Where else to get honest info on FCPS?

[Anonymous]

We have lived in the area for about 5 years but very few of our friends or colleagues have school age kids yet. We're looking to buy our first home on a budget for this area (less than $500,000) and are getting really frustrated about finding the best schools for us. Our son is only 3 so we're focused on elementary schools, but we're not sure we'll have the financial flexibility to move when he's in high school, especially with the market the way it is, so we want to get this right.

On this board, I feel like if I say we're trying to avoid certain schools (like Mt. Vernon, Edison, Lee, Annandale), I get called a racist, but if I suggest that we would consider those same schools someone else says my kids are going to get killed in a knife fight. (I'm obviously exaggerating - at least a little )

So is there anywhere else I can get info on these schools? I've looked in detail at the FCPS web site. I know how to look at demographics, free lunch, test scores, etc, but I just don't think that really paints a picture of the school. I want to know about the extra-curriculars that are available, quality of the facilities, school culture (i.e. are kids generally involved and happy to be there), are the teachers supported by a good principal, and of course the safety at the school.

Are there any other forums or websites that discuss these things or am I SOL?

[Anonymous]

The high schools that you read about now will likely be different in 10+ years when your son starts high school. So anything you read anywhere (including other forums/websites) will be of little use for the high schools. For example, Annandale is an IB school, and if you prefer an AP school, you currently can choose an AP high school vs. attending Annandale. Will that be the case in 10+ years? Who knows.

As for extra-curriculars and the principals -- both will likely be markedly different in 10+ years. Knowing FCPS, boundaries will likely be different as well.

You already know your answer -- you need to choose between the supposedly "good" high schools and your housing budget.

[Anonymous]

What we have done is try to focus on neighborhoods we can afford in areas that work for us commute wise, then we try to get some feedback on schools. We aren't going to get into the top tier HS clusters on our budget ($450K), but we are focused on schools in the Chantilly and Herndon clusters right now. I have gone to this board and city-data for information, as well as talked to some friends I know who work for FCPS (a parent from my daughter's day care and a HS friend of mine who works at the elementary school district next door to where I currently live). These have been excellent resources.

I'd first try to figure out what areas you could be happy with commutewise. I honestly don't think you can go too far wrong with an FCPS public HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The high schools that you read about now will likely be different in 10+ years when your son starts high school. So anything you read anywhere (including other forums/websites) will be of little use for the high schools. For example, Annandale is an IB school, and if you prefer an AP school, you currently can choose an AP high school vs. attending Annandale. Will that be the case in 10+ years? Who knows.

As for extra-curriculars and the principals -- both will likely be markedly different in 10+ years. Knowing FCPS, boundaries will likely be different as well.

You already know your answer -- you need to choose between the supposedly "good" high schools and your housing budget.

OP here. You're right. There's no way at this point to even know what my son will need. Will he be average academically but love the arts, be a good athlete and want a tennis program, need to be very challenged academically and want a good debate team? I just wish I had a crystal ball . . .

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you're looking for more general advice, but here's some specific: The schools in Vienna are outstanding and I think you can get a townhouse or one of the older "ranch style" homes in the Town of Vienna on your budget. It's a great place to live, very "home town" feel, and the schools are some of the best in Fairfax. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

If I had it to do all over again, I would pick a house that is slated for an elementary school that is a GT/AAP center. We have one kid in the AAP program at a center, and one at our base school.

1. It would be great to have them at the same school
2. It would have been great if my daughter hadn't had to leave a school she was used to to gain access to the curriculum she needed.
3. Even the kids in the general ed classes at the center school get to participate in some of the "extras" that they throw into the GT curriculum.
4. I have discovered that GT center schools have much better extracurriculars. Ours has chess club, science olympiad teams, drama club, book clubs, lego robotics, rubiks cube team, etc. Our base school has an occasional after school mad science program or art program, but that is it.

[Anonymous]

I think if you live in a nice area, even the "bad" FCPS schools will be fine. I'd rather live in Lake Barcroft and send my kids to Stuart than live right next to the Vienna Park apartments and send my kids to Madison.

[Anonymous]

There are some small houses for sale, probably in your budget in NW vienna, which feeds in to Louise Archer (a GT center). Schools in that area are good now and have been good for quire a while.

[Anonymous]

Try the Franklin Farm area of Chantilly. You will either go to Crossfield, Navy or Oak Hill. All are great schools, great communities and Oak Hill is an AAP.

[Anonymous]

We're in between Edison and Lee high schools and I'm always happy to hear people avoid them because they think they're the "bad" schools. The fewer people around me that buy into the BS, the better! Makes for a far more pleasant neighborhood!

[Anonymous]

Loudoun County - I would definitely consider moving a bit further out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:4. I have discovered that GT center schools have much better extracurriculars. Ours has chess club, science olympiad teams, drama club, book clubs, lego robotics, rubiks cube team, etc. Our base school has an occasional after school mad science program or art program, but that is it.

Not true of Springfield Estates Elementary that also has a GT/AAP center. I suggest checking out the Elementary school's web sites - most have links to their PTA page and archives of their weekly newsletters - these can give a very clear picture of the atmosphere in the school and how active the PTAs are.
If I were choosing a location in Fairfax County with the priority of education for my kids, I would definately take a smaller home in one of the "better" areas.

[Anonymous]

talk to the parents in the neighborhood you want to live in. Go to the parks and talk to the ones with small kids, or go to a pta meeting. People have lots of opinions, and those who live in the neighborhoods and send kids to the schools will tell you. High ranking schools will do everything they can to keep bad info about their schools from getting out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Loudoun County - I would definitely consider moving a bit further out.

Why? How does having one or two more frustrated commuters in cookie-cutter places like Ashburn help anyone? You miss out on most of the things that make living in this region special.

[Anonymous]

And you miss out on Fairfax County schools. The gold standard.