Risky to buy in a pyramid with split feeder schools? (Crossfield elementary)

[Anonymous]

We are considering houses that are in Crossfield-->Carson-->Oakton, but I see that Crossfield feeds into multiple middle and high schools. We don't want Chantilly or South Lakes. Is it a risky prospect then? How likely is it that the boundaries or feeder patterns would change so that we'd end up at a different high school?

Also, any thoughts on Crossfield? Also considering Oakton elm but not a lot in our price range currently (except townhouses, which we're avoiding).

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I do not know much about that specific school pyramid. But, my child is in a split-feeder elementary and it feels hard as she gets ready to go on to MS. Half the friends will go to different schools.

[Anonymous]

The bigger issue is that FCPS is getting ready to embark on what it terms a "holistic" review of school boundaries at every level (elementary, middle, and high schools).

There are certain parts of western Fairfax (Oak Hill/Floris/Crossfield/Navy) that have tended to see a lot of boundaries changes in the past (one area in particular bounced from Oakton to Westfield to South Lakes), so these areas might be particularly likely to be affected again.

They are claiming that their goals include eliminating split feeders and attendance islands, but it's too early to tell how it will shake out. If you really want Oakton as opposed to South Lakes and Chantilly (and Chantilly is great) you probably should be looking closer to Oakton HS itself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are considering houses that are in Crossfield-->Carson-->Oakton, but I see that Crossfield feeds into multiple middle and high schools. We don't want Chantilly or South Lakes. Is it a risky prospect then? How likely is it that the boundaries or feeder patterns would change so that we'd end up at a different high school?

Also, any thoughts on Crossfield? Also considering Oakton elm but not a lot in our price range currently (except townhouses, which we're avoiding).

Thanks.

No one knows. Crossfield is surrounded by FCPS schools - no other jurisdictions. It also is adjacent to Hunters Woods which is only 54% base school. That could get changed and the extra funds allocated to other schools equitably. Meren and Lady duking it out over huge $ and inefficiency for a program that went in to avoid base school boundary changes?

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[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The bigger issue is that FCPS is getting ready to embark on what it terms a "holistic" review of school boundaries at every level (elementary, middle, and high schools).

There are certain parts of western Fairfax (Oak Hill/Floris/Crossfield/Navy) that have tended to see a lot of boundaries changes in the past (one area in particular bounced from Oakton to Westfield to South Lakes), so these areas might be particularly likely to be affected again.

They are claiming that their goals include eliminating split feeders and attendance islands, but it's too early to tell how it will shake out. If you really want Oakton as opposed to South Lakes and Chantilly (and Chantilly is great) you probably should be looking closer to Oakton HS itself.

Is there really a remote chance that houses in Franklin farm could be rezoned to South Lakes high?

[Anonymous]

*more than remote

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The bigger issue is that FCPS is getting ready to embark on what it terms a "holistic" review of school boundaries at every level (elementary, middle, and high schools).

There are certain parts of western Fairfax (Oak Hill/Floris/Crossfield/Navy) that have tended to see a lot of boundaries changes in the past (one area in particular bounced from Oakton to Westfield to South Lakes), so these areas might be particularly likely to be affected again.

They are claiming that their goals include eliminating split feeders and attendance islands, but it's too early to tell how it will shake out. If you really want Oakton as opposed to South Lakes and Chantilly (and Chantilly is great) you probably should be looking closer to Oakton HS itself.

Is there really a remote chance that houses in Franklin farm could be rezoned to South Lakes high?

Yes, its closer to that neighborhood than Oakton!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The bigger issue is that FCPS is getting ready to embark on what it terms a "holistic" review of school boundaries at every level (elementary, middle, and high schools).

There are certain parts of western Fairfax (Oak Hill/Floris/Crossfield/Navy) that have tended to see a lot of boundaries changes in the past (one area in particular bounced from Oakton to Westfield to South Lakes), so these areas might be particularly likely to be affected again.

They are claiming that their goals include eliminating split feeders and attendance islands, but it's too early to tell how it will shake out. If you really want Oakton as opposed to South Lakes and Chantilly (and Chantilly is great) you probably should be looking closer to Oakton HS itself.

When analyzing whether you might be impacted by the holistic review, try to do the analysis Assuming any move will be based solely on equity.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the comments. This is a bit scary and has made me reconsider buying in this elementary zone.

[Anonymous]

It's risky to buy in Fairfax County right now, period. You will have literally no idea which schools your kids will attend a year from now, two years from now, etc. Even if you buy right next door to a "good" school, the makeup of that school can and almost assuredly will be changed to be more "average" - and when 40% of the county is FARMS, there won't be any good schools left, just mediocre schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's risky to buy in Fairfax County right now, period. You will have literally no idea which schools your kids will attend a year from now, two years from now, etc. Even if you buy right next door to a "good" school, the makeup of that school can and almost assuredly will be changed to be more "average" - and when 40% of the county is FARMS, there won't be any good schools left, just mediocre schools.

Is this an exaggeration?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's risky to buy in Fairfax County right now, period. You will have literally no idea which schools your kids will attend a year from now, two years from now, etc. Even if you buy right next door to a "good" school, the makeup of that school can and almost assuredly will be changed to be more "average" - and when 40% of the county is FARMS, there won't be any good schools left, just mediocre schools.

Is this an exaggeration?

yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's risky to buy in Fairfax County right now, period. You will have literally no idea which schools your kids will attend a year from now, two years from now, etc. Even if you buy right next door to a "good" school, the makeup of that school can and almost assuredly will be changed to be more "average" - and when 40% of the county is FARMS, there won't be any good schools left, just mediocre schools.

Is this an exaggeration?

Nope. See the giant boundaries thread here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's risky to buy in Fairfax County right now, period. You will have literally no idea which schools your kids will attend a year from now, two years from now, etc. Even if you buy right next door to a "good" school, the makeup of that school can and almost assuredly will be changed to be more "average" - and when 40% of the county is FARMS, there won't be any good schools left, just mediocre schools.

Is this an exaggeration?

If you don’t heed this advice, you’ll get an earful later from trolls on DCUM saying that you knew the risk when you bought your house and that we are one county and you should be grateful to attend any FCPS school.

If you care about a specific pyramid, then this is definitely not an exaggeration. If you only care about FCPS, you’ll be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's risky to buy in Fairfax County right now, period. You will have literally no idea which schools your kids will attend a year from now, two years from now, etc. Even if you buy right next door to a "good" school, the makeup of that school can and almost assuredly will be changed to be more "average" - and when 40% of the county is FARMS, there won't be any good schools left, just mediocre schools.

You can guarantee you won’t be redistricted by buying in City of Fairfax. The city owns the schools and pays FCPS to administer. Our kids will always go Providence/Daniel Run - KJMS - Fairfax.