McLean or Langley high school?

[Anonymous]

We have the opportunity to move into either pyramid. I’ve heard some negatives about the physical space at McLean. Academically speaking only, which one would you choose for your children?

[Anonymous]

Most people don’t have a chance to experience both, so it hard to compare. Except for languages, academically there isn’t a big difference.

If I had to do it over, I would personally not buy in either due to the competitive nature of the parents at both schools. The pressure is not good for teens mental health.

[Anonymous]

Because of a mid-high school move, I went to McLean and my younger brother went to Langley. Both are academically similar, but man the wealth at Langley is next level - and an insane amount of snobiness comes with it. Not that there aren't snobby kids at McLean, it's just less there.

[Anonymous]

McLean. Langley is a social pressure cooker based on $$$$, which spills over to academics.

[Anonymous]

We were in the opposite boat, as we moved into the McLean pyramid from a less competitive pyramid. We kept our kids grounded, and it felt like just the right amount of pressure: their peers took academics seriously and challenged each other, but it wasn't over the top. They each took AP courses that interested them, but didn't overload just to have an all-AP transcript.

The building isn't great, but I can't say enough good things about the current administration (principal has been there since 2012), most of the teachers, and the kids. Unfortunately, there's a lot of teacher turnover in FCPS right now and it's not unique to McLean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:McLean. Langley is a social pressure cooker based on $$$$, which spills over to academics.

+1. McLean grades easier.

[Anonymous]

Depends on what you're looking for. Langley is more affluent and more competitive and has a larger, newer (newly renovated) building. McLean is smaller, still affluent but not at Langley levels, and has a small, old building.

Most people I know with kids at either one are happy with the school.

[Anonymous]

Langley. Newer facility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Langley. Newer facility.

+1. It’s much nicer and less crowded. There are plenty of “regular” families there, not all super wealthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Langley. Newer facility.

+1. It’s much nicer and less crowded. There are plenty of “regular” families there, not all super wealthy.

+2
We've had four kids at Langley. Each has wildly different interests and all have found "their people" - nice kids with good hearts. Great school that I highly recommend.

[Anonymous]

Both schools are strong academically, but McLean is a tighter-knit community, as the kids tend to live closer to each other. The Langley boundaries stretch all the way from the Loudoun border to about a mile from Arlington. It’s also less uniformly affluent, which many view as a plus.

Langley has a more recent renovation, which they bring up frequently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were in the opposite boat, as we moved into the McLean pyramid from a less competitive pyramid. We kept our kids grounded, and it felt like just the right amount of pressure: their peers took academics seriously and challenged each other, but it wasn't over the top. They each took AP courses that interested them, but didn't overload just to have an all-AP transcript.

The building isn't great, but I can't say enough good things about the current administration (principal has been there since 2012), most of the teachers, and the kids. Unfortunately, there's a lot of teacher turnover in FCPS right now and it's not unique to McLean.

Agree 100%

[Anonymous]

Which middle school would you recommend that feed into Langley, or are they similar? We are looking for a smallish school with a kind community. We will be moving from DCPS due to safety concerns at one of the top NW elementary schools which we have loved, but it’s no longer tenable to stay in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which middle school would you recommend that feed into Langley, or are they similar? We are looking for a smallish school with a kind community. We will be moving from DCPS due to safety concerns at one of the top NW elementary schools which we have loved, but it’s no longer tenable to stay in DC.

There is only one middle school that feeds into Langley.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which middle school would you recommend that feed into Langley, or are they similar? We are looking for a smallish school with a kind community. We will be moving from DCPS due to safety concerns at one of the top NW elementary schools which we have loved, but it’s no longer tenable to stay in DC.

NP. So sorry to hear this. Friends of mine are leaving DC for this reason. What has been going on for y'all?