what is the difference between Madison HS, Oakton, and Reston high schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want walkable without the chance of being murdered, then don't move anywhere within walking distance of Hunters Woods Plaza. That whole area and especially the paths between there and South Lakes HS have got to be the most dangerous part of western Fairfax.
Cue the part where people pile on and say how "safe" it still is compared with other places, like inner cities / Detroit / whatever.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/ms-13-member-sentenced-life-prison-murders-virginia-and-massachusetts

That is the gang Kilmar Abrego Garcia belongs to. Now you know what these gangs do, and how they do it to people. Gangs right here in the DMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My youngest just graduated from South Lakes. All 3 of our children graduated from there. My 3 were very different, and were all served well. Oldest was super strong academically and did mostly IB/dual-enrollment. Middle had IEP and did a mix of classes. Youngest was very involved with theatre and chorus and also a strong student who did mostly IB/dual-enrollment. I would say that SLHS has a very strong arts program, both performing and visual arts. I say this from direct experience. We live about 2 miles from the high school. Reston trails are amazing. My kids took the bus to school until they could drive, but they would sometimes walk home if the weather was nice. As others have mentioned tons of kids walk to the shopping center near the school. There are mostly chain restaurants there., but we have an ice cream shop opening sometime this summer, and both Cafesano and reds table are great local spots. As far as your concerns for your daughter and mean girls, etc.., I would say that the very best thing for all three of my kids was finding something to be involved in. My oldest did robotics for a while as well as chorus., my middle did anime club for a while and chorus as well. My youngest was in theater and chorus. I know lots of people whose kids are involved in marching band and Orchestra. The same goes for sports. What I’ve seen across the board that no matter the activity, being involved in something during high school really helps create a more positive high school experience especially as it relates to making friends. My direct experience was with the arts, and our experience was positive across the board with regard to friendships. I’m not sure what your budget is, but a nice single-family home rental just went on the market this week in my neighborhood.

How did your kids like the IB? Did it seem fluffy, or actually good as a teaching tool, or too hard and time intensive? Where did they do dual enrollment at?

IB fluffy? Absolutely not. IB classes are extremely rigorous very writing intensive, but they really liked the classes for the most part. This prepared my college kids really well for the writing rigors of college. All 3 are excellent writers. Upper level math classes were intense, my oldest was the only one who went all the way with the IB math courses. None of my three kids are big math lovers, so this may have been the case even if they were at an AP school. The majority of the dual-enrollment classes were through NOVA , but are held at SLHS just like any other class. My daughter did take a dual-enrollment Geospatial analysis class that was through JMU.

Is there writing in math too? I thought that was a big difference that steers people to AP and away from IB school. That IB makes math more theory and there are papers/essays for IB?

The IB Math classes take an integrated approach, blending algebra, trig, and calculus somehow. There is no IB Calculus class. I am not sure what the differences are between IB Math SL (standard) and HL (higher). I do know, from talking to friends with kids at SLHS, that there are rarely enough students to offer the IB Science classes at the HL level, I am not sure if the Math is offered at the HL on a regular basis. We are hoping to pupil place out of SLHS to an AP program where our child can take the AP Science and Math classes that are more in line with how math and science are taught in the US and at the higher level. If SHLS was able to offer the IB science classes at the HL level on an annual basis we would take a more serious look at staying but even then, IB Physics HL is algebra based and not calculus based.

You can get an excellent education with the IB program, but the classes are taught differently, it is more than just additional writing. The material covered in math and science is different than the material covered in AP class, which does not excite us. I think additional writing is valualbe but I would say that IB, as taught at SLHS, is better suited for a kid interested in the humanities then it is for a STEM student. The school has known about this for ages and has done nothing to fix the problem

Personally, I am hoping that my kid ends up at the new HS, which will more likely then not be AP, and we don't have to worry about pupil placing them. But we don't intend on staying at SLHS because the IB program is not strong in STEM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lake Anne is awful and rundown

That makes no sense. I was just there at the popular coffeehouse patio. The homes are wildly popular there at Lake Anne Plaza and sell quickly.

