Washington Liberty v Meridian HS

[Anonymous]

I think you can't go wrong with either school. My kids are at/graduated from WL. It is a big school, but my kids are fairly introverted and didn't have any problems finding their people. Two of them were not involved in sports in any way, but one joined the newspaper and the other marching band. There is something for everyone.

WL has more of an urban vibe than Meridian (and Yorktown). There are a lot of kids who live in nearby apartments and a large percentage of kids are walkers. The public college system is a huge advantage in VA compared with DC (or even MD).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meridian all the way.

If you like style over substance, sure.

Meridian is Potemkin School- a nice facade with little to offer behind it. Kids there do well in life because their families are already wealthy and connected, not because of the school.

Like Yorktown.
I'm betting the Potemkin School comment was made by the YHS snob poster.

NP. Yorktown has a definite image - wealthy, white, and very sports-oriented. And to a significant degree it lives up to that image.

W-L doesn't really have as distinct image because it's so big. There are wealthy, white, and sports-oriented kids there. There are also academically focused kids doing the full IB program. There are also some less wealthy kids, and there's also kids who just fly under the radar and/or do drugs. So it's a bit more what you make of it, whereas Yorktown tends to either be a good fit or not.

That's just my take, having lived in Arlington for a while.

Meridian is very small. I don't think it has as much to offer as the larger schools in Arlington and Fairfax. They make a big deal of letting people know they are in Falls Church City, lest people think they live in an area zoned to Falls Church High or Justice High, and that's rather off-putting for people who otherwise fit the "Hate Has No Home Here" mold (apparently, neither do poorer kids).

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Yorktown is the high school you want in Arlington, wl is a distance second choice

Fact.

Or alternative fact.
WL is hardly a distant second in Arlington.
I am so glad we are Wakefield, the very factual distant third.

Correct. Wakefield is very much a distant third. Almost at W-L level though.

OP here. Amusingly this kind of post makes me more sure W-L would be a better fit.

Based on what you've written, OP, W-L would be a better fit for your kid than Yorktown. Are you looking at both W-L and Meridian because both offer IB diplomas? My DD is in 10th at W-L and I've heard anecdotally that the IB diploma is a ton of work, but it helps prepare kids for college -- especially in terms of writing. I have talked to some parents who said they weren't sure it's worth it, but that likely depends on your kid.

Both W-L and Meridian are good schools with great, down-to-earth kids. The biggest issue with W-L is its sheer size, but it offers many clubs and other activities. I also know several kids at Meridian - it seems like it would also be a good place to land.

One thing to note -- you mentioned the VA university system. It is very competitive to get in to UVA, VA Tech (notably engineering and computer science), and William & Mary from NoVA high schools (listing these three because they are generally regarded as the top in the state). Applicants have to be amongst the best in their classes to get accepted.

Yes, IB is a draw, but I’m also looking for a good lifestyle and family fit. Obviously not banking on UVA but there are many other solid options that are less competitive.

I'm the PP you quoted -- definitely agree that there are great state schools beyond the three I mentioned. Good luck with your decision! The neighborhoods surrounding W-L are pretty great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yorktown is the high school you want in Arlington, wl is a distance second choice

Fact.

Or alternative fact.
WL is hardly a distant second in Arlington.
I am so glad we are Wakefield, the very factual distant third.

Correct. Wakefield is very much a distant third. Almost at W-L level though.

OP here. Amusingly this kind of post makes me more sure W-L would be a better fit.

Based on what you've written, OP, W-L would be a better fit for your kid than Yorktown. Are you looking at both W-L and Meridian because both offer IB diplomas? My DD is in 10th at W-L and I've heard anecdotally that the IB diploma is a ton of work, but it helps prepare kids for college -- especially in terms of writing. I have talked to some parents who said they weren't sure it's worth it, but that likely depends on your kid.

Both W-L and Meridian are good schools with great, down-to-earth kids. The biggest issue with W-L is its sheer size, but it offers many clubs and other activities. I also know several kids at Meridian - it seems like it would also be a good place to land.

One thing to note -- you mentioned the VA university system. It is very competitive to get in to UVA, VA Tech (notably engineering and computer science), and William & Mary from NoVA high schools (listing these three because they are generally regarded as the top in the state). Applicants have to be amongst the best in their classes to get accepted.

Yes, IB is a draw, but I’m also looking for a good lifestyle and family fit. Obviously not banking on UVA but there are many other solid options that are less competitive.

I'm the PP you quoted -- definitely agree that there are great state schools beyond the three I mentioned. Good luck with your decision! The neighborhoods surrounding W-L are pretty great.

I’m slowly starting to be able to picture it! I like that there are a lot of walkers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meridian all the way.

If you like style over substance, sure.

Meridian is Potemkin School- a nice facade with little to offer behind it. Kids there do well in life because their families are already wealthy and connected, not because of the school.

Disagree. Of 12 kids that applied to TJ last year, 7 got in. That's a ton of kids for a small school district.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meridian all the way.

If you like style over substance, sure.

