Are the FCPS middle and high schools more intense than APS middle and high schools?

[Anonymous]

DD is in an APS elementary school, and it definitely seems less intense than my friends’ kids’ schools in FCPS. I am considering moving between 5th and 6th grade (which I know would still be elementary school in Fairfax) but I wonder if I’d be putting her into a much more high-pressure academic setting. She already has anxiety. That wouldn’t be a good trade-off just to get a larger home (though I do want a larger home!).

[Anonymous]

They seem more rigorous. Not sure about more intense. Probably

[Anonymous]

There are so many different high schools and middle schools in FCPS I don’t think you can make a blanket comparison. Is McLean going to be intense? Yes. Is Edison? Maybe less so. Where are you targeting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are so many different high schools and middle schools in FCPS I don’t think you can make a blanket comparison. Is McLean going to be intense? Yes. Is Edison? Maybe less so. Where are you targeting?

This is OP. I haven’t gotten far enough along to target anywhere yet but my budget is only $650-$700 so not McLean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are so many different high schools and middle schools in FCPS I don’t think you can make a blanket comparison. Is McLean going to be intense? Yes. Is Edison? Maybe less so. Where are you targeting?

This is OP. I haven’t gotten far enough along to target anywhere yet but my budget is only $650-$700 so not McLean.

The areas in Fairfax where you can get a house in this price range are not going to be more intense than APS, with the possible exception of West Springfield. For the most part, you’re talking about the FCPS equivalents of Wakefield at that price point.

[Anonymous]

FCPS has the separate gifted program in grades 3-6 elementary called AAP. Th at is a much more intense program that you have to test into. APS does not have a separate gifted program in elementary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are so many different high schools and middle schools in FCPS I don’t think you can make a blanket comparison. Is McLean going to be intense? Yes. Is Edison? Maybe less so. Where are you targeting?

This is OP. I haven’t gotten far enough along to target anywhere yet but my budget is only $650-$700 so not McLean.

Don’t bother. You won’t do better than APS with that budget.

[Anonymous]

FCPS has the separate gifted program in grades 3-6 elementary called AAP. Th at is a much more intense program that you have to test into. APS does not have a separate gifted program in elementary.

This is not accurate. The FCPS AAP program starts in grade 3 and runs through grade 8. It doesn't go into high school because high school has honors and AP courses. APS has nothing comparable to AAP.

[Anonymous]

If your kid already has anxiety I wouldn't move. It is hard to make new friends at that age, esp for an anxious child. I moved school districts (within FCPS) when DC1 was going into 7th and DC2 was going into 4th. They both ended up ok, but it was a really tough transition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:


This is OP. I haven’t gotten far enough along to target anywhere yet but my budget is only $650-$700 so not McLean.



The areas in Fairfax where you can get a house in this price range are not going to be more intense than APS, with the possible exception of West Springfield. For the most part, you’re talking about the FCPS equivalents of Wakefield at that price point.

Of the 30 high schools in FFX, Wakefield only outranks 7 of them:

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/virginia

[Anonymous]

Chantilly or Burke might be in that price range.