Positives of FCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was in your spot last year- kid in Montessori for K and we decided to go to FCPS for 1st grade because we are in a really good pyramid, have a highly rated elementary school, we pay a lot in taxes and we kept hearing 'the best schools in the country.' Sadly, the negative reviews are true. I don't having anything positive to say about our experience so far.

Then go private.

we might. thanks for pointing out the obvious.

Different poster, but please do. It's makes life easier for everyone else when the high-maintenance types move their snowflakes to privates.

Perhaps, but it's not like your school will be any better because of their move.

Actually, it will. It gives everyone else a bit more room to breathe when the helicopter parents take their snowflakes elsewhere. And then the rest of us can sit back and watch how, in a few years, our FCPS kids will get into the same schools as their private-school kids.

Sorry, they do not.

You're right. Sometimes they get into better schools than the kids at privates.

[Anonymous]

People don't take to the web to praise their school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was in your spot last year- kid in Montessori for K and we decided to go to FCPS for 1st grade because we are in a really good pyramid, have a highly rated elementary school, we pay a lot in taxes and we kept hearing 'the best schools in the country.' Sadly, the negative reviews are true. I don't having anything positive to say about our experience so far.

Then go private.

we might. thanks for pointing out the obvious.

Different poster, but please do. It's makes life easier for everyone else when the high-maintenance types move their snowflakes to privates.

Perhaps, but it's not like your school will be any better because of their move.

Actually, it will. It gives everyone else a bit more room to breathe when the helicopter parents take their snowflakes elsewhere. And then the rest of us can sit back and watch how, in a few years, our FCPS kids will get into the same schools as their private-school kids.

Sorry, they do not.

You're right. Sometimes they get into better schools than the kids at privates.

keep dreaming...

[Anonymous]

OP, you see it all the time. There are so many harsh critics of FCPS hiding behind anonymity. You asked for positives. They offered negatives. As someone who grew up in another state, I see how good we have it here. No it's not perfect. No system is, including private.

We have one in AAP since 3rd and one in Gen Ed. Both are receiving a fabulous education targeted just for them. We have only experienced ES and MS so far. We've had opportunities to move for work. We have decided to stay put in FCPS until the kids finish school. We have not considered private (although we did do private K), but we know others who have considered private then chose FCPS and were very happy with the decision. Our positives are:

Fantastic, energetic, and dedicated teachers and administrators. I see the teachers constantly learning and adding to their skill sets. I also have seen a good teacher support/mentor network.

Good, creative, and interesting curriculum and extensions where warranted.

Pull outs for more rigorous and challenging work where warranted.

Special services, e.g., IEPs, speech, reading, etc., where needed.

Good, safe environment.

Engaged parents and dynamic PTAs.

Many before and after school opportunities for no or minimal cost.

Diverse community, teaching our children the very important skill of how to interact with all kinds of people - people from other countries and other parts of this country, poor people, rich people, brilliant people, physically disabled people, people challenged in other ways, those just learning English. What a tapestry we have in FCPS!

The ability for practically all types of kids to find their clique.

Any kind of academic team you can think of.

Top notch sports teams in many different sports.

Pyramid structure breaks down the hugeness of FCPS into a real community feel for ES through HS. So, even though FCPS is an enormous school system, those schools on the other side of the county might as well be in southern VA.

I honestly don't know what else people are expecting. My kids have had small class sizes and larger class sizes. They learned just the same and it doesn't seem to phase the kids. What you won't find in FCPS or any other public school is the system coddling the parents. Maybe that's why so many DCUM posters feel let down and the need for private. While not perfect, I believe FCPS is doing a great job of meeting the needs of the most children possible within the constrains imposed upon it. My kids are not being denied a good education because of the challenges facing FCPS. I say don't listen to the negativity, give it a try, and judge for yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you see it all the time. There are so many harsh critics of FCPS hiding behind anonymity. You asked for positives. They offered negatives. As someone who grew up in another state, I see how good we have it here. No it's not perfect. No system is, including private.

We have one in AAP since 3rd and one in Gen Ed. Both are receiving a fabulous education targeted just for them. We have only experienced ES and MS so far. We've had opportunities to move for work. We have decided to stay put in FCPS until the kids finish school. We have not considered private (although we did do private K), but we know others who have considered private then chose FCPS and were very happy with the decision. Our positives are:

Fantastic, energetic, and dedicated teachers and administrators. I see the teachers constantly learning and adding to their skill sets. I also have seen a good teacher support/mentor network.

