Congressional or Flint Hill

[Anonymous]

Moving into the area and looking for a private school for next year a 4th grader and a 6th grader. We will be in Fairfax, and don't want to make the commute into DC for school. Tuition is not a factor. Congressional looks wonderful, but I worry about having to apply out (to where??) for high school.

I'd love to hear any opinions or advice.

[Anonymous]

Flint Hill would be a good choice, but for another option, try St. Stephens & St. Agnes School. It's K-12 in Alexandria. I know there are Fairfax families there. You could compare Flint Hill with it. I think they are about the same size, have same resources and facilities, but you might like one over the other. Depends what you are looking for...
Also, Westminster goes through 8th grade too--like Congressional, but it is not for everyone. Many go from Westminster to Fling Hill for high school.

[Anonymous]

My daughter has been at Congressional Sr-Kindergarten since September and my DS and I are very happy. I think she will have good options when she needs to transfer to a high school. But if you are worried, you should talk to the admissions officer at Congressional and ask to talk about emissions.
Also you might want to consider Potomac school.

[Anonymous]

We looked at Potomac first and it had too much of an exclusive feel and not enough warm and welcoming.

Congressional is looking better and better.

[Anonymous]

What about Flint Hill? It goes through high school. It's not stuffy, like Potomac.

[Anonymous]

We love Flint Hill. It is in Oakton, VA. Many international students come from far suburbs to attend this school. It is very diverse. There are also many students in NOVA, Vienna, Oakton for a more neighborhood feeling.

[Anonymous]

Neither.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Neither.

People like you are exactly the reason we aren't comsidering schools like Potomac and "the Big 3." We are normal people. We live in a (gasp) townhouse. I drive a Ford. We have the means to support a great education for our kids, but we don't want to be somewhere that our kids will be ostracized because they are not oozing wealth. We just want a solid school with smaller class sizes and more opportunities, free from the constraints of the SOLs, where we can be ourselves and our kids can flourish.

[Anonymous]

How about Green Hedges in Vienna?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Neither.

People like you are exactly the reason we aren't comsidering schools like Potomac and "the Big 3." We are normal people. We live in a (gasp) townhouse. I drive a Ford. We have the means to support a great education for our kids, but we don't want to be somewhere that our kids will be ostracized because they are not oozing wealth. We just want a solid school with smaller class sizes and more opportunities, free from the constraints of the SOLs, where we can be ourselves and our kids can flourish.

Well said!

There's a troll (or two) who have a real problem with Flint Hill. Jst check out the other threads. Most of us think that the person (or persons) posting is a "Big Three Wanna Be" (coudln't get their kids into a Big 3 etc.).

But to address teh post, we had two (2) DC who went through Congressional from pre-k up and out of 8th grade and into Flint HIll. They were well prepared for high school and ultimately did quite well in a college of their choice..and OMG ...they didn't go to Ivy.....[get ready for that Troll] but they did goto a top 25.

[Anonymous]

I looked at their website, but it looks like the kids start French at a very young age, and that would be an issue for my kids coming in. The older one is in love with Latin and the younger one has been in Chinese for a few years.

Flint Hill offers both starting in middle school. Congressional offers Latin in middle school. SSSA offers Chinese in HS. I'm surprised more VA schools don't offer Chinese, or offer it earlier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Neither.

People like you are exactly the reason we aren't comsidering schools like Potomac and "the Big 3." We are normal people. We live in a (gasp) townhouse. I drive a Ford. We have the means to support a great education for our kids, but we don't want to be somewhere that our kids will be ostracized because they are not oozing wealth. We just want a solid school with smaller class sizes and more opportunities, free from the constraints of the SOLs, where we can be ourselves and our kids can flourish.

Well said!

There's a troll (or two) who have a real problem with Flint Hill. Jst check out the other threads. Most of us think that the person (or persons) posting is a "Big Three Wanna Be" (coudln't get their kids into a Big 3 etc.).

But to address teh post, we had two (2) DC who went through Congressional from pre-k up and out of 8th grade and into Flint HIll. They were well prepared for high school and ultimately did quite well in a college of their choice..and OMG ...they didn't go to Ivy.....[get ready for that Troll] but they did goto a top 25.

Thank you. That is helpful info.

When your kids switched to Flint Hill, did you find yourself wishing they had been there all along...or would you do Congressional first if you had it to do all over again. One of my hesitations about Congressional is wondering if we'd just end up at Flint Hill later anyway.

I'm not too concerned with College reputation. I believe they can get a great education just about anywhere if it's the right fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I looked at their website, but it looks like the kids start French at a very young age, and that would be an issue for my kids coming in. The older one is in love with Latin and the younger one has been in Chinese for a few years.

Flint Hill offers both starting in middle school. Congressional offers Latin in middle school. SSSA offers Chinese in HS. I'm surprised more VA schools don't offer Chinese, or offer it earlier.

Mine started FHS in 8th, which is awkward b/c is in the middle of the language cycle. They did 7th grade (French + Latin) with the 7th graders. The teachers are so sweet and supportive. The DCs will be ready for French, Latin II if they want. There is a troll who hates FHS on this forum. Glad I never looked here before I enrolled. FHS is nationally ranked in Latin. And they have Chinese, also. We are very happy there.
Also, they have an interesting approach to Science in 9th, and the teacher seems very good. Best of luck in your search.