Fairfax vs. Loudoun high schools academic environment

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are considering a move to northern Virginia. Kids in middle school now, accomplished athletes that are somewhat heavily recruited by privates throughout the East Coast. We are unsure of cultural fit at the privates so exploring publics that have large resources and combination of a balanced but great academic and athletics programs.

The high schools we are looking at includes: Robinson, Lake Braddock, Centreville, Chantilly, Westfield and Freedom in Loudoun County.

Is there a difference in the academic environment in Fairfax vs. Loudoun? Any of the listed schools particularly good in balancing the academic / athletic balance with great track record for both? Specifically, I am reading about how competitive the academic programs are in the Fairfax County high schools where it dominates a student's life and trying to determine if a high level athlete that spends a significant amount of time on sports will get left in the dust by substantial groups of peer students that spend hours every day on academics.

Also, I'm reading in the news about kids in Fairfax County committing suicide due to the high pressure academic environment. What's driving the high pressure environment? The students, parents, teachers, school administration, all of the above?

There is a nearby Catholic high school near one of our homes where we now live (not Virginia) where most of the athletes probably spend 0 to 2 hours a night on homework and studying, still get great grades and attend top 20 D1 colleges to play sports on a regular basis. I understand that is probably not realistic in Fairfax or Loudoun, but can a student get away with 2 hours a night on homework, get mostly As a few Bs, and participate in high school sports at a level high enough to get recruited D1?

Is there a difference in the culture of Fairfax vs. Loudoun? My impression is that Fairfax is particularly academics focused whereas Loudoun is still strong in academics but with a more balanced approach.

The northern Virginia area has a lot to offer, but want to make sure that we understand the full picture on the academic / athletics balance.

Location / job is not an issue for us as we are financially independent.

Sorry, I have read your entry many times and I am just having trouble putting all the pieces together to figure out what you want.

1) You are independently wealthy but want your child to go to public school, particularly, one of the following (which are kind of. . .ehhh?): Robinson, Lake Braddock, Centreville, Chantilly, Westfield, and Freedom in Loudoun.

2) Your have two (or more?) kids currently in middle school who are very good athletes so I assume you want them to go to a school where they can continue to athletically shine. (What sport(s)? Even that would help.) (Girls? Boys?)

3) The school should have a middle-of-the-road academic focus so your kids can spend the majority of their time on the sports. 1-2 hours/night would be what you are looking for.

--------------

If my (limited) understanding of what you are looking for is correct, you are not going to find a big difference between Fairfax vs. Loudoun. You may find individual differences in one school vs. another, but there really is not big demonstrable difference in outlook b/w Fairfax and Loudoun. If you want them to focus a lot on the athletics, they will probably have to take regular classes (no GT or APs) and that should work out ok, I would think. Sure, there are plenty of kids who do this type of thing in any of the Fairfax or Loudoun schools. Will they excel in sports AND in academics? No, but I think you have said that is kind of what you are looking for anyway? And, actually, I think the same would be true of any public h.s. in America, so I guess I don't really see why you are trying to move here, so your kids can get a fair-to-middlin' education? A bit strange. . . !

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are considering a move to northern Virginia. Kids in middle school now, accomplished athletes that are somewhat heavily recruited by privates throughout the East Coast. We are unsure of cultural fit at the privates so exploring publics that have large resources and combination of a balanced but great academic and athletics programs.

The high schools we are looking at includes: Robinson, Lake Braddock, Centreville, Chantilly, Westfield and Freedom in Loudoun County.

Is there a difference in the academic environment in Fairfax vs. Loudoun? Any of the listed schools particularly good in balancing the academic / athletic balance with great track record for both? Specifically, I am reading about how competitive the academic programs are in the Fairfax County high schools where it dominates a student's life and trying to determine if a high level athlete that spends a significant amount of time on sports will get left in the dust by substantial groups of peer students that spend hours every day on academics.

Also, I'm reading in the news about kids in Fairfax County committing suicide due to the high pressure academic environment. What's driving the high pressure environment? The students, parents, teachers, school administration, all of the above?

There is a nearby Catholic high school near one of our homes where we now live (not Virginia) where most of the athletes probably spend 0 to 2 hours a night on homework and studying, still get great grades and attend top 20 D1 colleges to play sports on a regular basis. I understand that is probably not realistic in Fairfax or Loudoun, but can a student get away with 2 hours a night on homework, get mostly As a few Bs, and participate in high school sports at a level high enough to get recruited D1?

