what is the difference between Madison HS, Oakton, and Reston high schools?

[Anonymous]

AP helps a lot of students save time and money in college. Due to the number of AP credits earned, my kid will be entering college with sophomore status and will be able to double major and/or study abroad for a semester. It gets them out of intro classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

That is simply untrue. Sure, only speaking from our own experience as a past Foreign Service family, but over 15+ years, almost each single family I’ve known of coming back from government service overseas, including military, has been “where are the IB schools?”. We are incredibly grateful that FCPS offers it. Why all the hatred for IB in this forum? You worry your AP kid just won’t shine as much? You are scared of “other” kids transferring? I don’t get it. IB parents never complain about AP, couldn’t care less, they’re just happy with their choice and carry on.

This is one person's opinion. I strongly disagree and prefer AP. Military people live all over the United States. I've never known any to look for the IB school. (spouse of retired military)

+1. FCPS should have a single IB school where kids actually commit to doing the IB program. Having eight IB schools is a waste of money and not good for the kids, either. And the schools with the most military families are West Springfield and Lake Braddock - both AP. So much for seeking out IB.

We've already established, many times in this thread, that IB costs a trivial amount of money. The claim that it is a waste of money is stupid.

There is no proof that IB is "not good for the kids". This claim is also stupid. IB kids at those schools are exactly the ones who get into the better colleges.

Having just one IB school is another very stupid idea because it would require kids to make very long commutes.

IB costs more than AP and the incremental expense isn’t warranted, especially when it leads to worse results. There are years when individual AP schools (other than TJ) have as many NMSFs as all 8 IB schools combined. And the four pyramids that are the top feeders to TJ are all AP.

One IB school should be enough. If it’s all that, students will commute to it just like they do to TJ.

They can have more than one IB school. It's just the issue with all the poorest schools in the SE that have too many IB schools that is an issue.

They may be "equal," but they are not the same. And, most Fairfax residents seem to prefer AP for their kids.

High income white/Asian Fairfax residents prefer being around other people like them. If the “good” schools (Langley McLean etc) were IB and the “bad” schools in the SE were AP then people would “prefer” IB.

It would be interesting to see the ethnicity of those pupil placing out of IB schools. I bet dollars to doughnuts that a high percentage of those pupil placing out of South Lakes are doing it for AP --not demographics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

That is simply untrue. Sure, only speaking from our own experience as a past Foreign Service family, but over 15+ years, almost each single family I’ve known of coming back from government service overseas, including military, has been “where are the IB schools?”. We are incredibly grateful that FCPS offers it. Why all the hatred for IB in this forum? You worry your AP kid just won’t shine as much? You are scared of “other” kids transferring? I don’t get it. IB parents never complain about AP, couldn’t care less, they’re just happy with their choice and carry on.

This is one person's opinion. I strongly disagree and prefer AP. Military people live all over the United States. I've never known any to look for the IB school. (spouse of retired military)

+1. FCPS should have a single IB school where kids actually commit to doing the IB program. Having eight IB schools is a waste of money and not good for the kids, either. And the schools with the most military families are West Springfield and Lake Braddock - both AP. So much for seeking out IB.

We've already established, many times in this thread, that IB costs a trivial amount of money. The claim that it is a waste of money is stupid.

There is no proof that IB is "not good for the kids". This claim is also stupid. IB kids at those schools are exactly the ones who get into the better colleges.

Having just one IB school is another very stupid idea because it would require kids to make very long commutes.

IB costs more than AP and the incremental expense isn’t warranted, especially when it leads to worse results. There are years when individual AP schools (other than TJ) have as many NMSFs as all 8 IB schools combined. And the four pyramids that are the top feeders to TJ are all AP.

One IB school should be enough. If it’s all that, students will commute to it just like they do to TJ.

They can have more than one IB school. It's just the issue with all the poorest schools in the SE that have too many IB schools that is an issue.

They may be "equal," but they are not the same. And, most Fairfax residents seem to prefer AP for their kids.

High income white/Asian Fairfax residents prefer being around other people like them. If the “good” schools (Langley McLean etc) were IB and the “bad” schools in the SE were AP then people would “prefer” IB.

