Tell me about South Lakes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why does every thread that mentions IB or even school with IB end ups being a IB vs. AP discussion? Like if someone asked about a random AP school, are people going to start fighting over IB vs. AP? Here is the truth---it doesn't matter. If you have a motivated kid--they will do well in either program. Parental wealth and SES will have more impact on your kid's educational and life trajectory vs. AP/IB. OP-I've heard South Lakes is a solid school, has a group of academically focused kids. DCUM (a couple of posters in particular) are very anti-IB. It's weird.

It was a SL poster who claimed IB was superior to AP. No one else had said anything about "IB vs AP" before that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There wasn’t a single National Merit Semifinalist from South Lakes in the Class of 2023, and it’s a big high school. Between them Chantilly and Oakton had 21. The IB program isn’t attracting the brightest kids.

What? That doesn't make any sense. High schools aren't selective colleges that "attract" bright kids. Very few kids outside the TJ crowd are involved enough to tell their parents which high school program they want to attend. You think kids have the initiative to research the details of AP and IB and then autonomously decide that they prefer one over the other? No, that's not happening.

You can say IB doesn't attract wealthy families for a multitude of reasons, but your implication that IB students or programs are less "intelligent" is ridiculous. It's purely about ease of college credit and less writing for AP.

Families decide whether they want to live in an IB district and families and kids decide whether they want to participate in an IB program or pupil place. The IB schools and programs attract fewer of the county's top students and that's been the case for years.

It's your suggestion (not "implication") that the parents of higher-achieving kids intentionally send them to schools that are less rigorous, all evidence to the contrary, that is ridiculous.

Think about it. South Lakes has almost 650 seniors this year and not one National Merit Semifinalist. That's just embarrassing.

Isn't it the opposite. That IB was placed in poorer areas. And nowadays, aren't most students electing to stay put in IB because the AP choices around IB schools are poorer performing (e.g., Marshall to Falls Church, South Lakes to Herndon)?

It's more often the case that the AP schools around IB schools are more likely to be closed to transfers now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There wasn’t a single National Merit Semifinalist from South Lakes in the Class of 2023, and it’s a big high school. Between them Chantilly and Oakton had 21. The IB program isn’t attracting the brightest kids.

What? That doesn't make any sense. High schools aren't selective colleges that "attract" bright kids. Very few kids outside the TJ crowd are involved enough to tell their parents which high school program they want to attend. You think kids have the initiative to research the details of AP and IB and then autonomously decide that they prefer one over the other? No, that's not happening.

You can say IB doesn't attract wealthy families for a multitude of reasons, but your implication that IB students or programs are less "intelligent" is ridiculous. It's purely about ease of college credit and less writing for AP.

IB/AP is the biggest reason for pupil placement at the high school level

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There wasn’t a single National Merit Semifinalist from South Lakes in the Class of 2023, and it’s a big high school. Between them Chantilly and Oakton had 21. The IB program isn’t attracting the brightest kids.

What? That doesn't make any sense. High schools aren't selective colleges that "attract" bright kids. Very few kids outside the TJ crowd are involved enough to tell their parents which high school program they want to attend. You think kids have the initiative to research the details of AP and IB and then autonomously decide that they prefer one over the other? No, that's not happening.

You can say IB doesn't attract wealthy families for a multitude of reasons, but your implication that IB students or programs are less "intelligent" is ridiculous. It's purely about ease of college credit and less writing for AP.

Families decide whether they want to live in an IB district and families and kids decide whether they want to participate in an IB program or pupil place. The IB schools and programs attract fewer of the county's top students and that's been the case for years.

It's your suggestion (not "implication") that the parents of higher-achieving kids intentionally send them to schools that are less rigorous, all evidence to the contrary, that is ridiculous.

Think about it. South Lakes has almost 650 seniors this year and not one National Merit Semifinalist. That's just embarrassing.

Isn't it the opposite. That IB was placed in poorer areas. And nowadays, aren't most students electing to stay put in IB because the AP choices around IB schools are poorer performing (e.g., Marshall to Falls Church, South Lakes to Herndon)?

It's more often the case that the AP schools around IB schools are more likely to be closed to transfers now.

