Reston? Need quick advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How old are your kids? If they are still young I would buy. Who know what south lakes will look like in 10 years.

Completely agree with this. People were saying the same thing about certain Vienna schools years ago when we bought our house. You HAD to live in McLean. Now people are falling all over themselves to move here. And kids are people placing to be in our local HS. Reston is a great community and much closer in than Sterling or the Chantilly HS area. If you like the area, I wouldn't be overly concerned.

Same goes for McLean many years ago. Believe it or not, that's where the lower income people who couldn't afford Arlington would move. Times change. I see all of the change going on in Reston, and it's pretty awesome. It's a really amazing cohesive community and convenient place to live. In my opinion, Reston is the next Vienna in terms of cachet. Just like Vienna was the next McLean, and McLean was the next Arlington years ago. Of course the old communities will turn their noses up at the new while the tides of change pass them by.

I remember when we moved to Fairfax County 7 years ago, Marshall High was seen as a "ghetto" school and the real estate was much more affordable than the Madison-zoned Vienna neighborhoods. On this same dcum blog, just like what people are saying about South Lakes, there were people on here disparaging Marshall and saying things about gangs and stuff, even though most of them didn't have first hand experience, and there were others with first hand experience who said it's a wonderful school. Now, Marshall is a sought-after school and the real estate is valued comparable to Madison neighborhoods (I should know because we're in the market to upsize the house we bought 7 years ago!). Things change over time. All indications are that Reston has a promising future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it were me, I would not buy a house zoned for those schools. There are better schools in Reston.

By better, I'm guessing you mean schools with less minorities.

[Anonymous]

Reston is less soul-suckingly cookie cutter and boring than some other parts of western Fairfax. I would buy there--with the Silver Line it'll possibly turn out to be a good investment. I never know what people mean by "good schools."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How old are your kids? If they are still young I would buy. Who know what south lakes will look like in 10 years.

Completely agree with this. People were saying the same thing about certain Vienna schools years ago when we bought our house. You HAD to live in McLean. Now people are falling all over themselves to move here. And kids are people placing to be in our local HS. Reston is a great community and much closer in than Sterling or the Chantilly HS area. If you like the area, I wouldn't be overly concerned.

Same goes for McLean many years ago. Believe it or not, that's where the lower income people who couldn't afford Arlington would move. Times change. I see all of the change going on in Reston, and it's pretty awesome. It's a really amazing cohesive community and convenient place to live. In my opinion, Reston is the next Vienna in terms of cachet. Just like Vienna was the next McLean, and McLean was the next Arlington years ago. Of course the old communities will turn their noses up at the new while the tides of change pass them by.

I remember when we moved to Fairfax County 7 years ago, Marshall High was seen as a "ghetto" school and the real estate was much more affordable than the Madison-zoned Vienna neighborhoods. On this same dcum blog, just like what people are saying about South Lakes, there were people on here disparaging Marshall and saying things about gangs and stuff, even though most of them didn't have first hand experience, and there were others with first hand experience who said it's a wonderful school. Now, Marshall is a sought-after school and the real estate is valued comparable to Madison neighborhoods (I should know because we're in the market to upsize the house we bought 7 years ago!). Things change over time. All indications are that Reston has a promising future.

Believe me Marshall is still a ghetto, the real estate is going good because of proximity to mclean and metro.. Nothing related to Schools.

In 2013 you could get a newly built house for 800k. you wont get a 15 years townhouse for that price in mclean..

Houses in Reston's South lakes school district are cheap for a reason, and that is hughes-South lakes pyramid

[Anonymous]

OP -- please go to www.greatschools.org and search for South Lakes. Then, click DIRECTLY on the colored number rating (I believe it is a "6").... that will bring you to a detailed page where the pass rates for the SOL tests are listed for various subgroups.