It’s for old folks, no matter how you try to sell it. Absolutely no one under 40 goes to Lake Anne.

You obviously don't go there.

[Anonymous]

In Reston, I would be only buy single family homes that feed into Sunrise Valley Elementary or Crossfield.

[Anonymous]

so for a student who is never going to be doing math or science AP classes, and who is possibly somewhere on the mild side of the spectrum, and who would need maybe more help parsing the world, would IB help in that regard, ie being a more nuanced thinker and taking apart information better? also, can't you take an AP exam somewhere without having to take the AP class, if you are proficient in the material? So you can get AP credit for college but still be at an IB school... and are IB HL and SL classes weighed the same as an AP class for GPA, so you can get the same boost in GPA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Regarding Vienna, the town itself is very walkable. It’s not the prettiest town, but has a healthy commercial heart, with a town green and some historic structures. Madison HS is walkable to much of the town.

Here’s some more Herndon and Reston info: I believe the northern part of Reston above Baron Cameron Ave is currently zoned to Herndon HS. But all the school zones may change later this year. The current school rezoning proposals are featured on the FCPS boundary review website. Note that these are just proposals:
https://www.fcpsboundaryreview.org/

Herndon town guide:
https://www.funinfairfaxva.com/things-to-do-in-herndon-virginia/

Reston Lake Anne guide:
https://www.funinfairfaxva.com/visit-lake-anne-reston-virginia/

Reston guide:
https://www.funinfairfaxva.com/top-10-things-to-do-reston-virginia/

I know people say Vienna is very walkable but I don't find it very pleasant and Maple Ave is a nightmare during the morning and evening commutes.

I agree... what area in NoVa do you like better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lake Anne is awful and rundown

That makes no sense. I was just there at the popular coffeehouse patio. The homes are wildly popular there at Lake Anne Plaza and sell quickly.

It’s for old folks, no matter how you try to sell it. Absolutely no one under 40 goes to Lake Anne. The shops are totally lame (used book store anyone?!) - and the cafes and restaurants are not good.

Teens don’t want to be at Lake Anne. They want the Reston Town Center with Starbucks and the Apple Store.

Lake Anne has a "A Mighty Wind" quality to it.

That’s hilarious and totally true

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lake Anne is awful and rundown

That makes no sense. I was just there at the popular coffeehouse patio. The homes are wildly popular there at Lake Anne Plaza and sell quickly.

It’s for old folks, no matter how you try to sell it. Absolutely no one under 40 goes to Lake Anne. The shops are totally lame (used book store anyone?!) - and the cafes and restaurants are not good.

Teens don’t want to be at Lake Anne. They want the Reston Town Center with Starbucks and the Apple Store.

Lake Anne has a "A Mighty Wind" quality to it.

Either that or some run-down college dorms that Boomers took over when a small, progressive liberal arts school in New England folded 30 years ago.

Looks like kommunalkas, Soviet style apartment buildings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lake Anne is awful and rundown

That makes no sense. I was just there at the popular coffeehouse patio. The homes are wildly popular there at Lake Anne Plaza and sell quickly.

It’s for old folks, no matter how you try to sell it. Absolutely no one under 40 goes to Lake Anne. The shops are totally lame (used book store anyone?!) - and the cafes and restaurants are not good.

Teens don’t want to be at Lake Anne. They want the Reston Town Center with Starbucks and the Apple Store.

Lake Anne has a "A Mighty Wind" quality to it.

Either that or some run-down college dorms that Boomers took over when a small, progressive liberal arts school in New England folded 30 years ago.

Looks like kommunalkas, Soviet style apartment buildings.

"In Soviet Lake Anne, the apartments live in YOU!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:so for a student who is never going to be doing math or science AP classes, and who is possibly somewhere on the mild side of the spectrum, and who would need maybe more help parsing the world, would IB help in that regard, ie being a more nuanced thinker and taking apart information better? also, can't you take an AP exam somewhere without having to take the AP class, if you are proficient in the material? So you can get AP credit for college but still be at an IB school... and are IB HL and SL classes weighed the same as an AP class for GPA, so you can get the same boost in GPA?

