Anyone else educated by FCPS and sees the decline?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I remember book reports and research projects in elementary school. I even remember having to memorize the Emmancipation Proclamation and recite it in front of our class. When I told my kid about that they were stunned. I’m very disappointed.

Book reports and research projects ok. Memorizing the emancipation proclamation sounds like a hilarious waste of time.

I think reciting something important in front of your class is great for public speaking.

It's also good for learning to memorize, learning how to use your attention and memory. Memorizing a poem, a speech, a song - all valuable and all no-longer-required.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are deeply disappointed with McLean high, even though it was a highly rated school it appears to have fallen over the last few years and it's updated score truly does reflect that it is no longer the 10/10 school it once was. I attribute it to unsupportive school board who are busy taking funding from McLean and putting it towards struggling schools. McLean is a shell of what it once was and the disgusting building and trailers from overcrowding only being to tell the story of its decline. Sad.

What a travesty. My kid graduated from there years ago.

We are considering pulling our kid in fear of ruining his education and chances into getting into a decent school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One data point:

My child in Honors 9th grade English at Langley is reading an abridged version of the Odyssey. It’s about 1/3 the length of the original book and the language is simplified.

I read the full book when I was in 9th grade in FCPS and her older cousin also read the full book about 10 years ago in another FCPS high school.

Odyssey was 7th grade curriculum for GT (back when that was the program).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are deeply disappointed with McLean high, even though it was a highly rated school it appears to have fallen over the last few years and it's updated score truly does reflect that it is no longer the 10/10 school it once was. I attribute it to unsupportive school board who are busy taking funding from McLean and putting it towards struggling schools. McLean is a shell of what it once was and the disgusting building and trailers from overcrowding only being to tell the story of it's decline. Sad.

The amount of misunderstanding you're displaying here is astounding. By all measures the White, Asian, and affluent students at McLean are still performing at the top of the district. The updated GS score is absolutely meaningless. West Springfield HS has a 9/10 but the SAT and AP scores out of there are literally below the county average. McLean's AP scores are leading the county besides TJ, and SAT scores fall just short of Langley (also ignoring TJ).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are deeply disappointed with McLean high, even though it was a highly rated school it appears to have fallen over the last few years and it's updated score truly does reflect that it is no longer the 10/10 school it once was. I attribute it to unsupportive school board who are busy taking funding from McLean and putting it towards struggling schools. McLean is a shell of what it once was and the disgusting building and trailers from overcrowding only being to tell the story of its decline. Sad.

I read the “sad” at the end in Trump’s voice. Anyone else?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are deeply disappointed with McLean high, even though it was a highly rated school it appears to have fallen over the last few years and it's updated score truly does reflect that it is no longer the 10/10 school it once was. I attribute it to unsupportive school board who are busy taking funding from McLean and putting it towards struggling schools. McLean is a shell of what it once was and the disgusting building and trailers from overcrowding only being to tell the story of it's decline. Sad.

The amount of misunderstanding you're displaying here is astounding. By all measures the White, Asian, and affluent students at McLean are still performing at the top of the district. The updated GS score is absolutely meaningless. West Springfield HS has a 9/10 but the SAT and AP scores out of there are literally below the county average. McLean's AP scores are leading the county besides TJ, and SAT scores fall just short of Langley (also ignoring TJ).

There is some question as to whether PP actually has kids at McLean, although Jeff continues to allow them to post.

Most of the people at McLean are very happy with the education that their kids are getting, despite the overcrowding and less than stellar physical plant. Of course, if we acknowledge this, someone else will turn that against us and say there's no reason to pay any attention to the building conditions as long as most parents are happy with the academics, teachers, extra-curriculars, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are deeply disappointed with McLean high, even though it was a highly rated school it appears to have fallen over the last few years and it's updated score truly does reflect that it is no longer the 10/10 school it once was. I attribute it to unsupportive school board who are busy taking funding from McLean and putting it towards struggling schools. McLean is a shell of what it once was and the disgusting building and trailers from overcrowding only being to tell the story of it's decline. Sad.

