Chantilly High or Langley?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax county high schools are all diverse,

Every single one

People just like to complain

I used to live in Alexandria and now live in McLean. Both schools are incredibly diverse, just in different ways. Our school in Alexandria had a large Spanish speaking population and our McLean school has more Asians and Middle Eastern students.

Langley has next to no economic diversity. Chantilly does, as does every other high school in FCPS besides Langley.

+1

OP, look at the college acceptances from Langley. Colleges tend to think "the rich white folk" will do well in life, no mater what, "no need to take m/any of them!"

Chantilly gets my vote.

Hmmm. Well, if you think that is true, then Chantilly has the same problem with "the rich Asian folk."

.

Chantilly is 35-40% white, 35-40% Asian. 15% Hispanic. And, not coincidentally, 15% FARMS.

There are are lots of UMC white and Asian kids there. White collar parents. Generally not a lot of SAHMs except among some Indian families. Lots of parents in tech (as well as feds, doctors, lawyers, teachers. . .). Kids driving 10 year old Subarus or Hondas school and applying to UVA, WM, VT, GMU, VCU, etc.

There’s UMC, then there is *rich*. Chantilly is UMC. Langley is rich.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax county high schools are all diverse,

Every single one

People just like to complain

I used to live in Alexandria and now live in McLean. Both schools are incredibly diverse, just in different ways. Our school in Alexandria had a large Spanish speaking population and our McLean school has more Asians and Middle Eastern students.

Langley has next to no economic diversity. Chantilly does, as does every other high school in FCPS besides Langley.

There is economic diversity - middle class, UMC and rich. They just don’t have poor kids.

Some other schools may have poor kids, middle class and some UMC.

You have a warped understanding of “middle class.” No middle-class kids go to Langley, and relatively few who are UMC. It’s overwhelmingly wealthy and very wealthy.

If so then OP can just move to the Langley pyramid since that’s what she values.

Thread over and if that works out for her family great and if not we don’t need to care.

Either school will work out well with a focused student . It is harder to get into UVa from Langley. There are only so many from one school who will be accepted. I went to a public school in the Midwest with average scores better than Langley (27 ACT average[. Single mother in poverty.. Not much diversity although Michael Jordan's son attended. My aunt thought my brother and I had academic talent so she got us an apartment in the well off town. I was put off a bit by the wealthy but the school had a middle class element which was very good at athletics. I did not know I had top level NCAA scholarship sports talent until 10th grade, so the sports element turned out to be essential. If the school had mostly soft effete rich kids, I would have had to figure something out. In this vein, Chantilly would win over Langley hands down. I sent two kidx the Ivy League, with one TJ and the other Oakton. They would have had the same success at Chantilly. Not enough hungry and intense athletes at Langley. They haven't sent anyone to D 1 in years in my diverse sp9rt. To be good you have to train with maniacal intensity.

I couldn't disagree more with the notion that you become who you hang with (obviously must avoid criminals). I went to two of the best schools in the nation, and learned more about values and hard work from Teamsters workers I worked with over the summer. They were sending kids to college on a union wage and they had no hesitancy in kicking my rear to get good grades in college. I used to think they were just messing with me but that was incorrect. They treated me like a son and loved me enough to be tough on me. Hanging with the wealthy kids would have done me no favors. They are today my formative influences, a kid without a father. Today those kind of summer jobs would be looked down on as it wasn't an internship but rather dirty hard work where being tough meant keeping your mouth shut.

And your daily choices matter. The national level athletes I competed against almost to a one chose teaching or coaching. A good choice. My brother and I made overt choices
not to do that and went into sophisticated and challenging intellectual and professional fields. Our overt choices, and not who we hung with, made a difference. I am not saying a kid can't obtain these kinds of values while at Langley but don't be fooled into thinking the school will do it. Posh zip codes do nothing.

This.


If you see a rich kid at Langley, you have to ask yourself why are they at Langley and not one of the privates when obviously they can afford it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax county high schools are all diverse,

Every single one

People just like to complain

I used to live in Alexandria and now live in McLean. Both schools are incredibly diverse, just in different ways. Our school in Alexandria had a large Spanish speaking population and our McLean school has more Asians and Middle Eastern students.