I posted earlier about having a good experience at SLHS. One of my children has autism. I cannot speak to whether IB would be better, as I only experienced IB. My daughter started high school taking team taught classes, which are classes where there are student students with challenges, combined with Neurotypical children without challenges. As we approached Junior year, she really advocated for herself to take IB English. She was right. It was an excellent fit. In the case of my daughter, she is a researcher of all things. Her favorite thing in life is discussing and debating difficult topics, she loved IB English class. It is true that you can take an AP exam and learn the material on your own. I am not sure about that process or whether colleges would accept that if you did not take a course however. IB classes SL and HL both get the full GPA bump. If you have any idea about the types of colleges, your child might be interested in, it may be a good idea to look how they accept IB credits. Some colleges accept them with a certain score just like they do AP. Many colleges only except HL classes. My children took a combination of IB and dual enrollment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so for a student who is never going to be doing math or science AP classes, and who is possibly somewhere on the mild side of the spectrum, and who would need maybe more help parsing the world, would IB help in that regard, ie being a more nuanced thinker and taking apart information better? also, can't you take an AP exam somewhere without having to take the AP class, if you are proficient in the material? So you can get AP credit for college but still be at an IB school... and are IB HL and SL classes weighed the same as an AP class for GPA, so you can get the same boost in GPA?

I posted earlier about having a good experience at SLHS. One of my children has autism. I cannot speak to whether IB would be better, as I only experienced IB. My daughter started high school taking team taught classes, which are classes where there are student students with challenges, combined with Neurotypical children without challenges. As we approached Junior year, she really advocated for herself to take IB English. She was right. It was an excellent fit. In the case of my daughter, she is a researcher of all things. Her favorite thing in life is discussing and debating difficult topics, she loved IB English class. It is true that you can take an AP exam and learn the material on your own. I am not sure about that process or whether colleges would accept that if you did not take a course however. IB classes SL and HL both get the full GPA bump. If you have any idea about the types of colleges, your child might be interested in, it may be a good idea to look how they accept IB credits. Some colleges accept them with a certain score just like they do AP. Many colleges only except HL classes. My children took a combination of IB and dual enrollment.

Thanks! Sounds like a good experience!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lake Anne is awful and rundown

That makes no sense. I was just there at the popular coffeehouse patio. The homes are wildly popular there at Lake Anne Plaza and sell quickly.

It’s for old folks, no matter how you try to sell it. Absolutely no one under 40 goes to Lake Anne. The shops are totally lame (used book store anyone?!) - and the cafes and restaurants are not good.

Teens don’t want to be at Lake Anne. They want the Reston Town Center with Starbucks and the Apple Store.

Lake Anne has a "A Mighty Wind" quality to it.

Either that or some run-down college dorms that Boomers took over when a small, progressive liberal arts school in New England folded 30 years ago.

Looks like kommunalkas, Soviet style apartment buildings.

"In Soviet Lake Anne, the apartments live in YOU!"

The apartments at Lake Anne have floor to ceiling glass and were inspired by the utopian dreams of Scandinavia. The ads in the 60s even had the little boiled egg cups.

[Anonymous]

Is there a big difference between the IB program at Marshall vs. South Lakes? Do they have a different concentration or reputation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a big difference between the IB program at Marshall vs. South Lakes? Do they have a different concentration or reputation?

Reputation wise, along with Robinson, they are the best IB schools in FCPS in terms of reputation and IB diploma performance.

They all have the same IB courses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a big difference between the IB program at Marshall vs. South Lakes? Do they have a different concentration or reputation?

Reputation wise, along with Robinson, they are the best IB schools in FCPS in terms of reputation and IB diploma performance.

They all have the same IB courses.

Most students only take some IB classes and few do actual full diploma- if want actual # of students, someone posted once on DCuM to a FCPS school board link so if you search for it can find- the schools usually just show how many kids take 1 or more IB classes as those numbers are higher. For full diploma, school board docs showed very few do.