The amount of misunderstanding you're displaying here is astounding. By all measures the White, Asian, and affluent students at McLean are still performing at the top of the district. The updated GS score is absolutely meaningless. West Springfield HS has a 9/10 but the SAT and AP scores out of there are literally below the county average. McLean's AP scores are leading the county besides TJ, and SAT scores fall just short of Langley (also ignoring TJ).

McLean also just came in second in the Class 6 Scholastic Bowl state championship behind TJ, after having won a regional competition that included Langley, Madison, Marshall, Oakton, Yorktown, W-L, and South Lakes, among other schools (TJ was in a different region).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are deeply disappointed with McLean high, even though it was a highly rated school it appears to have fallen over the last few years and it's updated score truly does reflect that it is no longer the 10/10 school it once was. I attribute it to unsupportive school board who are busy taking funding from McLean and putting it towards struggling schools. McLean is a shell of what it once was and the disgusting building and trailers from overcrowding only being to tell the story of its decline. Sad.

I read the “sad” at the end in Trump’s voice. Anyone else?

Yep, it came across as a bit of a verbal tic, as if someone who was trolling couldn't help but say something to give it away. Kind of like "TIA" is also used in some cases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are deeply disappointed with McLean high, even though it was a highly rated school it appears to have fallen over the last few years and it's updated score truly does reflect that it is no longer the 10/10 school it once was. I attribute it to unsupportive school board who are busy taking funding from McLean and putting it towards struggling schools. McLean is a shell of what it once was and the disgusting building and trailers from overcrowding only being to tell the story of it's decline. Sad.

The amount of misunderstanding you're displaying here is astounding. By all measures the White, Asian, and affluent students at McLean are still performing at the top of the district. The updated GS score is absolutely meaningless. West Springfield HS has a 9/10 but the SAT and AP scores out of there are literally below the county average. McLean's AP scores are leading the county besides TJ, and SAT scores fall just short of Langley (also ignoring TJ).

McLean also just came in second in the Class 6 Scholastic Bowl state championship behind TJ, after having won a regional competition that included Langley, Madison, Marshall, Oakton, Yorktown, W-L, and South Lakes, among other schools (TJ was in a different region).

Shameful! They're neglected and it shows in these scores! McLean HS is a shadow of its former self. Time for everyone to pull their kids and send them to Potomac. Or anywhere as long as its not McLean HS!

[Anonymous]

I think the McLean frustration also stems from the fact that it’s going to be 10+ years before any renovation can be evaluated, planned or begun. It’s pretty unfortunate to think that a kid in 2nd grade right now will attend a school that is so far deteriorated (and if it’s bad now, where will it be in 10 years). I guess it’s great that the current three year olds in the pyramid will benefit!!??

[Anonymous]

"the school's current physical condition"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are deeply disappointed with McLean high, even though it was a highly rated school it appears to have fallen over the last few years and it's updated score truly does reflect that it is no longer the 10/10 school it once was. I attribute it to unsupportive school board who are busy taking funding from McLean and putting it towards struggling schools. McLean is a shell of what it once was and the disgusting building and trailers from overcrowding only being to tell the story of it's decline. Sad.

The amount of misunderstanding you're displaying here is astounding. By all measures the White, Asian, and affluent students at McLean are still performing at the top of the district. The updated GS score is absolutely meaningless. West Springfield HS has a 9/10 but the SAT and AP scores out of there are literally below the county average. McLean's AP scores are leading the county besides TJ, and SAT scores fall just short of Langley (also ignoring TJ).

I am writing this to express my deep disappointment and disgust with the state of McLean High School. It is truly disheartening to see the downfall of a once great institution, and I am placing the blame squarely on the decisions made by the school board.

