Langley pyramid vs Private

[Anonymous]

We are already thinking ahead to next year, where we will have MS and HS aged children. Given that Fairfax is the only locality that starts in 7th for MS as opposed to 6th, we would like to start exploring options in regards to potentially preparing to apply out. We also have a rising 8th grader who we are undecided on whether to send to base public (Langley) or begin preparing for privates as well. We are in Great Falls, but work in DC, and thus would consider MD/DC privates alike. Are there any other people who were in similar scenarios in the past, and if so, what did you ultimately choose and why? TIA

[Anonymous]

I think you will find people who have a similar profile who went all directions. Some responsers kids will stay public- and it works great. Frankly there are only so many private spots so there will certainly be people whose kids applied and didn’t get in (no fault of the kid- it can be a numbers game), and they will say that staying public worked out better. And that is great. You’ll find parents whose stories are their kids applied, got in to privates and it was the best decision ever. They may wonder how you could even question as to how this is a hard decision/ of course your kid applies to private.

My kids are in private but it isn’t something you must do at all. I don’t think others’ experiences will be much of a guide. If this is something your kids are considering (and you’re open to letting them do so), do some research about schools on line. Visit in the fall, do the interviews, talk to real kids and parents (your teens too) of kids at public and privates.

It is a good exercise if you have the option to look around - but never bad mouth the public option because your kids may opt to stay or won’t get in to private. It should never be that the public school is a “less than” choice. Langley is a fantastic option for your kids regardless.

[Anonymous]

We are in the same boat. We live in McLean and zoned for Langley. I have one kid in elementary and one in middle school and trying to decide if we should switch to private.

We have seen many friends switch to private. Some switched in 3rd grade, especially the families who felt their kid wrongfully did not get into AAP. Many kids switched during Covid. Then there are ones who switch during middle and high school. I feel like most of the ones who are rich switched. The UMC who can afford it but they would feel 100k tuition pain often stay in public if their kids are doing well.

I have one kid who is a stellar student with perfect grades and a fantastic friend group. I have another kid who is a good student and very social and hangs out with kids across the spectrum including some not so nice kids.

[Anonymous]

On my street, several switched from virtual public to in-person private during Covid. None have gone back to public even after public resumed in person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you will find people who have a similar profile who went all directions. Some responsers kids will stay public- and it works great. Frankly there are only so many private spots so there will certainly be people whose kids applied and didn’t get in (no fault of the kid- it can be a numbers game), and they will say that staying public worked out better. And that is great. You’ll find parents whose stories are their kids applied, got in to privates and it was the best decision ever. They may wonder how you could even question as to how this is a hard decision/ of course your kid applies to private.

My kids are in private but it isn’t something you must do at all. I don’t think others’ experiences will be much of a guide. If this is something your kids are considering (and you’re open to letting them do so), do some research about schools on line. Visit in the fall, do the interviews, talk to real kids and parents (your teens too) of kids at public and privates.

It is a good exercise if you have the option to look around - but never bad mouth the public option because your kids may opt to stay or won’t get in to private. It should never be that the public school is a “less than” choice. Langley is a fantastic option for your kids regardless.

PP are you in the Langley pyramid?

[Anonymous]

I have the same issue and am in Arlington. The problem is that the top level privates are in DC not VA. In fact, I'm kind of surprised at how few NoVA privates there are.

Langley is a top-notch school and will be highly competitive. It may be worth it in the end, depending on your DC.

[Anonymous]

I just went through this with my son and we decided together that he would go to Langley. He is a motivated student who would do well anywhere. He is STEM oriented and I don’t think the privates are stronger in math and science.

I have two other kids who are not as strong academically. We will likely send both younger kids to private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have the same issue and am in Arlington. The problem is that the top level privates are in DC not VA. In fact, I'm kind of surprised at how few NoVA privates there are.

Langley is a top-notch school and will be highly competitive. It may be worth it in the end, depending on your DC.

I started a thread a few months ago about VA privates and we really don’t have many. If we lived in DC or MD, we would absolutely send our kids to private. VA has limited not so great options. I liked Flint Hill best but multiple people in real life and online seem to think Flint Hill is weaker with worse college acceptances than the surrounding publics.

[Anonymous]

Pp here. The three schools we looked and toured were Potomac, Flint Hill and Basis McLean. I was not a fan of all three for different reasons. Both McLean and Langley High have many talented smart students. It is hard to beat that peer group.

[Anonymous]

Langley is not what it seems. Unfortunately county officials purposely push an agenda that would accommodate all Fairfax students, regardless of if you are at Langley or some Falls Church HS. The curriculum is the same everywhere. Take the private option.

[Anonymous]

All kids at public schools learn the same thing - doesn't matter which school you go to. Private is the only rational choice. If you send to Langley might as well send to Justice or Oakton

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All kids at public schools learn the same thing - doesn't matter which school you go to. Private is the only rational choice. If you send to Langley might as well send to Justice or Oakton

Lol, no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All kids at public schools learn the same thing - doesn't matter which school you go to. Private is the only rational choice. If you send to Langley might as well send to Justice or Oakton

Lol, no.

Wdym no? All curriculum put forth in every Fairfax school is approved and set by the county. The only difference between Justice and Langley is their racial and socioeconomic demographics. Honey we’re not in the north where schools are run by independent school districts, we’re in the south, where everything is separate but equal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in the same boat. We live in McLean and zoned for Langley. I have one kid in elementary and one in middle school and trying to decide if we should switch to private.

We have seen many friends switch to private. Some switched in 3rd grade, especially the families who felt their kid wrongfully did not get into AAP. Many kids switched during Covid. Then there are ones who switch during middle and high school. I feel like most of the ones who are rich switched. The UMC who can afford it but they would feel 100k tuition pain often stay in public if their kids are doing well.

I have one kid who is a stellar student with perfect grades and a fantastic friend group. I have another kid who is a good student and very social and hangs out with kids across the spectrum including some not so nice kids.

Do sizeable portions of families in Mclean/GF zoned for Langley go to private, similar to Whitman?

[Anonymous]

Personally I think private is more “worth it” at younger ages due to the small class sizes and more personalized m attention and ability to weed out badly behaved kids. So if your children are doing well in public and bound for honors classes I see no reason to go private at this stage.