Langley has next to no economic diversity. Chantilly does, as does every other high school in FCPS besides Langley.

+1

OP, look at the college acceptances from Langley. Colleges tend to think "the rich white folk" will do well in life, no mater what, "no need to take m/any of them!"

Chantilly gets my vote.

Hmmm. Well, if you think that is true, then Chantilly has the same problem with "the rich Asian folk."

.

Chantilly is 35-40% white, 35-40% Asian. 15% Hispanic. And, not coincidentally, 15% FARMS.

There are are lots of UMC white and Asian kids there. White collar parents. Generally not a lot of SAHMs except among some Indian families. Lots of parents in tech (as well as feds, doctors, lawyers, teachers. . .). Kids driving 10 year old Subarus or Hondas school and applying to UVA, WM, VT, GMU, VCU, etc.

There’s UMC, then there is *rich*. Chantilly is UMC. Langley is rich.

All of the bolded accurately describes Langley too, though there are also plenty of SAHMs - of all races.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax county high schools are all diverse,

Every single one

People just like to complain

I used to live in Alexandria and now live in McLean. Both schools are incredibly diverse, just in different ways. Our school in Alexandria had a large Spanish speaking population and our McLean school has more Asians and Middle Eastern students.

Langley has next to no economic diversity. Chantilly does, as does every other high school in FCPS besides Langley.

+1

OP, look at the college acceptances from Langley. Colleges tend to think "the rich white folk" will do well in life, no mater what, "no need to take m/any of them!"

Chantilly gets my vote.

THIS. THIS.THIS. It’s especially hard if you’re not super wealthy because colleges assume you have lots of money and connections. A lot of people in McLean are living completely boring - and not at all luxurious lives - to pay the mortgage on an out of date little house. But for college, they are compared against the kids who spend $25,000 on private athletic coaching, $6,000 on test prep, and four years of private tutors because they share the same zip code.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax county high schools are all diverse,

Every single one

People just like to complain

I used to live in Alexandria and now live in McLean. Both schools are incredibly diverse, just in different ways. Our school in Alexandria had a large Spanish speaking population and our McLean school has more Asians and Middle Eastern students.

Langley has next to no economic diversity. Chantilly does, as does every other high school in FCPS besides Langley.

There is economic diversity - middle class, UMC and rich. They just don’t have poor kids.

Some other schools may have poor kids, middle class and some UMC.

You have a warped understanding of “middle class.” No middle-class kids go to Langley, and relatively few who are UMC. It’s overwhelmingly wealthy and very wealthy.

If so then OP can just move to the Langley pyramid since that’s what she values.

Thread over and if that works out for her family great and if not we don’t need to care.

Either school will work out well with a focused student . It is harder to get into UVa from Langley. There are only so many from one school who will be accepted. I went to a public school in the Midwest with average scores better than Langley (27 ACT average[. Single mother in poverty.. Not much diversity although Michael Jordan's son attended. My aunt thought my brother and I had academic talent so she got us an apartment in the well off town. I was put off a bit by the wealthy but the school had a middle class element which was very good at athletics. I did not know I had top level NCAA scholarship sports talent until 10th grade, so the sports element turned out to be essential. If the school had mostly soft effete rich kids, I would have had to figure something out. In this vein, Chantilly would win over Langley hands down. I sent two kidx the Ivy League, with one TJ and the other Oakton. They would have had the same success at Chantilly. Not enough hungry and intense athletes at Langley. They haven't sent anyone to D 1 in years in my diverse sp9rt. To be good you have to train with maniacal intensity.

I couldn't disagree more with the notion that you become who you hang with (obviously must avoid criminals). I went to two of the best schools in the nation, and learned more about values and hard work from Teamsters workers I worked with over the summer. They were sending kids to college on a union wage and they had no hesitancy in kicking my rear to get good grades in college. I used to think they were just messing with me but that was incorrect. They treated me like a son and loved me enough to be tough on me. Hanging with the wealthy kids would have done me no favors. They are today my formative influences, a kid without a father. Today those kind of summer jobs would be looked down on as it wasn't an internship but rather dirty hard work where being tough meant keeping your mouth shut.