It would be interesting to see the ethnicity of those pupil placing out of IB schools. I bet dollars to doughnuts that a high percentage of those pupil placing out of South Lakes are doing it for AP --not demographics.

SL has had a positive transfer rate since 2019 - more kids transfer in than out.

Many more kids stay to do IB than leave to do AP.

Finally, SL does not (yet) have bad enough demographics that kids want to leave just for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

That is simply untrue. Sure, only speaking from our own experience as a past Foreign Service family, but over 15+ years, almost each single family I’ve known of coming back from government service overseas, including military, has been “where are the IB schools?”. We are incredibly grateful that FCPS offers it. Why all the hatred for IB in this forum? You worry your AP kid just won’t shine as much? You are scared of “other” kids transferring? I don’t get it. IB parents never complain about AP, couldn’t care less, they’re just happy with their choice and carry on.

This is one person's opinion. I strongly disagree and prefer AP. Military people live all over the United States. I've never known any to look for the IB school. (spouse of retired military)

+1. FCPS should have a single IB school where kids actually commit to doing the IB program. Having eight IB schools is a waste of money and not good for the kids, either. And the schools with the most military families are West Springfield and Lake Braddock - both AP. So much for seeking out IB.

We've already established, many times in this thread, that IB costs a trivial amount of money. The claim that it is a waste of money is stupid.

There is no proof that IB is "not good for the kids". This claim is also stupid. IB kids at those schools are exactly the ones who get into the better colleges.

Having just one IB school is another very stupid idea because it would require kids to make very long commutes.

IB costs more than AP and the incremental expense isn’t warranted, especially when it leads to worse results. There are years when individual AP schools (other than TJ) have as many NMSFs as all 8 IB schools combined. And the four pyramids that are the top feeders to TJ are all AP.

One IB school should be enough. If it’s all that, students will commute to it just like they do to TJ.

They can have more than one IB school. It's just the issue with all the poorest schools in the SE that have too many IB schools that is an issue.

They may be "equal," but they are not the same. And, most Fairfax residents seem to prefer AP for their kids.

High income white/Asian Fairfax residents prefer being around other people like them. If the “good” schools (Langley McLean etc) were IB and the “bad” schools in the SE were AP then people would “prefer” IB.

It proves a point other than the one you want to make when you have to resort to a hypothetical. Families at AP schools like Langley and McLean have had over 25 years to request that FCPS replace AP with IB if they perceived any advantage to that curriculum and they haven't done so. Those folks certainly aren't shy or unwilling to express their opinions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

That is simply untrue. Sure, only speaking from our own experience as a past Foreign Service family, but over 15+ years, almost each single family I’ve known of coming back from government service overseas, including military, has been “where are the IB schools?”. We are incredibly grateful that FCPS offers it. Why all the hatred for IB in this forum? You worry your AP kid just won’t shine as much? You are scared of “other” kids transferring? I don’t get it. IB parents never complain about AP, couldn’t care less, they’re just happy with their choice and carry on.

This is one person's opinion. I strongly disagree and prefer AP. Military people live all over the United States. I've never known any to look for the IB school. (spouse of retired military)

+1. FCPS should have a single IB school where kids actually commit to doing the IB program. Having eight IB schools is a waste of money and not good for the kids, either. And the schools with the most military families are West Springfield and Lake Braddock - both AP. So much for seeking out IB.

We've already established, many times in this thread, that IB costs a trivial amount of money. The claim that it is a waste of money is stupid.

There is no proof that IB is "not good for the kids". This claim is also stupid. IB kids at those schools are exactly the ones who get into the better colleges.

Having just one IB school is another very stupid idea because it would require kids to make very long commutes.

IB costs more than AP and the incremental expense isn’t warranted, especially when it leads to worse results. There are years when individual AP schools (other than TJ) have as many NMSFs as all 8 IB schools combined. And the four pyramids that are the top feeders to TJ are all AP.

One IB school should be enough. If it’s all that, students will commute to it just like they do to TJ.

