Which Western NoVa school might be good for bookish child entering in 11th grade?

[Anonymous]

[Cross-posting from the teens forum, as a poster suggested]

This is looking ahead to next year. I'm not very familiar with the schools in the area. There's some flexibility about where to live, as long as it's roughly in the area between Route 29 and the Potomac River, and it could be as far west as Loudoun County.

Ideally it would be a school that has good teachers and intellectually challenging classes, but without a pressure cooker atmosphere. Extracurricular options would also be important, ideally ones that are suitable for a girl who is bookish, not into sci/tech, and also not into playing sports or music. Creative extracurriculars (like theater) or service clubs would be the best fit for her. She's used to going to a small school, so the size may be a consideration, however she may end up enjoying going to a bigger school for a change at that age, as long as it's not massive or very crowded. Also, I don't know if some schools are less cliquish and more welcoming of new kids than others?

Any schools in particular we should consider? We care more about her having a good, positive experience and being able to make friends, rather than the school's average test scores, so I'm not sure if looking at school ratings sites will be of much help.

[Anonymous]

Check out Loudoun County High School. I know from friends with kids at that school that it is not a pressure cooker but highly regarded in the community. Typical sports and extracurriculars. It is the oldest high school in Loudon County, and it’s a beautiful, historic building. Not as hyped up as the newer schools that are more sports focused.

[Anonymous]

Rock Ridge has a great theater program. It’s also smaller than many of the other schools population - wise because the Brambleton parents fought hard to have their own school because they felt the large number of Indian students at RR was hurting their kids’ chances of being academically competitive, among other reasons. As a result RR is sitting at about 1100 students compared to independence which is now overcrowded.

[Anonymous]

Maybe Lightridge HS in Aldie? It opened in 2020, doesn't have a zillion kids and it has a good principal and staff.

[Anonymous]

Oakton HS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe Lightridge HS in Aldie? It opened in 2020, doesn't have a zillion kids and it has a good principal and staff.

It does have a zillion kids though. Already overcrowded. A new high school is being built out there which could create rezoning when it’s finished. But I agree it’s a good option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rock Ridge has a great theater program. It’s also smaller than many of the other schools population - wise because the Brambleton parents fought hard to have their own school because they felt the large number of Indian students at RR was hurting their kids’ chances of being academically competitive, among other reasons. As a result RR is sitting at about 1100 students compared to independence which is now overcrowded.

+1 to Rock Ridge