House/FCPS location complex situation

[Anonymous]

There are two decisions we need to make (one, rather urgent) so appreciate your patience.

We recently moved to this area due to DH's job (unfortunate timing - death of one of my in-laws). This house is not where we would stay permanently. The other in-law needs a lot of help and will move with us (still hopefully NOVA). DH works from home, he didn't go to school here but lived here a few summers etc. and has a couple of cousins and friends' families here. I lived/worked in NOVA many years ago so familiar with the area. Now part-time since May. Oldest off to college (tuition accounted for).

1) DC has attended a Montessori school through 6th and we are urgently looking to register for FCPS Middle.

I am getting up to speed (that has included hours/days spent on google and especially DCUM these last few weeks, WOW -glad I found this particular forum). I think I have a basic understanding of how FCPS works now. We didn't know about AAP and so haven't yet done COGAT or WISC-V testing which I understand now needs to be done by November for placement in a Level IV school?

Though the house is excellent, area/school not so. Current zoned MS is low rating/rough and parent has heard lots of issues from neighbors in past years. DC is small in stature and can be a little reserved but is very bright with many interests. May have mild ADHD (couple of years ago results were inconclusive).

It is also an IB school (as is the high school) and from all that I've read here, not of interest to us. Is there some way we can request "pupil place" to a Center Full time Level IV AP school based on this reason? Hope I am using the term correctly as. Would we go meet the principal at the school of interest or call someone in the county to even see if it's possible.

2) We are also looking to move but don't want to rush that decision. If we found a house tomorrow, #1 above would be a non-issue (that decision is giving me heart burn).
But in the back of my mind now, is also the schools boundary change (I've been scanning the 500+ page thread). House price is not too relevant to this decision as we sold our paid off house and plan to apply $ to downpayment. We could stretch a little too.

We did see a house we liked but family/friends discouraged us (Fairfax high school pyramid). We don't need to listen but didn't know enough so didn't put an offer.

Other comments we've received -

Absolutely avoid Langley/McLean (preppy, certain bad habits, unless child super advanced, from VA college admission perspective not the best option) vs Langley and McLean are best for DC who would thrive per cousins etc. DH leaning towards this option. I would prefer a 2000+ year house but DH doesn't mind an older under 3000 sq feet house.

Avoid Chantilly, Lake Braddock (kid is just a number and also Chantilly is very intense).

Go to Loudoun (but we are not sure we want to go that far. I almost considered it then realized that middle is from 6th grade).

Is the number of houses being listed since July typical? Very simple criteria and decent budget for a SFM but I don't see many homes listed in Fairfax County.

I know time is running out for the upcoming year MS and while not at all ideal to wait another year, we don't want to force a decision. DH is considering another year in private which I want to avoid.

WWYD? Comments appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Not a great situation, Good Luck!
I would go private till you figure it out. We like Chantilly High School.

[Anonymous]

I have never heard anyone call Chantilly intense. Everyone I know there loves the school.

From your thread in the AAP forum, you are putting way too much weight on AAP. He might be accepted, if he is, it will be for 11/2 years. It is not that big a deal.

[Anonymous]

Wow.

That is a lot of somewhat off the mark information.

I believe you are too late to apply for AAP, unless you are military coming from a different district already placed in a gifted program.

There are only 2 more years left in AAP. At this point, it is not worth it to just apply for 8th grade.

The majority of the middle schools will have solid to great academics for most kids who are not AAP level 4. They kids move classes and levels in middle school, mixing AAP and non AAP in classes like Algebra and Geometry (if your kid qualifies) plus all electives, PE and foreign languages. Middle school AAP level 4 is only English, history and science. Honestly, having an AAP level 4 kid in the middle school program, and not in the middle school program, my preference in hindsight is that it is better to mix with non AAP kids as much as possible in middle school to make more friends for high school, except for math. Get in the best level for their ability for your kid's math class.

AAP ends in 8th grade.