And your daily choices matter. The national level athletes I competed against almost to a one chose teaching or coaching. A good choice. My brother and I made overt choices
not to do that and went into sophisticated and challenging intellectual and professional fields. Our overt choices, and not who we hung with, made a difference. I am not saying a kid can't obtain these kinds of values while at Langley but don't be fooled into thinking the school will do it. Posh zip codes do nothing.

I respectfully disagree. Our family believes that your peer group, especially during the formidable teen years is extremely important.

We are zoned for Langley. My kids have such nice friends who come from good families with well educated parents. My kids have a high bar on what they think is normal. All their friends are good students. I do think it may be harder to stand out because there are so many strong students that are well rounded and good at everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax county high schools are all diverse,

Every single one

People just like to complain

I used to live in Alexandria and now live in McLean. Both schools are incredibly diverse, just in different ways. Our school in Alexandria had a large Spanish speaking population and our McLean school has more Asians and Middle Eastern students.

Langley has next to no economic diversity. Chantilly does, as does every other high school in FCPS besides Langley.

+1

OP, look at the college acceptances from Langley. Colleges tend to think "the rich white folk" will do well in life, no mater what, "no need to take m/any of them!"

Chantilly gets my vote.

THIS. THIS.THIS. It’s especially hard if you’re not super wealthy because colleges assume you have lots of money and connections. A lot of people in McLean are living completely boring - and not at all luxurious lives - to pay the mortgage on an out of date little house. But for college, they are compared against the kids who spend $25,000 on private athletic coaching, $6,000 on test prep, and four years of private tutors because they share the same zip code.

So much misinformation. There are plenty of good college acceptances at both Langley and McLean and they are not all the rich kids.

I do agree that OP should not stretch their budget just to pay their mortgage in McLean but your analysis of McLean is just ridiculously wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax county high schools are all diverse,

Every single one

People just like to complain

I used to live in Alexandria and now live in McLean. Both schools are incredibly diverse, just in different ways. Our school in Alexandria had a large Spanish speaking population and our McLean school has more Asians and Middle Eastern students.

Langley has next to no economic diversity. Chantilly does, as does every other high school in FCPS besides Langley.

There is economic diversity - middle class, UMC and rich. They just don’t have poor kids.

Some other schools may have poor kids, middle class and some UMC.

You have a warped understanding of “middle class.” No middle-class kids go to Langley, and relatively few who are UMC. It’s overwhelmingly wealthy and very wealthy.

If so then OP can just move to the Langley pyramid since that’s what she values.

Thread over and if that works out for her family great and if not we don’t need to care.

Either school will work out well with a focused student . It is harder to get into UVa from Langley. There are only so many from one school who will be accepted. I went to a public school in the Midwest with average scores better than Langley (27 ACT average[. Single mother in poverty.. Not much diversity although Michael Jordan's son attended. My aunt thought my brother and I had academic talent so she got us an apartment in the well off town. I was put off a bit by the wealthy but the school had a middle class element which was very good at athletics. I did not know I had top level NCAA scholarship sports talent until 10th grade, so the sports element turned out to be essential. If the school had mostly soft effete rich kids, I would have had to figure something out. In this vein, Chantilly would win over Langley hands down. I sent two kidx the Ivy League, with one TJ and the other Oakton. They would have had the same success at Chantilly. Not enough hungry and intense athletes at Langley. They haven't sent anyone to D 1 in years in my diverse sp9rt. To be good you have to train with maniacal intensity.

I couldn't disagree more with the notion that you become who you hang with (obviously must avoid criminals). I went to two of the best schools in the nation, and learned more about values and hard work from Teamsters workers I worked with over the summer. They were sending kids to college on a union wage and they had no hesitancy in kicking my rear to get good grades in college. I used to think they were just messing with me but that was incorrect. They treated me like a son and loved me enough to be tough on me. Hanging with the wealthy kids would have done me no favors. They are today my formative influences, a kid without a father. Today those kind of summer jobs would be looked down on as it wasn't an internship but rather dirty hard work where being tough meant keeping your mouth shut.