Good, creative, and interesting curriculum and extensions where warranted.

Pull outs for more rigorous and challenging work where warranted.

Special services, e.g., IEPs, speech, reading, etc., where needed.

Good, safe environment.

Engaged parents and dynamic PTAs.

Many before and after school opportunities for no or minimal cost.

Diverse community, teaching our children the very important skill of how to interact with all kinds of people - people from other countries and other parts of this country, poor people, rich people, brilliant people, physically disabled people, people challenged in other ways, those just learning English. What a tapestry we have in FCPS!

The ability for practically all types of kids to find their clique.

Any kind of academic team you can think of.

Top notch sports teams in many different sports.

Pyramid structure breaks down the hugeness of FCPS into a real community feel for ES through HS. So, even though FCPS is an enormous school system, those schools on the other side of the county might as well be in southern VA.

I honestly don't know what else people are expecting. My kids have had small class sizes and larger class sizes. They learned just the same and it doesn't seem to phase the kids. What you won't find in FCPS or any other public school is the system coddling the parents. Maybe that's why so many DCUM posters feel let down and the need for private. While not perfect, I believe FCPS is doing a great job of meeting the needs of the most children possible within the constrains imposed upon it. My kids are not being denied a good education because of the challenges facing FCPS. I say don't listen to the negativity, give it a try, and judge for yourself.

Thank you, PP! We all like to bash FCPS from time to time, and it is a big bureaucracy that is less than perfect, and get some things wrong. But I look at where DH and I went to school (different schools, but both Deep South GS 2, 2-3 AP classes offered more kids going military than going to college). And I look at DS, who has had 6 years of AAP at highly rated schools, and is currently deciding if he wants an AP or IB HS-- with a fighting chance at TJ also being in the mix. The difference between the quality of his education and mine are like night and day. And I agree that FCPS does a great job of meeting my 2e kids where they are.

[Anonymous]

Op, "helicopter mom", you posted the same thread on fairfax underground. Not the first time either. What gives?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Best public schools in the region if your kids are smart and you live in the right areas.

This could be said of almost any suburban school district in America. This is not saying anything about added value from FCPS specifically.

Not sure what axe you have to grind, but no other system has the mix of top magnet programs, AAP, language immersion, special Academy programs, and IB/AP programs.

Lets see what you say in May when FCPS cuts all of the good programs to give ESOL kids what they need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you see it all the time. There are so many harsh critics of FCPS hiding behind anonymity. You asked for positives. They offered negatives. As someone who grew up in another state, I see how good we have it here. No it's not perfect. No system is, including private.

We have one in AAP since 3rd and one in Gen Ed. Both are receiving a fabulous education targeted just for them. We have only experienced ES and MS so far. We've had opportunities to move for work. We have decided to stay put in FCPS until the kids finish school. We have not considered private (although we did do private K), but we know others who have considered private then chose FCPS and were very happy with the decision. Our positives are:

Fantastic, energetic, and dedicated teachers and administrators. I see the teachers constantly learning and adding to their skill sets. I also have seen a good teacher support/mentor network.

Good, creative, and interesting curriculum and extensions where warranted.

Pull outs for more rigorous and challenging work where warranted.

Special services, e.g., IEPs, speech, reading, etc., where needed.

Good, safe environment.

Engaged parents and dynamic PTAs.

Many before and after school opportunities for no or minimal cost.

Diverse community, teaching our children the very important skill of how to interact with all kinds of people - people from other countries and other parts of this country, poor people, rich people, brilliant people, physically disabled people, people challenged in other ways, those just learning English. What a tapestry we have in FCPS!

The ability for practically all types of kids to find their clique.

Any kind of academic team you can think of.

Top notch sports teams in many different sports.

Pyramid structure breaks down the hugeness of FCPS into a real community feel for ES through HS. So, even though FCPS is an enormous school system, those schools on the other side of the county might as well be in southern VA.

