Are there science-focused (or other focused) schools in Fairfax County, like in Arlington?

[Anonymous]

We are currently looking to buy a house in NoVA and want to make our choice partly based on the schools (DC is 2). I love the idea of the science focus school in Arlington, but I don't think we can afford the houses or even a townhouse in that area. Are there science-focused schools, or schools with other focuses (I know about the language immersion, also a good choice) in Fairfax county, too?

[Anonymous]

There are two magnet schools for the Arts & Sciences (Bailey's and Hunters Woods) in FCPS. Placement is by boundary, but there is also a lottery for some slots (though you have to provide your own transportation if you are out-of-bounday). Here's more info:
http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/OEIAS/focus.htm#anchor-math

[Anonymous]

There really isn't as much of a need for science focus schools in Fairfax at the elementary level. There are far more high-tech workers in Fairfax to begin with, and that carries over to the local schools. Arlington is more lawyer/lobbyist/government worker territory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There really isn't as much of a need for science focus schools in Fairfax at the elementary level. There are far more high-tech workers in Fairfax to begin with, and that carries over to the local schools. Arlington is more lawyer/lobbyist/government worker territory.

I guess I don't understand this. Are you saying that Arlington's regular schools don't have the same science requirements as Fairfax's regular schools? and if so, that's really odd. Does Arlington have more political science requirements than Fairfax?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There really isn't as much of a need for science focus schools in Fairfax at the elementary level. There are far more high-tech workers in Fairfax to begin with, and that carries over to the local schools. Arlington is more lawyer/lobbyist/government worker territory.

I guess I don't understand this. Are you saying that Arlington's regular schools don't have the same science requirements as Fairfax's regular schools? and if so, that's really odd. Does Arlington have more political science requirements than Fairfax?

There are far more high tech workers in Fairfax. They insist on a demanding math/science curriculum in the base schools.

[Anonymous]

I think it's also due to the fact that TJ, the local magnet math/science school, is in Fairfax, not Arlington. Arlington tries to compensate by having ASF and other specialized schools like ATS.

[Anonymous]

Hollin Meadows is a science and math focus school, so is Woodley Hills. Here is a list of focus schools in FCPS (the Arts & Science Focus at Fort Hunt looks interesting):

http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/OEIAS/focus.htm#anchor-math