What list should I look at to determine which are the best public high schools in Northern Virginia?

[Anonymous]

Help! Which list should I be looking at? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

OP here. I should have clarified, I meant Fairfax County public schools.

[Anonymous]

You could look at Schoolranks for FCPS high schools

http://www.schoolranks.com/sattotal.asp?val=hs&grade=sat&Gtc=yes&UniqueURL=0

Or look at the US News rankings of top high schools in US - a number of FCPS schools were highly rated. Newsweek also publishes a "Challenge Index" based on methodology developed by a Washington Post reporter that focuses on the number of AP and IB exams administered to students at individual schools (this one is a bit more controversial since it measures how many students took advanced tests, but not how well they did on those examinations).

Keep in mind most of these ratings are based on test scores, which in terms reflect the overall demographics of the students attending these schools, rather than the commitment of the teachers or the ability of individual students to succeed.

[Anonymous]

This really just depends on what you think makes it the "best". A great education can be had at any of these schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You could look at Schoolranks for FCPS high schools

http://www.schoolranks.com/sattotal.asp?val=hs&grade=sat&Gtc=yes&UniqueURL=0

Or look at the US News rankings of top high schools in US - a number of FCPS schools were highly rated. Newsweek also publishes a "Challenge Index" based on methodology developed by a Washington Post reporter that focuses on the number of AP and IB exams administered to students at individual schools (this one is a bit more controversial since it measures how many students took advanced tests, but not how well they did on those examinations).

Keep in mind most of these ratings are based on test scores, which in terms reflect the overall demographics of the students attending these schools, rather than the commitment of the teachers or the ability of individual students to succeed.

wow, I had never seen the school ranks site before, thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This really just depends on what you think makes it the "best". A great education can be had at any of these schools.

I totally agree. All the high schools in Fairfax County are great.

[Anonymous]

Why are Fairfax schools with lousy test scores and very few National Merit Semi-Finalists or Letter of Commendation winners "great"? If public schools were "great" simply because people with a lot of money lived in the area, I'd expect to see more posts about how "great" the schools in PG County are, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are Fairfax schools with lousy test scores and very few National Merit Semi-Finalists or Letter of Commendation winners "great"? If public schools were "great" simply because people with a lot of money lived in the area, I'd expect to see more posts about how "great" the schools in PG County are, too.

Uh, did really say PG County? Show us the stats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You could look at Schoolranks for FCPS high schools

http://www.schoolranks.com/sattotal.asp?val=hs&grade=sat&Gtc=yes&UniqueURL=0

Or look at the US News rankings of top high schools in US - a number of FCPS schools were highly rated. Newsweek also publishes a "Challenge Index" based on methodology developed by a Washington Post reporter that focuses on the number of AP and IB exams administered to students at individual schools (this one is a bit more controversial since it measures how many students took advanced tests, but not how well they did on those examinations).

Keep in mind most of these ratings are based on test scores, which in terms reflect the overall demographics of the students attending these schools, rather than the commitment of the teachers or the ability of individual students to succeed.

wow, I had never seen the school ranks site before, thanks!

Thanks for this link! I am surprised. One of the ES schools people kept telling me was the best (btw - in a very 'high income' area), actually scored much less than my ES local school. Makes me realize you can't believe everything you hear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are Fairfax schools with lousy test scores and very few National Merit Semi-Finalists or Letter of Commendation winners "great"? If public schools were "great" simply because people with a lot of money lived in the area, I'd expect to see more posts about how "great" the schools in PG County are, too.

I'm surprised no one ever explained to you that most of Fairfax County is extremely diverse. There are so many students taking these tests where English is not their first language. They don't do as well on the tests. Students that come from a more privileged background tend to do better (but this isn't an absolute, of course) But regardless of which group you are in it is not a reflection on the education you can receive at these schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I'm surprised no one ever explained to you that most of Fairfax County is extremely diverse. There are so many students taking these tests where English is not their first language. They don't do as well on the tests. Students that come from a more privileged background tend to do better (but this isn't an absolute, of course) But regardless of which group you are in it is not a reflection on the education you can receive at these schools.

Can you back your statements up with anything other than a bald assertion? Do the schools that now serve ESOL and/or under-privileged kids offer the same course selections as a Woodson or Langley? Do they place as many, or even a significant number of, kids in top universities? Do they pay as much attention to the "average" kids from solid backgrounds as they do to kids who don't speak English or who don't come from stable family environments? Do they communicate as often with parents to let them know what's going on at the school? Do they celebrate student acheivements, or play them down because they don't want to be accused of "playing favorites"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm surprised no one ever explained to you that most of Fairfax County is extremely diverse. There are so many students taking these tests where English is not their first language. They don't do as well on the tests. Students that come from a more privileged background tend to do better (but this isn't an absolute, of course) But regardless of which group you are in it is not a reflection on the education you can receive at these schools.

Can you back your statements up with anything other than a bald assertion? Do the schools that now serve ESOL and/or under-privileged kids offer the same course selections as a Woodson or Langley? Do they place as many, or even a significant number of, kids in top universities? Do they pay as much attention to the "average" kids from solid backgrounds as they do to kids who don't speak English or who don't come from stable family environments? Do they communicate as often with parents to let them know what's going on at the school? Do they celebrate student acheivements, or play them down because they don't want to be accused of "playing favorites"?

Yes, I attended them. From Headstart (yes, my family was that poor) through high school. I don't have just numbers on a list to go by. I know I was given every opportunity to do well. I know that if people didn't do well it's because that's what they choose (not coming to school, getting in trouble etc). My high school did everything possible to make sure people were able to go to college if that's what they chose. We had excellent teachers and a solid curriculum. Through a lot of school it did seem as if they were teaching me things that I already knew, so they did a lot to accommodate me so I wasn't ever bored.
And most people on this board turn their nose up at the schools I attended in Fairfax County. They would never send their kids to them. I was the kid on free lunch that everyone here is afraid of for some reason. I was also in GT classes through elementary school and all AP courses in high school and was one of the top students in my class. You can determine what makes one of these schools the best and I'll do the same when it's time for my kids to go to school, but I know they will do well no matter which school it is.

[Anonymous]

Well said. Each individual is responsible for their own success. Granted, that success is often influenced by their peers. The majority of students choose their peers because they look like them, have the same values, share the same interests, celebrate the same holidays, or own the same toys.

Try this:

Look at scores broken down by racial identifiers (you have to dig to find them) at each school that interests you. Add to that free lunch, and any other category that you can identify with. You will eventually be able to determine with some sense of certainty which group your child will hang with, and which groups will be their adversaries.

Good luck