I honestly don't know what else people are expecting. My kids have had small class sizes and larger class sizes. They learned just the same and it doesn't seem to phase the kids. What you won't find in FCPS or any other public school is the system coddling the parents. Maybe that's why so many DCUM posters feel let down and the need for private. While not perfect, I believe FCPS is doing a great job of meeting the needs of the most children possible within the constrains imposed upon it. My kids are not being denied a good education because of the challenges facing FCPS. I say don't listen to the negativity, give it a try, and judge for yourself.

Since you think it's so great, why don't you mention your ES, MS, and HS? Many people don't hide behind anonymity and at least name their own schools here or if they do it's just because they fear retribution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There seems to be not a lot of positives from posters in here, but I'll give you some hope, OP.

I went to private school overseas and got my college and graduate degrees in the US. DH went to public school in the west coast, went to the military then non-traditional college.
We saved for and planned to put our kids in private school but after doing a lot of research and talking to other parents about the private vs. public debate, DH and I decided that public school was going to be fine, plus, spending $30k/year x 2 was going to put us in a totally different lifestyle. Our older kid started off in Montessori but it wasn't a good fit for her.

We have 2 kids in FCPS, one in elementary AAP, one in Gen Ed middle school.
Overall, we have been very happy with our 9 years of experience with FCPS. I don't pay much attention to school SOL scores or great school ratings but I did look it up recently. One school is a 10 and the other one is a 7. Both kids have done fine with SOLs and it's not worth it for me to look at how everyone else is doing.

As far as teachers, I'd say that 70% have been good, 10% have not been great, 20% have been just fantastic. We had one school counselor for 7 years that was just a God send.
As far as the school curriculum, it has been just at the right depth and pace for my Gen Ed kid. It was too slow for my other kid until he got into AAP and it's now a great fit.
As far as resources, I've been pretty impressed. Ipads for each kid in the classroom! It is odd not to have textbooks but life has been fine without them. Both kids have been bus riders and it's great to have those resources, especially because one kid gets bused to a center school.
As are as class sizes, yeah sure it can be smaller but I don't think it's so much about the size of the class - the effective management of a class depends more on the teacher.
As far as extra curriculars, there are so many free activities at our middle school.

I started to look at the high school catalog and I'm just so lost with all the options out there to tailor your child's education. Just so much opportunity.

I am not sure if DH and I are just easy to impress but we talk about how we love the schools here- I'd say it's what makes me like living here. I hate the traffic, I don't love the weather, we make decent money but the rat race atmosphere isn't my preference. As much as we love the school system here, we also consider them only about 60-70% of our children's education. We'll supply the rest through other ways. We supplement with whatever other exposure we can get for our kids (that's also why we are so glad we didn't do the private school route). It's a long haul. School is what you make of it and that's why I don't pay much attention to generalized statements about FCPS being this way or that way. Our kids are doing well and that's all we care about.

+ 1 We're at a school rated a 6 and we LOVE it! Can't say enough wonderful things about the principal, teachers, counselor, AART, etc....Had I followed great schools we would have run from it. I'm glad we didn't. We knew that based on how commitment to education and our education level, our kids would be fine and they're thriving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

How come they couldn't get 4 more desks? 34 to a class isn't terrible for high school.

Tell that to the teacher. You are talking about 10% more students when the teacher's pay raise was .67% for the year. Twenty more students over the course of a day is very significant. Horrible.

Well sure. But I know kids in grades 2-4 who have had over 30 kids to a teacher which I think is worse than in high school. I don't think either scenarios are good, but at least in elementary you are given a desk.

Wait, who doesn't get a desk? The teacher?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There seems to be not a lot of positives from posters in here, but I'll give you some hope, OP.

I went to private school overseas and got my college and graduate degrees in the US. DH went to public school in the west coast, went to the military then non-traditional college.
We saved for and planned to put our kids in private school but after doing a lot of research and talking to other parents about the private vs. public debate, DH and I decided that public school was going to be fine, plus, spending $30k/year x 2 was going to put us in a totally different lifestyle. Our older kid started off in Montessori but it wasn't a good fit for her.

We have 2 kids in FCPS, one in elementary AAP, one in Gen Ed middle school.
Overall, we have been very happy with our 9 years of experience with FCPS. I don't pay much attention to school SOL scores or great school ratings but I did look it up recently. One school is a 10 and the other one is a 7. Both kids have done fine with SOLs and it's not worth it for me to look at how everyone else is doing.

