Experiences with City of Falls Church public schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FCCPS resident here. I can tell you that if your family is interested in UVA this is a great school. SO many kids got into UVA this year and many had very mid stats, not sure they would have gotten in from FCPS or Arlington. There are 5 AP classes. I think the IB is well run and soon most colleges will accept SL classes for credit not just HL giving it a leg up from AP. It is true that it is socially claustrophobic and if you have a falling out with a friend group it can be very bad-dealing with this now. The upside is that given you cant escape any social drama when you finish the HS you are more aware of social dynamics because the lessons are in your face.

I was intrigued by this claim and the numbers are easily verifiable on line through SCHEV. From what I can see, FCCPS admission rates to UVA as compared to APS are all over the place. Sometimes FC rates are much higher (like in the 40s) and other times they’re on par with APS (in the 30s). This doesn’t really tell you much, though, because the data for Arlington isn’t broken down by high school and many many more students apply to UVA from Arlington than from FC.

The Arlington admit rates being reported are much more consistent than FC, though, and that suggests that the numbers for FC are class-specific - the classes are so small - and don’t mean that going to school there gives you a material advantage.

And Broad Street is a traffic nightmare devoid of much of anything interesting and not exactly my idea of “walkable.”

[Anonymous]

The latest Niche rankings have the FC middle school second in the state but also have Williamsburg and Hamm right well within the top ten.

For high schools, Washington-Liberty and Yorktown are both top 10 (W-L is 3rd) and Meridian comes in at 12th.

So there’s very little overall difference.

Both are well above any school in Fairfax except TJ, and of course students in Arlington and FC are eligible to apply to TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would look into Vienna or McLean over FCCPS. You have more options in the HS and the building itself is not ideal. That is my opinion of someone who has had kids in it. Few options of classes, not a fan of the IB program over AP and the 7 floor building.

McLean HS building is very overcrowded and physically in bad shape. It has recurring problems with bathrooms closed because of plumbing backups. Langley HS building (which also serves part of McLean post office area) was renovated recently and expanded, and is in good shape.

Both McLean HS and Langley HS have AP. Not certain, but I think FCCPS only has IB and does not offer AP - one might want to verify that.

McLean is fine. The school takes good care of the building considering its age. Longfellow MS, the feeder to McLean, is probably the best middle school in NoVa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The latest Niche rankings have the FC middle school second in the state but also have Williamsburg and Hamm right well within the top ten.

For high schools, Washington-Liberty and Yorktown are both top 10 (W-L is 3rd) and Meridian comes in at 12th.

So there’s very little overall difference.

Both are well above any school in Fairfax except TJ, and of course students in Arlington and FC are eligible to apply to TJ.

No one pays attention to Niche. If you really care about school rankings the U.S. News rankings are more credible.

[Anonymous]

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/virginia/rankings

https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/middle-schools/virginia

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCCPS resident here. I can tell you that if your family is interested in UVA this is a great school. SO many kids got into UVA this year and many had very mid stats, not sure they would have gotten in from FCPS or Arlington. There are 5 AP classes. I think the IB is well run and soon most colleges will accept SL classes for credit not just HL giving it a leg up from AP. It is true that it is socially claustrophobic and if you have a falling out with a friend group it can be very bad-dealing with this now. The upside is that given you cant escape any social drama when you finish the HS you are more aware of social dynamics because the lessons are in your face.

I was intrigued by this claim and the numbers are easily verifiable on line through SCHEV. From what I can see, FCCPS admission rates to UVA as compared to APS are all over the place. Sometimes FC rates are much higher (like in the 40s) and other times they’re on par with APS (in the 30s). This doesn’t really tell you much, though, because the data for Arlington isn’t broken down by high school and many many more students apply to UVA from Arlington than from FC.

The Arlington admit rates being reported are much more consistent than FC, though, and that suggests that the numbers for FC are class-specific - the classes are so small - and don’t mean that going to school there gives you a material advantage.

And Broad Street is a traffic nightmare devoid of much of anything interesting and not exactly my idea of “walkable.”

This year at least 10-15 choose Ivy or Georgia Tech over UVA so not everyone that gets in to UVA actually goes. The stats of kids going into UVA is not great, and many get in TO.
In regards to math, my kids are into math and they are doing AP Calc BC as juniors. So math is very well represented here. Also they will work with you to get ahead in math if you dont meet the cut offs in middle school.

[Anonymous]

Some of the Falls Church City neighborhoods are quite nice. Not a fan of the vertical schools or the density of the development now along Broad Street. It is anything but charming.

