Why does Fairfax County not seem to build new schools, especially high schools?

[Anonymous]

I don’t think anyone can point to FCPS having a specific proposal to build a new high school near Carson or specific opposition to any such proposal from Great Falls parents. They made vague promises to people in Floris and Oak Hill, typically when those areas were getting redistricted again, that one day the area would have its own high school, and then they never followed up.

Not saying GF wouldn’t try and undermine a real proposal had such a proposal been made. When GF gets even a hint that the School Board might move them back to Herndon, as in 2018, they mobilize and object. And Elaine Tholen, the Langley parent who represented Dranesville on the Board from 2019-23, was highly dismissive of the need for another high school. She knew that was what her GF neighbors wanted to hear.

But when it came to the transfer of the parcel near Carson to the Saudis years earlier to build the KAA, there’s no indication it happened at the behest of Langley residents. Keep in mind the Saudis already operated smaller schools in Fairfax, and they’d faced opposition in expanding one and renewing a lease at the other. They likely used their political leverage and connections to get federal officials to pressure the county into giving them the larger site near Carson.

[Anonymous]

Isn't the Western Fairfax HS still on the county's official roadmap? Not that a site has been located or funding approved, but it's still on the books as a need, I think?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax County population is declining. There is no need for a new high school in the next 10-15 years.

Indeed. People are taking their radical leftist politics and moving from Fairfax to other regional counties like metastatic cancer so they can pay a few dollars less in property taxes while still being able to afford a 5-Series (while looking important while commuting to and from work each day). That's why the suburbs have grown so much in recent years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think anyone can point to FCPS having a specific proposal to build a new high school near Carson or specific opposition to any such proposal from Great Falls parents. They made vague promises to people in Floris and Oak Hill, typically when those areas were getting redistricted again, that one day the area would have its own high school, and then they never followed up.

Not saying GF wouldn’t try and undermine a real proposal had such a proposal been made. When GF gets even a hint that the School Board might move them back to Herndon, as in 2018, they mobilize and object. And Elaine Tholen, the Langley parent who represented Dranesville on the Board from 2019-23, was highly dismissive of the need for another high school. She knew that was what her GF neighbors wanted to hear.

But when it came to the transfer of the parcel near Carson to the Saudis years earlier to build the KAA, there’s no indication it happened at the behest of Langley residents. Keep in mind the Saudis already operated smaller schools in Fairfax, and they’d faced opposition in expanding one and renewing a lease at the other. They likely used their political leverage and connections to get federal officials to pressure the county into giving them the larger site near Carson.

If you can afford to live in Great Falls, can't people afford to send their kids to a $50,000 a year private school where they will be indoctrinated. to the point where they may be lucky to qualify to work at Starbucks someday?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax County population is declining. There is no need for a new high school in the next 10-15 years.

Indeed. People are taking their radical leftist politics and moving from Fairfax to other regional counties like metastatic cancer so they can pay a few dollars less in property taxes while still being able to afford a 5-Series (while looking important while commuting to and from work each day). That's why the suburbs have grown so much in recent years.

The population in Fairfax is growing again, according to the latest Census estimates, but don't let that stop you from whatever you think you're saying here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think anyone can point to FCPS having a specific proposal to build a new high school near Carson or specific opposition to any such proposal from Great Falls parents. They made vague promises to people in Floris and Oak Hill, typically when those areas were getting redistricted again, that one day the area would have its own high school, and then they never followed up.

Not saying GF wouldn’t try and undermine a real proposal had such a proposal been made. When GF gets even a hint that the School Board might move them back to Herndon, as in 2018, they mobilize and object. And Elaine Tholen, the Langley parent who represented Dranesville on the Board from 2019-23, was highly dismissive of the need for another high school. She knew that was what her GF neighbors wanted to hear.

But when it came to the transfer of the parcel near Carson to the Saudis years earlier to build the KAA, there’s no indication it happened at the behest of Langley residents. Keep in mind the Saudis already operated smaller schools in Fairfax, and they’d faced opposition in expanding one and renewing a lease at the other. They likely used their political leverage and connections to get federal officials to pressure the county into giving them the larger site near Carson.