And your daily choices matter. The national level athletes I competed against almost to a one chose teaching or coaching. A good choice. My brother and I made overt choices
not to do that and went into sophisticated and challenging intellectual and professional fields. Our overt choices, and not who we hung with, made a difference. I am not saying a kid can't obtain these kinds of values while at Langley but don't be fooled into thinking the school will do it. Posh zip codes do nothing.

I respectfully disagree. Our family believes that your peer group, especially during the formidable teen years is extremely important.

We are zoned for Langley. My kids have such nice friends who come from good families with well educated parents. My kids have a high bar on what they think is normal. All their friends are good students. I do think it may be harder to stand out because there are so many strong students that are well rounded and good at everything.

+100
I've had three kids go through Langley and I agree with your statements. All three are completely different kids yet each has a wonderful friend group, with nice families. Most students there are kind, smart, and involved. We've been thrilled with the education they've received and all were extremely well-prepared for college. Your last sentence is true too - definitely tons of strong students, so harder to stand out. But that's ok with us. The tradeoffs are worth it.

[Anonymous]

Chantilly. More down-to-earth and less arrogant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax county high schools are all diverse,

Every single one

People just like to complain

I used to live in Alexandria and now live in McLean. Both schools are incredibly diverse, just in different ways. Our school in Alexandria had a large Spanish speaking population and our McLean school has more Asians and Middle Eastern students.

Langley has next to no economic diversity. Chantilly does, as does every other high school in FCPS besides Langley.

There is economic diversity - middle class, UMC and rich. They just don’t have poor kids.

Some other schools may have poor kids, middle class and some UMC.

You have a warped understanding of “middle class.” No middle-class kids go to Langley, and relatively few who are UMC. It’s overwhelmingly wealthy and very wealthy.

If so then OP can just move to the Langley pyramid since that’s what she values.

Thread over and if that works out for her family great and if not we don’t need to care.

Either school will work out well with a focused student . It is harder to get into UVa from Langley. There are only so many from one school who will be accepted. I went to a public school in the Midwest with average scores better than Langley (27 ACT average[. Single mother in poverty.. Not much diversity although Michael Jordan's son attended. My aunt thought my brother and I had academic talent so she got us an apartment in the well off town. I was put off a bit by the wealthy but the school had a middle class element which was very good at athletics. I did not know I had top level NCAA scholarship sports talent until 10th grade, so the sports element turned out to be essential. If the school had mostly soft effete rich kids, I would have had to figure something out. In this vein, Chantilly would win over Langley hands down. I sent two kidx the Ivy League, with one TJ and the other Oakton. They would have had the same success at Chantilly. Not enough hungry and intense athletes at Langley. They haven't sent anyone to D 1 in years in my diverse sp9rt. To be good you have to train with maniacal intensity.

I couldn't disagree more with the notion that you become who you hang with (obviously must avoid criminals). I went to two of the best schools in the nation, and learned more about values and hard work from Teamsters workers I worked with over the summer. They were sending kids to college on a union wage and they had no hesitancy in kicking my rear to get good grades in college. I used to think they were just messing with me but that was incorrect. They treated me like a son and loved me enough to be tough on me. Hanging with the wealthy kids would have done me no favors. They are today my formative influences, a kid without a father. Today those kind of summer jobs would be looked down on as it wasn't an internship but rather dirty hard work where being tough meant keeping your mouth shut.

And your daily choices matter. The national level athletes I competed against almost to a one chose teaching or coaching. A good choice. My brother and I made overt choices
not to do that and went into sophisticated and challenging intellectual and professional fields. Our overt choices, and not who we hung with, made a difference. I am not saying a kid can't obtain these kinds of values while at Langley but don't be fooled into thinking the school will do it. Posh zip codes do nothing.

I respectfully disagree. Our family believes that your peer group, especially during the formidable teen years is extremely important.

We are zoned for Langley. My kids have such nice friends who come from good families with well educated parents. My kids have a high bar on what they think is normal. All their friends are good students. I do think it may be harder to stand out because there are so many strong students that are well rounded and good at everything.