I bet most people bashing SLHS are unaware that the white students at SLHS rate a "9" out of "10" on their SOL tests. Asians students are a "7". These are comparisons to state-wide pass rates. Basically, South Lakes is a school with very different sub groups. The kids in the public housing (primarily black students) -- lower pass rates. White kids going to South Lakes tend to come from families that can afford housing in the $500K-$1million range and not surprisingly, their parents are highly educated, employed in high paid professions and they do quite well. When you mix the pass rates for the high performers and the lower performers, you get an OVERALL pass rate for the school (compared to the state as a whole) in the middle zone -- hence the "6" rating.

Do not fear a "6" rating unless you feel that your children will not be able to succeed in a school where brown children also get an education.

(Note also that the not-economically-disadvantaged pass rate is an "8" out of 10. You be the judge if your kids can succeed in a place like that.)

[Anonymous]

One more thing (I'm 9:27) --- lest you fear that there may be just a tiny group of high achieving white kids -- ummm... no... 47% of the school is white. And the passrate for that subgroup on all SOL tests is in the TOP group for the state. The white kids at Oakton are in the same group.

For those who suggested Centreville -- it's also rated as a "6" (school-wide), but if you look at subgroups, the white kids are rating an "8" -- i.e. lower than South Lakes, and the non econ. disadvant. kids are passing at a lower rate than at South Lakes.

So, really, I think you'd be quite happy with South Lakes. (and no, I don't live in Reston but we've considered moving there, looked at a lot of houses, and I did a lot of research to come to the decision that I'd be fine with South Lakes.... my big issue with it is the SIZE. But, that is true of most of the schools on the western side of FFC.)

[Anonymous]

FWIW, I have yet to hear legitimate criticism about Reston from someone who actually lives in Reston.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, I have yet to hear legitimate criticism about Reston from someone who actually lives in Reston.

We live in Reston and have a 4th grader at Aldrin and 6th grader at Forest Edge. We are very happy with our experiences at both schools and love living here. Forest Edge has more diversity than Aldrin, but not in a bad way at all (actually, it's been positive for us), and it seems to be more academically rigorous than Aldrin, but that's probably just because of the program my daughter is in. Reston has so much to offer from recreation to amenities to necessities all within a close proximity. It's a true community in all senses of the word.

The racist attitudes on dcum are pretty shocking and saddening in a way, but interesting too because I'm sure this is just how people really feel, but don't actually say it out loud.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, I have yet to hear legitimate criticism about Reston from someone who actually lives in Reston.

We live in Reston and have a 4th grader at Aldrin and 6th grader at Forest Edge. We are very happy with our experiences at both schools and love living here. Forest Edge has more diversity than Aldrin, but not in a bad way at all (actually, it's been positive for us), and it seems to be more academically rigorous than Aldrin, but that's probably just because of the program my daughter is in. Reston has so much to offer from recreation to amenities to necessities all within a close proximity. It's a true community in all senses of the word.
.

We also live in Reston and have a student at Forest Edge in AAP and one in our base school. Happy with both schools and we LOVE Reston. We have been looking to move to a larger home and after seeing the neighborhoods in surrounding areas, we will not leave Reston. The pools, tennis, trails, Town Center restaurants, our great neighbors . . . truly believe we've found the best place around!

DC at Forest Edge will have a choice of Hughes and S Lakes or Herndon Middle and High; we will likely choose S Lakes. Many of her older peers in AAP have done so and have been very happy with Hughes and S Lakes.

Good luck with your decision!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check out Sterling in the Cascades. It's just as close as Reston (depending on where you're commuting to) and the schools are better and we liked the housing stock more. We seriously have some amazing neighbors, shops and area.

God, no. The schools are no better, plus it's cookie-cutter and not close to anything.

Sterling is scary. Areas you sometimes have to drive through and try not to have to stop. And the schools??? I would never consider it.

I know there is also another part of Sterling that is nicer and calls itself "Potomac Falls."

[Anonymous]

Believe me Marshall is still a ghetto, the real estate is going good because of proximity to mclean and metro.. Nothing related to Schools.

In 2013 you could get a newly built house for 800k. you wont get a 15 years townhouse for that price in mclean..


