Fairfax County HS comparison

[Anonymous]

First of all, we are trying to buy a house under $400,000 and won't have money for private school so please don't tell me the only good high schools are in McLean!

The high schools that we're looking at that have homes we can afford are Woodson HS, Mt. Vernon HS, and Robert E. Lee HS.
The middle schools that correspond are Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, and Key.
I've looked at online stats for all of these, but I'd also like some opinions from people, especially if your children have gone to or will go to these high schools or middle schools.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Definitely go for the Frost/Woodson pyramid. You can't go wrong as it's one of the best in the country.

[Anonymous]

PP here - I also wanted to share that many people would consider Woodson on par with, or better than, McLean High!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here - I also wanted to share that many people would consider Woodson on par with, or better than, McLean High!

yep, well respected. Wasn't it on the U.S. News list of best high schools a few years back?

[stpickrell]

Of the three, Woodson has the best test scores by far, but you already knew that.

Woodson's also probably the most centrally located in terms of potential commutes around Northern VA, although Lee is probably best if you're a Fed that'll be working in DC at (fill in agency) for the next 15-30 years, as it's a quick drive to the Springfield Metro.

Consider walkable neighborhoods, whether walkability to shopping/entertainment is important, talk to neighbors, get a feel for the area's sense of community, etc., etc.

Check for crime in the immediate vicinity of your potential home:

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/gisapps/myneighborhood/mynpolice.aspx

[Anonymous]

Both Mt Vernon and Lee have the IB program so if you think your child might be interested in and able to pursue that option, I think you would be happy with the schools. The problem is IF your child is not in the IB program, because unfortunately, the honors classes were largely done away with because of budget cuts. So a bright student must either be in with the average students (which are also the ones who tend to be more likely to be involved with drugs) OR in with the really hard charging kids in the IB classes. Not a perfect fit either way.

As for gangs (since I brought it up), they are not nearly the problem people make them out to be. Yes, they exist, but the members tend to leave outsiders alone so it should only be a worry for parents of kids who are likely to feel isolated, lack solid identity, and wish to belong to such an organisation. Not too likely for parents who are so interested and involved in their kids educations that they read and post here.

[Anonymous]

oops ... that was supposed to read more likely to be involved with GANGS!!! (not drugs, although I suppose there might be some correlation!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here - I also wanted to share that many people would consider Woodson on par with, or better than, McLean High!

Particularly if they live in the Woodson pyramid, no doubt!

[Anonymous]

woodson. personally, I would avoid lee and mount vernon.

[stpickrell]

My concern about the IB program is that if your kid doesn't get the full-on IB diploma, he/she gets nothing at most colleges but the intangible value of having worked really hard (and possibly some GPA weighting). AP classes are easier to translate into college credits. OTOH, if you can get the full IB diploma that would make your kid all sorts of awesome (and even if you went to Woodson, your kid could probably transfer to Robison or Marshall's IB program.)

[Anonymous]

Quite honestly, I wonder what a house in the Woodson district below $400K looks like - if you can find such a property, you're probably going to have maintenance issues down the road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quite honestly, I wonder what a house in the Woodson district below $400K looks like - if you can find such a property, you're probably going to have maintenance issues down the road.

http://franklymls.com/FX7374657

[Anonymous]

stpickrell wrote:My concern about the IB program is that if your kid doesn't get the full-on IB diploma, he/she gets nothing at most colleges but the intangible value of having worked really hard (and possibly some GPA weighting). AP classes are easier to translate into college credits. OTOH, if you can get the full IB diploma that would make your kid all sorts of awesome (and even if you went to Woodson, your kid could probably transfer to Robison or Marshall's IB program.)

I think this confuses two separate issues. With respect to college admissions, there's a perception that some schools look favorably on full IB diploma candidates, but not on students at IB schools who only take a few IB courses. Since there's no "AP diploma," that's not an issue at AP schools. A separate issue is whether colleges will give credit for AP and IB courses. This is generally done on a course-by-course basis, and you're right that US colleges traditionally have been more receptive to AP classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Quite honestly, I wonder what a house in the Woodson district below $400K looks like - if you can find such a property, you're probably going to have maintenance issues down the road.

http://franklymls.com/FX7374657

No pictures of the interior. That probably tells you something right there.

[Anonymous]

This is in the Woodson HS area. Beggars can't be choosers for under $400,000 around here and I expect to have to do some renovations and updating.

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Fairfax/4034-Broadwire-Dr-22032/home/9621585