+100
I've had three kids go through Langley and I agree with your statements. All three are completely different kids yet each has a wonderful friend group, with nice families. Most students there are kind, smart, and involved. We've been thrilled with the education they've received and all were extremely well-prepared for college. Your last sentence is true too - definitely tons of strong students, so harder to stand out. But that's ok with us. The tradeoffs are worth it.

I have no dog in this fight but your attitudes do nothing but confirm the stereotype of some of the holier than thou types at Langley. And I’m sure it is a great school with nice families. But damn, some of your wording. Good families? As opposed to…..? Most high schools in this area with the exception of a few are full of kids who come from good families with highly educated parents. Langley just happens to be wealthier. And high bar for what is normal? Please don’t reach your kids that what they see is the norm. You are doing a disservice to them and people who will have to deal with them in the future. Their experience is that of maybe the top 5-10% of the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax county high schools are all diverse,

Every single one

People just like to complain

I used to live in Alexandria and now live in McLean. Both schools are incredibly diverse, just in different ways. Our school in Alexandria had a large Spanish speaking population and our McLean school has more Asians and Middle Eastern students.

Langley has next to no economic diversity. Chantilly does, as does every other high school in FCPS besides Langley.

There is economic diversity - middle class, UMC and rich. They just don’t have poor kids.

Some other schools may have poor kids, middle class and some UMC.

You have a warped understanding of “middle class.” No middle-class kids go to Langley, and relatively few who are UMC. It’s overwhelmingly wealthy and very wealthy.

If so then OP can just move to the Langley pyramid since that’s what she values.

Thread over and if that works out for her family great and if not we don’t need to care.

Either school will work out well with a focused student . It is harder to get into UVa from Langley. There are only so many from one school who will be accepted. I went to a public school in the Midwest with average scores better than Langley (27 ACT average[. Single mother in poverty.. Not much diversity although Michael Jordan's son attended. My aunt thought my brother and I had academic talent so she got us an apartment in the well off town. I was put off a bit by the wealthy but the school had a middle class element which was very good at athletics. I did not know I had top level NCAA scholarship sports talent until 10th grade, so the sports element turned out to be essential. If the school had mostly soft effete rich kids, I would have had to figure something out. In this vein, Chantilly would win over Langley hands down. I sent two kidx the Ivy League, with one TJ and the other Oakton. They would have had the same success at Chantilly. Not enough hungry and intense athletes at Langley. They haven't sent anyone to D 1 in years in my diverse sp9rt. To be good you have to train with maniacal intensity.

I couldn't disagree more with the notion that you become who you hang with (obviously must avoid criminals). I went to two of the best schools in the nation, and learned more about values and hard work from Teamsters workers I worked with over the summer. They were sending kids to college on a union wage and they had no hesitancy in kicking my rear to get good grades in college. I used to think they were just messing with me but that was incorrect. They treated me like a son and loved me enough to be tough on me. Hanging with the wealthy kids would have done me no favors. They are today my formative influences, a kid without a father. Today those kind of summer jobs would be looked down on as it wasn't an internship but rather dirty hard work where being tough meant keeping your mouth shut.

And your daily choices matter. The national level athletes I competed against almost to a one chose teaching or coaching. A good choice. My brother and I made overt choices
not to do that and went into sophisticated and challenging intellectual and professional fields. Our overt choices, and not who we hung with, made a difference. I am not saying a kid can't obtain these kinds of values while at Langley but don't be fooled into thinking the school will do it. Posh zip codes do nothing.

I respectfully disagree. Our family believes that your peer group, especially during the formidable teen years is extremely important.

We are zoned for Langley. My kids have such nice friends who come from good families with well educated parents. My kids have a high bar on what they think is normal. All their friends are good students. I do think it may be harder to stand out because there are so many strong students that are well rounded and good at everything.

+100
I've had three kids go through Langley and I agree with your statements. All three are completely different kids yet each has a wonderful friend group, with nice families. Most students there are kind, smart, and involved. We've been thrilled with the education they've received and all were extremely well-prepared for college. Your last sentence is true too - definitely tons of strong students, so harder to stand out. But that's ok with us. The tradeoffs are worth it.