Meridian is Potemkin School- a nice facade with little to offer behind it. Kids there do well in life because their families are already wealthy and connected, not because of the school.

Disagree. Of 12 kids that applied to TJ last year, 7 got in. That's a ton of kids for a small school district.

Applied from where? FFC’s middle school? I mean, at least 5 kids get in from every APS MS every year… because they have quotas per MS throughout all of the participating counties.

[Anonymous]

*FCC

[Anonymous]

I went to a small high school and was definitely biased towards them, so I worried about sending my kids to W-L. But both had good experiences there. Both kids made new friends there and found their people. (DC1 had an entirely different friend group in high school; no carryovers from middle school.) Neither was anywhere close to a big person on campus, but I don't think they were lost either. They were both very good but not great students. Both accepted to W&M FWIW. I do think there is something for everyone there--every kind of club you can imagine.

We are walking distance to W&L, which I LOVED for our kids. Neither of my kids needed to drive in high school--they walked, metro'ed, bused, or rode their bikes virtually everywhere they needed to go, and that was common among their friends. One of the things I really like about living in Arlington.

I don't know anything about Meridian, so can't offer any opinion (although that doesn't stop some people!).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to a small high school and was definitely biased towards them, so I worried about sending my kids to W-L. But both had good experiences there. Both kids made new friends there and found their people. (DC1 had an entirely different friend group in high school; no carryovers from middle school.) Neither was anywhere close to a big person on campus, but I don't think they were lost either. They were both very good but not great students. Both accepted to W&M FWIW. I do think there is something for everyone there--every kind of club you can imagine.

We are walking distance to W&L, which I LOVED for our kids. Neither of my kids needed to drive in high school--they walked, metro'ed, bused, or rode their bikes virtually everywhere they needed to go, and that was common among their friends. One of the things I really like about living in Arlington.

I don't know anything about Meridian, so can't offer any opinion (although that doesn't stop some people!).

thanks!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to a small high school and was definitely biased towards them, so I worried about sending my kids to W-L. But both had good experiences there. Both kids made new friends there and found their people. (DC1 had an entirely different friend group in high school; no carryovers from middle school.) Neither was anywhere close to a big person on campus, but I don't think they were lost either. They were both very good but not great students. Both accepted to W&M FWIW. I do think there is something for everyone there--every kind of club you can imagine.

We are walking distance to W&L, which I LOVED for our kids. Neither of my kids needed to drive in high school--they walked, metro'ed, bused, or rode their bikes virtually everywhere they needed to go, and that was common among their friends. One of the things I really like about living in Arlington.

I don't know anything about Meridian, so can't offer any opinion (although that doesn't stop some people!).

Your kids went to WL when it was 20% smaller than when OP kids will be there.

[Anonymous]

I know two families with teens in W-L and both of them are not happy with the school or with their children's social situations. It might just be the kids, but who knows.

Meridian is brand new and in a great location - kids love being able to walk places after school, but I think you can do that from W-L, too. It's near Ballston.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know two families with teens in W-L and both of them are not happy with the school or with their children's social situations. It might just be the kids, but who knows.

Meridian is brand new and in a great location - kids love being able to walk places after school, but I think you can do that from W-L, too. It's near Ballston.

What are their concerns about the social situation?

[Anonymous]

WL IB Diploma is as good as anything Yorktown offers. My 9th grader’s pre IB classes attract many Dorothy Hamm MS grads, zoned for Yorktown. 9th grade pre IB learners at WL are grouped in “small learning communities” where most of the students in English, Biology and World History classes are the same. The groupings have made a big difference for my kid. She’s making a group of pals and study buddies that should last. Don’t worry about the size of WL if your kid is a good fit for IB studies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WL IB Diploma is as good as anything Yorktown offers. My 9th grader’s pre IB classes attract many Dorothy Hamm MS grads, zoned for Yorktown. 9th grade pre IB learners at WL are grouped in “small learning communities” where most of the students in English, Biology and World History classes are the same. The groupings have made a big difference for my kid. She’s making a group of pals and study buddies that should last. Don’t worry about the size of WL if your kid is a good fit for IB studies.

thanks! is it selective to get into IB or can any kid elect it? We are actually in an IB MS although I’m not sure how much that makes a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WL IB Diploma is as good as anything Yorktown offers. My 9th grader’s pre IB classes attract many Dorothy Hamm MS grads, zoned for Yorktown. 9th grade pre IB learners at WL are grouped in “small learning communities” where most of the students in English, Biology and World History classes are the same. The groupings have made a big difference for my kid. She’s making a group of pals and study buddies that should last. Don’t worry about the size of WL if your kid is a good fit for IB studies.

thanks! is it selective to get into IB or can any kid elect it? We are actually in an IB MS although I’m not sure how much that makes a difference.

If you live in-boundary for W-L, and if you meet the course/grade prerequisites, then full-IB (pre-IB through IB diploma program) is a guaranteed option. (Out of boundary students have to apply into the IB program.) In-bounds students also have the option of taking an AP track course of study, or a mix of AP and IB.