[Anonymous]

Haven’t read other comments. Friends kids attended and enjoyed the experience. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCCPS resident here. I can tell you that if your family is interested in UVA this is a great school. SO many kids got into UVA this year and many had very mid stats, not sure they would have gotten in from FCPS or Arlington. There are 5 AP classes. I think the IB is well run and soon most colleges will accept SL classes for credit not just HL giving it a leg up from AP. It is true that it is socially claustrophobic and if you have a falling out with a friend group it can be very bad-dealing with this now. The upside is that given you cant escape any social drama when you finish the HS you are more aware of social dynamics because the lessons are in your face.

I was intrigued by this claim and the numbers are easily verifiable on line through SCHEV. From what I can see, FCCPS admission rates to UVA as compared to APS are all over the place. Sometimes FC rates are much higher (like in the 40s) and other times they’re on par with APS (in the 30s). This doesn’t really tell you much, though, because the data for Arlington isn’t broken down by high school and many many more students apply to UVA from Arlington than from FC.

The Arlington admit rates being reported are much more consistent than FC, though, and that suggests that the numbers for FC are class-specific - the classes are so small - and don’t mean that going to school there gives you a material advantage.

And Broad Street is a traffic nightmare devoid of much of anything interesting and not exactly my idea of “walkable.”

This year at least 10-15 choose Ivy or Georgia Tech over UVA so not everyone that gets in to UVA actually goes. The stats of kids going into UVA is not great, and many get in TO.
In regards to math, my kids are into math and they are doing AP Calc BC as juniors. So math is very well represented here. Also they will work with you to get ahead in math if you dont meet the cut offs in middle school.

I did the math based on Arlington Magazine numbers and UVA for the last five years has admitted almost exactly 10% each year of the Yorktown and W&L classes. THAT DOES NOT MEAN TOP 10% for those who can’t read nor does it mean that 10% went. I’d be shocked if Falls Church was that different. Send me the link on admissions — NOT insta pages — and I’ll check it for you. I just don’t think these big good local phonic HS are really all that different for purposes of applying to college, as evidenced by the consistency with which UVA admits kids here in Arlington.

[Anonymous]

My kid loved MEH. Teachers were great! Unfortunately we left for TJ (FCPS) and have not had a great experience from admin to counselors and teachers. I wish we didn't leave!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of the Falls Church City neighborhoods are quite nice. Not a fan of the vertical schools or the density of the development now along Broad Street. It is anything but charming.

My kid never complained and anyone with a disability got an elevator pass. The advantage is the connection between MEH and Meridian. The bands played in the big auditorium and 8th graders got to play high school sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCCPS resident here. I can tell you that if your family is interested in UVA this is a great school. SO many kids got into UVA this year and many had very mid stats, not sure they would have gotten in from FCPS or Arlington. There are 5 AP classes. I think the IB is well run and soon most colleges will accept SL classes for credit not just HL giving it a leg up from AP. It is true that it is socially claustrophobic and if you have a falling out with a friend group it can be very bad-dealing with this now. The upside is that given you cant escape any social drama when you finish the HS you are more aware of social dynamics because the lessons are in your face.

I was intrigued by this claim and the numbers are easily verifiable on line through SCHEV. From what I can see, FCCPS admission rates to UVA as compared to APS are all over the place. Sometimes FC rates are much higher (like in the 40s) and other times they’re on par with APS (in the 30s). This doesn’t really tell you much, though, because the data for Arlington isn’t broken down by high school and many many more students apply to UVA from Arlington than from FC.

The Arlington admit rates being reported are much more consistent than FC, though, and that suggests that the numbers for FC are class-specific - the classes are so small - and don’t mean that going to school there gives you a material advantage.

And Broad Street is a traffic nightmare devoid of much of anything interesting and not exactly my idea of “walkable.”

This year at least 10-15 choose Ivy or Georgia Tech over UVA so not everyone that gets in to UVA actually goes. The stats of kids going into UVA is not great, and many get in TO.
In regards to math, my kids are into math and they are doing AP Calc BC as juniors. So math is very well represented here. Also they will work with you to get ahead in math if you dont meet the cut offs in middle school.

You have no idea what you’re talking about. 10 to 15 Meridian students going to the Ivies or Georgia Tech this year? Bullshit - prove it.

Also, the SCHEV percentage numbers are students ADMITTED, not who enrolled.

