Comparing and contrasting the culture at different FCPS high schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
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Anonymous

There's no shortage of available information these days on test scores, demographics, rankings, AP vs. IB, etc. at the various FCPS high schools. What's more difficult to come by is good info on how the atmosphere differs at each. For example, are some schools more cliquish than others? More prone to problems with bullying? Are there bigger party schools"? Places with a strong sports culture where only the "jocks" fit in? Places where it's easier to be a geek? Etc, etc.

There's a good reason for that, which is that the culture of any school will change from time to time depending on who the students are and who the leadership is. For example, a PP trashed Madison is obsessed with sports, but the school now has a new principal. This principal is not a Madison grad and former sports star, as the previous one was, so that is changing the atmosphere there for the better.

OP, I think you'll need to do your own research on this one. DCUM is not the best place to look.

It absolutely isn't. Any of us can speak about the high schools our kids actually attend, but some PPs enjoy making sweeping generalizations about schools they have nothing to do with and have zero firsthand knowledge of. Often, it's simply sour grapes/envy talking. OP, when asking people about various high schools, make sure they actually have kids who attend the school you're discussing. Otherwise, it's just all a bunch of speculation and heresay.

[Anonymous]

This is a very helpful thread for me, too.

I'd like to hear about Chantilly HS as well.

[Anonymous]

Chantilly has all kinds. It is a very large school and quite diverse. Lots and lots of wonderful extracurricular activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This principal is not a Madison grad and former sports star, as the previous one was, so that is changing the atmosphere there for the better.

And, then, some people think that sports is a great thing for a school. It raises the morale of the kids and gives them activities for balance in their lives.

Sports are still very big at Madison. The problem under the prior principal was that he tolerated bullying and misbehavior by jocks and created an environment in which the kids who were not varsity athletes were made to feel like second-class students. It is much better now.

This worries me as we are looking in the Madison pyramid. Kids are not sporty and not in band. We are not super wealthy. Is it better to go to a lesser school and be on the upper end of it (i.e. like a Herndon school) or go to a Madison type of school where you probably won't be among the super stars. ??

Speaking of Herndon -- are there so many esol/farms kids that the administration's attention is all about that? I know the demographics are trending toward more esol/farms in the past couple of years. Is there any concern about safety/fights/gangs? Can academically inclined kids (again, not sporty) find like-minded peers and good teachers with high expectations?

We live in the Madison pyramid but the kids are still in elementary school. DS isn't into sports and won't be in band. He has a great group of friends and we love the community. Who knows what the school will be like in a few years when they get there. Admin can change even again and this can affect the entire school culture. All of these schools are good. Find a neighborhood you like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This principal is not a Madison grad and former sports star, as the previous one was, so that is changing the atmosphere there for the better.

And, then, some people think that sports is a great thing for a school. It raises the morale of the kids and gives them activities for balance in their lives.

Sports are still very big at Madison. The problem under the prior principal was that he tolerated bullying and misbehavior by jocks and created an environment in which the kids who were not varsity athletes were made to feel like second-class students. It is much better now.

This worries me as we are looking in the Madison pyramid. Kids are not sporty and not in band. We are not super wealthy. Is it better to go to a lesser school and be on the upper end of it (i.e. like a Herndon school) or go to a Madison type of school where you probably won't be among the super stars. ??

Speaking of Herndon -- are there so many esol/farms kids that the administration's attention is all about that? I know the demographics are trending toward more esol/farms in the past couple of years. Is there any concern about safety/fights/gangs? Can academically inclined kids (again, not sporty) find like-minded peers and good teachers with high expectations?

FWIW, DD is on the nerdy side, and madison is fine. There is a strong sports emphasis, but no more than Oakton, for example. The bigger difference is they have the best band program in NoVA. If you look at the classes offered and taken, you will see there is also a strong academic bent. I know kids from Madison going to Princeton, Harvard, etc as well as the usual state schools. FWIW, the FCPS student school board rep this year year is from madison. (bright kid too, but definitely not an athlete.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This principal is not a Madison grad and former sports star, as the previous one was, so that is changing the atmosphere there for the better.