They can have more than one IB school. It's just the issue with all the poorest schools in the SE that have too many IB schools that is an issue.

They may be "equal," but they are not the same. And, most Fairfax residents seem to prefer AP for their kids.

High income white/Asian Fairfax residents prefer being around other people like them. If the “good” schools (Langley McLean etc) were IB and the “bad” schools in the SE were AP then people would “prefer” IB.

It would be interesting to see the ethnicity of those pupil placing out of IB schools. I bet dollars to doughnuts that a high percentage of those pupil placing out of South Lakes are doing it for AP --not demographics.

SL has had a positive transfer rate since 2019 - more kids transfer in than out.

Many more kids stay to do IB than leave to do AP.

Finally, SL does not (yet) have bad enough demographics that kids want to leave just for that.

You'd expect there to be a positive balance when an IB school (South Lakes) is largely surrounded by AP schools (Langley, Herndon, Madison, Oakton, and Westfield are all AP and share a border with SLHS, and it's also the closest IB school to Chantilly).

FCPS also had to bail out South Lakes with a boundary change in 2008 because of its then-declining enrollment and large number of pupil placements. There's probably no other high school in FCPS that the School Board has taken as many steps over the past 20 years to prop up as South Lakes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

That is simply untrue. Sure, only speaking from our own experience as a past Foreign Service family, but over 15+ years, almost each single family I’ve known of coming back from government service overseas, including military, has been “where are the IB schools?”. We are incredibly grateful that FCPS offers it. Why all the hatred for IB in this forum? You worry your AP kid just won’t shine as much? You are scared of “other” kids transferring? I don’t get it. IB parents never complain about AP, couldn’t care less, they’re just happy with their choice and carry on.

This is one person's opinion. I strongly disagree and prefer AP. Military people live all over the United States. I've never known any to look for the IB school. (spouse of retired military)

+1. FCPS should have a single IB school where kids actually commit to doing the IB program. Having eight IB schools is a waste of money and not good for the kids, either. And the schools with the most military families are West Springfield and Lake Braddock - both AP. So much for seeking out IB.

We've already established, many times in this thread, that IB costs a trivial amount of money. The claim that it is a waste of money is stupid.

There is no proof that IB is "not good for the kids". This claim is also stupid. IB kids at those schools are exactly the ones who get into the better colleges.

Having just one IB school is another very stupid idea because it would require kids to make very long commutes.

IB costs more than AP and the incremental expense isn’t warranted, especially when it leads to worse results. There are years when individual AP schools (other than TJ) have as many NMSFs as all 8 IB schools combined. And the four pyramids that are the top feeders to TJ are all AP.

One IB school should be enough. If it’s all that, students will commute to it just like they do to TJ.

They can have more than one IB school. It's just the issue with all the poorest schools in the SE that have too many IB schools that is an issue.

They may be "equal," but they are not the same. And, most Fairfax residents seem to prefer AP for their kids.

High income white/Asian Fairfax residents prefer being around other people like them. If the “good” schools (Langley McLean etc) were IB and the “bad” schools in the SE were AP then people would “prefer” IB.

It would be interesting to see the ethnicity of those pupil placing out of IB schools. I bet dollars to doughnuts that a high percentage of those pupil placing out of South Lakes are doing it for AP --not demographics.

SL has had a positive transfer rate since 2019 - more kids transfer in than out.

Many more kids stay to do IB than leave to do AP.

Finally, SL does not (yet) have bad enough demographics that kids want to leave just for that.

And, pray tell, where do most of the transfers "in" come from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

That is simply untrue. Sure, only speaking from our own experience as a past Foreign Service family, but over 15+ years, almost each single family I’ve known of coming back from government service overseas, including military, has been “where are the IB schools?”. We are incredibly grateful that FCPS offers it. Why all the hatred for IB in this forum? You worry your AP kid just won’t shine as much? You are scared of “other” kids transferring? I don’t get it. IB parents never complain about AP, couldn’t care less, they’re just happy with their choice and carry on.