As far as teachers, I'd say that 70% have been good, 10% have not been great, 20% have been just fantastic. We had one school counselor for 7 years that was just a God send.
As far as the school curriculum, it has been just at the right depth and pace for my Gen Ed kid. It was too slow for my other kid until he got into AAP and it's now a great fit.
As far as resources, I've been pretty impressed. Ipads for each kid in the classroom! It is odd not to have textbooks but life has been fine without them. Both kids have been bus riders and it's great to have those resources, especially because one kid gets bused to a center school.
As are as class sizes, yeah sure it can be smaller but I don't think it's so much about the size of the class - the effective management of a class depends more on the teacher.
As far as extra curriculars, there are so many free activities at our middle school.

I started to look at the high school catalog and I'm just so lost with all the options out there to tailor your child's education. Just so much opportunity.

I am not sure if DH and I are just easy to impress but we talk about how we love the schools here- I'd say it's what makes me like living here. I hate the traffic, I don't love the weather, we make decent money but the rat race atmosphere isn't my preference. As much as we love the school system here, we also consider them only about 60-70% of our children's education. We'll supply the rest through other ways. We supplement with whatever other exposure we can get for our kids (that's also why we are so glad we didn't do the private school route). It's a long haul. School is what you make of it and that's why I don't pay much attention to generalized statements about FCPS being this way or that way. Our kids are doing well and that's all we care about.

+ 1 We're at a school rated a 6 and we LOVE it! Can't say enough wonderful things about the principal, teachers, counselor, AART, etc....Had I followed great schools we would have run from it. I'm glad we didn't. We knew that based on how commitment to education and our education level, our kids would be fine and they're thriving.

based on our commitment to education and our education level, our kids would be fine and they're thriving. - sorry!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you see it all the time. There are so many harsh critics of FCPS hiding behind anonymity. You asked for positives. They offered negatives. As someone who grew up in another state, I see how good we have it here. No it's not perfect. No system is, including private.

We have one in AAP since 3rd and one in Gen Ed. Both are receiving a fabulous education targeted just for them. We have only experienced ES and MS so far. We've had opportunities to move for work. We have decided to stay put in FCPS until the kids finish school. We have not considered private (although we did do private K), but we know others who have considered private then chose FCPS and were very happy with the decision. Our positives are:

Fantastic, energetic, and dedicated teachers and administrators. I see the teachers constantly learning and adding to their skill sets. I also have seen a good teacher support/mentor network.

Good, creative, and interesting curriculum and extensions where warranted.

Pull outs for more rigorous and challenging work where warranted.

Special services, e.g., IEPs, speech, reading, etc., where needed.

Good, safe environment.

Engaged parents and dynamic PTAs.

Many before and after school opportunities for no or minimal cost.

Diverse community, teaching our children the very important skill of how to interact with all kinds of people - people from other countries and other parts of this country, poor people, rich people, brilliant people, physically disabled people, people challenged in other ways, those just learning English. What a tapestry we have in FCPS!

The ability for practically all types of kids to find their clique.

Any kind of academic team you can think of.

Top notch sports teams in many different sports.

Pyramid structure breaks down the hugeness of FCPS into a real community feel for ES through HS. So, even though FCPS is an enormous school system, those schools on the other side of the county might as well be in southern VA.

I honestly don't know what else people are expecting. My kids have had small class sizes and larger class sizes. They learned just the same and it doesn't seem to phase the kids. What you won't find in FCPS or any other public school is the system coddling the parents. Maybe that's why so many DCUM posters feel let down and the need for private. While not perfect, I believe FCPS is doing a great job of meeting the needs of the most children possible within the constrains imposed upon it. My kids are not being denied a good education because of the challenges facing FCPS. I say don't listen to the negativity, give it a try, and judge for yourself.

Would love to know what school you're in. It's definitely not mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you see it all the time. There are so many harsh critics of FCPS hiding behind anonymity. You asked for positives. They offered negatives. As someone who grew up in another state, I see how good we have it here. No it's not perfect. No system is, including private.

We have one in AAP since 3rd and one in Gen Ed. Both are receiving a fabulous education targeted just for them. We have only experienced ES and MS so far. We've had opportunities to move for work. We have decided to stay put in FCPS until the kids finish school. We have not considered private (although we did do private K), but we know others who have considered private then chose FCPS and were very happy with the decision. Our positives are:

Fantastic, energetic, and dedicated teachers and administrators. I see the teachers constantly learning and adding to their skill sets. I also have seen a good teacher support/mentor network.