The overcrowding at McLean High School is unacceptable. Students are crammed into classrooms like sardines, with no room to move or learn comfortably. The fact that trailers are being used beyond their lifespan is a disgrace. It is disgusting to see students being taught in conditions that are not only uncomfortable, but also potentially unsafe.

Furthermore, the school itself is falling apart. The facilities are outdated, and the maintenance is subpar. The bathrooms are often in disrepair, and the cafeteria is often unsanitary. These conditions are not only unacceptable but also detrimental to the health and well-being of the students.

Perhaps most concerning is the fact that McLean High School is below state level for algebra 1. This is a major red flag and an indication of the school's downfall. The lack of resources and funding has clearly had a negative impact on the education provided at this school.

It is truly shameful that the school board and FCPS have stolen money away from McLean High School to build shiny new facilities for other schools with more diverse student bodies. This is a clear case of discrimination and neglect towards the students of McLean High School.

I implore the school board and FCPS to take action immediately to rectify these issues. The students of McLean High School deserve better than this. They deserve a safe and comfortable learning environment, with access to the resources and facilities necessary to succeed. It is time for the school board to take responsibility for the downfall of McLean High School and make the necessary changes to ensure that it once again becomes a beacon of excellence.

As parents, we are ashamed of the state of McLean High School, and we have decided to take our children out of the school and enroll them in a private institution. It is a sad day when we must take such drastic measures to ensure our children receive the education they deserve.

Ok I’m not arguing with you that the SB hasn’t prioritized McLean but how did FCPS steal money from McLean?

Despite our community contributing exponentially in taxes, it seems that we have been forgotten and neglected in your FY-2024-28-CIP capital improvements plan.

In the recent past FCPS has chosen to build new renovations and additions to Falls Church high, while McLean High School is left to suffer with inadequate facilities and resources. The fact that McLean is not on the list of priorities for renovation and exapansion clearly indicates that they do not value the education and well-being of our children.

To add insult to injury, they are throwing more disgusting trailers onto our already crammed campus, taking away precious greenspace to accommodate an industrialized modular building setup. This is unacceptable and a clear indication of incompetence in managing the educational resources of our district.

While the renovation that McLean got in 2005 was subpar compared to more recent renovations, and accounts for some of the current issues with the building, Falls Church had not had a renovation similar to even the renovation of McLean in 2005. And Falls Church got pushed down on the renovation queue originally because it had a comparatively low enrollment when the 2008 queue was developed, which meant that numerous other schools in better shape than Falls Church like TJ, Marshall, and Edison got renovated first, although Falls Church was in objectively worse condition.

One of my McLean kids took some Academy classes at Falls Church and, while he liked the classes, he remarked several times that the building was in worse shape than McLean. You really need to have spent more time inside FCHS before you criticize the renovation plans there. It is possible that they are going over-the-top now with the renovation - the approach in recent years has been to spend more money on a smaller number of a schools and perhaps it could be scaled back - but it absolutely needs a thorough renovation and has waited its turn.

I must respectfully disagree with your points. While it is true that Falls Church High School has also experienced delays in receiving renovations, this does not negate the fact that McLean High School is also in need of significant improvements.

Furthermore, the fact that Falls Church High School may have been in worse condition at one point does not mean that McLean High School should continue to suffer. We should be striving for excellence in all of our schools, not simply settling for subpar facilities and resources.

Additionally, the comparison between McLean High School and Falls Church High School is not the only relevant comparison. As I previously mentioned, other schools in the district, such as Langley and Yorktown High Schools, have received more attention and resources than McLean High School despite similar enrollment numbers.

It is also concerning that you suggest that the recent trend of spending more money on a smaller number of schools could be scaled back. This suggests a lack of understanding of the urgent need for improvements in our schools and the impact that subpar facilities and resources can have on student performance and outcomes.

In conclusion, while I acknowledge that Falls Church High School is also in need of renovations, this does not diminish the need for improvements at McLean High School. Our children deserve the best education possible, and it is our responsibility to advocate for the resources necessary to make that a reality.

