Are you concerned about the size of high schools in this area? Has it been a problem for your child
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Anonymous
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I went to a high school that had about 800-900 students (Catholic), it was twice the size of the local public school (which was about 400 students). I knew most people in my class of 200 and all the teachers knew all the kids. So, if you did something wrong, you were going to be recognized and held accountable. I knew that I could be on the yearbook staff if I wanted to, etc.
I've done some research on the high schools in Ffx Cnty and I'm getting more concerned about the sizes of the schools and the projected increases in already over-sized schools (5 yr. projected enrollment). For instance, Fairfax HS is expected to reach 3052 (!!!) students in five years. Lake Braddock -- 2633, Westfields -- 2914, and many others in the area of 2400, 2200, etc. How does a school work when the numbers are so large? Are you just a face-less student in the crowd when there are 600-800 kids in just one grade? Seems like the competition to be involved in any school activities (sports, yearbook, band, whatever) would be very intense and a lot of good, but not great kids will just get shuffled into non-participation. Is the only solution to go to private (which we will not be able to afford for two kids)? How do kids find a niche in these super huge schools? |
Anonymous
No. Not concerned. |
Anonymous
Please provide the source for these projections. |
Anonymous
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There is a link on the FCPS site called the "Dashboard" that has 5 yr. predictions. (look under facilities and transportation)
To the person who said they are not concerned.... why? Did you go to a large HS? |
Anonymous
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My high school had 2000 kids in it and I never felt like a faceless student. Granted, only my teachers and counselor knew me, but I didn't feel any need to be known by the entire faculty and staff. That doesn't worry me at all.
But I can see how some people might prefer a smaller, cozier environment. |
Anonymous
| We are in MoCo in a 2000 student HS. DC loves it. He knows a lot of people through sports, classes, activities. He has good relationships with lots of his teachers. The size has not been an issue (which surprised me as I went to a small HS). |
Anonymous
| It all depends on your DC. Some kids are naturally outgoing self advocators and willing to do the work to find out whats offered at the school and then take advantage of it. Some kids are just not. DC was a in a small private for a while. There were many adults that knew him and what is strengths and weaknesses were. Now he's at a huge public HS. He has no idea how to navigate around to find out about clubs, events, or other activities that are going on in the school. His teachers do not give him any slack ever for anything. Grandparents in town for the first time ever? Need to take a day off to see them? Sorry, not our problem, not an excused absence, next? It's very impersonal. Some teachers actually do seem to enjoy the kids and teaching the classes but they are few and far between. I feel badly for DC. He will be swept along and graduate at some point but I worry that he will look back on his experience and feel cheated. Oh well. |
Anonymous
| I went to Lake Braddock in the 80s and there were over 1,000 in my class and 800+ graduated. Yes. We were absolutely faceless and nameless. We had block classes that were team taught and there were over 60 students in those classes. There were 30 to 35 students in my French classes. Spanish classes were also very large. I was in advanced classes for 10th through 12th grade so those classes were a bit smaller. I know what my friends and I were up to and yes I worry very much about larger schools. |
Anonymous
| DD is at a very large high school and loves it. She is extremely self- confident and a great self-advocate. Her friends who are happy have all found a group of friends through an activity -- drama, sports, etc. I worry about those kids who don't have a particular interest, or who don't have the self-confidence to raise their hands in a large class. We are looking at private for younger dc. |
Anonymous
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OP here... my older child is more quiet and not self-confident or assertive at school. She is a good student, but doesn't have an out-going personality or charisma. Younger child is more of your average kid in terms of group involvement, but still more afraid of the limelight and being singled out or noticed in public.
I don't expect that either child will be a great athlete, but both are good students and might be the kind of kids who put effort into band/orchestra. I wonder if in such huge high schools that they will ever get the opportunity to explore/try new things b/c the competition will be so fierce, and relalistically, the extroverts are the ones who get noticed in this world, right? Does the "team" approach (dividing into groups of 125 students who have the same set of teachers) help? Are their any efforts to help students find a niche? Thanks for all the replies. |
Anonymous
| If your child can develop a few good, personal relationships with teachers and friends, he should be okay. Think of it as having a life raft in a vast ocean. |
Anonymous
| My HS had 1800 kids and it was fine. I don't think i would want to go bigger than that tho. That being said, my kids will go to the smallest high school in FX County - Falls Church HS. I like the size of it, I think it's 1200?? |
Anonymous
Falls Church HS is around 1570 this year and projected to increase to over 1850 by 2016. |
Anonymous
| My kids are slated for Marshall, which is relatively small. |
Anonymous
| FCPS is predicting that all high schools except Edison will have more than 1800 students by 2016. The schools expected to be below 2000 students are Langley, McLean, Falls Church, Marshall, Mount Vernon, Edison, Lee and TJ. |