What school pyramid?

[Anonymous]

We just found out we need to relocate and are looking at Fairfax county. What’s the best school pyramid that has great academics and community but isn’t too much of a competitive and overly wealth-obsessed area. We are moving from a progressive area and have heard that some of the “better” schools in McLean, etc. run probably a little bit more conservative than we’re used to. We would like to be as close to DC as possible as well. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Chantilly is great. Skyview is new and going to be great. If you like the idea of IB, Robinson is great. SLHS is good but doesn’t offer as many IB HL classes as Robinson. Centreville is good.

Langley, McLean, and Oakton are great schools but have a bit more of a competitive vibe to them.

Those are the schools I know most about. We have friends at Westfield and Herndon who love the schools but Westfield is being reshaped right now due to the Skyview purchased and no one is sure what effect that will really have. Herndon is a school in a school situation, you could say the same about Lewis and Mt. Vernon. People who have kids at the school are happy with them and everyone else is puzzled as to why.

I know nothing about the other HSs. I have not heard people talk about them a lot or know anyone at them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just found out we need to relocate and are looking at Fairfax county. What’s the best school pyramid that has great academics and community but isn’t too much of a competitive and overly wealth-obsessed area. We are moving from a progressive area and have heard that some of the “better” schools in McLean, etc. run probably a little bit more conservative than we’re used to. We would like to be as close to DC as possible as well. Thank you!

Lewis or Herndon High will give you the vibe that you seem to be looking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just found out we need to relocate and are looking at Fairfax county. What’s the best school pyramid that has great academics and community but isn’t too much of a competitive and overly wealth-obsessed area. We are moving from a progressive area and have heard that some of the “better” schools in McLean, etc. run probably a little bit more conservative than we’re used to. We would like to be as close to DC as possible as well. Thank you!

The closest you will get to DC is the Justice Pyramid. We have a middle schooler at Glasgow, and they have thrived so far.

This board will tell you that Justice (and Glasgow) are terrible and poor, and you should avoid them.

If you want a diverse population and a good community without being overbearing like McLean, I think it's a great choice.

[Anonymous]

Which school district, not what.

[Anonymous]

Why Fairfax if you're "progressive" and need to be near DC? Arlington makes more sense, and if you're ruling out McLean then it's hard to argue that the better Arlington school pyramids aren't at least on par with anything Fairfax has to offer.

[Anonymous]

For similar location proximity to DC as a McLean pyramid but more liberal, I’d look at falls church city. They have their own local school district (not FCPS) and everyone I know who lives there love the community and schools.

[Anonymous]

what is your budget? I would do Arlington if budget is not a constraint

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For similar location proximity to DC as a McLean pyramid but more liberal, I’d look at falls church city. They have their own local school district (not FCPS) and everyone I know who lives there love the community and schools.

Falls Church City owes its very existence to people who didn’t want Black people to have a vote in local elections many years ago and, years later, the residents go to great lengths to make sure you know their schools are “Falls Church City schools” rather than the more diverse schools in Fairfax County like Marshall, Falls Church, and Justice with Falls Church mailing addresses. If that’s what you consider “progressive,” go for it.

[Anonymous]

If proximity to DC is a big factor I would look at Arlington or even Montgomery County MD instead.

[Anonymous]

What is the commute? Eg, Capitol Hill, K Street, DOJ…. Driving or taking Metro?
What is the budget?

[Anonymous]

Do you want AP or IB in high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For similar location proximity to DC as a McLean pyramid but more liberal, I’d look at falls church city. They have their own local school district (not FCPS) and everyone I know who lives there love the community and schools.

Falls Church City owes its very existence to people who didn’t want Black people to have a vote in local elections many years ago and, years later, the residents go to great lengths to make sure you know their schools are “Falls Church City schools” rather than the more diverse schools in Fairfax County like Marshall, Falls Church, and Justice with Falls Church mailing addresses. If that’s what you consider “progressive,” go for it.

Fairfax County has its share of racist history. I would not pick a school system based on decisions made generations ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For similar location proximity to DC as a McLean pyramid but more liberal, I’d look at falls church city. They have their own local school district (not FCPS) and everyone I know who lives there love the community and schools.

Falls Church City owes its very existence to people who didn’t want Black people to have a vote in local elections many years ago and, years later, the residents go to great lengths to make sure you know their schools are “Falls Church City schools” rather than the more diverse schools in Fairfax County like Marshall, Falls Church, and Justice with Falls Church mailing addresses. If that’s what you consider “progressive,” go for it.

Fairfax County has its share of racist history. I would not pick a school system based on decisions made generations ago.

The second part of the post refers to current behavior by FCC residents. It goes beyond just letting people know FCC is its own jurisdiction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For similar location proximity to DC as a McLean pyramid but more liberal, I’d look at falls church city. They have their own local school district (not FCPS) and everyone I know who lives there love the community and schools.

Falls Church City owes its very existence to people who didn’t want Black people to have a vote in local elections many years ago and, years later, the residents go to great lengths to make sure you know their schools are “Falls Church City schools” rather than the more diverse schools in Fairfax County like Marshall, Falls Church, and Justice with Falls Church mailing addresses. If that’s what you consider “progressive,” go for it.

Fairfax County has its share of racist history. I would not pick a school system based on decisions made generations ago.

The second part of the post refers to current behavior by FCC residents. It goes beyond just letting people know FCC is its own jurisdiction.

Maybe, they make that distinction because Fairfax County has a high school called Falls Church and the city of Falls Church has a high school called Meridian. For many new people, it can be confusing.