Yorktown is not in the same district as McLean.

The point about scaling back some of the current renovations was not to suggest that we should not spend at least as much, if not more, money on improvements to school facilities.

The point is that, if there is a fixed capital budget, we might consider whether spreading that money around to more schools makes more sense than concentrating it on a relatively small number of schools at any time. It's consistent with some of the recent statements made by Chuck Fanshaw, the acting head of FCPS Facilities and Transportation, who took over after Jeff Platenberg's departure. Platenberg seemed to favor a smaller number of "big projects" that make some schools look great, and get a lot of money into the pockets of contractors, but leave other schools neglected. Fanshaw wants to have more money set aside to deal with schools that have pressing maintenance challenges, even if they aren't otherwise currently in the queue for a full, soup-to-nuts renovation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are deeply disappointed with McLean high, even though it was a highly rated school it appears to have fallen over the last few years and it's updated score truly does reflect that it is no longer the 10/10 school it once was. I attribute it to unsupportive school board who are busy taking funding from McLean and putting it towards struggling schools. McLean is a shell of what it once was and the disgusting building and trailers from overcrowding only being to tell the story of it's decline. Sad.

The amount of misunderstanding you're displaying here is astounding. By all measures the White, Asian, and affluent students at McLean are still performing at the top of the district. The updated GS score is absolutely meaningless. West Springfield HS has a 9/10 but the SAT and AP scores out of there are literally below the county average. McLean's AP scores are leading the county besides TJ, and SAT scores fall just short of Langley (also ignoring TJ).

McLean also just came in second in the Class 6 Scholastic Bowl state championship behind TJ, after having won a regional competition that included Langley, Madison, Marshall, Oakton, Yorktown, W-L, and South Lakes, among other schools (TJ was in a different region).

Shameful! They're neglected and it shows in these scores! McLean HS is a shadow of its former self. Time for everyone to pull their kids and send them to Potomac. Or anywhere as long as its not McLean HS!

Despite being neglected by FCPS the parents of McLean HS have shown remarkable resilience and dedication to self-fund their children's education and achieve excellence.

Parents and students at McLean High School have taken matters into their own hands and have gone above and beyond to provide their children with the resources and opportunities necessary to succeed. They have organized fundraising events, donated funds for technology and equipment, and even hired tutors and mentors to ensure their children receive the best education possible.

It is a shame that FCPS has neglected McLean High School, and has failed to provide the necessary funding and resources to enable students to thrive. McLean High School is in dire need of improvements to its facilities, resources, and academic performance, yet it has been overlooked and forgotten.

It is a testament to the strength and resilience of the McLean community that they have been able to achieve so much despite the lack of support from FCPS. However, it is time for FCPS to step up and provide the necessary funding and resources to enable McLean High School to reach its full potential.

Yeah no. A high school is not the building. All of your frequent rants are nuts. And you've pretty much convinced me, an anonymous rando, that McLean HS shouldn't be renovated.

Seems like a nice set-up: first, post some way over-the-top rhetoric that McLean has been uniquely neglected and is now on the verge of total and complete collapse; and then, second, follow up by saying it comes across as so clueless that McLean should get nothing.

I mean, well played, maybe, but others will still rightfully advocate for FCPS to build an addition to the school and address the most pressing facilities needs. I'm sure you'd do likewise if it were your school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are deeply disappointed with McLean high, even though it was a highly rated school it appears to have fallen over the last few years and it's updated score truly does reflect that it is no longer the 10/10 school it once was. I attribute it to unsupportive school board who are busy taking funding from McLean and putting it towards struggling schools. McLean is a shell of what it once was and the disgusting building and trailers from overcrowding only being to tell the story of it's decline. Sad.

The amount of misunderstanding you're displaying here is astounding. By all measures the White, Asian, and affluent students at McLean are still performing at the top of the district. The updated GS score is absolutely meaningless. West Springfield HS has a 9/10 but the SAT and AP scores out of there are literally below the county average. McLean's AP scores are leading the county besides TJ, and SAT scores fall just short of Langley (also ignoring TJ).

