Is Fairfax (non-AAP, non-TJ) better than Loudoun for college admissions

[Anonymous]

AAP currently consists of about the top 18% of students so if your girls are bright they should have a shot at getting in. Whether the AAP program will be around much longer in its current form is another question. My guess is that one day Level IV is going to be absorbed into level III and that as a result, snarky postings on this forum will all but disappear.

My daughter really likes AAP (5th grade now). The big advantage of AAP being that she is around bright motivated students most of whom want to learn. Her course work is not too challenging, personally I think that it is easier than it would be if she was not in AAP.

[Anonymous]

AAP level IV is not going anywhere. If anything it's expanding.

[Anonymous]

I got into both W&M and UVA (went to UVA). This was 10 years ago. I grew up in NOVA. Did IB/AP and had a 4.25 GPA. Did well (not great) on SATs. Most of my peers did not get into these same schools. Why??? I have no idea. I had a ton of extracurriculars and honors and awards. That's the only thing I can think of. Guess what? Once at UVA, those students from southern VA and other places but NOVA had considerably worse grades, scores, etc. I am saddened for my own kids that will have to face the facts that NOVA is extremelly competitive. They can't take all of the top students from here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AAP currently consists of about the top 18% of students so if your girls are bright they should have a shot at getting in. Whether the AAP program will be around much longer in its current form is another question. My guess is that one day Level IV is going to be absorbed into level III and that as a result, snarky postings on this forum will all but disappear.

My daughter really likes AAP (5th grade now). The big advantage of AAP being that she is around bright motivated students most of whom want to learn. Her course work is not too challenging, personally I think that it is easier than it would be if she was not in AAP.

I do think it is worth being in, not for the elementary school curriculum but in middle school it does start to make a difference. 5th & 6th was a breeze for DC, but MS at the center is much more challenging.

[Anonymous]

OP here again. This is so tough!! We like where we live in Loudoun now (Cascades) but need a bigger house. We can't decide if we should move somewhere in Fairfax (likely Herndon 20171 in the Oakton HS district, or Oakton proper) or just buy a house in our current neighborhood, which is Loudoun Schools.

Pros to Fairfax:
Potential for AAP
Full Day K

Pros to Loudoun:
Newer/less expensive house, we also like our local friends
Brightest kids aren't pulled out to AAP, arguably making the gen ed classes stronger than Fairfax gen ed?

My husband is leaning Loudoun and I'm leaning Fairfax. Hmmm.

[Anonymous]

If you want a certain HS in fairfax county, make sure you live close enough to it to not be redistricted. Herndon is not near Oakton HS, it is the far end of the boundary. Some of those folks were recently moved to south lakes, a much closer HS in Reston. Do know that you get what you pay for in real estate. There is a reason why fairfax county homes are more expensive than loudoun county. Also, the closer you live to the desired HS the more you will pay. Location, location, location and schools, schools, schools dictate the value of real estate not the size!

[Anonymous]

OP, if you are in Cascades, you are in an area that is already built out. This means no rezoning issues anytime soon so you won't be facing the same problems as Brambleton residents. Potomac Falls HS is a good high school and not HUGE like a Westfields HS.
Agree with PP about Fairfax redistricting, be careful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you did not indicate whether or not your DS are LCPS FUTURA participants. I found the admissions standards to be very high this year with fewer students. In fact, my child is in a combined 4th/5th grade class.
Not sure what Fairfax County's long-term plans are regarding AAP anyway. It's a sad fact of life that you have to have the big bucks to buy into the revered Haycock pyramid. I was not going to live in a dump with a carport to send DC to Haycock AAP.
.

I have a house with a carport

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I try not to get discouraged either but I am a counselor and I had a mom today tell me her TJ kid was waitlisted at UVA if that tells you anything. I have young kids and I have no idea what it will be like in 10-12 years. Coming from nova, loudon it is getting harder and harder. You need academics, and / or music, art, sports and community service. Kids ARE doing it but parents and kids alike are more and more stressed and end up in counseling. I do not have the answers - just the observations. The college world has changed so much from when I was a kid. I say try and have happy balanced kids & life, there is a college for everyone ( but will cost you), get some life experience and then consider graduate school. Buy where you love and support your girls.

well said. i wish more parents thought this way.....i know many top tier college grads still living at home "finding" themselves, and regular Public School grads who became CEOs and Investment Bankers, etc....and of course I know many of the opposite scenario. there is nothing more you can give your child to succeed in life than LOVE and SUPPORT and ENCOURAGEMENT!!!!!