It is related to the schools. Look at Marshall's ratings on national publications and ratings websites. Not that that necessarily means anything because ratings are based on SOL's, which aren't a high standard to begin with. Bottom line is that perception has a lot to do with it and perception is not always reality.

Also, I challenge you to show me a new house that one could get in the Marshall zone for only $800K! You're out of touch with the real estate market. I could easily show you a sub 800K townhouse in McLean, but what point are you trying to make with that anyway?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check out Sterling in the Cascades. It's just as close as Reston (depending on where you're commuting to) and the schools are better and we liked the housing stock more. We seriously have some amazing neighbors, shops and area.

God, no. The schools are no better, plus it's cookie-cutter and not close to anything.

Sterling is scary. Areas you sometimes have to drive through and try not to have to stop. And the schools??? I would never consider it.

I know there is also another part of Sterling that is nicer and calls itself "Potomac Falls."

Cascades IS Potomac Falls. And the schools are excellent...

[Anonymous]

I live in the Forest Edge/Hughes/South Lakes pyramid also. We have been fairly happy with Forest Edge -- it's our base school, but my kids placed into AAP, so we have experiences with both. As with most schools, you'll see a mix of teachers, some that are just competent and others that are very, very good.

I've heard positive things from friends with kids at Hughes and South Lakes, so I have no concerns about keeping my kids in the pyramid. Keep in mind that South Lakes is an International Baccalaureate school rather than Advanced Placement -- I like the IB program and think it's a positive thing, but other people prefer AP.

Reston is a great place to live -- the pools, the trails, the summer camps and community services, the diversity in people and architecture. We've been here for over 10 years and remain very happy with our decision.

Good luck to you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Believe me Marshall is still a ghetto, the real estate is going good because of proximity to mclean and metro.. Nothing related to Schools.

In 2013 you could get a newly built house for 800k. you wont get a 15 years townhouse for that price in mclean..

It is related to the schools. Look at Marshall's ratings on national publications and ratings websites. Not that that necessarily means anything because ratings are based on SOL's, which aren't a high standard to begin with. Bottom line is that perception has a lot to do with it and perception is not always reality.

Also, I challenge you to show me a new house that one could get in the Marshall zone for only $800K! You're out of touch with the real estate market. I could easily show you a sub 800K townhouse in McLean, but what point are you trying to make with that anyway?

Nobody other than a ninny would have called Marshall "ghetto" in 2007. The SAT scores there in 2008 were higher than at Madison. That hasn't happened again, but it's certainly a decent school. So is South Lakes. Both are IB. They are different in that Marshall grew steadily within its existing boundaries, whereas South Lakes parents asked for more kids from high-income neighborhoods to get moved to the school, and FCPS obliged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Believe me Marshall is still a ghetto, the real estate is going good because of proximity to mclean and metro.. Nothing related to Schools.

In 2013 you could get a newly built house for 800k. you wont get a 15 years townhouse for that price in mclean..

It is related to the schools. Look at Marshall's ratings on national publications and ratings websites. Not that that necessarily means anything because ratings are based on SOL's, which aren't a high standard to begin with. Bottom line is that perception has a lot to do with it and perception is not always reality.

Also, I challenge you to show me a new house that one could get in the Marshall zone for only $800K! You're out of touch with the real estate market. I could easily show you a sub 800K townhouse in McLean, but what point are you trying to make with that anyway?

Nobody other than a ninny would have called Marshall "ghetto" in 2007. The SAT scores there in 2008 were higher than at Madison. That hasn't happened again, but it's certainly a decent school. So is South Lakes. Both are IB. They are different in that Marshall grew steadily within its existing boundaries, whereas South Lakes parents asked for more kids from high-income neighborhoods to get moved to the school, and FCPS obliged.

The parents didn't ask for it. Go look at FCPS records to get your facts straight. A lot of this thread makes it seem like Reston is a low-income area. Only about 20-30% is low/moderate income. There is a huge middle and upper middle class contingent in Reston.