This is one person's opinion. I strongly disagree and prefer AP. Military people live all over the United States. I've never known any to look for the IB school. (spouse of retired military)

+1. FCPS should have a single IB school where kids actually commit to doing the IB program. Having eight IB schools is a waste of money and not good for the kids, either. And the schools with the most military families are West Springfield and Lake Braddock - both AP. So much for seeking out IB.

We've already established, many times in this thread, that IB costs a trivial amount of money. The claim that it is a waste of money is stupid.

There is no proof that IB is "not good for the kids". This claim is also stupid. IB kids at those schools are exactly the ones who get into the better colleges.

Having just one IB school is another very stupid idea because it would require kids to make very long commutes.

IB costs more than AP and the incremental expense isn’t warranted, especially when it leads to worse results. There are years when individual AP schools (other than TJ) have as many NMSFs as all 8 IB schools combined. And the four pyramids that are the top feeders to TJ are all AP.

One IB school should be enough. If it’s all that, students will commute to it just like they do to TJ.

They can have more than one IB school. It's just the issue with all the poorest schools in the SE that have too many IB schools that is an issue.

They may be "equal," but they are not the same. And, most Fairfax residents seem to prefer AP for their kids.

High income white/Asian Fairfax residents prefer being around other people like them. If the “good” schools (Langley McLean etc) were IB and the “bad” schools in the SE were AP then people would “prefer” IB.

It proves a point other than the one you want to make when you have to resort to a hypothetical. Families at AP schools like Langley and McLean have had over 25 years to request that FCPS replace AP with IB if they perceived any advantage to that curriculum and they haven't done so. Those folks certainly aren't shy or unwilling to express their opinions.

Families at South Lakes, Robinson, and Marshall have had over 25 years to request that FCPS replace IB with AP if they perceived any advantage to that curriculum and they haven't done so. Those folks certainly aren't shy or unwilling to express their opinions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

That is simply untrue. Sure, only speaking from our own experience as a past Foreign Service family, but over 15+ years, almost each single family I’ve known of coming back from government service overseas, including military, has been “where are the IB schools?”. We are incredibly grateful that FCPS offers it. Why all the hatred for IB in this forum? You worry your AP kid just won’t shine as much? You are scared of “other” kids transferring? I don’t get it. IB parents never complain about AP, couldn’t care less, they’re just happy with their choice and carry on.

This is one person's opinion. I strongly disagree and prefer AP. Military people live all over the United States. I've never known any to look for the IB school. (spouse of retired military)

+1. FCPS should have a single IB school where kids actually commit to doing the IB program. Having eight IB schools is a waste of money and not good for the kids, either. And the schools with the most military families are West Springfield and Lake Braddock - both AP. So much for seeking out IB.

We've already established, many times in this thread, that IB costs a trivial amount of money. The claim that it is a waste of money is stupid.

There is no proof that IB is "not good for the kids". This claim is also stupid. IB kids at those schools are exactly the ones who get into the better colleges.

Having just one IB school is another very stupid idea because it would require kids to make very long commutes.

IB costs more than AP and the incremental expense isn’t warranted, especially when it leads to worse results. There are years when individual AP schools (other than TJ) have as many NMSFs as all 8 IB schools combined. And the four pyramids that are the top feeders to TJ are all AP.

One IB school should be enough. If it’s all that, students will commute to it just like they do to TJ.

They can have more than one IB school. It's just the issue with all the poorest schools in the SE that have too many IB schools that is an issue.

They may be "equal," but they are not the same. And, most Fairfax residents seem to prefer AP for their kids.

High income white/Asian Fairfax residents prefer being around other people like them. If the “good” schools (Langley McLean etc) were IB and the “bad” schools in the SE were AP then people would “prefer” IB.

It would be interesting to see the ethnicity of those pupil placing out of IB schools. I bet dollars to doughnuts that a high percentage of those pupil placing out of South Lakes are doing it for AP --not demographics.

SL has had a positive transfer rate since 2019 - more kids transfer in than out.

Many more kids stay to do IB than leave to do AP.

Finally, SL does not (yet) have bad enough demographics that kids want to leave just for that.

