Best NoVA pyramid for parents who want both quality instruction & racial/socioeconomic diversity?

[Anonymous]

It seems as though pyramids like Langley and McLean are constantly touted as the best of what Northern Virginia schools have to offer, but both districts serve a pretty homogenous population of wealthy white (and perhaps Asian) families. Assuming you want the typical, high-quality instruction/good facilities/variety of options for advanced coursework, etc. that every parent seeks, but also place significant value on your child's exposure to classmates from a wide variety of racial/ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, which NoVA HS pyramid would you choose?

Also--what do you believe are the best measures of school quality when variables like test scores (which seem to primarily reflect socioeconomic factors) are removed from the mix?

[Anonymous]

Ummm...I think I'd suggest Sunrise Valley, Hughes, South Lakes in Reston.

[Anonymous]

I second South Lakes.

[Anonymous]

Or Marshall Road/ Madison pyramid

[Anonymous]

Madison has a decent percentage of Asians and Latinos, but barely and African Americans.

[Anonymous]

We're in Shrevewood/Kilmer/Marshall. It's diverse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Madison has a decent percentage of Asians and Latinos, but barely and African Americans.

Longfellow and McLean are more diverse than Thoreau and Madison.

Second the recommendation for Shrevewood/Kilmer/Marshall. Could swap Freedom Hill for the elementary school option.

Some of the Lake Braddock feeders would be good choices as well.

[Anonymous]

Although marshall is diverse it still is vastly white and asian, what you are looking for is a unicorn out didn't exist, they are polar opposites

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Although marshall is diverse it still is vastly white and asian, what you are looking for is a unicorn out didn't exist, they are polar opposites

Really?? You think high-quality and diversity can't co-exist in the same school? On what basis?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're in Shrevewood/Kilmer/Marshall. It's diverse.

I third this recommendation. All three are very diverse, definitely not a white/Asian majority. International night at Shrevewood has an amazing representation of the various cultures.

[Anonymous]

The problem is not racial diversity, it is socio-economic diversity. My DD goes to a very successful and diverse school. But, it is not economically diverse.

Unfortunately, in this country, economically disadvantage and some racial minorities show a very high correlation.

The issues are: 1) poor people typically have to work more hours, so less time at home; 2) poor people are typically less educated, and can not help the children to the same degree; 3) Poor people can not contribute as much financial resources to their children's education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is not racial diversity, it is socio-economic diversity. My DD goes to a very successful and diverse school. But, it is not economically diverse.

Unfortunately, in this country, economically disadvantage and some racial minorities show a very high correlation.

The issues are: 1) poor people typically have to work more hours, so less time at home; 2) poor people are typically less educated, and can not help the children to the same degree; 3) Poor people can not contribute as much financial resources to their children's education.

I agree with all of this but why does it necessarily have to mean a poor quality school? It might mean lower test scores but that shouldn't have an impact on the quality of instruction.

[Anonymous]

I'm 17:31 and 17:59 and I stand by my first post where I said you will find racial and socioeconomic diversity in the South Lakes pyramid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 17:31 and 17:59 and I stand by my first post where I said you will find racial and socioeconomic diversity in the South Lakes pyramid.

So you believe that South Lakes is also a high quality school? Assuming yes, what's makes you say that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 17:31 and 17:59 and I stand by my first post where I said you will find racial and socioeconomic diversity in the South Lakes pyramid.

I've seen SAT results for certain groups that are very good -- do you have first hand knowledge of the social culture at South Lakes? Can you tell me more about South Lakes?