I am writing this to express my deep disappointment and disgust with the state of McLean High School. It is truly disheartening to see the downfall of a once great institution, and I am placing the blame squarely on the decisions made by the school board.

The overcrowding at McLean High School is unacceptable. Students are crammed into classrooms like sardines, with no room to move or learn comfortably. The fact that trailers are being used beyond their lifespan is a disgrace. It is disgusting to see students being taught in conditions that are not only uncomfortable, but also potentially unsafe.

Furthermore, the school itself is falling apart. The facilities are outdated, and the maintenance is subpar. The bathrooms are often in disrepair, and the cafeteria is often unsanitary. These conditions are not only unacceptable but also detrimental to the health and well-being of the students.

Perhaps most concerning is the fact that McLean High School is below state level for algebra 1. This is a major red flag and an indication of the school's downfall. The lack of resources and funding has clearly had a negative impact on the education provided at this school.

It is truly shameful that the school board and FCPS have stolen money away from McLean High School to build shiny new facilities for other schools with more diverse student bodies. This is a clear case of discrimination and neglect towards the students of McLean High School.

I implore the school board and FCPS to take action immediately to rectify these issues. The students of McLean High School deserve better than this. They deserve a safe and comfortable learning environment, with access to the resources and facilities necessary to succeed. It is time for the school board to take responsibility for the downfall of McLean High School and make the necessary changes to ensure that it once again becomes a beacon of excellence.

As parents, we are ashamed of the state of McLean High School, and we have decided to take our children out of the school and enroll them in a private institution. It is a sad day when we must take such drastic measures to ensure our children receive the education they deserve.

Ok I’m not arguing with you that the SB hasn’t prioritized McLean but how did FCPS steal money from McLean?

Despite our community contributing exponentially in taxes, it seems that we have been forgotten and neglected in your FY-2024-28-CIP capital improvements plan.

In the recent past FCPS has chosen to build new renovations and additions to Falls Church high, while McLean High School is left to suffer with inadequate facilities and resources. The fact that McLean is not on the list of priorities for renovation and exapansion clearly indicates that they do not value the education and well-being of our children.

To add insult to injury, they are throwing more disgusting trailers onto our already crammed campus, taking away precious greenspace to accommodate an industrialized modular building setup. This is unacceptable and a clear indication of incompetence in managing the educational resources of our district.

While the renovation that McLean got in 2005 was subpar compared to more recent renovations, and accounts for some of the current issues with the building, Falls Church had not had a renovation similar to even the renovation of McLean in 2005. And Falls Church got pushed down on the renovation queue originally because it had a comparatively low enrollment when the 2008 queue was developed, which meant that numerous other schools in better shape than Falls Church like TJ, Marshall, and Edison got renovated first, although Falls Church was in objectively worse condition.

One of my McLean kids took some Academy classes at Falls Church and, while he liked the classes, he remarked several times that the building was in worse shape than McLean. You really need to have spent more time inside FCHS before you criticize the renovation plans there. It is possible that they are going over-the-top now with the renovation - the approach in recent years has been to spend more money on a smaller number of a schools and perhaps it could be scaled back - but it absolutely needs a thorough renovation and has waited its turn.

I must respectfully disagree with your points. While it is true that Falls Church High School has also experienced delays in receiving renovations, this does not negate the fact that McLean High School is also in need of significant improvements.

Furthermore, the fact that Falls Church High School may have been in worse condition at one point does not mean that McLean High School should continue to suffer. We should be striving for excellence in all of our schools, not simply settling for subpar facilities and resources.

Additionally, the comparison between McLean High School and Falls Church High School is not the only relevant comparison. As I previously mentioned, other schools in the district, such as Langley and Yorktown High Schools, have received more attention and resources than McLean High School despite similar enrollment numbers.