You'd expect there to be a positive balance when an IB school (South Lakes) is largely surrounded by AP schools (Langley, Herndon, Madison, Oakton, and Westfield are all AP and share a border with SLHS, and it's also the closest IB school to Chantilly).

The people who hate IB would expect just the opposite - namely, people defecting from South Lakes to the surrounding AP schools.

There's probably no other high school in FCPS that the School Board has taken as many steps over the past 20 years to prop up as South Lakes.

According to the IB haters, this should have meant that the School Board would switch South Lakes to AP, because concerned parents supposedly prefer this curriculum. But the School Board kept it IB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

That is simply untrue. Sure, only speaking from our own experience as a past Foreign Service family, but over 15+ years, almost each single family I’ve known of coming back from government service overseas, including military, has been “where are the IB schools?”. We are incredibly grateful that FCPS offers it. Why all the hatred for IB in this forum? You worry your AP kid just won’t shine as much? You are scared of “other” kids transferring? I don’t get it. IB parents never complain about AP, couldn’t care less, they’re just happy with their choice and carry on.

This is one person's opinion. I strongly disagree and prefer AP. Military people live all over the United States. I've never known any to look for the IB school. (spouse of retired military)

+1. FCPS should have a single IB school where kids actually commit to doing the IB program. Having eight IB schools is a waste of money and not good for the kids, either. And the schools with the most military families are West Springfield and Lake Braddock - both AP. So much for seeking out IB.

We've already established, many times in this thread, that IB costs a trivial amount of money. The claim that it is a waste of money is stupid.

There is no proof that IB is "not good for the kids". This claim is also stupid. IB kids at those schools are exactly the ones who get into the better colleges.

Having just one IB school is another very stupid idea because it would require kids to make very long commutes.

IB costs more than AP and the incremental expense isn’t warranted, especially when it leads to worse results. There are years when individual AP schools (other than TJ) have as many NMSFs as all 8 IB schools combined. And the four pyramids that are the top feeders to TJ are all AP.

One IB school should be enough. If it’s all that, students will commute to it just like they do to TJ.

They can have more than one IB school. It's just the issue with all the poorest schools in the SE that have too many IB schools that is an issue.

They may be "equal," but they are not the same. And, most Fairfax residents seem to prefer AP for their kids.

High income white/Asian Fairfax residents prefer being around other people like them. If the “good” schools (Langley McLean etc) were IB and the “bad” schools in the SE were AP then people would “prefer” IB.

It proves a point other than the one you want to make when you have to resort to a hypothetical. Families at AP schools like Langley and McLean have had over 25 years to request that FCPS replace AP with IB if they perceived any advantage to that curriculum and they haven't done so. Those folks certainly aren't shy or unwilling to express their opinions.

Families at South Lakes, Robinson, and Marshall have had over 25 years to request that FCPS replace IB with AP if they perceived any advantage to that curriculum and they haven't done so. Those folks certainly aren't shy or unwilling to express their opinions.

Yes we have. It just falls on deaf ears.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

That is simply untrue. Sure, only speaking from our own experience as a past Foreign Service family, but over 15+ years, almost each single family I’ve known of coming back from government service overseas, including military, has been “where are the IB schools?”. We are incredibly grateful that FCPS offers it. Why all the hatred for IB in this forum? You worry your AP kid just won’t shine as much? You are scared of “other” kids transferring? I don’t get it. IB parents never complain about AP, couldn’t care less, they’re just happy with their choice and carry on.

This is one person's opinion. I strongly disagree and prefer AP. Military people live all over the United States. I've never known any to look for the IB school. (spouse of retired military)

+1. FCPS should have a single IB school where kids actually commit to doing the IB program. Having eight IB schools is a waste of money and not good for the kids, either. And the schools with the most military families are West Springfield and Lake Braddock - both AP. So much for seeking out IB.

We've already established, many times in this thread, that IB costs a trivial amount of money. The claim that it is a waste of money is stupid.

There is no proof that IB is "not good for the kids". This claim is also stupid. IB kids at those schools are exactly the ones who get into the better colleges.

