maintains an accredited status with no indicators at level three, as per the Virginia School Quality Profiles (School Quality Profiles).
Teacher-Student Ratio and Staff
The school boasts a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.9, which is the 12th best among 137 elementary schools in the Fairfax County Public Schools district, suggesting a supportive learning environment with potentially more individualized attention (SchoolDigger Staff). The school employs 40.7 full-time teachers, contributing to this ratio. The principal is Sharon Aldredge, and while a comprehensive list of administration is not publicly detailed in accessible sources, parents can contact the school at 703-799-2000 for further information.
Additional Programs and Features
Woodley Hills Elementary School has implemented a Positive Behavior Support (PBIS) program, aimed at creating a positive behavior environment based on guidelines and training, which may appeal to parents seeking supportive educational settings (School Features). As a Title I school, it receives additional funding to support students from low-income families, enhancing resources and programs to meet state standards. The school’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in its demographic makeup and historical integration.
Community and Parental Feedback
Community feedback, as seen on platforms like Homes.com, highlights mixed experiences, with some parents praising the dedicated staff and opportunities provided, while others note challenges such as language barriers, typical of urban schools (Homes.com Reviews). This reflects the school’s efforts to serve a diverse and economically challenged population, which may be a consideration for families moving into the area.
Conclusion
For families considering purchasing a home in the Woodley Hills Elementary School district, this profile offers a comprehensive view of the school’s history, current operations, and the surrounding housing market. While the school faces academic challenges, its favorable teacher-student ratio, supportive programs like PBIS, and Title I status provide potential benefits. The median home price of $529,000 in zip code 22309, combined with the school’s diverse community, may make it an appealing choice for families prioritizing affordability and inclusivity.
Key Citations
Key Points
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Woodley Hills Elementary School, in Fairfax County, Virginia, opened in 1952 and serves PK-6, with a diverse student body.
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It seems likely that the school has a student-teacher ratio of about 12:1, which is favorable, and 74.3% of students receive free or reduced lunch, indicating a Title I school.
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Research suggests the school ranks low in state and national comparisons, with challenges in test scores, but is accredited with no below-standard indicators.
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The median home price in the school’s zip code (22309) is around $529,000, which may appeal to families considering the area.