Is there a difference in the culture of Fairfax vs. Loudoun? My impression is that Fairfax is particularly academics focused whereas Loudoun is still strong in academics but with a more balanced approach.

The northern Virginia area has a lot to offer, but want to make sure that we understand the full picture on the academic / athletics balance.

Location / job is not an issue for us as we are financially independent.

If you are financially independent, why on EARTH are you moving to NoVa? And even considering Chantilly? Most people move here for the $.

The reason for considering Northern Virginia: Fairfax and Loudoun are probably the two of the best places in the country in terms of family quality of life and an educated, higher income population. We are looking at several areas, but Northern Virginia seems to have the best public schools that on paper seem better than most private schools.

Not sure what you mean by quality of life. Even with a good incone, the quality of life in Fairfax is not good. Terrible zoning, sprawl, traffic, and a cultural wasteland.

People in Fairfax routinely score high on quality of life surveys, health surveys, etc. Yes, there is traffic, particularly in western Fairfax, but the good jobs, nice homes, and great schools make it an attractive place for a diverse population. Plenty of culture as well - Patriot Center, Wolf Trap, Mount Vernon - and decent access to DC (nice place to visit....).

It's a functional place and is overcrowded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are considering a move to northern Virginia. Kids in middle school now, accomplished athletes that are somewhat heavily recruited by privates throughout the East Coast. We are unsure of cultural fit at the privates so exploring publics that have large resources and combination of a balanced but great academic and athletics programs.

The high schools we are looking at includes: Robinson, Lake Braddock, Centreville, Chantilly, Westfield and Freedom in Loudoun County.

Is there a difference in the academic environment in Fairfax vs. Loudoun? Any of the listed schools particularly good in balancing the academic / athletic balance with great track record for both? Specifically, I am reading about how competitive the academic programs are in the Fairfax County high schools where it dominates a student's life and trying to determine if a high level athlete that spends a significant amount of time on sports will get left in the dust by substantial groups of peer students that spend hours every day on academics.

Also, I'm reading in the news about kids in Fairfax County committing suicide due to the high pressure academic environment. What's driving the high pressure environment? The students, parents, teachers, school administration, all of the above?

There is a nearby Catholic high school near one of our homes where we now live (not Virginia) where most of the athletes probably spend 0 to 2 hours a night on homework and studying, still get great grades and attend top 20 D1 colleges to play sports on a regular basis. I understand that is probably not realistic in Fairfax or Loudoun, but can a student get away with 2 hours a night on homework, get mostly As a few Bs, and participate in high school sports at a level high enough to get recruited D1?

Is there a difference in the culture of Fairfax vs. Loudoun? My impression is that Fairfax is particularly academics focused whereas Loudoun is still strong in academics but with a more balanced approach.

The northern Virginia area has a lot to offer, but want to make sure that we understand the full picture on the academic / athletics balance.

Location / job is not an issue for us as we are financially independent.

Sorry, I have read your entry many times and I am just having trouble putting all the pieces together to figure out what you want.

1) You are independently wealthy but want your child to go to public school, particularly, one of the following (which are kind of. . .ehhh?): Robinson, Lake Braddock, Centreville, Chantilly, Westfield, and Freedom in Loudoun.

2) Your have two (or more?) kids currently in middle school who are very good athletes so I assume you want them to go to a school where they can continue to athletically shine. (What sport(s)? Even that would help.) (Girls? Boys?)

3) The school should have a middle-of-the-road academic focus so your kids can spend the majority of their time on the sports. 1-2 hours/night would be what you are looking for.

--------------

If my (limited) understanding of what you are looking for is correct, you are not going to find a big difference between Fairfax vs. Loudoun. You may find individual differences in one school vs. another, but there really is not big demonstrable difference in outlook b/w Fairfax and Loudoun. If you want them to focus a lot on the athletics, they will probably have to take regular classes (no GT or APs) and that should work out ok, I would think. Sure, there are plenty of kids who do this type of thing in any of the Fairfax or Loudoun schools. Will they excel in sports AND in academics? No, but I think you have said that is kind of what you are looking for anyway? And, actually, I think the same would be true of any public h.s. in America, so I guess I don't really see why you are trying to move here, so your kids can get a fair-to-middlin' education? A bit strange. . . !

Very strange. But I think there might be a communication barrier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are considering a move to northern Virginia. Kids in middle school now, accomplished athletes that are somewhat heavily recruited by privates throughout the East Coast. We are unsure of cultural fit at the privates so exploring publics that have large resources and combination of a balanced but great academic and athletics programs.