Yes that's what I mean so the only schools open to them are not that great. So unless your parents can move, it's IB,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does every thread that mentions IB or even school with IB end ups being a IB vs. AP discussion? Like if someone asked about a random AP school, are people going to start fighting over IB vs. AP? Here is the truth---it doesn't matter. If you have a motivated kid--they will do well in either program. Parental wealth and SES will have more impact on your kid's educational and life trajectory vs. AP/IB. OP-I've heard South Lakes is a solid school, has a group of academically focused kids. DCUM (a couple of posters in particular) are very anti-IB. It's weird.

It was a SL poster who claimed IB was superior to AP. No one else had said anything about "IB vs AP" before that.

She said she thought IB prepared her better than AP did for some of her friends back in the day (which is more of an opinion than a claim) and yes people took offense to it. I think that's less controversial than the "IB doesn't attract the brightest" poster upthread. Like I said-I don't think one is superior to the other. I think it's a silly argument. There are pros/cons for each. I have one kid who would probably flourish in IB and loves the humanities. And another who would be better served in an AP school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does every thread that mentions IB or even school with IB end ups being a IB vs. AP discussion? Like if someone asked about a random AP school, are people going to start fighting over IB vs. AP? Here is the truth---it doesn't matter. If you have a motivated kid--they will do well in either program. Parental wealth and SES will have more impact on your kid's educational and life trajectory vs. AP/IB. OP-I've heard South Lakes is a solid school, has a group of academically focused kids. DCUM (a couple of posters in particular) are very anti-IB. It's weird.

It was a SL poster who claimed IB was superior to AP. No one else had said anything about "IB vs AP" before that.

She said she thought IB prepared her better than AP did for some of her friends back in the day (which is more of an opinion than a claim) and yes people took offense to it. I think that's less controversial than the "IB doesn't attract the brightest" poster upthread. Like I said-I don't think one is superior to the other. I think it's a silly argument. There are pros/cons for each. I have one kid who would probably flourish in IB and loves the humanities. And another who would be better served in an AP school.

The SL graduate's claim that she was better prepared for college coursework by IB was conjecture. The statement that IB schools attract a disproportionately small number of the county's top students is backed up by facts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does every thread that mentions IB or even school with IB end ups being a IB vs. AP discussion? Like if someone asked about a random AP school, are people going to start fighting over IB vs. AP? Here is the truth---it doesn't matter. If you have a motivated kid--they will do well in either program. Parental wealth and SES will have more impact on your kid's educational and life trajectory vs. AP/IB. OP-I've heard South Lakes is a solid school, has a group of academically focused kids. DCUM (a couple of posters in particular) are very anti-IB. It's weird.

It was a SL poster who claimed IB was superior to AP. No one else had said anything about "IB vs AP" before that.

She said she thought IB prepared her better than AP did for some of her friends back in the day (which is more of an opinion than a claim) and yes people took offense to it. I think that's less controversial than the "IB doesn't attract the brightest" poster upthread. Like I said-I don't think one is superior to the other. I think it's a silly argument. There are pros/cons for each. I have one kid who would probably flourish in IB and loves the humanities. And another who would be better served in an AP school.

The SL graduate's claim that she was better prepared for college coursework by IB was conjecture. The statement that IB schools attract a disproportionately small number of the county's top students is backed up by facts.

There are very few schools with IB. It is not a magnet program that people can apply for. The fact that the schools with lower FARMs rates and ESL rates have a higher test scores and the like is a fact. Had FCPS placed IB at Chantilly or Langley or McLean you would be singing a different tune.

Kids at IB schools have many great opportunities, they are different then the kids at AP schools but there are still a large number of great outcomes. Comparing high SES schools to Lower SES schools is comparing apples to oranges. And I would not want to be gloating about test scores the way you are, essentially you are mocking kids who have fewer opportunities to succeed due to a lack of finances and/or parental background that influences educational outcomes. You sound like an elitist snob.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does every thread that mentions IB or even school with IB end ups being a IB vs. AP discussion? Like if someone asked about a random AP school, are people going to start fighting over IB vs. AP? Here is the truth---it doesn't matter. If you have a motivated kid--they will do well in either program. Parental wealth and SES will have more impact on your kid's educational and life trajectory vs. AP/IB. OP-I've heard South Lakes is a solid school, has a group of academically focused kids. DCUM (a couple of posters in particular) are very anti-IB. It's weird.

It was a SL poster who claimed IB was superior to AP. No one else had said anything about "IB vs AP" before that.