It is also concerning that you suggest that the recent trend of spending more money on a smaller number of schools could be scaled back. This suggests a lack of understanding of the urgent need for improvements in our schools and the impact that subpar facilities and resources can have on student performance and outcomes.

In conclusion, while I acknowledge that Falls Church High School is also in need of renovations, this does not diminish the need for improvements at McLean High School. Our children deserve the best education possible, and it is our responsibility to advocate for the resources necessary to make that a reality.

Yorktown is in another district.
McLean parents seem ok with McLean, as they didn't want to be zoned for Langley.
Yes, the bathrooms are gross, but it is the students who are doing it (thanks, TikTok).
Also, you sound unhinged.

DP but:

1. Yes, Yorktown is APS, not FCPS.

2. Most McLean families wanted to stay at McLean; others argued for a boundary change and/or asserted they should be the ones moved to Langley. If you check the materials circulated by McSpaces, which was the most "formal" advocacy group for McLean parents in 2019, their position was "the situation calls for a two-prong approach: a targeted boundary adjustment with Langley HS and an expansion to McLean HS."

[In comparison, the position of a spokesperson for the Great Falls Citizens Association, which represented many Langley parents, was as follows: "Shadid said that an expansion of McLean High School in place of a boundary adjustment would have been the best solution. "It would offer long-term relief for MHS while leaving more room for growth at Langley. We believe that more capacity at MHS is still urgent because of the rapid growth in the two pyramids."]

3. The bathrooms are gross, because they are regularly out of order due to the obsolete plumbing, and when confronted with bathrooms that aren't working, students will express their frustration in predicable ways (the bathrooms are set to be renovated this summer, and we'll see whether that improves things).

4. No comment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are deeply disappointed with McLean high, even though it was a highly rated school it appears to have fallen over the last few years and it's updated score truly does reflect that it is no longer the 10/10 school it once was. I attribute it to unsupportive school board who are busy taking funding from McLean and putting it towards struggling schools. McLean is a shell of what it once was and the disgusting building and trailers from overcrowding only being to tell the story of it's decline. Sad.

The amount of misunderstanding you're displaying here is astounding. By all measures the White, Asian, and affluent students at McLean are still performing at the top of the district. The updated GS score is absolutely meaningless. West Springfield HS has a 9/10 but the SAT and AP scores out of there are literally below the county average. McLean's AP scores are leading the county besides TJ, and SAT scores fall just short of Langley (also ignoring TJ).

I am writing this to express my deep disappointment and disgust with the state of McLean High School. It is truly disheartening to see the downfall of a once great institution, and I am placing the blame squarely on the decisions made by the school board.

The overcrowding at McLean High School is unacceptable. Students are crammed into classrooms like sardines, with no room to move or learn comfortably. The fact that trailers are being used beyond their lifespan is a disgrace. It is disgusting to see students being taught in conditions that are not only uncomfortable, but also potentially unsafe.

Furthermore, the school itself is falling apart. The facilities are outdated, and the maintenance is subpar. The bathrooms are often in disrepair, and the cafeteria is often unsanitary. These conditions are not only unacceptable but also detrimental to the health and well-being of the students.

Perhaps most concerning is the fact that McLean High School is below state level for algebra 1. This is a major red flag and an indication of the school's downfall. The lack of resources and funding has clearly had a negative impact on the education provided at this school.

It is truly shameful that the school board and FCPS have stolen money away from McLean High School to build shiny new facilities for other schools with more diverse student bodies. This is a clear case of discrimination and neglect towards the students of McLean High School.

I implore the school board and FCPS to take action immediately to rectify these issues. The students of McLean High School deserve better than this. They deserve a safe and comfortable learning environment, with access to the resources and facilities necessary to succeed. It is time for the school board to take responsibility for the downfall of McLean High School and make the necessary changes to ensure that it once again becomes a beacon of excellence.

As parents, we are ashamed of the state of McLean High School, and we have decided to take our children out of the school and enroll them in a private institution. It is a sad day when we must take such drastic measures to ensure our children receive the education they deserve.