The high schools we are looking at includes: Robinson, Lake Braddock, Centreville, Chantilly, Westfield and Freedom in Loudoun County.

Is there a difference in the academic environment in Fairfax vs. Loudoun? Any of the listed schools particularly good in balancing the academic / athletic balance with great track record for both? Specifically, I am reading about how competitive the academic programs are in the Fairfax County high schools where it dominates a student's life and trying to determine if a high level athlete that spends a significant amount of time on sports will get left in the dust by substantial groups of peer students that spend hours every day on academics.

Also, I'm reading in the news about kids in Fairfax County committing suicide due to the high pressure academic environment. What's driving the high pressure environment? The students, parents, teachers, school administration, all of the above?

There is a nearby Catholic high school near one of our homes where we now live (not Virginia) where most of the athletes probably spend 0 to 2 hours a night on homework and studying, still get great grades and attend top 20 D1 colleges to play sports on a regular basis. I understand that is probably not realistic in Fairfax or Loudoun, but can a student get away with 2 hours a night on homework, get mostly As a few Bs, and participate in high school sports at a level high enough to get recruited D1?

Is there a difference in the culture of Fairfax vs. Loudoun? My impression is that Fairfax is particularly academics focused whereas Loudoun is still strong in academics but with a more balanced approach.

The northern Virginia area has a lot to offer, but want to make sure that we understand the full picture on the academic / athletics balance.

Location / job is not an issue for us as we are financially independent.

If you are financially independent, why on EARTH are you moving to NoVa? And even considering Chantilly? Most people move here for the $.

The reason for considering Northern Virginia: Fairfax and Loudoun are probably the two of the best places in the country in terms of family quality of life and an educated, higher income population. We are looking at several areas, but Northern Virginia seems to have the best public schools that on paper seem better than most private schools.

Not sure what you mean by quality of life. Even with a good incone, the quality of life in Fairfax is not good. Terrible zoning, sprawl, traffic, and a cultural wasteland.

People in Fairfax routinely score high on quality of life surveys, health surveys, etc. Yes, there is traffic, particularly in western Fairfax, but the good jobs, nice homes, and great schools make it an attractive place for a diverse population. Plenty of culture as well - Patriot Center, Wolf Trap, Mount Vernon - and decent access to DC (nice place to visit....).

It's a functional place and is overcrowded.

Yes, I agree with the above. And, if your kids are so busy doing sports-related things, you won't have time as a family to enjoy all this culture and history around here, so you might as well just stay wherever it is you are coming from!!?!?!

[Anonymous]

OP: You did not mention which sports your kids are involved with. Why don't you look through the local city sports news? It may give you an idea of the strength of Athletic programs in FFX Cty and Loudoun Cty. Again, depending on the sport, Fairfax County offers a variety of leagues and training academies. You (or your kids) will be driving a lot all over the area during the off-season if your kids seek additional training opportunity which most players wanting to be recruited will need. Because Fairfax county is more densely populated, it tends to have more training facilities and competitive sport leagues. If your kids truly excel in their sport, they will have the opportunity to be recruited to D1 schools from most Fairfax County Public High Schools or local Private Schools in the area.

Centreview covers the local HS sports
http://www.connection-sports.com/

VivaLoudoun covers local HS sports
http://www.vivaloudoun.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: You did not mention which sports your kids are involved with. Why don't you look through the local city sports news? It may give you an idea of the strength of Athletic programs in FFX Cty and Loudoun Cty. Again, depending on the sport, Fairfax County offers a variety of leagues and training academies. You (or your kids) will be driving a lot all over the area during the off-season if your kids seek additional training opportunity which most players wanting to be recruited will need. Because Fairfax county is more densely populated, it tends to have more training facilities and competitive sport leagues. If your kids truly excel in their sport, they will have the opportunity to be recruited to D1 schools from most Fairfax County Public High Schools or local Private Schools in the area.

Centreview covers the local HS sports
http://www.connection-sports.com/

VivaLoudoun covers local HS sports
http://www.vivaloudoun.com/

Some of the recruited seniors at my DC's school never played on the HS team but played on travel teams or other teams instead. Soccer, swimming and basketball come to mind. The two I know who were on the HS team and recruited were girl's softball and men's crew (which is a club sport).