Having just one IB school is another very stupid idea because it would require kids to make very long commutes.

IB costs more than AP and the incremental expense isn’t warranted, especially when it leads to worse results. There are years when individual AP schools (other than TJ) have as many NMSFs as all 8 IB schools combined. And the four pyramids that are the top feeders to TJ are all AP.

One IB school should be enough. If it’s all that, students will commute to it just like they do to TJ.

They can have more than one IB school. It's just the issue with all the poorest schools in the SE that have too many IB schools that is an issue.

They may be "equal," but they are not the same. And, most Fairfax residents seem to prefer AP for their kids.

High income white/Asian Fairfax residents prefer being around other people like them. If the “good” schools (Langley McLean etc) were IB and the “bad” schools in the SE were AP then people would “prefer” IB.

It would be interesting to see the ethnicity of those pupil placing out of IB schools. I bet dollars to doughnuts that a high percentage of those pupil placing out of South Lakes are doing it for AP --not demographics.

SL has had a positive transfer rate since 2019 - more kids transfer in than out.

Many more kids stay to do IB than leave to do AP.

Finally, SL does not (yet) have bad enough demographics that kids want to leave just for that.

And, pray tell, where do most of the transfers "in" come from?

From surrounding AP school zones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

That is simply untrue. Sure, only speaking from our own experience as a past Foreign Service family, but over 15+ years, almost each single family I’ve known of coming back from government service overseas, including military, has been “where are the IB schools?”. We are incredibly grateful that FCPS offers it. Why all the hatred for IB in this forum? You worry your AP kid just won’t shine as much? You are scared of “other” kids transferring? I don’t get it. IB parents never complain about AP, couldn’t care less, they’re just happy with their choice and carry on.

This is one person's opinion. I strongly disagree and prefer AP. Military people live all over the United States. I've never known any to look for the IB school. (spouse of retired military)

+1. FCPS should have a single IB school where kids actually commit to doing the IB program. Having eight IB schools is a waste of money and not good for the kids, either. And the schools with the most military families are West Springfield and Lake Braddock - both AP. So much for seeking out IB.

We've already established, many times in this thread, that IB costs a trivial amount of money. The claim that it is a waste of money is stupid.

There is no proof that IB is "not good for the kids". This claim is also stupid. IB kids at those schools are exactly the ones who get into the better colleges.

Having just one IB school is another very stupid idea because it would require kids to make very long commutes.

IB costs more than AP and the incremental expense isn’t warranted, especially when it leads to worse results. There are years when individual AP schools (other than TJ) have as many NMSFs as all 8 IB schools combined. And the four pyramids that are the top feeders to TJ are all AP.

One IB school should be enough. If it’s all that, students will commute to it just like they do to TJ.

They can have more than one IB school. It's just the issue with all the poorest schools in the SE that have too many IB schools that is an issue.

They may be "equal," but they are not the same. And, most Fairfax residents seem to prefer AP for their kids.

High income white/Asian Fairfax residents prefer being around other people like them. If the “good” schools (Langley McLean etc) were IB and the “bad” schools in the SE were AP then people would “prefer” IB.

It proves a point other than the one you want to make when you have to resort to a hypothetical. Families at AP schools like Langley and McLean have had over 25 years to request that FCPS replace AP with IB if they perceived any advantage to that curriculum and they haven't done so. Those folks certainly aren't shy or unwilling to express their opinions.

Families at South Lakes, Robinson, and Marshall have had over 25 years to request that FCPS replace IB with AP if they perceived any advantage to that curriculum and they haven't done so. Those folks certainly aren't shy or unwilling to express their opinions.

Yes we have. It just falls on deaf ears.

South Lakes parent, I've never heard a single word about changing it to AP.

The only people I ever hear who say this don't even have kids in an IB school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

That is simply untrue. Sure, only speaking from our own experience as a past Foreign Service family, but over 15+ years, almost each single family I’ve known of coming back from government service overseas, including military, has been “where are the IB schools?”. We are incredibly grateful that FCPS offers it. Why all the hatred for IB in this forum? You worry your AP kid just won’t shine as much? You are scared of “other” kids transferring? I don’t get it. IB parents never complain about AP, couldn’t care less, they’re just happy with their choice and carry on.

