What pyramid would you choose?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What makes you think that schools are better in FCPS?

+1

[Anonymous]

I would really post questions about the schools you are thinking about. My experience in Fairfax has not been great. We are in a "good" pyramid. It seems that principals make a big difference. In our school there has been a flight of experienced teachers and that is partly because, as I understand it, once a Fairfax teacher becomes eligible to retire, the county (or state) begins to deduct from their retirement payments. This means you get mid-year retirements and all the older teachers are retiring. This means in some schools most teachers are in their 20s. New teachers are ok but balance in age and experience is important. That is what is happening at Wolftrap. I also think that the teachers teach just enough to pass the SOLs. At our school, classes are huge (30 and 31 in first grade with one teacher) and thus the teachers really struggle to teach. The academics are very weak as a result. But, I hear and see (I have my friends show me what their kids are doing) that other and better things are happening at other schools. So, as I said above, if you are thinking Mantua, ask about Mantua. For example, I think Flint Hill is in a great place right now and 10 years ago I think Wolftrap was top notch. I cannot say that about Wolftrap right now at all and houses here are expensive (like in Mantua) so it is painful to pay all the money for the eh house to then turn around and starting looking at privates.

[Anonymous]

We've lived in both and the schools are basically the same. I've found APS to be slightly more accommodating and flexible. Differences not substantial enough to move over.

[Anonymous]

OP here, I'll be straight, even though I'll get blasted. My DH is convinced our child is a genius and wants her to go to TJ. She is 3. He says he wants to do everything he can for her education, including moving to have a better shot at TJ. We can't afford McLean (it's even more expensive than Arlington), so I was looking at other Fairfax pyramids with homes under $700. Unlike my DH, I'm not convinced that there is a big difference between APS and Fairfax schools, and that she'll still have a chance to get into TJ as an Arlington resident. I'm also not convinced that she's a genius.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I'll be straight, even though I'll get blasted. My DH is convinced our child is a genius and wants her to go to TJ. She is 3. He says he wants to do everything he can for her education, including moving to have a better shot at TJ. We can't afford McLean (it's even more expensive than Arlington), so I was looking at other Fairfax pyramids with homes under $700. Unlike my DH, I'm not convinced that there is a big difference between APS and Fairfax schools, and that she'll still have a chance to get into TJ as an Arlington resident. I'm also not convinced that she's a genius.

Were you and your DH in a gifted program as a child? IQ is partially heritable, especially maternally.

And we are in FCPS, but I've heard plenty of parents complain about the lack of a "real" GT program in Arlington, FWIW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I'll be straight, even though I'll get blasted. My DH is convinced our child is a genius and wants her to go to TJ. She is 3. He says he wants to do everything he can for her education, including moving to have a better shot at TJ. We can't afford McLean (it's even more expensive than Arlington), so I was looking at other Fairfax pyramids with homes under $700. Unlike my DH, I'm not convinced that there is a big difference between APS and Fairfax schools, and that she'll still have a chance to get into TJ as an Arlington resident. I'm also not convinced that she's a genius.

Were you and your DH in a gifted program as a child? IQ is partially heritable, especially maternally.

And we are in FCPS, but I've heard plenty of parents complain about the lack of a "real" GT program in Arlington, FWIW.

Yes. DH's IQ in the 150s. I've never had an IQ test, but was a National Merit Scholar and went to top 4 schools for ugrad/grad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I'll be straight, even though I'll get blasted. My DH is convinced our child is a genius and wants her to go to TJ. She is 3. He says he wants to do everything he can for her education, including moving to have a better shot at TJ. We can't afford McLean (it's even more expensive than Arlington), so I was looking at other Fairfax pyramids with homes under $700. Unlike my DH, I'm not convinced that there is a big difference between APS and Fairfax schools, and that she'll still have a chance to get into TJ as an Arlington resident. I'm also not convinced that she's a genius.

If she is indeed a genius then she won't need to attend TJ to get into a top university.

I don't think there's a big difference between APS and FCPS.

This thread from December discusses SAT scores. Might shed some light on desirable pyramids for you.

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/691855.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I'll be straight, even though I'll get blasted. My DH is convinced our child is a genius and wants her to go to TJ. She is 3. He says he wants to do everything he can for her education, including moving to have a better shot at TJ. We can't afford McLean (it's even more expensive than Arlington), so I was looking at other Fairfax pyramids with homes under $700. Unlike my DH, I'm not convinced that there is a big difference between APS and Fairfax schools, and that she'll still have a chance to get into TJ as an Arlington resident. I'm also not convinced that she's a genius.

Were you and your DH in a gifted program as a child? IQ is partially heritable, especially maternally.

And we are in FCPS, but I've heard plenty of parents complain about the lack of a "real" GT program in Arlington, FWIW.

Yes. DH's IQ in the 150s. I've never had an IQ test, but was a National Merit Scholar and went to top 4 schools for ugrad/grad.

Pushing for TJ at age 3 is a bit much, whether her IQ is 150 or not. Hopefully he'll relax as she gets older, but if not, that sounds a bit alarming. A lot of pressure to put on a child.

