Lake Braddock or West Springfield?

[Anonymous]

We're considering both schools. DH thinks LB is too large for our kids and they will be lost in the crowd literally and figuratively. Does anyone have experience (or even second hand knowledge) of the impact of the size of the student population on kids (academics, activities, social) at LB? How do they handle such a large amount of students?

[Anonymous]

Are you aware that LB is a secondary school -- so their total population includes 7-8th grade as well as 9-12th? The way the secondary schools work in Ffx Cnty is that the "middle school" kids are litterally separated off from the rest of the high school population.

WS has about 300 fewer kids in the high school compared to LB's high school section. Divided over four grades, that about 75 kids more at LB per grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you aware that LB is a secondary school -- so their total population includes 7-8th grade as well as 9-12th? The way the secondary schools work in Ffx Cnty is that the "middle school" kids are litterally separated off from the rest of the high school population.

WS has about 300 fewer kids in the high school compared to LB's high school section. Divided over four grades, that about 75 kids more at LB per grade.

It's still the same building with parents, students and teachers coming and going, and the same principal for both schools, so I'm not sure that will address the concern.

[Anonymous]

Lake Braddock is a really good school. I've had three kids go there and we have been very happy with our experiences there.
I was concerned about the size of the school when we moved here, but the PP is right, the total number of students includes 7th and 8th grade. And those middle school numbers you see include a lot who do not stay at LB for high school because LB is the magnet AAP school for the area. So, many of the 7th and 8th graders who are there for AAP return to Robinson and West Springfield for HS. (In other words, if you do choose West Springfield and your children are in the AAP program, they will attend LB for MS.)
In many ways, the size of the school can be an asset. They can offer lots of AP courses and other offerings that a smaller school may not be able to. There are enough students there that a child is likely to find a group of like-minded friends, unlike in a smaller school situation where you need to get along with the predominant group or you might not have any friends at all.
All in all, we really like LB. Well-qualified caring teachers, a challenging curriculum, award winning theatre and music programs, good sports teams, lots of families that care about education. Also, lots of kids go on to very good colleges.
Overall, a great school community. Would choose it again in a heartbeat.

[Anonymous]

West Springfield gets very high ratings on greatschools.org.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for the comments and insight - it's very much appreciated.