Wondering about JV cheer and golf at Langley

[Anonymous]

Hello! I apologize that this is such a targeted post. My whole family is in disagreement about where my rising 9th grader will end up next year and I was wondering if any other Langley parents had experience with either girls' golf or JV Cheer. She is very socially motivated but neurodiverse and quirky, and I am nervous about her finding her people at such a big school. She has had a mixed experience in Cooper AAP - definitely has a group of friends now but it was a struggle to get there.

Back to the sports - I think that athletics are a great way to build community and was looking for input on these two teams specifically. Will they take anyone or do you have to try out/is it competitive? She is not a natural athlete but does have experience with both golf and cheer.

Sorry for the helicopter-parent type post. I'm just trying to get a sense of what things would be like if she did end up at Langley and if she would have realistic opportunities to be with peers, or if the idea of sports is not realistic because she'll be too anxious/scared to try out. At Cooper she did not pursue Model UN or debate, which she loved in 6th grade, because she was too anxious of getting rejected and there was just nothing we could get her to do to give it a try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello! I apologize that this is such a targeted post. My whole family is in disagreement about where my rising 9th grader will end up next year and I was wondering if any other Langley parents had experience with either girls' golf or JV Cheer. She is very socially motivated but neurodiverse and quirky, and I am nervous about her finding her people at such a big school. She has had a mixed experience in Cooper AAP - definitely has a group of friends now but it was a struggle to get there.

Back to the sports - I think that athletics are a great way to build community and was looking for input on these two teams specifically. Will they take anyone or do you have to try out/is it competitive? She is not a natural athlete but does have experience with both golf and cheer.

Sorry for the helicopter-parent type post. I'm just trying to get a sense of what things would be like if she did end up at Langley and if she would have realistic opportunities to be with peers, or if the idea of sports is not realistic because she'll be too anxious/scared to try out. At Cooper she did not pursue Model UN or debate, which she loved in 6th grade, because she was too anxious of getting rejected and there was just nothing we could get her to do to give it a try.

You have to try out. Forget about golf unless she's very good (Langley always win states) but cheer might be a possibility. Note that there are Freshmen cheerleaders as well as JV and Varsity cheerleaders.

[Anonymous]

I’ve heard golf is very competitive.
There are some no cut sports. My child does one of those. My child is a freshman and enjoys being a part of the team.

There are tons and tons of opportunities at Langley. Drama (behind the stage as well), music, yearbook and so on.

[Anonymous]

If she’s neurodiverse track might be a good option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she’s neurodiverse track might be a good option.

And cross country for the fall - not sure about Langley but that's a no-cut sport at some schools.

[Anonymous]

Oh wow i'm so glad I posted. I had no idea girls golf would be competitive!! Is there a way I can get a list of the no-cut sports?

[Anonymous]

It’s a rich school of course kids that are playing golf. Further, every school is class six of course there’s a ton of competition for literally everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve heard golf is very competitive.
There are some no cut sports. My child does one of those. My child is a freshman and enjoys being a part of the team.

There are tons and tons of opportunities at Langley. Drama (behind the stage as well), music, yearbook and so on.

+1
Agree with all of this. Also, Langley is not a huge school, as OP said, yet it's big enough to find your "people." I had three very different kids attend and they all had great (and very different!) friend groups. It's actually a really nice sized school - there are plenty of much bigger ones in FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Have her join Langley’s chorus! It’s a terrific program and also very welcoming.

[Anonymous]

Also think about band. She could find her people there.

[Anonymous]

Its MUCH easier to make sports teams at Langley compared to many other FCPS HS! Count your blessings!

[Anonymous]

No harm in trying out for Golf at all--but do heavily invest in practice time, i.e., take the sport seriously. The team has routinely won states (for decades), but district rival W-L knocked Langley off the district / region podiums most recently. So Langley is not infallible.

[Anonymous]

There is a list of sports on the website. You could email the athletic director to ask what is no cut. (Which could vary by year depending on interest.).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its MUCH easier to make sports teams at Langley compared to many other FCPS HS! Count your blessings!

I don’t believe this to be true. The enrollment may be lower than at most FCPS high schools, at least for now, but at other schools there are more kids who are unfamiliar with the various VHSL sports or who have to work after-school jobs or watch younger siblings. Langley kids are less likely to have such obligations, so it’s easier for them to make time for sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its MUCH easier to make sports teams at Langley compared to many other FCPS HS! Count your blessings!

I don’t believe this to be true. The enrollment may be lower than at most FCPS high schools, at least for now, but at other schools there are more kids who are unfamiliar with the various VHSL sports or who have to work after-school jobs or watch younger siblings. Langley kids are less likely to have such obligations, so it’s easier for them to make time for sports.

Its 100% true. Doesn't Langley have less than 2000 students?