Langley pyramid vs. private school in mclean (the Langley school or Potomac)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: My main question is why do people choose the private school Road when the Langley pyramid seems to be so well rang? Are there any apparent deficiencies in the Langley pyramid that push people to go private?

I definitely have the answer. All the people I know of with kids in the Potomac Langley School are grossly over privileged, wealthy, obscenely high incomes, kids are micro managed and spoiled down to every activity, the parents all hang out with each other in this ridiculous over the top catered parties, the level of wealth, privilege and access is just insane. It’s just rich people cosplay 24/7. Of course that is why they opted for it! It’s not education. It’s certainly NOT diversity. It’s access to wealth and privilege and cementing your own wealth and privilege. And seeing the exact same people in your school, your social circle, your overpriced camps, and your vacations in Aruba, Atlantis, Vail and Italy!!! Constant privilege cosplay. It’s crazy.

I can’t speak to Potomac. But this poster is totally off the mark with (little) Langley. The families there are very down to earth. A large number of dual income families. This person seems to be weirdly invested in people choosing a different path for their kids. “Rich people cosplay”? LOL OP, it sounds as if some private school mommies did you wrong. I think you need to seek therapy.

+1
I can speak for Potomac and this has not been our experience at all, either. Yes there is tons of money there, but there are also kids from every socio economic background you could imagine. It is incredibly diverse. Aside from the makeup, the education is fabulous. It is all at the school so zero need for tutors, outside centers, etc. They also educate the whole child and focus on core values and the kids really learn and live these. It's a wonderful environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m saying call it what it is! Your bias and privilege are showing.

Your jeolousy and insecurity are showing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are little Langley students TJ-ready?

The occasional very bright Little Langley student will go on to TJ, but that’s more based on that specific kid’s advanced academic prowess vs Langley specifically preparing them for TJ. Parents have generally selected Langley for its well-rounded curriculum—academics plus arts, sports, music, SEL, etc. Langley is a really supportive/non-competitive school environment. TJ to the best of my knowledge is very focused on academics and is highly competitive so it’s just generally not the type of school many Langley families would seek out. Academically, Langley’s certainly prepares kids for the academically rigorous privates, however, the highest math is Geometry—it’s taught well, but I believe TJ entrants coming from AAP publics could come in with Algebra 2 under their belt and be used to a more competitive/less supportive environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From last year's class of nearly 50, there were 4 to Sidwell, 4 to GDS, 4 to Potomac, 5-6 to Madiera, plus 1-2 each at STA, NCS, Maret, etc. plus a few to publics by choice and boarding schools.

Those numbers for private admissions sound plausible, but they also mean that more than half of the (little) Langley students did NOT end up at a top-ranked private. If one then subtracts the “sibling preference” and “legacy” admits from little Langley into the top privates, then it also means that a high achieving student without hooks might well not get into a local academically challenging private.

Poster here just to clarify - I don't know the whole make up and numbers for the class but there is a good spread to other schools that you may not think are an acceptable destination who attract kids for many different reasons and the families are really happy. I didn't list Gonzaga, Visi, Stone Ridge, SASS, Landon, Holton, Flint Hill, Bullis, but each had 1-4 kids there. The class probably (totally a guess) breaks down 80% local privates, 10% boarding including Episcopal, and 10% public. And there were a few siblings last year but it was a lower year for kids following older kids to the same school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From last year's class of nearly 50, there were 4 to Sidwell, 4 to GDS, 4 to Potomac, 5-6 to Madiera, plus 1-2 each at STA, NCS, Maret, etc. plus a few to publics by choice and boarding schools.

Those numbers for private admissions sound plausible, but they also mean that more than half of the (little) Langley students did NOT end up at a top-ranked private. If one then subtracts the “sibling preference” and “legacy” admits from little Langley into the top privates, then it also means that a high achieving student without hooks might well not get into a local academically challenging private.

Poster here just to clarify - I don't know the whole make up and numbers for the class but there is a good spread to other schools that you may not think are an acceptable destination who attract kids for many different reasons and the families are really happy. I didn't list Gonzaga, Visi, Stone Ridge, SASS, Landon, Holton, Flint Hill, Bullis, but each had 1-4 kids there. The class probably (totally a guess) breaks down 80% local privates, 10% boarding including Episcopal, and 10% public. And there were a few siblings last year but it was a lower year for kids following older kids to the same school.

For the k-8's, you somewhat have to consider % of students in the incoming freshman class from any one school won't generally exceed 15% or so. So if Potomac takes roughly 25 new kids in 9th, 3-5 Langley kids max will be offered spots. Schools like Langley, Norwood, Sheridan, Congressional, etc. generally each make up roughly 10% of incoming freshman classes at the competitive privates. Good news is that not everyone from a k-8 wants a super competitive school. The k-8s do a great job of helping kids find the right fit and admissions seems to work out for the majority of kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: My main question is why do people choose the private school Road when the Langley pyramid seems to be so well rang? Are there any apparent deficiencies in the Langley pyramid that push people to go private?