Ok I’m not arguing with you that the SB hasn’t prioritized McLean but how did FCPS steal money from McLean?

Despite our community contributing exponentially in taxes, it seems that we have been forgotten and neglected in your FY-2024-28-CIP capital improvements plan.

In the recent past FCPS has chosen to build new renovations and additions to Falls Church high, while McLean High School is left to suffer with inadequate facilities and resources. The fact that McLean is not on the list of priorities for renovation and exapansion clearly indicates that they do not value the education and well-being of our children.

To add insult to injury, they are throwing more disgusting trailers onto our already crammed campus, taking away precious greenspace to accommodate an industrialized modular building setup. This is unacceptable and a clear indication of incompetence in managing the educational resources of our district.

While the renovation that McLean got in 2005 was subpar compared to more recent renovations, and accounts for some of the current issues with the building, Falls Church had not had a renovation similar to even the renovation of McLean in 2005. And Falls Church got pushed down on the renovation queue originally because it had a comparatively low enrollment when the 2008 queue was developed, which meant that numerous other schools in better shape than Falls Church like TJ, Marshall, and Edison got renovated first, although Falls Church was in objectively worse condition.

One of my McLean kids took some Academy classes at Falls Church and, while he liked the classes, he remarked several times that the building was in worse shape than McLean. You really need to have spent more time inside FCHS before you criticize the renovation plans there. It is possible that they are going over-the-top now with the renovation - the approach in recent years has been to spend more money on a smaller number of a schools and perhaps it could be scaled back - but it absolutely needs a thorough renovation and has waited its turn.

I must respectfully disagree with your points. While it is true that Falls Church High School has also experienced delays in receiving renovations, this does not negate the fact that McLean High School is also in need of significant improvements.

Furthermore, the fact that Falls Church High School may have been in worse condition at one point does not mean that McLean High School should continue to suffer. We should be striving for excellence in all of our schools, not simply settling for subpar facilities and resources.

Additionally, the comparison between McLean High School and Falls Church High School is not the only relevant comparison. As I previously mentioned, other schools in the district, such as Langley and Yorktown High Schools, have received more attention and resources than McLean High School despite similar enrollment numbers.

It is also concerning that you suggest that the recent trend of spending more money on a smaller number of schools could be scaled back. This suggests a lack of understanding of the urgent need for improvements in our schools and the impact that subpar facilities and resources can have on student performance and outcomes.

In conclusion, while I acknowledge that Falls Church High School is also in need of renovations, this does not diminish the need for improvements at McLean High School. Our children deserve the best education possible, and it is our responsibility to advocate for the resources necessary to make that a reality.

Yorktown is in another district.
McLean parents seem ok with McLean, as they didn't want to be zoned for Langley.
Yes, the bathrooms are gross, but it is the students who are doing it (thanks, TikTok).
Also, you sound unhinged.

I understand that Yorktown High School is in a different district than McLean, but I was using it as a comparison as it is located very close by and is often seen as a comparable school in terms of resources and performance.

Regarding McLean parents' satisfaction with their school, it is important to note that just because they did not want to be zoned for Langley does not necessarily mean they are completely content with their school's current state. Parents and students at McLean High School have expressed their concerns and frustrations with the lack of resources and funding, as evidenced by their efforts to self-fund their children's education and improve the school.

While it may be true that some students are responsible for the state of the bathrooms, it is ultimately the responsibility of the school and FCPS to ensure that the facilities are properly maintained and cleaned. The fact that students feel the need to resort to TikTok challenges to raise awareness about the state of the bathrooms is indicative of a larger problem with the school's resources and funding.

Lastly, I would like to address your comment about me sounding "unhinged." I assure you that I am not unhinged, but rather passionate about advocating for the needs of McLean High School and its students. The neglect of the school and its students is a serious issue that deserves attention and action, and I will continue to speak up on their behalf.

The students aren't neglected.