Shopping for a home in Waynewood and want the school picture nailed down before you write an offer? You’re not alone. In Fort Hunt, school assignments, bus service, and program options can shape your day-to-day routine. This guide gives you the essentials so you can compare homes with confidence and avoid surprises. Let’s dive in.
The Waynewood school pyramid
The typical public-school path for Waynewood is Waynewood Elementary School to Carl Sandburg Middle School to West Potomac High School. This is the standard West Potomac pyramid for most Waynewood addresses. Always verify the specific home using the official FCPS Boundary Locator, since boundaries can shift.
Confirm your exact address
- Look up the property in the Boundary Locator.
- Save a screenshot for your records and your offer package.
- If you are near a boundary line or a split-feeder area, call the school office to double-check.
Boundaries, changes, and exceptions
FCPS assigns schools based on your residence address and the current attendance-area maps. The School Board can adopt adjustments, and FCPS posts updates before each school year. If you want to monitor potential changes, check the FCPS boundary adjustment page during your search.
Some nearby schools have split feeders, which means portions of an elementary zone can feed different pyramids. If you are comparing homes close to a line, verifying each address in the Boundary Locator is the safest path.
Transfers to a non-base school are possible in limited cases and depend on capacity and documentation. Review categories and timelines on the FCPS transfer and withdrawal page before counting on a transfer.
Daily logistics: locations and schedules
Here are the three schools in the Waynewood pyramid and their locations:
- Waynewood Elementary School: 1205 Waynewood Blvd, Alexandria, VA. See the school site for the latest contacts and attendance info.
- Carl Sandburg Middle School: 8428 Fort Hunt Rd, Alexandria, VA. Bell schedules are posted on the Sandburg schedule page.
- West Potomac High School: 6500 Quander Rd, Alexandria, VA. Check the West Potomac bell schedules.
Bell times can change year to year, so confirm on each school’s site when you are under contract.
Bus service and eligibility
FCPS determines bus eligibility using walking-distance guidelines and safe-route assessments. Once you confirm the base school for a property, check bus service details through the school office and FCPS Transportation. Start with the district’s page for bus routes and bell schedules, then confirm specifics for your address. Bus stops are shared with enrolled families for safety.
Programs and options to know
- Advanced Academic Programs: FCPS offers a continuum of advanced-academic services K–12, including local and center-based options, plus honors and AP at the secondary level. Explore the Advanced Academic Programs overview and speak with school contacts about availability at each site.
- Montessori magnet at Bucknell Elementary: Beginning in 2025–26, a Montessori magnet is located at Bucknell Elementary in the West Potomac pyramid. Eligible families must reside within the West Potomac pyramid. Review eligibility and lottery timing on the FCPS Montessori page.
- Special education services: Program sites and services are listed by FCPS and vary by school. Families should coordinate with FCPS Student Services and the receiving school. See special education program sites for details.
Enrollment and transfers: timing that matters
- Register at your base school identified by the Boundary Locator. Each school’s site lists required documents.
- If you hope to enroll out of boundary, review the transfer categories, deadlines, and capacity notes early. The transfer and withdrawal page outlines the process.
- For magnets, Montessori, or AAP center placements, follow separate lottery or screening timelines. Check dates well in advance to avoid missing a window.
Buyer checklist: compare homes confidently
- Verify the home’s assigned elementary, middle, and high school in the Boundary Locator.
- Save confirmation for your records and ask the seller for any known exceptions.
- Confirm bus eligibility and likely walking distance with the school office and FCPS bus routes and bell schedules.
- If programs matter to you, review the AAP overview and FCPS Montessori details, plus special education options.
- Check whether boundary studies or capacity constraints could affect future assignments on the FCPS boundary adjustment page.
- Review transfer categories and timelines on the transfer page and gather documentation early.
Put local expertise to work
Getting the school pyramid right makes your day-to-day simpler and your offer stronger. If you want help aligning homes with your school and commute goals, reach out to Lyssa Seward for hyperlocal guidance backed by white-glove service.
FAQs
Which schools serve most Waynewood addresses in Fort Hunt?
- Most Waynewood addresses follow Waynewood Elementary to Carl Sandburg Middle to West Potomac High, but you should confirm any property in the Boundary Locator.
How do I confirm a home’s assigned schools in Fairfax County?
- Use the FCPS Boundary Locator to look up the address and save the results; boundaries can change, so confirm again before you close.
How is bus eligibility determined for Waynewood-area homes?
- FCPS reviews walking-distance thresholds and safe routes; after you confirm the base school, check the bus routes and bell schedules page and the school office for address-specific guidance.
Can I request a transfer to a different FCPS school?
- Transfers may be allowed under specific categories and capacity limits; review requirements and timelines on the transfer and withdrawal page before making plans.
What programs should I know about in the West Potomac pyramid?
Could school boundaries change after I buy?
- FCPS periodically updates boundaries; monitor proposals and adopted changes on the boundary adjustment page during your search and after you move in.