Good, creative, and interesting curriculum and extensions where warranted.

Pull outs for more rigorous and challenging work where warranted.

Special services, e.g., IEPs, speech, reading, etc., where needed.

Good, safe environment.

Engaged parents and dynamic PTAs.

Many before and after school opportunities for no or minimal cost.

Diverse community, teaching our children the very important skill of how to interact with all kinds of people - people from other countries and other parts of this country, poor people, rich people, brilliant people, physically disabled people, people challenged in other ways, those just learning English. What a tapestry we have in FCPS!

The ability for practically all types of kids to find their clique.

Any kind of academic team you can think of.

Top notch sports teams in many different sports.

Pyramid structure breaks down the hugeness of FCPS into a real community feel for ES through HS. So, even though FCPS is an enormous school system, those schools on the other side of the county might as well be in southern VA.

I honestly don't know what else people are expecting. My kids have had small class sizes and larger class sizes. They learned just the same and it doesn't seem to phase the kids. What you won't find in FCPS or any other public school is the system coddling the parents. Maybe that's why so many DCUM posters feel let down and the need for private. While not perfect, I believe FCPS is doing a great job of meeting the needs of the most children possible within the constrains imposed upon it. My kids are not being denied a good education because of the challenges facing FCPS. I say don't listen to the negativity, give it a try, and judge for yourself.

Since you think it's so great, why don't you mention your ES, MS, and HS? Many people don't hide behind anonymity and at least name their own schools here or if they do it's just because they fear retribution.

I'll do that (not the PP).

Orange Hunt
Irving
WSHS

[Anonymous]

Has anyone mentioned in this thread that there's a movement to lobby the Board of Supervisors and Virginia lawmakers to fully fund FCPS and save it from drastic cuts?

Sounds more productive than yelling at each other over whether they're imagining things because they're anonymous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you see it all the time. There are so many harsh critics of FCPS hiding behind anonymity. You asked for positives. They offered negatives. As someone who grew up in another state, I see how good we have it here. No it's not perfect. No system is, including private.

We have one in AAP since 3rd and one in Gen Ed. Both are receiving a fabulous education targeted just for them. We have only experienced ES and MS so far. We've had opportunities to move for work. We have decided to stay put in FCPS until the kids finish school. We have not considered private (although we did do private K), but we know others who have considered private then chose FCPS and were very happy with the decision. Our positives are:

Fantastic, energetic, and dedicated teachers and administrators. I see the teachers constantly learning and adding to their skill sets. I also have seen a good teacher support/mentor network.

Good, creative, and interesting curriculum and extensions where warranted.

Pull outs for more rigorous and challenging work where warranted.

Special services, e.g., IEPs, speech, reading, etc., where needed.

Good, safe environment.

Engaged parents and dynamic PTAs.

Many before and after school opportunities for no or minimal cost.

Diverse community, teaching our children the very important skill of how to interact with all kinds of people - people from other countries and other parts of this country, poor people, rich people, brilliant people, physically disabled people, people challenged in other ways, those just learning English. What a tapestry we have in FCPS!

The ability for practically all types of kids to find their clique.

Any kind of academic team you can think of.

Top notch sports teams in many different sports.

Pyramid structure breaks down the hugeness of FCPS into a real community feel for ES through HS. So, even though FCPS is an enormous school system, those schools on the other side of the county might as well be in southern VA.

I honestly don't know what else people are expecting. My kids have had small class sizes and larger class sizes. They learned just the same and it doesn't seem to phase the kids. What you won't find in FCPS or any other public school is the system coddling the parents. Maybe that's why so many DCUM posters feel let down and the need for private. While not perfect, I believe FCPS is doing a great job of meeting the needs of the most children possible within the constrains imposed upon it. My kids are not being denied a good education because of the challenges facing FCPS. I say don't listen to the negativity, give it a try, and judge for yourself.

Since you think it's so great, why don't you mention your ES, MS, and HS? Many people don't hide behind anonymity and at least name their own schools here or if they do it's just because they fear retribution.

Also not PP, but Oak Hill & Carson. For HS, DC can choose between SLHS (IB), Chantilly (AP) and (possibly) TJ.