Experiences with City of Falls Church public schools?

[Anonymous]

We are evaluating neighborhoods for a move to the Arlington area. Looking for combination of safe walkable neighborhood with great schools for our elementary aged kids. We liked City of Falls Church for walkability and seemingly good schools but read some pretty bad experiences by students at the middle school (Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School). Also it is a bummer that our two kids who are 2 grade levels apart would barely ever be in the same school given the 2-elementary school setup. Does anyone have experience with these schools and willingness to share or recommend? Our kids do not (currently) have special learning needs and we really like the idea of IB curriculum. Thank you! Would also appreciate suggestions for alternatives to Falls Church.

[Anonymous]

If you can afford FCC your kids will probably be fine wherever they land. If I could afford FCC I’d look in North Arlington to have more options, but I don’t live the idea of having no “escape plan”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are evaluating neighborhoods for a move to the Arlington area. Looking for combination of safe walkable neighborhood with great schools for our elementary aged kids. We liked City of Falls Church for walkability and seemingly good schools but read some pretty bad experiences by students at the middle school (Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School). Also it is a bummer that our two kids who are 2 grade levels apart would barely ever be in the same school given the 2-elementary school setup. Does anyone have experience with these schools and willingness to share or recommend? Our kids do not (currently) have special learning needs and we really like the idea of IB curriculum. Thank you! Would also appreciate suggestions for alternatives to Falls Church.

What did you read about the middle school?

[Anonymous]

I would look into Vienna or McLean over FCCPS. You have more options in the HS and the building itself is not ideal. That is my opinion of someone who has had kids in it. Few options of classes, not a fan of the IB program over AP and the 7 floor building.

[Anonymous]

Does Meridian HS not offer AP classes? I thought IB functioned alongside AP options. Thank you! (And also 7 story building?? Wow! )

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are evaluating neighborhoods for a move to the Arlington area. Looking for combination of safe walkable neighborhood with great schools for our elementary aged kids. We liked City of Falls Church for walkability and seemingly good schools but read some pretty bad experiences by students at the middle school (Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School). Also it is a bummer that our two kids who are 2 grade levels apart would barely ever be in the same school given the 2-elementary school setup. Does anyone have experience with these schools and willingness to share or recommend? Our kids do not (currently) have special learning needs and we really like the idea of IB curriculum. Thank you! Would also appreciate suggestions for alternatives to Falls Church.

Pretty much every middle school is hell.

Whoever thought it was a good idea to take tweens and put them all together in the same building was insane.

[Anonymous]

Re: what we read about the middle school. This was from Niche or great schools reviews. Two or three students talked about hating it, the students all calling it “Hell,” not getting help when they needed it, some bullying, and racism. Meanwhile the parent reviews were all pretty glowing. I’m super empathetic that middle school can be a tough time for many kids and their reviews might be similar regardless of where they attend school, and many of the issues highlighted could be more societal issues than isolated to that middle school. Trying to figure out if there are school specific issues. Thx!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can afford FCC your kids will probably be fine wherever they land. If I could afford FCC I’d look in North Arlington to have more options, but I don’t live the idea of having no “escape plan”.

Any suggestions for specific areas in North Arlington that have a walkable feel and smaller streets? This was what appealed about Falls Church. Thank you!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you can afford FCC your kids will probably be fine wherever they land. If I could afford FCC I’d look in North Arlington to have more options, but I don’t live the idea of having no “escape plan”.

Any suggestions for specific areas in North Arlington that have a walkable feel and smaller streets? This was what appealed about Falls Church. Thank you!!

Westover, Cherrydale, Lyon Village, Waverly Hills

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you can afford FCC your kids will probably be fine wherever they land. If I could afford FCC I’d look in North Arlington to have more options, but I don’t live the idea of having no “escape plan”.

Any suggestions for specific areas in North Arlington that have a walkable feel and smaller streets? This was what appealed about Falls Church. Thank you!!

Have you been in FCC recently? The streets may be small but they’re jammed with traffic and lots of tall developments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you can afford FCC your kids will probably be fine wherever they land. If I could afford FCC I’d look in North Arlington to have more options, but I don’t live the idea of having no “escape plan”.

Any suggestions for specific areas in North Arlington that have a walkable feel and smaller streets? This was what appealed about Falls Church. Thank you!!

Have you been in FCC recently? The streets may be small but they’re jammed with traffic and lots of tall developments.

We were there last week but only for a few days. And we don’t know the area well at all, so all suggestions are really appreciated!!

[Anonymous]

If you are upper middle class, white, with very mainstream kids (not quirky or out of the ordinary at all) without special needs (on either end of the spectrum) and you want an IB curriculum, FCC could work. Otherwise, choose Fairfax or Arlington for strong systems with many more programs and schools. If you’re looking for walkable, look around Madison HS in Fairfax or W-L in Arlington. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does Meridian HS not offer AP classes? I thought IB functioned alongside AP options. Thank you! (And also 7 story building?? Wow! )

They offer very few AP classes. It is an IB school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Re: what we read about the middle school. This was from Niche or great schools reviews. Two or three students talked about hating it, the students all calling it “Hell,” not getting help when they needed it, some bullying, and racism. Meanwhile the parent reviews were all pretty glowing. I’m super empathetic that middle school can be a tough time for many kids and their reviews might be similar regardless of where they attend school, and many of the issues highlighted could be more societal issues than isolated to that middle school. Trying to figure out if there are school specific issues. Thx!

Don't rule out this school based on 2-3 reviews online. I know these things are happening in APS middle schools too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you can afford FCC your kids will probably be fine wherever they land. If I could afford FCC I’d look in North Arlington to have more options, but I don’t live the idea of having no “escape plan”.

Any suggestions for specific areas in North Arlington that have a walkable feel and smaller streets? This was what appealed about Falls Church. Thank you!!

Have you been in FCC recently? The streets may be small but they’re jammed with traffic and lots of tall developments.

You're talking about the main drag - Rte 7. There are lovely neighborhoods with houses off the main street. FCC is really lovely. It's probably gonna be hard to find a house to buy. Or are you planning to rent?