If you can afford to live in Great Falls, can't people afford to send their kids to a $50,000 a year private school where they will be indoctrinated. to the point where they may be lucky to qualify to work at Starbucks someday?

Why the word salad? Slow day at the office?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax County population is declining. There is no need for a new high school in the next 10-15 years.

Indeed. People are taking their radical leftist politics and moving from Fairfax to other regional counties like metastatic cancer so they can pay a few dollars less in property taxes while still being able to afford a 5-Series (while looking important while commuting to and from work each day). That's why the suburbs have grown so much in recent years.

The population in Fairfax is growing again, according to the latest Census estimates, but don't let that stop you from whatever you think you're saying here.

That is factually incorrect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax County population is declining. There is no need for a new high school in the next 10-15 years.

Indeed. People are taking their radical leftist politics and moving from Fairfax to other regional counties like metastatic cancer so they can pay a few dollars less in property taxes while still being able to afford a 5-Series (while looking important while commuting to and from work each day). That's why the suburbs have grown so much in recent years.

The population in Fairfax is growing again, according to the latest Census estimates, but don't let that stop you from whatever you think you're saying here.

That is factually incorrect.

Nope. Population declined with Covid and population is up in 2023 vs. 2022, according to the Census Bureau.

Show us a reliable, updated estimate to the contrary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax County population is declining. There is no need for a new high school in the next 10-15 years.

Indeed. People are taking their radical leftist politics and moving from Fairfax to other regional counties like metastatic cancer so they can pay a few dollars less in property taxes while still being able to afford a 5-Series (while looking important while commuting to and from work each day). That's why the suburbs have grown so much in recent years.

The population in Fairfax is growing again, according to the latest Census estimates, but don't let that stop you from whatever you think you're saying here.

That is factually incorrect.

Nope. Population declined with Covid and population is up in 2023 vs. 2022, according to the Census Bureau.

Show us a reliable, updated estimate to the contrary.

In addition there are 700 more kids in FCPS this year than a year ago (March 2024 vs. March 2023).

[Anonymous]

At one point years ago, FCPS said the ideal size for a high school was about 2100 kids. The average high school in FCPS now has around 2400 kids, so the old "ideal" has gone out the window. Rather than build a new high school, FCPS has expanded many high schools. 14 of the 25 high schools have 2500 or more permanent seats, and only one has fewer than 2000. Given that the new "western" high school appears to be no closer to construction than it was a decade ago, it would be sensible to at least expand the schools below 2500 seats that currently have modulars - McLean, Marshall, and Annandale - to 2500 seats, and consider expanding two other schools with more than 2500 seats that also have modulars - Chantilly and Robinson - to 3000 seats.

Current/Planned FCPS High School Design Capacities (w/out modulars):

Lake Braddock 3124
West Potomac 3049
Centreville 3000
Westfield 2823
Herndon 2779
Robinson 2752
South Lakes 2717
Oakton 2646
Chantilly 2581
West Springfield 2505
Madison 2503
Falls Church 2500
Justice 2500
South County 2500
Mount Vernon 2451
Fairfax 2416
TJ 2390
Langley 2370
Marshall 2334
Woodson 2331
Hayfield 2249
Annandale 2229
Lewis 2139
Edison 2138
McLean 1993

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax County population is declining. There is no need for a new high school in the next 10-15 years.

Indeed. People are taking their radical leftist politics and moving from Fairfax to other regional counties like metastatic cancer so they can pay a few dollars less in property taxes while still being able to afford a 5-Series (while looking important while commuting to and from work each day). That's why the suburbs have grown so much in recent years.

Julie, I’m sorry you’re bitter that you keep losing elections. Do use all a favor and resign, please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At one point years ago, FCPS said the ideal size for a high school was about 2100 kids. The average high school in FCPS now has around 2400 kids, so the old "ideal" has gone out the window. Rather than build a new high school, FCPS has expanded many high schools. 14 of the 25 high schools have 2500 or more permanent seats, and only one has fewer than 2000. Given that the new "western" high school appears to be no closer to construction than it was a decade ago, it would be sensible to at least expand the schools below 2500 seats that currently have modulars - McLean, Marshall, and Annandale - to 2500 seats, and consider expanding two other schools with more than 2500 seats that also have modulars - Chantilly and Robinson - to 3000 seats.

