Is Falls Church High School bad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in a part of Falls Church that feeds into McLean HS, and we're thinking about applying to send our daughter to Falls Church HS. They still offer a challenging academic environment (AP classes) without the psycho pressure-cooker atmosphere of McLean.

we believe u

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard decent reviews on the school from parents with kids there now. It has improved in recent years and has fairly strong support from the middle income neighborhoods that feed into it.

Falls Church HS has not had the administrative and academic problems that have plagued nearby JEB Stuart HS in recent years. Stuart has a new principal now, so hopefully things improve there.

With the new development at The Mosaic, and the fact that Falls Church HS will have a brand new facility in about 7 years, the school and the socio-economic mix can only get better.

As others have said, keep in mind that Falls Church HS is not in the City of Falls Church; it is in the Falls Church portion of Fairfax County. George Mason HS is the City of Falls Church's only HS.

Just to be clear, there are no plans to build a new school to replace Falls Church HS. The goal is to do a major renovation within the next seven years or so.

There are some decent areas that feed into FCHS, including Camelot, Greenway Downs, City Park Homes, Columbia Pines and Holmes Run. Homes in those areas often get snapped up very quickly. There's a big world out there that doesn't hang on what a handful of DCUM posters have to say about NoVa schools.

The great areas of yesteryear still have residual home owners of when the area was good in the 60s-70s but they are growing old and passing. Most younger parents move out before elementary school or right after they can't take more of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in a part of Falls Church that feeds into McLean HS, and we're thinking about applying to send our daughter to Falls Church HS. They still offer a challenging academic environment (AP classes) without the psycho pressure-cooker atmosphere of McLean.

Our kids did not experience that at McLean, but why not go for it if you think you'd be happier at FCHS and they let your DD transfer from one AP school to another. You could probably do it if your child was going to take enough Academy classes at FCHS.

One of my McLean kids took an Academy course at FCHS and he thought it was very good. The kids came from a bunch of area schools and all got along fine. He did say that taking a class at FCHS made him appreciate what good shape McLean's physical plant was in by comparison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard decent reviews on the school from parents with kids there now. It has improved in recent years and has fairly strong support from the middle income neighborhoods that feed into it.

Falls Church HS has not had the administrative and academic problems that have plagued nearby JEB Stuart HS in recent years. Stuart has a new principal now, so hopefully things improve there.

With the new development at The Mosaic, and the fact that Falls Church HS will have a brand new facility in about 7 years, the school and the socio-economic mix can only get better.

As others have said, keep in mind that Falls Church HS is not in the City of Falls Church; it is in the Falls Church portion of Fairfax County. George Mason HS is the City of Falls Church's only HS.

Just to be clear, there are no plans to build a new school to replace Falls Church HS. The goal is to do a major renovation within the next seven years or so.

There are some decent areas that feed into FCHS, including Camelot, Greenway Downs, City Park Homes, Columbia Pines and Holmes Run. Homes in those areas often get snapped up very quickly. There's a big world out there that doesn't hang on what a handful of DCUM posters have to say about NoVa schools.

The great areas of yesteryear still have residual home owners of when the area was good in the 60s-70s but they are growing old and passing. Most younger parents move out before elementary school or right after they can't take more of it.

There wouldn't be the volume of sales that I've noticed if the older, "residual home owners" weren't selling. I don't know what basis you have for your other statement. I suspect you're making it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard decent reviews on the school from parents with kids there now. It has improved in recent years and has fairly strong support from the middle income neighborhoods that feed into it.

Falls Church HS has not had the administrative and academic problems that have plagued nearby JEB Stuart HS in recent years. Stuart has a new principal now, so hopefully things improve there.

With the new development at The Mosaic, and the fact that Falls Church HS will have a brand new facility in about 7 years, the school and the socio-economic mix can only get better.

As others have said, keep in mind that Falls Church HS is not in the City of Falls Church; it is in the Falls Church portion of Fairfax County. George Mason HS is the City of Falls Church's only HS.

Just to be clear, there are no plans to build a new school to replace Falls Church HS. The goal is to do a major renovation within the next seven years or so.

There are some decent areas that feed into FCHS, including Camelot, Greenway Downs, City Park Homes, Columbia Pines and Holmes Run. Homes in those areas often get snapped up very quickly. There's a big world out there that doesn't hang on what a handful of DCUM posters have to say about NoVa schools.

