Positives of FCPS

[Anonymous]

I think FCPS teaches math well. Many choices for math electives at the high school level even if you choose a base school instead of TJ. For middle school, I like that kids can try honors classes by their own choice and take accelerated courses if they qualify. They can also go back and retake courses if needed. We like the Pearson Envision math curriculum. I like that the book is available online at least and I like the material in the book and the homework problems. As for our children's school, their teachers even scan the homework sheets in case our children forget their homework. Our school has math extension work as well that is well thought out and a math competition for the older children. Teachers differentiate in the classroom and by switching classes.

[Anonymous]

See, I think the great school ratings are crap. Sure, they show which schools have the best test scores - which basically means, where are there the most wealthy/affluent families.

We are seriously considering moving from a 9/10 to a 4. I actually think the 4 school is a better experience overall.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I am not super concerned about the Great School rankings. We are in an 8 school.
I am more concerned about the curriculum and standardized testing. I don't really understand why kids have to be tested every year starting in 3rd grade (unless I am missing something here). I am concerned about the amount of recess the kids have. Kids should be outside running around.
All of this could be unfounded. I should probably go tour my local ES. Hoping they will let me.

[Anonymous]

And thank you to everyone for the great comments. It sounds like MS and HS are really pretty good. ES is where more of the issues seem to come up from what I can tell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am not super concerned about the Great School rankings. We are in an 8 school.
I am more concerned about the curriculum and standardized testing. I don't really understand why kids have to be tested every year starting in 3rd grade (unless I am missing something here). I am concerned about the amount of recess the kids have. Kids should be outside running around.
All of this could be unfounded. I should probably go tour my local ES. Hoping they will let me.

You have congress and the ed dept to thank for most of that. Not fcps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And thank you to everyone for the great comments. It sounds like MS and HS are really pretty good. ES is where more of the issues seem to come up from what I can tell.

I think that there is a disconnect between parental expectations and what a decent school does in ES, by MS and HS parents have calmed down a bit a see the big picture more clearly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am not super concerned about the Great School rankings. We are in an 8 school.
I am more concerned about the curriculum and standardized testing. I don't really understand why kids have to be tested every year starting in 3rd grade (unless I am missing something here). I am concerned about the amount of recess the kids have. Kids should be outside running around.
All of this could be unfounded. I should probably go tour my local ES. Hoping they will let me.

The pendulum is swinging towards reduced testing, by the time your DC gets to third grade, there will not be as many tests.

[Anonymous]

We came from private and are in one of the Vienna elementary schools. The classes are bigger but have found the teachers to be caring and supportive. We have been happy with the curriculum so far and like it better than what we had in private school. The PTA is active and there are lots of events that you can attend, if you want. Our children are very happy and have made many friends. Before in private, there wasn't a sense of community since everyone was traveling from different places.

[Anonymous]

The FCPS website has A LOT of information accessible to the public. You can see basically where every dollar goes, what every standard is per grade and subject, and who the contact person is for every area of interest. I really think FCPS just lacks funding and time to teach all of the subjects while still fitting in all of these special classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Class of 2016 National Merit Semifinalists

FCPS 237
MCPS 138
LCPS 36
APS 8

Oops. Forgot DCPS. Not sure why.

FCPS 237
MCPS 138
LCPS 36
APS 8
DCPS 2

I don't think there's any doubt that FCPS has by far the most really bright kids in the area, in both absolute numbers and percentage terms. The concern usually focuses on how well it now serves average or below-average students who don't qualify for special services.

[Anonymous]

The concern usually focuses on how well it now serves average or below-average students who don't qualify for special services.

This. My child was "average". Didn't qualify for AAP or Sped or ESOL. Did not become an athlete. Did not have a high priced education in FCPS. Had big classes, lots of testing, and mediocre experience. No immersion at his school. If everyone were like him, FCPS would have money to spare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:See, I think the great school ratings are crap. Sure, they show which schools have the best test scores - which basically means, where are there the most wealthy/affluent families.

We are seriously considering moving from a 9/10 to a 4. I actually think the 4 school is a better experience overall.

How so?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:See, I think the great school ratings are crap. Sure, they show which schools have the best test scores - which basically means, where are there the most wealthy/affluent families.

We are seriously considering moving from a 9/10 to a 4. I actually think the 4 school is a better experience overall.

I was just coming in here to post this exact thing. Those ratings show SES, and not much more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And thank you to everyone for the great comments. It sounds like MS and HS are really pretty good. ES is where more of the issues seem to come up from what I can tell.

I think that there is a disconnect between parental expectations and what a decent school does in ES, by MS and HS parents have calmed down a bit a see the big picture more clearly.

This is spot on. Could not agree more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:See, I think the great school ratings are crap. Sure, they show which schools have the best test scores - which basically means, where are there the most wealthy/affluent families.

We are seriously considering moving from a 9/10 to a 4. I actually think the 4 school is a better experience overall.

I was just coming in here to post this exact thing. Those ratings show SES, and not much more.

The higher SES schools just have more going on generally. Better academics and extra curriculars, students with higher aspirations, more involved parents. After you get past the larger ES class sizes, the advantages are fairly obvious. The main thing you have to do is make sure your kid doesn't run with a crowd that spends money like crazy, or burn out comparing himself or herself to other high-achievers. Otherwise, there aren't a lot of upsides going to school with kids who have poor academic skills, little parental support, and few goals.