And, then, some people think that sports is a great thing for a school. It raises the morale of the kids and gives them activities for balance in their lives.

Sports are still very big at Madison. The problem under the prior principal was that he tolerated bullying and misbehavior by jocks and created an environment in which the kids who were not varsity athletes were made to feel like second-class students. It is much better now.

This worries me as we are looking in the Madison pyramid. Kids are not sporty and not in band. We are not super wealthy. Is it better to go to a lesser school and be on the upper end of it (i.e. like a Herndon school) or go to a Madison type of school where you probably won't be among the super stars. ??

Speaking of Herndon -- are there so many esol/farms kids that the administration's attention is all about that? I know the demographics are trending toward more esol/farms in the past couple of years. Is there any concern about safety/fights/gangs? Can academically inclined kids (again, not sporty) find like-minded peers and good teachers with high expectations?

FWIW, DD is on the nerdy side, and madison is fine. There is a strong sports emphasis, but no more than Oakton, for example. The bigger difference is they have the best band program in NoVA. If you look at the classes offered and taken, you will see there is also a strong academic bent. I know kids from Madison going to Princeton, Harvard, etc as well as the usual state schools. FWIW, the FCPS student school board rep this year year is from madison. (bright kid too, but definitely not an athlete.)

I think the McLean band may disagree with that statement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Langley: good school but drug problem.

Seriously? You, again?

My kids have all gone to Langley. There is no "drug problem" there - any more than there is at any high school on this list, or in this country, for that matter.

We found Langley to be large enough for all our kids to find their various niches and people. None of them were particularly athletic, and yet all found groups of like-minded kids in theatre, academics, band, and other extracurriculars. Lots of interesting and nice kids, mostly fantastic teachers, and a fabulous academic experience. Highly recommend.

This is the first time I have ever posted about Langley. But EVERY PARENT, every single one that I have talked with says this. I have yet to talk with a single parent that does not say this. they all act relieved that their kids are out and have not been in the drug culture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This principal is not a Madison grad and former sports star, as the previous one was, so that is changing the atmosphere there for the better.

And, then, some people think that sports is a great thing for a school. It raises the morale of the kids and gives them activities for balance in their lives.

Sports are still very big at Madison. The problem under the prior principal was that he tolerated bullying and misbehavior by jocks and created an environment in which the kids who were not varsity athletes were made to feel like second-class students. It is much better now.

This worries me as we are looking in the Madison pyramid. Kids are not sporty and not in band. We are not super wealthy. Is it better to go to a lesser school and be on the upper end of it (i.e. like a Herndon school) or go to a Madison type of school where you probably won't be among the super stars. ??

Speaking of Herndon -- are there so many esol/farms kids that the administration's attention is all about that? I know the demographics are trending toward more esol/farms in the past couple of years. Is there any concern about safety/fights/gangs? Can academically inclined kids (again, not sporty) find like-minded peers and good teachers with high expectations?

We live in the Madison pyramid but the kids are still in elementary school. DS isn't into sports and won't be in band. He has a great group of friends and we love the community. Who knows what the school will be like in a few years when they get there. Admin can change even again and this can affect the entire school culture. All of these schools are good. Find a neighborhood you like.

Madsion is probably the best choice. It is changing -- the previous principal was an idiot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This principal is not a Madison grad and former sports star, as the previous one was, so that is changing the atmosphere there for the better.

And, then, some people think that sports is a great thing for a school. It raises the morale of the kids and gives them activities for balance in their lives.

Sports are still very big at Madison. The problem under the prior principal was that he tolerated bullying and misbehavior by jocks and created an environment in which the kids who were not varsity athletes were made to feel like second-class students. It is much better now.

This worries me as we are looking in the Madison pyramid. Kids are not sporty and not in band. We are not super wealthy. Is it better to go to a lesser school and be on the upper end of it (i.e. like a Herndon school) or go to a Madison type of school where you probably won't be among the super stars. ??

Speaking of Herndon -- are there so many esol/farms kids that the administration's attention is all about that? I know the demographics are trending toward more esol/farms in the past couple of years. Is there any concern about safety/fights/gangs? Can academically inclined kids (again, not sporty) find like-minded peers and good teachers with high expectations?