I have no dog in this fight but your attitudes do nothing but confirm the stereotype of some of the holier than thou types at Langley. And I’m sure it is a great school with nice families. But damn, some of your wording. Good families? As opposed to…..? Most high schools in this area with the exception of a few are full of kids who come from good families with highly educated parents. Langley just happens to be wealthier. And high bar for what is normal? Please don’t reach your kids that what they see is the norm. You are doing a disservice to them and people who will have to deal with them in the future. Their experience is that of maybe the top 5-10% of the country.

*Don’t teach

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax county high schools are all diverse,

Every single one

People just like to complain

I used to live in Alexandria and now live in McLean. Both schools are incredibly diverse, just in different ways. Our school in Alexandria had a large Spanish speaking population and our McLean school has more Asians and Middle Eastern students.

Langley has next to no economic diversity. Chantilly does, as does every other high school in FCPS besides Langley.

There is economic diversity - middle class, UMC and rich. They just don’t have poor kids.

Some other schools may have poor kids, middle class and some UMC.

You have a warped understanding of “middle class.” No middle-class kids go to Langley, and relatively few who are UMC. It’s overwhelmingly wealthy and very wealthy.

If so then OP can just move to the Langley pyramid since that’s what she values.

Thread over and if that works out for her family great and if not we don’t need to care.

Either school will work out well with a focused student . It is harder to get into UVa from Langley. There are only so many from one school who will be accepted. I went to a public school in the Midwest with average scores better than Langley (27 ACT average[. Single mother in poverty.. Not much diversity although Michael Jordan's son attended. My aunt thought my brother and I had academic talent so she got us an apartment in the well off town. I was put off a bit by the wealthy but the school had a middle class element which was very good at athletics. I did not know I had top level NCAA scholarship sports talent until 10th grade, so the sports element turned out to be essential. If the school had mostly soft effete rich kids, I would have had to figure something out. In this vein, Chantilly would win over Langley hands down. I sent two kidx the Ivy League, with one TJ and the other Oakton. They would have had the same success at Chantilly. Not enough hungry and intense athletes at Langley. They haven't sent anyone to D 1 in years in my diverse sp9rt. To be good you have to train with maniacal intensity.

I couldn't disagree more with the notion that you become who you hang with (obviously must avoid criminals). I went to two of the best schools in the nation, and learned more about values and hard work from Teamsters workers I worked with over the summer. They were sending kids to college on a union wage and they had no hesitancy in kicking my rear to get good grades in college. I used to think they were just messing with me but that was incorrect. They treated me like a son and loved me enough to be tough on me. Hanging with the wealthy kids would have done me no favors. They are today my formative influences, a kid without a father. Today those kind of summer jobs would be looked down on as it wasn't an internship but rather dirty hard work where being tough meant keeping your mouth shut.

And your daily choices matter. The national level athletes I competed against almost to a one chose teaching or coaching. A good choice. My brother and I made overt choices
not to do that and went into sophisticated and challenging intellectual and professional fields. Our overt choices, and not who we hung with, made a difference. I am not saying a kid can't obtain these kinds of values while at Langley but don't be fooled into thinking the school will do it. Posh zip codes do nothing.

I respectfully disagree. Our family believes that your peer group, especially during the formidable teen years is extremely important.

We are zoned for Langley. My kids have such nice friends who come from good families with well educated parents. My kids have a high bar on what they think is normal. All their friends are good students. I do think it may be harder to stand out because there are so many strong students that are well rounded and good at everything.

+100
I've had three kids go through Langley and I agree with your statements. All three are completely different kids yet each has a wonderful friend group, with nice families. Most students there are kind, smart, and involved. We've been thrilled with the education they've received and all were extremely well-prepared for college. Your last sentence is true too - definitely tons of strong students, so harder to stand out. But that's ok with us. The tradeoffs are worth it.

