Woodson vs. Robinson - any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

We are looking to purchase a house in one of these districts. They both seem like good schools, but it seems that you can get a good bit more for your money in the Robinson district. Is this because Woodson is better, or because the area is just a little bit closer to DC?

Having a middle and high school all in one feels impersonal to me, but I know there are a number of FCPS schools that have the same structure. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

It's because Woodson is considered to be better, so it attracts more education-conscious parents and drives up the prices (flame war, here we go).

I think the Robinson area probably has better access to VRE so it's not a proximity issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's because Woodson is considered to be better, so it attracts more education-conscious parents and drives up the prices (flame war, here we go).

I think the Robinson area probably has better access to VRE so it's not a proximity issue.

Maybe. But Woodson is closer to both DC and Tysons, and the VRE only appeals to those commuting to specific locations who also have a regular schedule. Chalking up any price differential to Woodson's reputation would in this case be simplistic.

[Anonymous]

We were making the same choice a few years ago. Robinson has much more to offer and it is a great atmosphere. The downside is that kids from Woodson seem to get accepted to the better state schools. However, I have yet to meet a kid that went to Woodson that I care for. 2 of my kids attended private colleges and we feel great about their experience at Robinson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were making the same choice a few years ago. Robinson has much more to offer and it is a great atmosphere. The downside is that kids from Woodson seem to get accepted to the better state schools. However, I have yet to meet a kid that went to Woodson that I care for. 2 of my kids attended private colleges and we feel great about their experience at Robinson.

You're absolutely right.
And here I have been wondering all along why my Woodson kids were such scum.
Thank you for that enlightening opinion.

[Anonymous]

When I went to Woodson, Robsinson had all the BAD KIDS but that was awhile ago. Maybe it has changed. I met some really awful kids from robinson who stole my car!

[Anonymous]

Google "Dan Meier Robinson principal real estate scam" to find out more information about the principal. Why FCPS does not fire him is beyond me.

Woodson HS has issues as well--from what I have heard, some of the worst cliques outside Langley HS. Unless a student is an athlete or highly successful in school work, he'll fall through the cracks. The Woodson principal came under fire after a student committed suicide following a punishment for possessing a type of synthetic marijuana.

[Anonymous]

There are positive and negatives about both schools. As far as the Dan Meier thing, I agree he should be OUT.

Robinson is huge, so there are many options. It is broken down into subschools. So every grade has it's own principal, student government and office staff. The reality of high school is that kids are not going to always make the team they want or be chosen for something they want. The thing about a big school like Robinson is that there is always something different to choose as an activity or a different set of friends. We love it. Our kids are doing great and are trying activities that they would not have normally tried. We love their friends and find the other parents share our interest in their kids.

From my experience. We were told by people that we knew here that we should buy a house in the Woodson area. Comparing our kids and their experience, I am glad we chose Robinson.