We live in the Madison pyramid but the kids are still in elementary school. DS isn't into sports and won't be in band. He has a great group of friends and we love the community. Who knows what the school will be like in a few years when they get there. Admin can change even again and this can affect the entire school culture. All of these schools are good. Find a neighborhood you like.

Madsion is probably the best choice. It is changing -- the previous principal was an idiot.

I'd be crossing off any school where parents repeatedly claim it is "the best." Giant red flag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Langley: good school but drug problem.

Seriously? You, again?

My kids have all gone to Langley. There is no "drug problem" there - any more than there is at any high school on this list, or in this country, for that matter.

We found Langley to be large enough for all our kids to find their various niches and people. None of them were particularly athletic, and yet all found groups of like-minded kids in theatre, academics, band, and other extracurriculars. Lots of interesting and nice kids, mostly fantastic teachers, and a fabulous academic experience. Highly recommend.

This is the first time I have ever posted about Langley. But EVERY PARENT, every single one that I have talked with says this. I have yet to talk with a single parent that does not say this. they all act relieved that their kids are out and have not been in the drug culture.

Yup, it's not just one poster who mentions the drug problems at Langley. There's been a serious drug problem there (hard drugs, not just weed) since I went to another FFX County high school in the 90s. Too much money + busy parents = kids using coke and pills.

[Anonymous]

What is the culture like at west Potomac?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Langley: good school but drug problem.

Seriously? You, again?

My kids have all gone to Langley. There is no "drug problem" there - any more than there is at any high school on this list, or in this country, for that matter.

We found Langley to be large enough for all our kids to find their various niches and people. None of them were particularly athletic, and yet all found groups of like-minded kids in theatre, academics, band, and other extracurriculars. Lots of interesting and nice kids, mostly fantastic teachers, and a fabulous academic experience. Highly recommend.

This is the first time I have ever posted about Langley. But EVERY PARENT, every single one that I have talked with says this. I have yet to talk with a single parent that does not say this. they all act relieved that their kids are out and have not been in the drug culture.

Yup, it's not just one poster who mentions the drug problems at Langley. There's been a serious drug problem there (hard drugs, not just weed) since I went to another FFX County high school in the 90s. Too much money + busy parents = kids using coke and pills.

You could come up with similar anecdotes for any school in the area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the culture like at west Potomac?

We are over in a different area but know kids through theater.

Their theater program is strong and their theater kids are really nice kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the culture like at west Potomac?

We are over in a different area but know kids through theater.

Their theater program is strong and their theater kids are really nice kids.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Langley: good school but drug problem.

Seriously? You, again?

My kids have all gone to Langley. There is no "drug problem" there - any more than there is at any high school on this list, or in this country, for that matter.

We found Langley to be large enough for all our kids to find their various niches and people. None of them were particularly athletic, and yet all found groups of like-minded kids in theatre, academics, band, and other extracurriculars. Lots of interesting and nice kids, mostly fantastic teachers, and a fabulous academic experience. Highly recommend.

This is the first time I have ever posted about Langley. But EVERY PARENT, every single one that I have talked with says this. I have yet to talk with a single parent that does not say this. they all act relieved that their kids are out and have not been in the drug culture.

Yup, it's not just one poster who mentions the drug problems at Langley. There's been a serious drug problem there (hard drugs, not just weed) since I went to another FFX County high school in the 90s. Too much money + busy parents = kids using coke and pills.

Meh. DS starts HS at a GS 8 FCPS school next year (not Langley, BTW). He came home this week and told me that Larlo's brother said that he knew less than a week after starting high school who was selling drugs at the school and how to buy them. I told him, and I honestly believe, that that would be the case at any high school, public or private, in the metro DC area. And that the time was rapidly coming where we would have to trust that we had raised a good kid who would make smart decisions. Or that we would have to homeschool him. We both agreed that trusting him was by far a better call in our case.

If you think every highly regarded HS but your DC's, or that only HSs X and Y have a drug problem (or a drinking problem, or a teens having sex problem) you are fooling yourself. Teach your kids right and wrong. Make sure they know the consequences of bad decisions. Get to know their friends. You know, parent. Or consider home schooling.