This is one person's opinion. I strongly disagree and prefer AP. Military people live all over the United States. I've never known any to look for the IB school. (spouse of retired military)

+1. FCPS should have a single IB school where kids actually commit to doing the IB program. Having eight IB schools is a waste of money and not good for the kids, either. And the schools with the most military families are West Springfield and Lake Braddock - both AP. So much for seeking out IB.

We've already established, many times in this thread, that IB costs a trivial amount of money. The claim that it is a waste of money is stupid.

There is no proof that IB is "not good for the kids". This claim is also stupid. IB kids at those schools are exactly the ones who get into the better colleges.

Having just one IB school is another very stupid idea because it would require kids to make very long commutes.

IB costs more than AP and the incremental expense isn’t warranted, especially when it leads to worse results. There are years when individual AP schools (other than TJ) have as many NMSFs as all 8 IB schools combined. And the four pyramids that are the top feeders to TJ are all AP.

One IB school should be enough. If it’s all that, students will commute to it just like they do to TJ.

They can have more than one IB school. It's just the issue with all the poorest schools in the SE that have too many IB schools that is an issue.

They may be "equal," but they are not the same. And, most Fairfax residents seem to prefer AP for their kids.

High income white/Asian Fairfax residents prefer being around other people like them. If the “good” schools (Langley McLean etc) were IB and the “bad” schools in the SE were AP then people would “prefer” IB.

It proves a point other than the one you want to make when you have to resort to a hypothetical. Families at AP schools like Langley and McLean have had over 25 years to request that FCPS replace AP with IB if they perceived any advantage to that curriculum and they haven't done so. Those folks certainly aren't shy or unwilling to express their opinions.

Families at South Lakes, Robinson, and Marshall have had over 25 years to request that FCPS replace IB with AP if they perceived any advantage to that curriculum and they haven't done so. Those folks certainly aren't shy or unwilling to express their opinions.

Yes we have. It just falls on deaf ears.

South Lakes parent, I've never heard a single word about changing it to AP.

The only people I ever hear who say this don't even have kids in an IB school.

I know two people with kids ate. South Lakes. Both have said they would prefer AP. One just graduated with IB diploma. The other is taking some IB classes, but not diploma candidate.

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That is simply untrue. Sure, only speaking from our own experience as a past Foreign Service family, but over 15+ years, almost each single family I’ve known of coming back from government service overseas, including military, has been “where are the IB schools?”. We are incredibly grateful that FCPS offers it. Why all the hatred for IB in this forum? You worry your AP kid just won’t shine as much? You are scared of “other” kids transferring? I don’t get it. IB parents never complain about AP, couldn’t care less, they’re just happy with their choice and carry on.

This is one person's opinion. I strongly disagree and prefer AP. Military people live all over the United States. I've never known any to look for the IB school. (spouse of retired military)

+1. FCPS should have a single IB school where kids actually commit to doing the IB program. Having eight IB schools is a waste of money and not good for the kids, either. And the schools with the most military families are West Springfield and Lake Braddock - both AP. So much for seeking out IB.

We've already established, many times in this thread, that IB costs a trivial amount of money. The claim that it is a waste of money is stupid.

There is no proof that IB is "not good for the kids". This claim is also stupid. IB kids at those schools are exactly the ones who get into the better colleges.

Having just one IB school is another very stupid idea because it would require kids to make very long commutes.

IB costs more than AP and the incremental expense isn’t warranted, especially when it leads to worse results. There are years when individual AP schools (other than TJ) have as many NMSFs as all 8 IB schools combined. And the four pyramids that are the top feeders to TJ are all AP.

One IB school should be enough. If it’s all that, students will commute to it just like they do to TJ.

They can have more than one IB school. It's just the issue with all the poorest schools in the SE that have too many IB schools that is an issue.

They may be "equal," but they are not the same. And, most Fairfax residents seem to prefer AP for their kids.