I have no dog in this fight but your attitudes do nothing but confirm the stereotype of some of the holier than thou types at Langley. And I’m sure it is a great school with nice families. But damn, some of your wording. Good families? As opposed to…..? Most high schools in this area with the exception of a few are full of kids who come from good families with highly educated parents. Langley just happens to be wealthier. And high bar for what is normal? Please don’t reach your kids that what they see is the norm. You are doing a disservice to them and people who will have to deal with them in the future. Their experience is that of maybe the top 5-10% of the country.

+1. Langley parents seem to speak in code:

"Good families" = "wealthy families like ours"

"Strong peer groups" = "kids born on third base thinking they hit a home run"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax county high schools are all diverse,

Every single one

People just like to complain

I used to live in Alexandria and now live in McLean. Both schools are incredibly diverse, just in different ways. Our school in Alexandria had a large Spanish speaking population and our McLean school has more Asians and Middle Eastern students.

Langley has next to no economic diversity. Chantilly does, as does every other high school in FCPS besides Langley.

+1

OP, look at the college acceptances from Langley. Colleges tend to think "the rich white folk" will do well in life, no mater what, "no need to take m/any of them!"

Chantilly gets my vote.

THIS. THIS.THIS. It’s especially hard if you’re not super wealthy because colleges assume you have lots of money and connections. A lot of people in McLean are living completely boring - and not at all luxurious lives - to pay the mortgage on an out of date little house. But for college, they are compared against the kids who spend $25,000 on private athletic coaching, $6,000 on test prep, and four years of private tutors because they share the same zip code.

So much misinformation. There are plenty of good college acceptances at both Langley and McLean and they are not all the rich kids.

I do agree that OP should not stretch their budget just to pay their mortgage in McLean but your analysis of McLean is just ridiculously wrong.

Colleges compare kids to their classmates. Colleges know which zip codes are rich. It doesn’t matter if you’re scraping by in McLean, you are compared to the kids who are truly wealthy and have all the perks your kid doesn’t have. Drive through the student parking lot and count the Teslas, Audis, and Mercedes. When those kids need private coaching, tutoring, or test prep to get a high score or excel in a sport, they get it. And it costs thousands. Sports alone can be tens of thousands a year. You’re kidding yourself if you think your UMC kids’ acceptances wouldn’t be better in a more economically diverse school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax county high schools are all diverse,

Every single one

People just like to complain

I used to live in Alexandria and now live in McLean. Both schools are incredibly diverse, just in different ways. Our school in Alexandria had a large Spanish speaking population and our McLean school has more Asians and Middle Eastern students.

Langley has next to no economic diversity. Chantilly does, as does every other high school in FCPS besides Langley.

+1

OP, look at the college acceptances from Langley. Colleges tend to think "the rich white folk" will do well in life, no mater what, "no need to take m/any of them!"

Chantilly gets my vote.

THIS. THIS.THIS. It’s especially hard if you’re not super wealthy because colleges assume you have lots of money and connections. A lot of people in McLean are living completely boring - and not at all luxurious lives - to pay the mortgage on an out of date little house. But for college, they are compared against the kids who spend $25,000 on private athletic coaching, $6,000 on test prep, and four years of private tutors because they share the same zip code.

So much misinformation. There are plenty of good college acceptances at both Langley and McLean and they are not all the rich kids.

I do agree that OP should not stretch their budget just to pay their mortgage in McLean but your analysis of McLean is just ridiculously wrong.

Colleges compare kids to their classmates. Colleges know which zip codes are rich. It doesn’t matter if you’re scraping by in McLean, you are compared to the kids who are truly wealthy and have all the perks your kid doesn’t have. Drive through the student parking lot and count the Teslas, Audis, and Mercedes. When those kids need private coaching, tutoring, or test prep to get a high score or excel in a sport, they get it. And it costs thousands. Sports alone can be tens of thousands a year. You’re kidding yourself if you think your UMC kids’ acceptances wouldn’t be better in a more economically diverse school.

We moved to McLean from Alexandria. Our friends in Alexandria are far more obsessed with their sports than our friends in McLean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax county high schools are all diverse,

Every single one

People just like to complain

I used to live in Alexandria and now live in McLean. Both schools are incredibly diverse, just in different ways. Our school in Alexandria had a large Spanish speaking population and our McLean school has more Asians and Middle Eastern students.

