Elementary school recommendations

[u/limonegirl]

We’re a military family expecting to move in the next few months down to the area to work at Newport News Shipyard. I’ve heard that the Williamsburg area is ideal for safety and school education.

Our eldest will start kindergarten next August and our youngest will be 2.

It seems like neighborhoods zoned for Magruder elementary or Waller Mill might make the most sense logistical for the commute to Newport News everyday. Do you recommend one school over the other? If so, why? Would love any info on teachers, programs, any recent experiences.. the good, the bad and everything in between. Class sizes are also important, so any insight on that would be appreciated.

Is one school zone neighborhood more conveniently located than the other— such as grocery stores, restaurants, etc?

We were most interested in language immersion (kids currently have that now), but that doesn’t seem to be offered at any of the schools. I do know that Waller Mill is a magnet school, but I’m not sure how much of difference that makes at the Kindergarten and first grade levels compared to the extra 15 minutes it would add on to the commute each day (it looks like Magruder is located more south, closer to work). Tell me if you think Waller Mill is worth the slightly longer commute.

Bonus points if you have any recommendations for daycare/preschools located close by one of the elementary schools! We’ll be moving midyear so the oldest child will go to the preschool first before starting kindergarten, while the youngest child would remain in the preschool the entire time.

Thanks in advance for helping a military family out!

Update: someone mention Tabb or Mount Vernon elementary— please give personal insights into that school/neighborhood as well! Thank you