[Anonymous]

I believe the OP is looking for high school that is best fit for her kid(s). I have two kids who attended Loudoun County elementary and middle schools. However, both of them attended Fairfax high school(TJ). For academic, Loudoun County is easier than Fairfax county. I hope this will help you, OP.

[Anonymous]

We love Robibson Secondary.

It has something for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Robinson.

I hate my phone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe the OP is looking for high school that is best fit for her kid(s). I have two kids who attended Loudoun County elementary and middle schools. However, both of them attended Fairfax high school(TJ). For academic, Loudoun County is easier than Fairfax county. I hope this will help you, OP.

How would you know?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I believe the OP is looking for high school that is best fit for her kid(s). I have two kids who attended Loudoun County elementary and middle schools. However, both of them attended Fairfax high school(TJ). For academic, Loudoun County easier than Fairfax county. I hope this will help you, OP.

How would you know?

Of course I must know something after live in Loudoun county for 25 years and counting and had two kids went to elementary and middle schools there. They never got anything less than an A on any subjects in any grades plus they hardly studied for exams. Will this tell you something?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe the OP is looking for high school that is best fit for her kid(s). I have two kids who attended Loudoun County elementary and middle schools. However, both of them attended Fairfax high school(TJ). For academic, Loudoun County is easier than Fairfax county. I hope this will help you, OP.

Yes, you are 100% correct, looking for the ideal fit. The Loudoun relatively easier than Fairfax is a helpful data point. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are considering a move to northern Virginia. Kids in middle school now, accomplished athletes that are somewhat heavily recruited by privates throughout the East Coast. We are unsure of cultural fit at the privates so exploring publics that have large resources and combination of a balanced but great academic and athletics programs.

The high schools we are looking at includes: Robinson, Lake Braddock, Centreville, Chantilly, Westfield and Freedom in Loudoun County.

Is there a difference in the academic environment in Fairfax vs. Loudoun? Any of the listed schools particularly good in balancing the academic / athletic balance with great track record for both? Specifically, I am reading about how competitive the academic programs are in the Fairfax County high schools where it dominates a student's life and trying to determine if a high level athlete that spends a significant amount of time on sports will get left in the dust by substantial groups of peer students that spend hours every day on academics.

Also, I'm reading in the news about kids in Fairfax County committing suicide due to the high pressure academic environment. What's driving the high pressure environment? The students, parents, teachers, school administration, all of the above?

There is a nearby Catholic high school near one of our homes where we now live (not Virginia) where most of the athletes probably spend 0 to 2 hours a night on homework and studying, still get great grades and attend top 20 D1 colleges to play sports on a regular basis. I understand that is probably not realistic in Fairfax or Loudoun, but can a student get away with 2 hours a night on homework, get mostly As a few Bs, and participate in high school sports at a level high enough to get recruited D1?

Is there a difference in the culture of Fairfax vs. Loudoun? My impression is that Fairfax is particularly academics focused whereas Loudoun is still strong in academics but with a more balanced approach.

The northern Virginia area has a lot to offer, but want to make sure that we understand the full picture on the academic / athletics balance.

Location / job is not an issue for us as we are financially independent.

Which sport? Will they need to be rostered to their HS team to continue the recruiting process or will their club teams be their primary recruiting source? There is also a wide range of diversity in different FCPS schools so if that is a concern you may want to look into each particular school of interest's demographics

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I believe the OP is looking for high school that is best fit for her kid(s). I have two kids who attended Loudoun County elementary and middle schools. However, both of them attended Fairfax high school(TJ). For academic, Loudoun County easier than Fairfax county. I hope this will help you, OP.

How would you know?

Of course I must know something after live in Loudoun county for 25 years and counting and had two kids went to elementary and middle schools there. They never got anything less than an A on any subjects in any grades plus they hardly studied for exams. Will this tell you something?

NP. Wow -- 25 years -- I didn't think anyone has been in Loudon for more than 3-5 years . . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I believe the OP is looking for high school that is best fit for her kid(s). I have two kids who attended Loudoun County elementary and middle schools. However, both of them attended Fairfax high school(TJ). For academic, Loudoun County easier than Fairfax county. I hope this will help you, OP.

How would you know?

Of course I must know something after live in Loudoun county for 25 years and counting and had two kids went to elementary and middle schools there. They never got anything less than an A on any subjects in any grades plus they hardly studied for exams. Will this tell you something?

I meant how do you know Loudoun is easier than Fairfax when your kids went to a magnet school in Fairfax rather than a typical high school similarly rated to the Loudoun schools?