Class sizes in Falls Church City

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the class sizes small for the 2nd-6th grade as well?

Yes. My second grader has 21 in her class right now. Started the year with 22, added one and lost two. I'm very happy with class size, but if you're considering FCCPS you should know that we've got kids cycling in and out all the time - State Dept, DOD, etc. There are pros and cons to that of course. I believe class sizes are small at least through fifth grade.

Do any google search and you'll see budgeting is a knock down drag out fight here every year. We'll debate the use of technology, how big a pay raise to give teachers, the Superintendent's effectiveness, funding for ACE (gifted and talented) but the constant that I never hear push-back on is that small class size is very important and something we'll pay for. Even the people who don't have kids in the schools support small classes. They'll fight over other things.

FCCPS has been terrific for my family, but there are real issues too and you should talk to real people here (not just DCUM) to get a better sense of the situation.

Thanks PP. How would you suggest I connect with real people if I live in DC right now and don't know anyone who lives in FCC?

Were I in your shoes, I'd do two things ... post on my social media feed looking for an introduction to a friend of a friend who might know someone here, and email the elementary PTA president and ask to talk with her - [e-mail]

Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks PP! If you happen to check back I would love to ask you a question about K. I am hearing a lot of frustration from my friends about how academic K has gotten and how they are really unhappy with the kids not getting enough recess and having homework etc (this is DC and MD schools). How did you find the early years in FCC?

We will be moving for schools (no other reason) so I want to make sure we have a good fit.

I am so sick of hearing parents complaining about how academic K is.

[Anonymous]

If you want small, just seek out a Title 1 school.

(See... class size isn't everything, is it?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the class sizes small for the 2nd-6th grade as well?

Yes. My second grader has 21 in her class right now. Started the year with 22, added one and lost two. I'm very happy with class size, but if you're considering FCCPS you should know that we've got kids cycling in and out all the time - State Dept, DOD, etc. There are pros and cons to that of course. I believe class sizes are small at least through fifth grade.

Do any google search and you'll see budgeting is a knock down drag out fight here every year. We'll debate the use of technology, how big a pay raise to give teachers, the Superintendent's effectiveness, funding for ACE (gifted and talented) but the constant that I never hear push-back on is that small class size is very important and something we'll pay for. Even the people who don't have kids in the schools support small classes. They'll fight over other things.

FCCPS has been terrific for my family, but there are real issues too and you should talk to real people here (not just DCUM) to get a better sense of the situation.

Thanks PP. How would you suggest I connect with real people if I live in DC right now and don't know anyone who lives in FCC?

Were I in your shoes, I'd do two things ... post on my social media feed looking for an introduction to a friend of a friend who might know someone here, and email the elementary PTA president and ask to talk with her - [e-mail]

Hope that helps.

Emailing president is a great idea. Beware of blusterers (not the president); there are many, many here in FCC, unfortunately.