Kids in my neighborhood calling local schools "scary"

[Anonymous]

Someone recently posted information indicating that there are 112 students living in the Falls Church HS district this year who have transferred to other schools, and only 9 students living outside the Falls Church district who have transferred into the school.

I know both parents and students can talk trash, but I'd ask neighbors why there are so many pupil placements out of Falls Church HS. FCPS doesn't arrange transportation for out-of-boundary students, so people are deciding it's worth the extra effort to drive their kids to neighboring schools like Marshall, Stuart and Annandale (or allow their kids to drive).

These cycles can be hard to break. Once some parents start transferring their kids to nearby schools, other parents may feel pressure to do the same thing. Adults bow to peer pressure, too. But 112-9 is a big enough swing in the wrong direction that I'd want to know what's driving the out-placements.

[Anonymous]

I have posted this before on this board but will chime in again...I coach at Falls Church High School and have NEVER felt unsafe there. That is not a statement I can say about every high school in the county. In general, the kids are friendly (yes, they are teenagers) and the faculty cares very much about the school and the students. If you are worried about possible college placements...I have coached kids who have gone on to UVA, William and Mary, JMU, University of Richmond, George Mason, University of Maryland, the Air Force Academy, and many other schools.

If I were you, I would ask the kids you know to be more specific. What exactly do they think is scary? It is so easy to get caught up in rumors and make generalizations. Also, it might be good for you to get a feel of the school first hand. Attend a basketball game or another sporting event...call the principal and ask to meet for a tour. The unknown is almost always worse than reality!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have posted this before on this board but will chime in again...I coach at Falls Church High School and have NEVER felt unsafe there. That is not a statement I can say about every high school in the county. In general, the kids are friendly (yes, they are teenagers) and the faculty cares very much about the school and the students. If you are worried about possible college placements...I have coached kids who have gone on to UVA, William and Mary, JMU, University of Richmond, George Mason, University of Maryland, the Air Force Academy, and many other schools.

If I were you, I would ask the kids you know to be more specific. What exactly do they think is scary? It is so easy to get caught up in rumors and make generalizations. Also, it might be good for you to get a feel of the school first hand. Attend a basketball game or another sporting event...call the principal and ask to meet for a tour. The unknown is almost always worse than reality!

Can you answer 17:03?

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, I am not able to answer 17:03. However, I think it is a fair question for the OP to ask the principal or someone else in the administration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What school is that? I would be very worried.

My local school is very high in minority, but have no problem.

By the way the minority is mainly Asians.

Meh. Asians. Are you kidding? If you are not asian, your kid has nothing to worry about with gangs. And please, the ethic for academic achievement is very strong generally with asians, VT shooter, aside.

[Anonymous]

I have a child at Luther Jackson. I heard the rumors before we decided (we could have used Thoreau instead), and they appear to have no basis in current reality. Really. I see and hear zero evidence of anything people were afraid of.

The only possible explanation I can think of is that perhaps the school used to be rougher and is taking a while to shed its reputation. But I do think the reputation is being perpetuated by people who, as PP said, haven't set a foot inside the doors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child at Luther Jackson. I heard the rumors before we decided (we could have used Thoreau instead), and they appear to have no basis in current reality. Really. I see and hear zero evidence of anything people were afraid of.

The only possible explanation I can think of is that perhaps the school used to be rougher and is taking a while to shed its reputation. But I do think the reputation is being perpetuated by people who, as PP said, haven't set a foot inside the doors.

Has the school been improving? Is the high poverty level an issue? How about the high percentage of kids who are not fluent in EnglisH?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone recently posted information indicating that there are 112 students living in the Falls Church HS district this year who have transferred to other schools, and only 9 students living outside the Falls Church district who have transferred into the school.

I know both parents and students can talk trash, but I'd ask neighbors why there are so many pupil placements out of Falls Church HS. FCPS doesn't arrange transportation for out-of-boundary students, so people are deciding it's worth the extra effort to drive their kids to neighboring schools like Marshall, Stuart and Annandale (or allow their kids to drive).

These cycles can be hard to break. Once some parents start transferring their kids to nearby schools, other parents may feel pressure to do the same thing. Adults bow to peer pressure, too. But 112-9 is a big enough swing in the wrong direction that I'd want to know what's driving the out-placements.

Because people are scared of schools with large minority and/or low-income populations. It's as simple as that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Because people are scared of schools with large minority and/or low-income populations. It's as simple as that.

So why does next-door Stuart, with about the same minority population and a higher low-income population, typically have more out-of-boundary students transferring into the school than in-boundary students transferring out? This year it has a net gain of 35 students due to transfers while Falls Church has a net loss of 103 students.

I think the answer is more complicated than fear.

[Anonymous]

Stuart has an IB program which is why there are more out-of-boundary students transferring into the school than in-boundary students transferring out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stuart has an IB program which is why there are more out-of-boundary students transferring into the school than in-boundary students transferring out.

That doesn't explain it, either. South Lakes has an IB program and there are more in-boundary students transferring out than out-of-boundary students transferring in, even though it is surrounded by AP schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stuart has an IB program which is why there are more out-of-boundary students transferring into the school than in-boundary students transferring out.

That doesn't explain it, either. South Lakes has an IB program and there are more in-boundary students transferring out than out-of-boundary students transferring in, even though it is surrounded by AP schools.

I am confused as to how those two are connected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I am confused as to how those two are connected.

Someone suggested that Stuart is a net "importer" of students because it has an IB program and Falls Church does not.

I don't think that's a convincing explanation. Some IB schools (like Stuart, Edison and Marshall) are net "importers," and others (like South Lakes and Mount Vernon) are net "exporters." The same is true for AP schools. Some (like Madison, McLean and Oakton) are net "importers" and others (like Fairfax and Falls Church) are next "exporters."

The balance of transfers (112 out of Falls Church this year and only nine students into Falls Church) is sufficiently negative that I'd ask questions if I lived in the district before sending my kids there, or if I was considering a house in that district. But the answer may turn out simply to be that the school doesn't have a particularly strong identity and people assume some of the neighboring schools with higher test scores are better. I doubt that it's because the school is "scary," bad, or has a large minority and low-income population. As noted, Stuart has a higher percentage of minority and low-income students than Falls Church, and it's a net "importer" of students. It's also had a higher profile than Falls Church in recent years, with profiles of the school in National Geographic, an article in the Washingtonian, a Presidential visit, and an active PTSA. Those types of things can make a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the OP, it's not Annandale and Poe, it's Falls Church HS and Luther Jackson Middle.

I don't know anything about Falls Church HS. However, our previous home, prior to having children, was zoned for Luther Jackson Middle School. Most parents in the neighborhood I spoke with young children commented that they would be moving before their kids got to middle school because the middle school was bad. I didn't know anyone in the neighborhood with kids in middle or high school.

[Anonymous]

I went there 15 years ago I just remember some new friends I made had alot less than my family. I lived in a nice home w/ pool and lots of luxuries and people always wanted to come over. I loved it (teachers were great and I made honor roll) but than again I was there for only one year until I transferred to a terrible school Hayfield aka Gayfield. I lived in Fairfax Station where it wasn't until they opened South County i realized all the kids were hiding in private schools. If your kids are all going to the school I wouldnt worry too much.