Current/Planned FCPS High School Design Capacities (w/out modulars):

Lake Braddock 3124
West Potomac 3049
Centreville 3000
Westfield 2823
Herndon 2779
Robinson 2752
South Lakes 2717
Oakton 2646
Chantilly 2581
West Springfield 2505
Madison 2503
Falls Church 2500
Justice 2500
South County 2500
Mount Vernon 2451
Fairfax 2416
TJ 2390
Langley 2370
Marshall 2334
Woodson 2331
Hayfield 2249
Annandale 2229
Lewis 2139
Edison 2138
McLean 1993

How does design capacity compare to actual attendance numbers? Any overcrowding issues can be fixed by moving students to schools with excess capacity. We just need a SB with the guts to do what needs to be done. Stop wasting our taxpayer dollars by spending to add space at the “good” schools while others sit practically empty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At one point years ago, FCPS said the ideal size for a high school was about 2100 kids. The average high school in FCPS now has around 2400 kids, so the old "ideal" has gone out the window. Rather than build a new high school, FCPS has expanded many high schools. 14 of the 25 high schools have 2500 or more permanent seats, and only one has fewer than 2000. Given that the new "western" high school appears to be no closer to construction than it was a decade ago, it would be sensible to at least expand the schools below 2500 seats that currently have modulars - McLean, Marshall, and Annandale - to 2500 seats, and consider expanding two other schools with more than 2500 seats that also have modulars - Chantilly and Robinson - to 3000 seats.

Current/Planned FCPS High School Design Capacities (w/out modulars):

Lake Braddock 3124
West Potomac 3049
Centreville 3000
Westfield 2823
Herndon 2779
Robinson 2752
South Lakes 2717
Oakton 2646
Chantilly 2581
West Springfield 2505
Madison 2503
Falls Church 2500
Justice 2500
South County 2500
Mount Vernon 2451
Fairfax 2416
TJ 2390
Langley 2370
Marshall 2334
Woodson 2331
Hayfield 2249
Annandale 2229
Lewis 2139
Edison 2138
McLean 1993

How does design capacity compare to actual attendance numbers? Any overcrowding issues can be fixed by moving students to schools with excess capacity. We just need a SB with the guts to do what needs to be done. Stop wasting our taxpayer dollars by spending to add space at the “good” schools while others sit practically empty.

No high school sits "practically empty," and, among FCPS high schools, the two main recipients of capital expenditures now are Falls Church and Justice, on the heels of the major renovation and expansion of Herndon. Other schools are equally deserving of capital investment in the future and shouldn't be denied fair funding, even if (or particularly if) they are considered "good."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax is not growing in areas where there is room to build a school. There is however population growth in the older suburbs like Seven Corners and Baileys X Roads where many new apartments are coming on line. Parts of Western Fairfax county is growing, but the growth will be accommodated by recently finished or upcoming school expansions.

Re new construction, FCPS prefers to renovate with phased construction over a few years vs tear down rebuild, even if renovation comes out a little more in terms of cost. (The exception is the historic Dunn Loring School which will be demolished.)

MCPS is currently building multiple new middle and high schools for its growing population.

Locally, MCPS and APS prefer to tear down and rebuild their secondary schools (unless they are historic or part of a historic district).

DCPS renovates all of its historic school buildings (for obvious reasons).

NP. I honestly can’t believe FCPS will be demolishing Dunn Loring. It’s a charming building and SO much prettier than all the new schools. What a complete waste.

Dunn Loring is charming?! If you had to spend a week working in that run-down, asbestos, mold and rodent-ridden facility, you would more likely be motivated to run for school board or arrange a tent city sit in out front.
There are accurate summaries: 18:05, 22:19, 9:04, and a few others.
Regarding enrollment, it would be interesting to see how many new students are ESOL. Students coming from other countries are usually illiterate in their home language, and high school-aged students get placed in HS, due to age. No birth certificate, so anyone can claim to be any age and get a HS diploma and/or placement. ESOL students will bring down school stats.

[Anonymous]

Correction to above: Many are illiterate, not usually. Particularly from Mexico/SA.