The great areas of yesteryear still have residual home owners of when the area was good in the 60s-70s but they are growing old and passing. Most younger parents move out before elementary school or right after they can't take more of it.

There wouldn't be the volume of sales that I've noticed if the older, "residual home owners" weren't selling. I don't know what basis you have for your other statement. I suspect you're making it up.

Great starter home price points but you generally move out at a point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard decent reviews on the school from parents with kids there now. It has improved in recent years and has fairly strong support from the middle income neighborhoods that feed into it.

Falls Church HS has not had the administrative and academic problems that have plagued nearby JEB Stuart HS in recent years. Stuart has a new principal now, so hopefully things improve there.

With the new development at The Mosaic, and the fact that Falls Church HS will have a brand new facility in about 7 years, the school and the socio-economic mix can only get better.

As others have said, keep in mind that Falls Church HS is not in the City of Falls Church; it is in the Falls Church portion of Fairfax County. George Mason HS is the City of Falls Church's only HS.

Just to be clear, there are no plans to build a new school to replace Falls Church HS. The goal is to do a major renovation within the next seven years or so.

There are some decent areas that feed into FCHS, including Camelot, Greenway Downs, City Park Homes, Columbia Pines and Holmes Run. Homes in those areas often get snapped up very quickly. There's a big world out there that doesn't hang on what a handful of DCUM posters have to say about NoVa schools.

The great areas of yesteryear still have residual home owners of when the area was good in the 60s-70s but they are growing old and passing. Most younger parents move out before elementary school or right after they can't take more of it.

There wouldn't be the volume of sales that I've noticed if the older, "residual home owners" weren't selling. I don't know what basis you have for your other statement. I suspect you're making it up.

Great starter home price points but you generally move out at a point.

Go tell these 2015 graduates and their families:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard decent reviews on the school from parents with kids there now. It has improved in recent years and has fairly strong support from the middle income neighborhoods that feed into it.

Falls Church HS has not had the administrative and academic problems that have plagued nearby JEB Stuart HS in recent years. Stuart has a new principal now, so hopefully things improve there.

With the new development at The Mosaic, and the fact that Falls Church HS will have a brand new facility in about 7 years, the school and the socio-economic mix can only get better.

As others have said, keep in mind that Falls Church HS is not in the City of Falls Church; it is in the Falls Church portion of Fairfax County. George Mason HS is the City of Falls Church's only HS.

Just to be clear, there are no plans to build a new school to replace Falls Church HS. The goal is to do a major renovation within the next seven years or so.

There are some decent areas that feed into FCHS, including Camelot, Greenway Downs, City Park Homes, Columbia Pines and Holmes Run. Homes in those areas often get snapped up very quickly. There's a big world out there that doesn't hang on what a handful of DCUM posters have to say about NoVa schools.

The great areas of yesteryear still have residual home owners of when the area was good in the 60s-70s but they are growing old and passing. Most younger parents move out before elementary school or right after they can't take more of it.

There wouldn't be the volume of sales that I've noticed if the older, "residual home owners" weren't selling. I don't know what basis you have for your other statement. I suspect you're making it up.

Great starter home price points but you generally move out at a point.

Go tell these 2015 graduates and their families:

"Overall, Madison High School had the highest graduation rate, 98.2 percent, and Falls Church High School had the lowest, with 85.6 percent. (At the elite magnet school, the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, the graduation rate was perfect.)"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/in-fairfax-graduation-rates-improve-slightly/2013/10/11/a820f5ba-3288-11e3-89ae-16e186e117d8_story.html

[Anonymous]

Some see the glass as half-full; others (who typically want to steer people to their neighborhood) want to emphasize only the negative.

http://patch.com/virginia/fallschurch/sat-scores-jump-fcps-falls-church-high-school

http://patch.com/virginia/fallschurch/falls-church-high-schools-new-principal-leads-a-small-school-with-a-big-heart

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

"Overall, Madison High School had the highest graduation rate, 98.2 percent, and Falls Church High School had the lowest, with 85.6 percent. (At the elite magnet school, the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, the graduation rate was perfect.)"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/in-fairfax-graduation-rates-improve-slightly/2013/10/11/a820f5ba-3288-11e3-89ae-16e186e117d8_story.html

Whoever wrote that article was not reading facts correctly. JEB Stuart's graduation rate is BELOW 85%, has been for years, and it plainly says so right there in the article.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in a part of Falls Church that feeds into McLean HS, and we're thinking about applying to send our daughter to Falls Church HS. They still offer a challenging academic environment (AP classes) without the psycho pressure-cooker atmosphere of McLean.

