best neighborhoods for public schools in nova

[Anonymous]

The best "highly selective" colleges make an enormous effort to ensure that all social/ethnic/racial/income groups are represented. I'm surprised that you don't know that. Maybe it was your cloistered private school upbringing.

[Anonymous]

Indeed, PP. I went to a diverse urban high school and a Top 25 college that was also very diverse (as much as small liberal arts colleges get diverse).

And, prep-school poster: I don't need to convince myself of anything. My son is extremely bright, and whether he goes to St. Tight Ass or some high school with "urban toughs," he will succeed. It's about the parenting, or haven't you heard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Indeed, PP. I went to a diverse urban high school and a Top 25 college that was also very diverse (as much as small liberal arts colleges get diverse).

And, prep-school poster: I don't need to convince myself of anything. My son is extremely bright, and whether he goes to St. Tight Ass or some high school with "urban toughs," he will succeed. It's about the parenting, or haven't you heard?

Of course, parents who send their children to TC are going to defend their decision. No one wants to admit that they are sending their children to a bad school. Most parents in Alexandria with a choice opt for private middle and high schools. It's not a coincidence that Episcopal, Ireton and St. Stephen's/St. Agnes are still going strong.

[Anonymous]

They are still going strong because there are many children out there who need more guidance and support than is available at a very large public school like TC. The students from our K-8 who are going to TC are very independent, socially secure, self-motivated and academically strong. The students who are going to St. Stephens (and some other private schools) are those who need teachers and counselors who can swoop in at the first sign of social or academic trouble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are still going strong because there are many children out there who need more guidance and support than is available at a very large public school like TC. The students from our K-8 who are going to TC are very independent, socially secure, self-motivated and academically strong. The students who are going to St. Stephens (and some other private schools) are those who need teachers and counselors who can swoop in at the first sign of social or academic trouble.

Judging from the lamentable test scores at TC, apparently most of the children there need far more guidance and support than TC is able to provide.

[Anonymous]

Hmmmm, somebody sure had a big ol' anti-T.C. bug up her ass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Falls Church City has fabulous public schools -- all the kids in the entire city go to the same schools, so there's a school for K-2, 3 - 5, 6 -8, and high school. Another nice bonus of Falls Church City public schools is that after-school and before-school care and guaranteed to be available (they charge you, but there are no waiting lists).

And the city itself is very family-focused and has as much of a small-town feel as you can get in this area. I would also add (no one be offended, please) that the city's schools are great but a little more economically diverse and less uber-wealthy and privileged compared to somewhere like Langley or McLean. We were torn between a house in the Langley high school area and Falls Church City, and went with Falls Church City for that reason, in fact.

What are the class sizes like in Falls Church City? We are considering a move out of Fairfax County due to the FY 2011 budget cuts and the increases in class size.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The poster you are quoting never made such an assertion. She made the valid point that teens need to interact with all social groups. She made a separate point that kids go to Harvard and they drop out. She didn't connect the two; you did. But, hey, whatever you need to do to convince yourself that your choices are saving your child from a certain fate of being attacked by "urban toughs" from Alexandria. I hear the Sharks are more dangerous than the Jets.

Ha, ha. So teens need to interact with all social groups? I bet you'll be more than happy if your own offspring ends up attending a highly selective college where "all social groups" are not well represented. But, hey, whatever you need to do to convince yourself than sending your child to a struggling public school is the right one....why exactly did Mel Riddile high-tail it out of TC in short order?

Where is Riddile now? He might have a plum job as a lobbyist for National Association of Secondary School Principals:
http://www.katu.com/news/national/33117004.html

http://www.nasspconvention.org/

"2010 NASSP Convention! Don't let year-end professional development monies go to waste! Take advantage of the reduced advance registration fee for NASSP members: $295. (On-site registration is $370.) Register online today and save $75."


TC Williams has one retired from Langle y. I guess they retire in their early to mid fifties - get pensions and a new salary:
http://www.acps.k12.va.us/tcw/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Falls Church City has fabulous public schools -- all the kids in the entire city go to the same schools, so there's a school for K-2, 3 - 5, 6 -8, and high school. Another nice bonus of Falls Church City public schools is that after-school and before-school care and guaranteed to be available (they charge you, but there are no waiting lists).

And the city itself is very family-focused and has as much of a small-town feel as you can get in this area. I would also add (no one be offended, please) that the city's schools are great but a little more economically diverse and less uber-wealthy and privileged compared to somewhere like Langley or McLean. We were torn between a house in the Langley high school area and Falls Church City, and went with Falls Church City for that reason, in fact.

What are the class sizes like in Falls Church City? We are considering a move out of Fairfax County due to the FY 2011 budget cuts and the increases in class size.

Not sure, but I would expect class sizes to be smaller.

We also considered Falls Church City, but George Mason is much smaller than the Fairfax County schools. If your children are athletes, as are mine, they would have to travel very far to compete against small high schools in more rural parts of the state. The competition is much weaker, and there's more travel time involved.

