Ranking elementary schools in Woodson Pyramid

[Anonymous]

I'm particularly interested in Mantua, Canterbury Woods and Wakefield Forest. I know the first two are centers. What else is there to know about the schools, the AAP programs, and also the neighborhoods?

[Anonymous]

They are all about the same. Wakefield Forest is smaller, which has pros and cons.

[Anonymous]

Mantua, but it's an AAP center so you have to deal with that BS.

[Anonymous]

I personally would buy where you can get a house and not worry about which ES. I feel like its 6 of one, half a dozen of the other.

[Anonymous]

WFES outscored the other two on standardized reading tests this year. Kind of a big deal given that it is NOT an AAP center, so shouldn't outperform schools serving as gifted hubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WFES outscored the other two on standardized reading tests this year. Kind of a big deal given that it is NOT an AAP center, so shouldn't outperform schools serving as gifted hubs.

OP here. Noticed this too! Also wondering if WFES is a better bet for getting into AAP, if DC tuens out to be a good fit for that. CBW is the center but presumably many families there already wanting AAP.

[Anonymous]

I would pick Wakefield. You didn’t ask about other schools but I would avoid olde creek and little run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would pick Wakefield. You didn’t ask about other schools but I would avoid olde creek and little run.

Thanks. What is it about Wakefield?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally would buy where you can get a house and not worry about which ES. I feel like its 6 of one, half a dozen of the other.

+1000 So much time wasted here worrying about which school to pick. Your kid is coming from a high-income, college-educated family. They’ll be fine in whatever elementary school they attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally would buy where you can get a house and not worry about which ES. I feel like its 6 of one, half a dozen of the other.

+1000 So much time wasted here worrying about which school to pick. Your kid is coming from a high-income, college-educated family. They’ll be fine in whatever elementary school they attend.

How do you know? You don't know my child and what they need (and what I want for them), I do.

High SES background doesn't have direct causal influence on a child's outcomes. It's a proximal factor. Part of the reason kids from high SES families do well is because their parents worry and help select an environment they believe their child will thrive in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally would buy where you can get a house and not worry about which ES. I feel like its 6 of one, half a dozen of the other.

+1000 So much time wasted here worrying about which school to pick. Your kid is coming from a high-income, college-educated family. They’ll be fine in whatever elementary school they attend.

How do you know? You don't know my child and what they need (and what I want for them), I do.

High SES background doesn't have direct causal influence on a child's outcomes. It's a proximal factor. Part of the reason kids from high SES families do well is because their parents worry and help select an environment they believe their child will thrive in.

I think you're clueless from this comment: "Also wondering if WFES is a better bet for getting into AAP, if DC tuens out to be a good fit for that."

Educate yourself - almost 10 years later this is still one of the best articles I've read.

Does it pay to obsess on where your kid goes to school?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2014/04/25/does-it-pay-to-obsess-on-where-your-kid-goes-to-college/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would pick Wakefield. You didn’t ask about other schools but I would avoid olde creek and little run.

I've heard this too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally would buy where you can get a house and not worry about which ES. I feel like its 6 of one, half a dozen of the other.

+1000 So much time wasted here worrying about which school to pick. Your kid is coming from a high-income, college-educated family. They’ll be fine in whatever elementary school they attend.

There are some bad schools but as far as the whole "ranking" and staying in certain pyramids makes me laugh. FCPS is FCPS in every area. You will have amazing teachers and then the next year have one who you question how she is teaching. I have friends in different areas in the county similar stories different zip codes. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally would buy where you can get a house and not worry about which ES. I feel like its 6 of one, half a dozen of the other.

+1000 So much time wasted here worrying about which school to pick. Your kid is coming from a high-income, college-educated family. They’ll be fine in whatever elementary school they attend.

How do you know? You don't know my child and what they need (and what I want for them), I do.

High SES background doesn't have direct causal influence on a child's outcomes. It's a proximal factor. Part of the reason kids from high SES families do well is because their parents worry and help select an environment they believe their child will thrive in.

I think you're clueless from this comment: "Also wondering if WFES is a better bet for getting into AAP, if DC tuens out to be a good fit for that."

Educate yourself - almost 10 years later this is still one of the best articles I've read.

Does it pay to obsess on where your kid goes to school?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2014/04/25/does-it-pay-to-obsess-on-where-your-kid-goes-to-college/

LOL, I'm well educated and actually know the research by reading it directly, not some WaPo article. I know it's complicated and it's not the school per se. That doesn't mean that our choices don't make a difference for our children's quality of life, education, etc. I still care where I send my kid to school and I know enough to know that schools differ and to the extent that a little homework can help me choose between a few options, I'm happy to do that. I have to make the choice after all and am not tossing a coin. Also have to live in the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

I dont think any of the 3 schools you're considering will be a glide path to AAP.

Given the new local norm standards in which kids compete against their immediate peers, if an easy AAP path is what you're looking for in the Woodson pyramid would consider Little Run or Olde Creek instead.

For reference, DC had a 137 COGAT and didn't make the top 10% automatic consideration for AAP in one of the schools you're eying. Did ultimately get in first round though so doesn't necessarily matter.