So many idiots on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCCPS resident here. I can tell you that if your family is interested in UVA this is a great school. SO many kids got into UVA this year and many had very mid stats, not sure they would have gotten in from FCPS or Arlington. There are 5 AP classes. I think the IB is well run and soon most colleges will accept SL classes for credit not just HL giving it a leg up from AP. It is true that it is socially claustrophobic and if you have a falling out with a friend group it can be very bad-dealing with this now. The upside is that given you cant escape any social drama when you finish the HS you are more aware of social dynamics because the lessons are in your face.

I was intrigued by this claim and the numbers are easily verifiable on line through SCHEV. From what I can see, FCCPS admission rates to UVA as compared to APS are all over the place. Sometimes FC rates are much higher (like in the 40s) and other times they’re on par with APS (in the 30s). This doesn’t really tell you much, though, because the data for Arlington isn’t broken down by high school and many many more students apply to UVA from Arlington than from FC.

The Arlington admit rates being reported are much more consistent than FC, though, and that suggests that the numbers for FC are class-specific - the classes are so small - and don’t mean that going to school there gives you a material advantage.

And Broad Street is a traffic nightmare devoid of much of anything interesting and not exactly my idea of “walkable.”

This year at least 10-15 choose Ivy or Georgia Tech over UVA so not everyone that gets in to UVA actually goes. The stats of kids going into UVA is not great, and many get in TO.
In regards to math, my kids are into math and they are doing AP Calc BC as juniors. So math is very well represented here. Also they will work with you to get ahead in math if you dont meet the cut offs in middle school.

I did the math based on Arlington Magazine numbers and UVA for the last five years has admitted almost exactly 10% each year of the Yorktown and W&L classes. THAT DOES NOT MEAN TOP 10% for those who can’t read nor does it mean that 10% went. I’d be shocked if Falls Church was that different. Send me the link on admissions — NOT insta pages — and I’ll check it for you. I just don’t think these big good local phonic HS are really all that different for purposes of applying to college, as evidenced by the consistency with which UVA admits kids here in Arlington.

Arlington Magazine numbers are inaccurate. SCHEV is the official website for Virginia higher education and its numbers are the accurate ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCCPS resident here. I can tell you that if your family is interested in UVA this is a great school. SO many kids got into UVA this year and many had very mid stats, not sure they would have gotten in from FCPS or Arlington. There are 5 AP classes. I think the IB is well run and soon most colleges will accept SL classes for credit not just HL giving it a leg up from AP. It is true that it is socially claustrophobic and if you have a falling out with a friend group it can be very bad-dealing with this now. The upside is that given you cant escape any social drama when you finish the HS you are more aware of social dynamics because the lessons are in your face.

I was intrigued by this claim and the numbers are easily verifiable on line through SCHEV. From what I can see, FCCPS admission rates to UVA as compared to APS are all over the place. Sometimes FC rates are much higher (like in the 40s) and other times they’re on par with APS (in the 30s). This doesn’t really tell you much, though, because the data for Arlington isn’t broken down by high school and many many more students apply to UVA from Arlington than from FC.

The Arlington admit rates being reported are much more consistent than FC, though, and that suggests that the numbers for FC are class-specific - the classes are so small - and don’t mean that going to school there gives you a material advantage.

And Broad Street is a traffic nightmare devoid of much of anything interesting and not exactly my idea of “walkable.”

This year at least 10-15 choose Ivy or Georgia Tech over UVA so not everyone that gets in to UVA actually goes. The stats of kids going into UVA is not great, and many get in TO.
In regards to math, my kids are into math and they are doing AP Calc BC as juniors. So math is very well represented here. Also they will work with you to get ahead in math if you dont meet the cut offs in middle school.

I did the math based on Arlington Magazine numbers and UVA for the last five years has admitted almost exactly 10% each year of the Yorktown and W&L classes. THAT DOES NOT MEAN TOP 10% for those who can’t read nor does it mean that 10% went. I’d be shocked if Falls Church was that different. Send me the link on admissions — NOT insta pages — and I’ll check it for you. I just don’t think these big good local phonic HS are really all that different for purposes of applying to college, as evidenced by the consistency with which UVA admits kids here in Arlington.

Arlington Magazine numbers are inaccurate. SCHEV is the official website for Virginia higher education and its numbers are the accurate ones.

That’s where Arlington magazine gets its numbers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of the Falls Church City neighborhoods are quite nice. Not a fan of the vertical schools or the density of the development now along Broad Street. It is anything but charming.

My kid never complained and anyone with a disability got an elevator pass. The advantage is the connection between MEH and Meridian. The bands played in the big auditorium and 8th graders got to play high school sports.

Just a note to say that in APS, 8th graders are also allowed to play HS sports (unless it’s a sport that MS has).