I definitely have the answer. All the people I know of with kids in the Potomac Langley School are grossly over privileged, wealthy, obscenely high incomes, kids are micro managed and spoiled down to every activity, the parents all hang out with each other in this ridiculous over the top catered parties, the level of wealth, privilege and access is just insane. It’s just rich people cosplay 24/7. Of course that is why they opted for it! It’s not education. It’s certainly NOT diversity. It’s access to wealth and privilege and cementing your own wealth and privilege. And seeing the exact same people in your school, your social circle, your overpriced camps, and your vacations in Aruba, Atlantis, Vail and Italy!!! Constant privilege cosplay. It’s crazy.

I can’t speak to Potomac. But this poster is totally off the mark with (little) Langley. The families there are very down to earth. A large number of dual income families. This person seems to be weirdly invested in people choosing a different path for their kids. “Rich people cosplay”? LOL OP, it sounds as if some private school mommies did you wrong. I think you need to seek therapy.

+1
I can speak for Potomac and this has not been our experience at all, either. Yes there is tons of money there, but there are also kids from every socio economic background you could imagine. It is incredibly diverse. Aside from the makeup, the education is fabulous. It is all at the school so zero need for tutors, outside centers, etc. They also educate the whole child and focus on core values and the kids really learn and live these. It's a wonderful environment.

Agree 100% - our experience as well. No need for tutoring. When my kids struggled their teachers gave them extra effort.

[sunshine237]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you compare little Langley to Potomac school? And would people generally agree that the education in private school is more “rigorous” than in public or is it just a bunch of rich most White kids in private schools?

I can’t speak to Langley, but most people with experience in both would describe public as more rigorous in the lower years. More homework, faster pace with math topics. More differentiation earlier. A lot of people get frustrated by Potomac during those hears. In high school there’s no question that the rigor at Potomac is a higher level than Langley (have had kids at both, and honors level to honors level isn’t even close).

If you can afford Potomac school and your kid is accepted, it is a no brainer not to go to Potomac school.  The reason I chose to live next to CIA HQ in Langley is because my kids could attend Langley HS as the last resort in case they didn't get accepted by Potomac school.

I had kids at both Langley HS and Potomac school (graduated a few years ago) and Potomac school, without questions, prepared kids a whole lot better for college.  My older child was at Potomac school and she was struggling with academics there but once she got into college, an Ivy, she did really well there.  My other child, a straight A with 10 AP courses from Langley HS, really struggled at the same Ivy.  My nephew also experienced the same thing in college and he also graduated from Langley HS.  Langley HS is one of the best public schools in Virginia but it is definitely not Potomac.  YMMV.  

How did your kid make it to an Ivy when she was struggling academically in HS?
Troll

I have heard this experience from several people, too. I don’t think pp means the kid was struggling as in getting Cs. More likely really had to work hard for that A-, lots of difficult assignments, not understanding math problem sets without a lengthy struggle. That environment was strong preparation for college, especially when college means taking four classes and not having to participate in sports and all the rest. There’s probably some debate to be had about whether it is necessary, but for many students college feels easier.

I am the PP and thank you. That's exactly what I should have said. It is much harder to get A- at Potomac than at Langley HS. Potomac teaches exactly how college is being taught while Langley HS is just another regular HS in FCPS. That's why it costs almost 50K/yr at Potomac upper school. The first child did excel in college and the second child struggled.

Most Asian families move to Langley because: 1- send the kid to TJ, Sidwell, St. Albans, Potomac and 2- if the kid is not accepted to TJ, Sidwell, St. Albans or Potomac, the safety school is Langley HS. Langley HS is still a very good public school. That might have changed now that TJ has changed its admission requirements, asian parents might not see TJ as a desirable destination.

PP mentioned Sidwell, Potomac etc. why is Flint Hill not on the list? How does FLint Hill compare to both Langley HS and Potomac in terms of academics?

[Anonymous]

If you get into Potomac and don’t mind the cost, go for it. I wouldn’t choose little Langley just to potentially end back up in Public for HS, and I wouldn’t choose a long commute over Langley pyramid. So in my mind, it would be Potomac or public.

[Anonymous]

We are in the same Langley pyramid and going through the same process. Besides Potomac and Madeira, the private schools don’t seem better unless you are willing to go into dc or md.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: My main question is why do people choose the private school Road when the Langley pyramid seems to be so well rang? Are there any apparent deficiencies in the Langley pyramid that push people to go private?