She said she thought IB prepared her better than AP did for some of her friends back in the day (which is more of an opinion than a claim) and yes people took offense to it. I think that's less controversial than the "IB doesn't attract the brightest" poster upthread. Like I said-I don't think one is superior to the other. I think it's a silly argument. There are pros/cons for each. I have one kid who would probably flourish in IB and loves the humanities. And another who would be better served in an AP school.

The SL graduate's claim that she was better prepared for college coursework by IB was conjecture. The statement that IB schools attract a disproportionately small number of the county's top students is backed up by facts.

There are very few schools with IB. It is not a magnet program that people can apply for. The fact that the schools with lower FARMs rates and ESL rates have a higher test scores and the like is a fact. Had FCPS placed IB at Chantilly or Langley or McLean you would be singing a different tune.

Kids at IB schools have many great opportunities, they are different then the kids at AP schools but there are still a large number of great outcomes. Comparing high SES schools to Lower SES schools is comparing apples to oranges. And I would not want to be gloating about test scores the way you are, essentially you are mocking kids who have fewer opportunities to succeed due to a lack of finances and/or parental background that influences educational outcomes. You sound like an elitist snob.

Reston isn't poor, for the most part. While there is some poverty, houses there are quite expensive. It just has a high school that's saddled with an academic program that on balance is a net negative when it comes to attracting families with higher-achieving kids.

Your hypothesis is silly because Chantilly, Oakton, Langley, and McLean families wouldn't roll over and allow FCPS to replace AP with IB. They tried that at Woodson years ago, and the parents successfully pushed back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does every thread that mentions IB or even school with IB end ups being a IB vs. AP discussion? Like if someone asked about a random AP school, are people going to start fighting over IB vs. AP? Here is the truth---it doesn't matter. If you have a motivated kid--they will do well in either program. Parental wealth and SES will have more impact on your kid's educational and life trajectory vs. AP/IB. OP-I've heard South Lakes is a solid school, has a group of academically focused kids. DCUM (a couple of posters in particular) are very anti-IB. It's weird.

It was a SL poster who claimed IB was superior to AP. No one else had said anything about "IB vs AP" before that.

She said she thought IB prepared her better than AP did for some of her friends back in the day (which is more of an opinion than a claim) and yes people took offense to it. I think that's less controversial than the "IB doesn't attract the brightest" poster upthread. Like I said-I don't think one is superior to the other. I think it's a silly argument. There are pros/cons for each. I have one kid who would probably flourish in IB and loves the humanities. And another who would be better served in an AP school.

The SL graduate's claim that she was better prepared for college coursework by IB was conjecture. The statement that IB schools attract a disproportionately small number of the county's top students is backed up by facts.

There are very few schools with IB. It is not a magnet program that people can apply for. The fact that the schools with lower FARMs rates and ESL rates have a higher test scores and the like is a fact. Had FCPS placed IB at Chantilly or Langley or McLean you would be singing a different tune.

Kids at IB schools have many great opportunities, they are different then the kids at AP schools but there are still a large number of great outcomes. Comparing high SES schools to Lower SES schools is comparing apples to oranges. And I would not want to be gloating about test scores the way you are, essentially you are mocking kids who have fewer opportunities to succeed due to a lack of finances and/or parental background that influences educational outcomes. You sound like an elitist snob.

Reston isn't poor, for the most part. While there is some poverty, houses there are quite expensive. It just has a high school that's saddled with an academic program that on balance is a net negative when it comes to attracting families with higher-achieving kids.

Your hypothesis is silly because Chantilly, Oakton, Langley, and McLean families wouldn't roll over and allow FCPS to replace AP with IB. They tried that at Woodson years ago, and the parents successfully pushed back.

It’s you again. Every thread. Give it a rest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We would want AP but would not want to end up at Herndon HS at all.

Why? —HHS parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does every thread that mentions IB or even school with IB end ups being a IB vs. AP discussion? Like if someone asked about a random AP school, are people going to start fighting over IB vs. AP? Here is the truth---it doesn't matter. If you have a motivated kid--they will do well in either program. Parental wealth and SES will have more impact on your kid's educational and life trajectory vs. AP/IB. OP-I've heard South Lakes is a solid school, has a group of academically focused kids. DCUM (a couple of posters in particular) are very anti-IB. It's weird.