OTOH, if all you're concerned about is an elementary school right now, I think the Falls Church City schools would be great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Falls Church City has fabulous public schools -- all the kids in the entire city go to the same schools, so there's a school for K-2, 3 - 5, 6 -8, and high school. Another nice bonus of Falls Church City public schools is that after-school and before-school care and guaranteed to be available (they charge you, but there are no waiting lists).

And the city itself is very family-focused and has as much of a small-town feel as you can get in this area. I would also add (no one be offended, please) that the city's schools are great but a little more economically diverse and less uber-wealthy and privileged compared to somewhere like Langley or McLean. We were torn between a house in the Langley high school area and Falls Church City, and went with Falls Church City for that reason, in fact.

What are the class sizes like in Falls Church City? We are considering a move out of Fairfax County due to the FY 2011 budget cuts and the increases in class size.

Not sure, but I would expect class sizes to be smaller.

We also considered Falls Church City, but George Mason is much smaller than the Fairfax County schools. If your children are athletes, as are mine, they would have to travel very far to compete against small high schools in more rural parts of the state. The competition is much weaker, and there's more travel time involved.

OTOH, if all you're concerned about is an elementary school right now, I think the Falls Church City schools would be great.

I agree with this. Keep in mind, too, that although the Falls Church City schools are great, it is a small district and therefore may not have all different types of activities, classes, etc that Fairfax County can offer. For example, in Fairfax County high schools, they have what are called Academies. These are specialized classes within certain high schools that students from ALL parts of the county can take. Some of these courses include Chinese, Hotel Management, Dance, a wide range of computer classes, Auto Technology, etc, etc. Yes, the county is going through some tough times and class sizes may go up slightly (in hs it is 1/2 student per class - however that works!), but it still has much to offer. That said, I have also heard good things about Falls Church City and if you are looking for a smaller school system, it is a good choice.

[Anonymous]

I also want to respond to the suggestion that McLean is an "uber-privileged" school. That's not really the case. While there are certainly privileged children who attend McLean, it is considerably more diverse than Langley, Madison or Oakton, and it has a tradition of academic excellence.

If you want your children to attend a very good, but diverse school in Fairfax that is not "uber-wealthy," McLean and Woodson are probably the two top AP schools (other than, of course, TJ) and Marshall also has a strong IB program like George Mason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What are the class sizes like in Falls Church City? We are considering a move out of Fairfax County due to the FY 2011 budget cuts and the increases in class size.

Not sure, but I would expect class sizes to be smaller.

We also considered Falls Church City, but George Mason is much smaller than the Fairfax County schools. If your children are athletes, as are mine, they would have to travel very far to compete against small high schools in more rural parts of the state. The competition is much weaker, and there's more travel time involved.

OTOH, if all you're concerned about is an elementary school right now, I think the Falls Church City schools would be great.

We are concerned with elementary school. (DD is in 3rd grade and DS is in Kindergarten.) Thank you for your advice!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please reconsider relocating to nova. This is the most closed minded, conservative, self absorbed area I've lived in. I cannot wait to leave.

Not OP, but this is why I am scared to death to move from MoCo to NoVa. Is it really as bad as we 'hear' about over here in Maryland? I picture conservative families who are glad that the pockets of Latinos/Hispanics and tiny clan of African-Americans keep to themselves. Sorry, but this is the 'picture' we get here. NoVa residents, tell us the truth

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please reconsider relocating to nova. This is the most closed minded, conservative, self absorbed area I've lived in. I cannot wait to leave.

Not OP, but this is why I am scared to death to move from MoCo to NoVa. Is it really as bad as we 'hear' about over here in Maryland? I picture conservative families who are glad that the pockets of Latinos/Hispanics and tiny clan of African-Americans keep to themselves. Sorry, but this is the 'picture' we get here. NoVa residents, tell us the truth

Of course that's not even close to what it's like. But if you're "scared to death" I recommend you not move from MD. BTW NOVA is a lot more than just one county and it seems as if you're comparing it all to MoCo. Not exactly an apt comparison. There's tons of variety depending on where you are in NoVa. Not to mention that if you're comparing it to MoCo you're in for a huge shock diversity wise. NoVa has a lot of immigrant communities throughout the area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Not OP, but this is why I am scared to death to move from MoCo to NoVa. Is it really as bad as we 'hear' about over here in Maryland? I picture conservative families who are glad that the pockets of Latinos/Hispanics and tiny clan of African-Americans keep to themselves. Sorry, but this is the 'picture' we get here. NoVa residents, tell us the truth

You pretty much described "The McLean Moms", all with beige hair. According to Those McLean Moms, all of Fairfax County schools are abysmal, except for the GT Centers that feed into McLean High School and Langley High School, and of course those students that go to TJ. The rest of the County has Those Brown People that can't speak English, can't afford to buy school lunches and can barely read.

The rest of the County is not like Those McLean Moms. So if you stay away from them, you'll be fine.