[Anonymous]

Are you Asian, OP? TJ admissions are 75% asian currently and becoming moreso every year. I would also suggest you and your husband look a little more closely at the "atmosphere" (anxiety, high stress, cheating, more cheating, years of summer prep classes, etc.) at TJ.

When you have a three year old, you think the world has no limits -- she might be the next Einstein! Then your kid starts showing what they really have going for them in intellect and personality (b/c it does take a certain level of persistence and ambition to get into and stay in TJ). As the parent of a 14 yr old (8th grader) and 11 yr old (6th grader), I can tell you that they did not suddenly bloom into being a genius or olympic skater or _______. The people they are today is pretty much exactly what I saw in their innate personalities when they were 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

While it's fun to think of the possibility that you could have the next Nobel Prize Winner in your hands... be realistic. Are you or your husband FREAKISHLY smart? Are you or your husband UNUSUALLY DRIVEN to learn/stick with tasks?

Choose your house such that it fits your needs for space, neighborhood, commute, and price. Arlington schools are fine. Fairfax AAP isn't all that. I have one in it. Not really that remarkable. Find a school pyramid that is good... but don't make plans now for your 3 yr old to go to TJ. We all want to give our kids the best so that they can be all they can possibly be. Here's the truth.... people are 75-80% (maybe more) hard-wired to be _____. We parents don't have as much control as we think we do. Imo.

[Anonymous]

Let's say your daughter is a genius, and she proves to be gifted in math and science, and is also interested in math and science, and also wants to go to TJ. She can do all of those things without moving anywhere.

I think your question is a bit silly (lots of ifs and like the other poster said, lots of pressure on a toddler!) but I also think there are other opportunities in the future to make these changes if you think they are warranted to support her academic career.

Unless, as someone else suggested, you have other reasons for wanting to move (larger house/yard, better commute, etc) you should rest assured that you are already in a very strong school pyramid and nice neighborhood. I personally would not make a move at this time if I were you, but I would also not be planning the academic career of a 3 year old.

So many things could happen between now and then. She could prove to be fairly average academically, she could be very bright but not a great student, she could reveal gifts and interests in other areas, who knows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I'll be straight, even though I'll get blasted. My DH is convinced our child is a genius and wants her to go to TJ. She is 3. He says he wants to do everything he can for her education, including moving to have a better shot at TJ. We can't afford McLean (it's even more expensive than Arlington), so I was looking at other Fairfax pyramids with homes under $700. Unlike my DH, I'm not convinced that there is a big difference between APS and Fairfax schools, and that she'll still have a chance to get into TJ as an Arlington resident. I'm also not convinced that she's a genius.

Sometimes it's better to be the smartest kid in the school. My brother was valedictorian of his east podunk school and got into an Ivy. Not sure he would have made it into the Ivy if he was going to a highly rated school system like APS or FCPS.

That said, my ex lives in Mantua, it's a lovely neighborhood and nice schools. Just avoid the superfund site houses from the fuel spill. Google it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I'll be straight, even though I'll get blasted. My DH is convinced our child is a genius and wants her to go to TJ. She is 3. He says he wants to do everything he can for her education, including moving to have a better shot at TJ. We can't afford McLean (it's even more expensive than Arlington), so I was looking at other Fairfax pyramids with homes under $700. Unlike my DH, I'm not convinced that there is a big difference between APS and Fairfax schools, and that she'll still have a chance to get into TJ as an Arlington resident. I'm also not convinced that she's a genius.

Were you and your DH in a gifted program as a child? IQ is partially heritable, especially maternally.

And we are in FCPS, but I've heard plenty of parents complain about the lack of a "real" GT program in Arlington, FWIW.

Yes. DH's IQ in the 150s. I've never had an IQ test, but was a National Merit Scholar and went to top 4 schools for ugrad/grad.

You guys must not really be that smart if you can't afford a more expensive house.

[Anonymous]

you can still go to TJ from Arlington Public Schools, FYI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I'll be straight, even though I'll get blasted. My DH is convinced our child is a genius and wants her to go to TJ. She is 3. He says he wants to do everything he can for her education, including moving to have a better shot at TJ. We can't afford McLean (it's even more expensive than Arlington), so I was looking at other Fairfax pyramids with homes under $700. Unlike my DH, I'm not convinced that there is a big difference between APS and Fairfax schools, and that she'll still have a chance to get into TJ as an Arlington resident. I'm also not convinced that she's a genius.

Were you and your DH in a gifted program as a child? IQ is partially heritable, especially maternally.

And we are in FCPS, but I've heard plenty of parents complain about the lack of a "real" GT program in Arlington, FWIW.

Yes. DH's IQ in the 150s. I've never had an IQ test, but was a National Merit Scholar and went to top 4 schools for ugrad/grad.

You guys must not really be that smart if you can't afford a more expensive house.

Do you live in Arlington or Fairfax? I hope you don't live near me.

[Anonymous]

You probably won't get into Mantua for under $700k. I'd look at homes around Canterbury Woods, particularly the Long Branch neighborhood, if you start seriously considering this move. We nearly moved there, but ended up a little farther out, with an elementary that probably wouldn't work for your dh.