It was a SL poster who claimed IB was superior to AP. No one else had said anything about "IB vs AP" before that.

She said she thought IB prepared her better than AP did for some of her friends back in the day (which is more of an opinion than a claim) and yes people took offense to it. I think that's less controversial than the "IB doesn't attract the brightest" poster upthread. Like I said-I don't think one is superior to the other. I think it's a silly argument. There are pros/cons for each. I have one kid who would probably flourish in IB and loves the humanities. And another who would be better served in an AP school.

The SL graduate's claim that she was better prepared for college coursework by IB was conjecture. The statement that IB schools attract a disproportionately small number of the county's top students is backed up by facts.

There are very few schools with IB. It is not a magnet program that people can apply for. The fact that the schools with lower FARMs rates and ESL rates have a higher test scores and the like is a fact. Had FCPS placed IB at Chantilly or Langley or McLean you would be singing a different tune.

Kids at IB schools have many great opportunities, they are different then the kids at AP schools but there are still a large number of great outcomes. Comparing high SES schools to Lower SES schools is comparing apples to oranges. And I would not want to be gloating about test scores the way you are, essentially you are mocking kids who have fewer opportunities to succeed due to a lack of finances and/or parental background that influences educational outcomes. You sound like an elitist snob.

IB is in a third of FCPS high schools. That doesn't qualify as 'very few'.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does a middle of the road student do in an IB school? Are there still Honors classes if a student wants to do more than general ed but not IB?

Yes there are honors classes. Several of my friends kids are in them with no intention of taking anything IB related.

+1. They can also do IB for some programs without doing the full diploma - my kid is doing this at Marshall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does every thread that mentions IB or even school with IB end ups being a IB vs. AP discussion? Like if someone asked about a random AP school, are people going to start fighting over IB vs. AP? Here is the truth---it doesn't matter. If you have a motivated kid--they will do well in either program. Parental wealth and SES will have more impact on your kid's educational and life trajectory vs. AP/IB. OP-I've heard South Lakes is a solid school, has a group of academically focused kids. DCUM (a couple of posters in particular) are very anti-IB. It's weird.

It was a SL poster who claimed IB was superior to AP. No one else had said anything about "IB vs AP" before that.

She said she thought IB prepared her better than AP did for some of her friends back in the day (which is more of an opinion than a claim) and yes people took offense to it. I think that's less controversial than the "IB doesn't attract the brightest" poster upthread. Like I said-I don't think one is superior to the other. I think it's a silly argument. There are pros/cons for each. I have one kid who would probably flourish in IB and loves the humanities. And another who would be better served in an AP school.

The SL graduate's claim that she was better prepared for college coursework by IB was conjecture. The statement that IB schools attract a disproportionately small number of the county's top students is backed up by facts.

There are very few schools with IB. It is not a magnet program that people can apply for. The fact that the schools with lower FARMs rates and ESL rates have a higher test scores and the like is a fact. Had FCPS placed IB at Chantilly or Langley or McLean you would be singing a different tune.

Kids at IB schools have many great opportunities, they are different then the kids at AP schools but there are still a large number of great outcomes. Comparing high SES schools to Lower SES schools is comparing apples to oranges. And I would not want to be gloating about test scores the way you are, essentially you are mocking kids who have fewer opportunities to succeed due to a lack of finances and/or parental background that influences educational outcomes. You sound like an elitist snob.

Reston isn't poor, for the most part. While there is some poverty, houses there are quite expensive. It just has a high school that's saddled with an academic program that on balance is a net negative when it comes to attracting families with higher-achieving kids.

Your hypothesis is silly because Chantilly, Oakton, Langley, and McLean families wouldn't roll over and allow FCPS to replace AP with IB. They tried that at Woodson years ago, and the parents successfully pushed back.

Oh please. We all know that if IB had always preexisted at Langley and McLean, they'd be praising how IB provides their children a European education, and how they're now considering Oxford and Zurich for study abroad, and how they're such great writers now.

[Anonymous]

They placed IB at the poorer schools to try to attract higher SES students so they could being up test scores overall at the schools. It didn’t work. IB is very LA based so a lot of the math/STEM kids don’t want it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We would want AP but would not want to end up at Herndon HS at all.

Why? —HHS parent

You can’t seriously be asking this question.