High school is general enrollment. Most, if not all of the highly desired schools ar AP (not AAP) run by the college board. The lower ranked schools are almost all IB, except for Robinson, which is a fantastic school, and Marshall, which is fine. Between the two options, the AP program is a far better choice.

Fairfax HS is a great school. It is its own district, but attached to FCPS, so it will not get rezoned as long as you live in the City of Fairfax. Definitely put that school back on your list.

If you are a military family, put all of the Burke, West Springfield, Lorton corridor schools back on your list: WSHS, Lake Braddock, Robinson and South County. All are good options.

You can only transfer to schools with space, and the AP/IB/foreign language transfer option is only for high school. Since you don't have a permanent home, that doesn't really affect you now.

[Anonymous]

Not sure why anyone would steer you away from Chantilly or Lake Braddock. They’re both good schools and the secondary model of Lake Braddock is not nearly as overwhelming as some people think it is.

[Anonymous]

If $ is not an issue why in the world would you consider the likes of Chantilly, Lake Braddock or Fairfax High. I agree with your DH, Langley/McLean pyramids and even Oakton should be on your list.

[Anonymous]

I've never heard Chantilly called intense. The people I know who sent their kids there really liked it--it's strong academically but actually less intense than some of the other schools and it's the type of place where every type of kid finds their crowd and fits in.

[Anonymous]

Actually consider Loudoun. Hear me out.
Yes, it will be the middle of middle school there but with all the border changes, it would be better there. Also newer and smaller schools. A friend moved and is happy. Also as you mention NOVA college chances, that would be better than the FCPS craziness of top schools.

[Anonymous]

Both Langley and McLean are great. No high school in FCPS is really preppy now, given the current demographics/diversity in the county. They're both great for kids who are academically strong, but the kids don't have to be, nor all they all, "super advanced."

[Anonymous]

1/ it’s impossible to get into an aap program or get pupil placed at the center school.

2/ there is no way you can find a house and have the title in time for school starting. Your only option here is to rent.

3/ Langley and McLean are the best pyramids in Fairfax county, anyone that told you to avoid it probably doesn’t have kids there. Loudon County is not a better option. Find somewhere in falls church, Vienna, McLean, oak ton or great falls.

[Anonymous]

My kids probably went to the middle school/high school you are describing. It can be rough but they had zero problems. I've been really happy with the IB program, tons of writing, they're very well prepared for college.

As far as DCUM being a great source for information, that can be true, but also you're obviously new here.

[Anonymous]

Forget AAP, middle school is only two years.

Your best bet is to rent in Langley, Mclean, Viena (Marshalls), Oakton pyramid and try to buy something in the same pyramid.

You don't have the luxury to pick and choose from those four schools, just pick one and stick to you. Your DC will be fine.

[Anonymous]

What is your budget? I would look at Robinson/Woodson/Lake Braddock. I think you're getting some odd/conflicting advice.

Sounds like your child will be in 7th grade this coming fall? Not sure if this suits you, but I might consider a catholic school for 7th and 8th grade, then take those two years to figure out where you want to be for high school. It would be flexible in that you could move and not have to change schools for those two years, which tend to be the roughest socially.

And DCUM can be like a Dickens novel, as in it is simultaneously the best of times and the worst of times. The gems of advice are here, but you often have to wade through a lot of crap to find them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids probably went to the middle school/high school you are describing. It can be rough but they had zero problems. I've been really happy with the IB program, tons of writing, they're very well prepared for college.

As far as DCUM being a great source for information, that can be true, but also you're obviously new here.

There are multiple low-rated middle schools that have the MYP IB program and feed to IB schools - Glasgow, Holmes, Key, Poe, and Whitman.

[Anonymous]

Not sure how you'd feel about Langley/Mclean if you think Chantilly is intense. Agree you're getting weird information. If your child is bright, I thing Langley/Mclean is a good choice if you can afford the area.