Fox Mill vs. Oak Hill ES

[Anonymous]

If you had your choice of these two schools, which one would you prefer? We like both neighborhoods. We would be moving from Reston, so access to amenities is also important to us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you had your choice of these two schools, which one would you prefer? We like both neighborhoods. We would be moving from Reston, so access to amenities is also important to us.

Oak Hill, unless you want Japanese immersion at Fox Mill.

[Anonymous]

Where do you work? We live in Fox Mill, and I think the commute is easier being closer to the Toll Road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where do you work? We live in Fox Mill, and I think the commute is easier being closer to the Toll Road.

I mostly work from home, but when I do "go to work," it is in Lorton. My husband's office is currently in Ashburn - might move this summer, but we think Reston is as far in as they will get. Commuting will not be a huge issue, although access to busses would be nice for the few times I need access to metro.

[Anonymous]

Check what high schools they feed into. Fox Mill ES might feed into South Lakes. You don't want that.

[Anonymous]

anything is possible, but we probably won't be here by the time our child who is starting K in the fall starts high school. We likely are only going to rent and not buy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Check what high schools they feed into. Fox Mill ES might feed into South Lakes. You don't want that.

Why not (or are you just bored)? It's smaller than Oakton and seems to have fewer spoiled kids.

[Anonymous]

South Lakes has changed quite a bit since the boundary changes a few years ago, you might be surprised (pleasantly).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check what high schools they feed into. Fox Mill ES might feed into South Lakes. You don't want that.

Why not (or are you just bored)? It's smaller than Oakton and seems to have fewer spoiled kids.

This is the last time I try to help someone on this board. No, I'm not bored. Look at the numbers for South Lakes and you'll see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
This is the last time I try to help someone on this board. No, I'm not bored. Look at the numbers for South Lakes and you'll see.

OP here. I wasn't the one arguing with you, but I am genuinely curious what numbers you are referring to. I know that it has a reputation as one of the "not as good" schools in FCPS, but I think things are changing for the better after the boundary changes from a couple years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
This is the last time I try to help someone on this board. No, I'm not bored. Look at the numbers for South Lakes and you'll see.

If you can't answer a simple question as to what you think is wrong with South Lakes, please do take your marbles and leave.

[Anonymous]

Oak Hill unless as a PP noted you want the Japanese immersion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check what high schools they feed into. Fox Mill ES might feed into South Lakes. You don't want that.

Why not (or are you just bored)? It's smaller than Oakton and seems to have fewer spoiled kids.

Lower test scores and more free/reduced price lunch students. OTOH, if Oakton is bigger it may well have as many-- if not more-- problem children as South Lakes, just of different types.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check what high schools they feed into. Fox Mill ES might feed into South Lakes. You don't want that.

Why not (or are you just bored)? It's smaller than Oakton and seems to have fewer spoiled kids.

Lower test scores and more free/reduced price lunch students. OTOH, if Oakton is bigger it may well have as many-- if not more-- problem children as South Lakes, just of different types.

Because of the boundary change with Westfield three years ago, there are many more affluent kids at South Lakes today. The school population has also gone way up as it draws much of its population from former Westfield HS neighborhoods. South Lakes is growing year after year, while Oakton's population is flat, and I expect South Lakes to overtake Oakton within two or three years.

Yes, it is not as affluent as Oakton and has more free/reduced price lunch students, as there is a lot of low income housing in Reston. But since the boundary changes, test scores have been improving at South Lakes, and its reputation within the community has also improved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check what high schools they feed into. Fox Mill ES might feed into South Lakes. You don't want that.

Why not (or are you just bored)? It's smaller than Oakton and seems to have fewer spoiled kids.

Lower test scores and more free/reduced price lunch students. OTOH, if Oakton is bigger it may well have as many-- if not more-- problem children as South Lakes, just of different types.

Because of the boundary change with Westfield three years ago, there are many more affluent kids at South Lakes today. The school population has also gone way up as it draws much of its population from former Westfield HS neighborhoods. South Lakes is growing year after year, while Oakton's population is flat, and I expect South Lakes to overtake Oakton within two or three years.

Yes, it is not as affluent as Oakton and has more free/reduced price lunch students, as there is a lot of low income housing in Reston. But since the boundary changes, test scores have been improving at South Lakes, and its reputation within the community has also improved.

Are SOL scores already improving? You'll start to see an improvement in the reported SAT scores for South Lakes in a few years. The first group redistricted to South Lakes graduates in 2012 and their SATs will be released in late summer of 2012. However, many of that first group of kids pupil placed back to Westfield, Oakton and Madison. That number has been declining, and I'd expect to see a notable jump in the SAT scores at South Lakes in 2013 or 2014.