High income white/Asian Fairfax residents prefer being around other people like them. If the “good” schools (Langley McLean etc) were IB and the “bad” schools in the SE were AP then people would “prefer” IB.

It would be interesting to see the ethnicity of those pupil placing out of IB schools. I bet dollars to doughnuts that a high percentage of those pupil placing out of South Lakes are doing it for AP --not demographics.

SL has had a positive transfer rate since 2019 - more kids transfer in than out.

Many more kids stay to do IB than leave to do AP.

Finally, SL does not (yet) have bad enough demographics that kids want to leave just for that.

And, pray tell, where do most of the transfers "in" come from?

From surrounding AP school zones.

If you have an IB school surrounded by AP schools, it will have net transfers in even if the number of students transferring out of the IB school exceeds the number transferring out of each of the surrounding AP schools. Basic math.

It doesn’t change the fact that most prefer AP over IB.

The School Board loves IB so they don’t care if families at IB schools would prefer AP or if the number of kids getting IB diplomas is crazy low.

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That is simply untrue. Sure, only speaking from our own experience as a past Foreign Service family, but over 15+ years, almost each single family I’ve known of coming back from government service overseas, including military, has been “where are the IB schools?”. We are incredibly grateful that FCPS offers it. Why all the hatred for IB in this forum? You worry your AP kid just won’t shine as much? You are scared of “other” kids transferring? I don’t get it. IB parents never complain about AP, couldn’t care less, they’re just happy with their choice and carry on.

This is one person's opinion. I strongly disagree and prefer AP. Military people live all over the United States. I've never known any to look for the IB school. (spouse of retired military)

+1. FCPS should have a single IB school where kids actually commit to doing the IB program. Having eight IB schools is a waste of money and not good for the kids, either. And the schools with the most military families are West Springfield and Lake Braddock - both AP. So much for seeking out IB.

We've already established, many times in this thread, that IB costs a trivial amount of money. The claim that it is a waste of money is stupid.

There is no proof that IB is "not good for the kids". This claim is also stupid. IB kids at those schools are exactly the ones who get into the better colleges.

Having just one IB school is another very stupid idea because it would require kids to make very long commutes.

IB costs more than AP and the incremental expense isn’t warranted, especially when it leads to worse results. There are years when individual AP schools (other than TJ) have as many NMSFs as all 8 IB schools combined. And the four pyramids that are the top feeders to TJ are all AP.

One IB school should be enough. If it’s all that, students will commute to it just like they do to TJ.

They can have more than one IB school. It's just the issue with all the poorest schools in the SE that have too many IB schools that is an issue.

They may be "equal," but they are not the same. And, most Fairfax residents seem to prefer AP for their kids.

High income white/Asian Fairfax residents prefer being around other people like them. If the “good” schools (Langley McLean etc) were IB and the “bad” schools in the SE were AP then people would “prefer” IB.

It would be interesting to see the ethnicity of those pupil placing out of IB schools. I bet dollars to doughnuts that a high percentage of those pupil placing out of South Lakes are doing it for AP --not demographics.

SL has had a positive transfer rate since 2019 - more kids transfer in than out.

Many more kids stay to do IB than leave to do AP.

Finally, SL does not (yet) have bad enough demographics that kids want to leave just for that.

You'd expect there to be a positive balance when an IB school (South Lakes) is largely surrounded by AP schools (Langley, Herndon, Madison, Oakton, and Westfield are all AP and share a border with SLHS, and it's also the closest IB school to Chantilly).

The people who hate IB would expect just the opposite - namely, people defecting from South Lakes to the surrounding AP schools.

There's probably no other high school in FCPS that the School Board has taken as many steps over the past 20 years to prop up as South Lakes.

According to the IB haters, this should have meant that the School Board would switch South Lakes to AP, because concerned parents supposedly prefer this curriculum. But the School Board kept it IB.

Herndon's top students transfer out of Herndon using IB as a reason. They effectively replace the students who pupil place for AP and a language out of SLHS.

[Anonymous]

Is there really much difference academically between Herndon and South Lakes?

I know a lot of kids transfer for South Lakes sports teams and pretend its for IB