I definitely have the answer. All the people I know of with kids in the Potomac Langley School are grossly over privileged, wealthy, obscenely high incomes, kids are micro managed and spoiled down to every activity, the parents all hang out with each other in this ridiculous over the top catered parties, the level of wealth, privilege and access is just insane. It’s just rich people cosplay 24/7. Of course that is why they opted for it! It’s not education. It’s certainly NOT diversity. It’s access to wealth and privilege and cementing your own wealth and privilege. And seeing the exact same people in your school, your social circle, your overpriced camps, and your vacations in Aruba, Atlantis, Vail and Italy!!! Constant privilege cosplay. It’s crazy.

I can’t speak to Potomac. But this poster is totally off the mark with (little) Langley. The families there are very down to earth. A large number of dual income families. This person seems to be weirdly invested in people choosing a different path for their kids. “Rich people cosplay”? LOL OP, it sounds as if some private school mommies did you wrong. I think you need to seek therapy.

+1
I can speak for Potomac and this has not been our experience at all, either. Yes there is tons of money there, but there are also kids from every socio economic background you could imagine. It is incredibly diverse. Aside from the makeup, the education is fabulous. It is all at the school so zero need for tutors, outside centers, etc. They also educate the whole child and focus on core values and the kids really learn and live these. It's a wonderful environment.

Agree 100% - our experience as well. No need for tutoring. When my kids struggled their teachers gave them extra effort.

False. A LOT of private school kids have outside tutors starting in lower school, both at Potomac and other top schools. I’m not sure it’s truly needed but it’s very common. I think a lot of parents do it proactively.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A LOT of private school kids have outside tutors starting in lower school, both at Potomac and other top schools. I’m not sure it’s truly needed but it’s very common. I think a lot of parents do it proactively.

This is similarly true for both public school students in McLean or Langley pyramids and for any local private school, especially for math supplementing or reinforcement. It also commonly happens with TJ students or Blair magnet students. In at least some, or possibly many cases, parents are careful not to talk about this while on school campuses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Doesn’t literally everyone everywhere supplement though? We do in private and friends in private and public do.

I believe the above is true, particularly for math, but not all parents/families will publicly admit this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: My main question is why do people choose the private school Road when the Langley pyramid seems to be so well rang? Are there any apparent deficiencies in the Langley pyramid that push people to go private?

I definitely have the answer. All the people I know of with kids in the Potomac Langley School are grossly over privileged, wealthy, obscenely high incomes, kids are micro managed and spoiled down to every activity, the parents all hang out with each other in this ridiculous over the top catered parties, the level of wealth, privilege and access is just insane. It’s just rich people cosplay 24/7. Of course that is why they opted for it! It’s not education. It’s certainly NOT diversity. It’s access to wealth and privilege and cementing your own wealth and privilege. And seeing the exact same people in your school, your social circle, your overpriced camps, and your vacations in Aruba, Atlantis, Vail and Italy!!! Constant privilege cosplay. It’s crazy.

I can’t speak to Potomac. But this poster is totally off the mark with (little) Langley. The families there are very down to earth. A large number of dual income families. This person seems to be weirdly invested in people choosing a different path for their kids. “Rich people cosplay”? LOL OP, it sounds as if some private school mommies did you wrong. I think you need to seek therapy.

+1
I can speak for Potomac and this has not been our experience at all, either. Yes there is tons of money there, but there are also kids from every socio economic background you could imagine. It is incredibly diverse. Aside from the makeup, the education is fabulous. It is all at the school so zero need for tutors, outside centers, etc. They also educate the whole child and focus on core values and the kids really learn and live these. It's a wonderful environment.

Agree 100% - our experience as well. No need for tutoring. When my kids struggled their teachers gave them extra effort.

False. A LOT of private school kids have outside tutors starting in lower school, both at Potomac and other top schools. I’m not sure it’s truly needed but it’s very common. I think a lot of parents do it proactively.

+1 Potomac parent. Lots have tutors. I wouldn't say everyone but really a lot.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]Stay in your pyramid through 6th and enter private for 7th. Steer clear of Langley School unless your child is questioning their gender identity. Langley has become woke beyond belief and the kids who are still busy being kids are either forced to go along with their agenda or end up leaving the school. Buyer beware.[/quote]

Does anyone have an update to this or alternate opinions? Thanks

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Stay in your pyramid through 6th and enter private for 7th. Steer clear of Langley School unless your child is questioning their gender identity. Langley has become woke beyond belief and the kids who are still busy being kids are either forced to go along with their agenda or end up leaving the school. Buyer beware.[/quote]

Does anyone have an update to this or alternate opinions? Thanks[/quote]

Huh?

We graduated one from Langley a few years ago and had one just graduate last year?

Yes, school has changed a bit with turnover and loss of ES to NCS. But not sure about the woke stuff?

Please explain. Maybe we missed something.

Thanks.