I just had a DC graduate from McLean and it is not the "psycho pressure cooker atmosphere" that is assumed or advertised on DCUM. Plenty of down to earth nice friendly students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in a part of Falls Church that feeds into McLean HS, and we're thinking about applying to send our daughter to Falls Church HS. They still offer a challenging academic environment (AP classes) without the psycho pressure-cooker atmosphere of McLean.

we believe u

I hope so. DD has been miserable at McLean because of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in a part of Falls Church that feeds into McLean HS, and we're thinking about applying to send our daughter to Falls Church HS. They still offer a challenging academic environment (AP classes) without the psycho pressure-cooker atmosphere of McLean.

I just had a DC graduate from McLean and it is not the "psycho pressure cooker atmosphere" that is assumed or advertised on DCUM. Plenty of down to earth nice friendly students.

I've had two kids graduate from McLean in the last three years, and agree 100% with you, but it won't matter to the PP. I'm happy to give her directions to Gatehouse if she wants to try and arrange a late transfer to FCHS. Normally, the deadline is April 15th for the following year, but FCHS has been under capacity, so they might make an exception.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard decent reviews on the school from parents with kids there now. It has improved in recent years and has fairly strong support from the middle income neighborhoods that feed into it.

Falls Church HS has not had the administrative and academic problems that have plagued nearby JEB Stuart HS in recent years. Stuart has a new principal now, so hopefully things improve there.

With the new development at The Mosaic, and the fact that Falls Church HS will have a brand new facility in about 7 years, the school and the socio-economic mix can only get better.

As others have said, keep in mind that Falls Church HS is not in the City of Falls Church; it is in the Falls Church portion of Fairfax County. George Mason HS is the City of Falls Church's only HS.

Just to be clear, there are no plans to build a new school to replace Falls Church HS. The goal is to do a major renovation within the next seven years or so.

There are some decent areas that feed into FCHS, including Camelot, Greenway Downs, City Park Homes, Columbia Pines and Holmes Run. Homes in those areas often get snapped up very quickly. There's a big world out there that doesn't hang on what a handful of DCUM posters have to say about NoVa schools.

Over the long term, I think Falls Church HS will be much stronger than Annandale HS which lost most all of its stable middle and upper income neighborhoods to Robinson and Woodson. It's a shame what FCPS has done to Annandale.

Holmes Run is beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard decent reviews on the school from parents with kids there now. It has improved in recent years and has fairly strong support from the middle income neighborhoods that feed into it.

Falls Church HS has not had the administrative and academic problems that have plagued nearby JEB Stuart HS in recent years. Stuart has a new principal now, so hopefully things improve there.

With the new development at The Mosaic, and the fact that Falls Church HS will have a brand new facility in about 7 years, the school and the socio-economic mix can only get better.

As others have said, keep in mind that Falls Church HS is not in the City of Falls Church; it is in the Falls Church portion of Fairfax County. George Mason HS is the City of Falls Church's only HS.

Just to be clear, there are no plans to build a new school to replace Falls Church HS. The goal is to do a major renovation within the next seven years or so.

There are some decent areas that feed into FCHS, including Camelot, Greenway Downs, City Park Homes, Columbia Pines and Holmes Run. Homes in those areas often get snapped up very quickly. There's a big world out there that doesn't hang on what a handful of DCUM posters have to say about NoVa schools.

Over the long term, I think Falls Church HS will be much stronger than Annandale HS which lost most all of its stable middle and upper income neighborhoods to Robinson and Woodson. It's a shame what FCPS has done to Annandale.

Holmes Run is beautiful.

Annandale hasn't lost neighborhoods to Robinson, but to Falls Church, Woodson and Lake Braddock.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know Falls Church is known for good schools. We found a house we like, but it's zoned for Falls Church High School. My son is only 2. Would you stay away?

Yes if you can afford nearby George Mason, Woodson, Marshall, Madison. No if you want your kid to have a better chance of being the big fish in the pond rather than the small fish in the lake.

Don't forget the environment of the pond could poison and kill your fish.

Especially if you're a racist bigot like PP.