Langley has next to no economic diversity. Chantilly does, as does every other high school in FCPS besides Langley.

+1

OP, look at the college acceptances from Langley. Colleges tend to think "the rich white folk" will do well in life, no mater what, "no need to take m/any of them!"

Chantilly gets my vote.

THIS. THIS.THIS. It’s especially hard if you’re not super wealthy because colleges assume you have lots of money and connections. A lot of people in McLean are living completely boring - and not at all luxurious lives - to pay the mortgage on an out of date little house. But for college, they are compared against the kids who spend $25,000 on private athletic coaching, $6,000 on test prep, and four years of private tutors because they share the same zip code.

So much misinformation. There are plenty of good college acceptances at both Langley and McLean and they are not all the rich kids.

I do agree that OP should not stretch their budget just to pay their mortgage in McLean but your analysis of McLean is just ridiculously wrong.

Colleges compare kids to their classmates. Colleges know which zip codes are rich. It doesn’t matter if you’re scraping by in McLean, you are compared to the kids who are truly wealthy and have all the perks your kid doesn’t have. Drive through the student parking lot and count the Teslas, Audis, and Mercedes. When those kids need private coaching, tutoring, or test prep to get a high score or excel in a sport, they get it. And it costs thousands. Sports alone can be tens of thousands a year. You’re kidding yourself if you think your UMC kids’ acceptances wouldn’t be better in a more economically diverse school.

If this resonated at all, there'd be a lot more families slumming in poorer zip codes to give their kids a boost when it comes to college admissions.

But it doesn't. Feel free to compare college admissions from Langley with those from Annandale and Mount Vernon and see who is getting into better schools.

And parents know that, in the long run, their kids will do better if they attend high school with kids more likely to be up for academic challenges rather than kids in need of frequent remediation. You have to look not only at how the "same kid" would fare applying from two different areas, but also whether your kid will end up progressing as much and presenting as favorably if they attend less challenging schools with lower expectations.

That's not to say Chantilly isn't a great school, but your anecdotes - including the oft-repeated but false trope about Langley's student parking lot being full of Teslas, Audis, and Mercedes - indicate that you traffic in suburban myths and can't be taken seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax county high schools are all diverse,

Every single one

People just like to complain

I used to live in Alexandria and now live in McLean. Both schools are incredibly diverse, just in different ways. Our school in Alexandria had a large Spanish speaking population and our McLean school has more Asians and Middle Eastern students.

Langley has next to no economic diversity. Chantilly does, as does every other high school in FCPS besides Langley.

+1

OP, look at the college acceptances from Langley. Colleges tend to think "the rich white folk" will do well in life, no mater what, "no need to take m/any of them!"

Chantilly gets my vote.

THIS. THIS.THIS. It’s especially hard if you’re not super wealthy because colleges assume you have lots of money and connections. A lot of people in McLean are living completely boring - and not at all luxurious lives - to pay the mortgage on an out of date little house. But for college, they are compared against the kids who spend $25,000 on private athletic coaching, $6,000 on test prep, and four years of private tutors because they share the same zip code.

So much misinformation. There are plenty of good college acceptances at both Langley and McLean and they are not all the rich kids.

I do agree that OP should not stretch their budget just to pay their mortgage in McLean but your analysis of McLean is just ridiculously wrong.

Colleges compare kids to their classmates. Colleges know which zip codes are rich. It doesn’t matter if you’re scraping by in McLean, you are compared to the kids who are truly wealthy and have all the perks your kid doesn’t have. Drive through the student parking lot and count the Teslas, Audis, and Mercedes. When those kids need private coaching, tutoring, or test prep to get a high score or excel in a sport, they get it. And it costs thousands. Sports alone can be tens of thousands a year. You’re kidding yourself if you think your UMC kids’ acceptances wouldn’t be better in a more economically diverse school.

We moved to McLean from Alexandria. Our friends in Alexandria are far more obsessed with their sports than our friends in McLean.

Wealthy in Alexandria send their kids to private school. If they did use the public schools though, it would help their kids’ admissions because not as many kids take 13 AP classes there. You’re competing against a smaller group of kids.