Alexandria (Fairfax County) School Ratings and Resale

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here are the AP exam pass rates at the AP schools in FCPS for 2017 (based on total number of AP tests taken):

TJ 97.4%
Langley 87.3%
McLean 85.4%
Woodson 79.3%
Chantilly 78.0%
Madison 76.2%
Lake Braddock 72.9%
Oakton 71.7%
Fairfax 68.5%
South County 68.4%
West Springfield 68.2%
Herndon 66.3%
Westfield 65.0%
Falls Church 63.1%
Centreville 62.9%
West Potomac 59.0%
Hayfield 56.8%

Even though Hayfield is at the bottom, it's still better than a school like Mount Vernon, where students only took 415 IB exams in 2017 (compared to 1337 AP exams at Hayfield that year).

[Anonymous]

11:43, I definitely agree that it is better than the full-on disasters like Mt. Vernon, Lee and Justice. But let's not pretend that it's average or above average. When using standardized curricula and tests to compare across the district, Hayfield disappoints. And anecdotally, multiple parents have reported problems in classes that are non- honors/non-AP (like any foreign language or on-grade math). Have also heard that at least in some AP classes, the cheating during the year is high (which may explain why passrates on the AP exams are poor -- b/c some portion of kids aren't doing the work during the year.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:11:43, I definitely agree that it is better than the full-on disasters like Mt. Vernon, Lee and Justice. But let's not pretend that it's average or above average. When using standardized curricula and tests to compare across the district, Hayfield disappoints. And anecdotally, multiple parents have reported problems in classes that are non- honors/non-AP (like any foreign language or on-grade math). Have also heard that at least in some AP classes, the cheating during the year is high (which may explain why passrates on the AP exams are poor -- b/c some portion of kids aren't doing the work during the year.)

Justice and Edison have stronger IB programs than Annandale. Annandale, Lee, and Mount Vernon need to jettison IB.

[Anonymous]

Completely agree with you, 12:01. Kids at Lee, Mt Vernon and other schools would be better off taking one or two AP classes to try out college level rigor. The upper level kids would be kept at those schools. Better for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Wilton Woods, Waynewood and Fort Hunt areas are the nicest ones you mentioned. I’d avoid the Groveton area or anything zoned for Mount Vernon HS.

I disagree. Mount Vernon has some of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the county - especially the ones that border the Potomac River. Because of the reputation of the schools, the homes in Mt Vernon are very reasonably priced. Many of the neighborhoods are not "cut throughs." No, the homes don't appreciate as fast as other homes in the 22308 zip code. But in 22308, if you want something in Waynewood, you're buying a 1950's or 1960's split level, with a carport (if you're lucky) and paying upwards of $700,000. In 22309, you can get a 3000 square foot home with two or three garages that is less than 30 years old for under $800,000. If you want a 1960's split, you'll pay $500,000.

Thanks for your input. What do you mean by "Many of the neighborhoods are not "cut throughs?'

We're definitely looking for character but not a 1950's or 1960's split level and preferably with a garage instead of a carport.

In Mt Vernon, there are many neighborhoods that border the river (or one of the creeks.) When you enter the neighborhood, you can't drive into another neighborhood. Over in Ft Hunt (and some areas of Mt Vernon) there are numerous neighborhoods where you can drive from one neighborhood to another without driving on one of the main roads. So there are roads that become "cut through" roads within the neighborhood to get to another neighborhood (or to bypass a bigger road.) For example, I know how to cut through several neighborhoods in Ft Hunt to avoid Rt 1 and Ft Hunt Road and still get from Wal Mart to Target.

Its just a personal preference of mine to live in a neighborhood where you can't drive through it to get somewhere else.

Thanks for the explanation. I think I can see advantages to both types of neighborhoods. It’s nice to be able to avoid high traffic roads but if everyone is doing that I imagine the side roads would also be pretty busy at rush hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just moved out of franconia 22310. Your home will hold its value but not appreciate as much. Just find a home that you like. You are an empty nester. Is this an investment property or your family home?

I know townhouses in Kingstowne are high in demand and sell quickly if prices right. I’m sure there may be slight boom with amazon.

Good to know a home in that area will hold it's value, at least. If things go as planned the hope would be there for at least 10 years or more, but so much can change. It's hard to say for sure.

Did you move from your location to another to get a better return on investment down the line? Beyond updating the kitchen and baths what will up the value around here or is it just that zip code that you mean?

[Anonymous]

Garbage area

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hayfield is great!

Maybe, but why does it have the lowest AP passrate in fcps?

My kids go there (honors students) and are thriving. Good students will always rise to the top, no matter where they are.

DP. I totally agree. I've got Honors kids and non-Honors kids. It's been really good for all of them. Staff are excellent! Guess I shouldn't have said that, huh? Whatever. Let the unreasonably fearful move elsewhere!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hayfield is great!

Maybe, but why does it have the lowest AP passrate in fcps?

My kids go there (honors students) and are thriving. Good students will always rise to the top, no matter where they are.

DP. I totally agree. I've got Honors kids and non-Honors kids. It's been really good for all of them. Staff are excellent! Guess I shouldn't have said that, huh? Whatever. Let the unreasonably fearful move elsewhere!

My recollection is that when South County was built there was a near-stampede of people asking to be moved from Hayfield to South County. In that case the people you want to label “unreasonably fearful” lived in the then-current Hayfield district.

[Anonymous]

22310 is a housing bargain. Convenience, proximity and spacious yards and street. Beautiful houses- not always. Quiet and low crime. Schools OK, not dazzling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hayfield is great!

Maybe, but why does it have the lowest AP passrate in fcps?

My kids go there (honors students) and are thriving. Good students will always rise to the top, no matter where they are.

DP. I totally agree. I've got Honors kids and non-Honors kids. It's been really good for all of them. Staff are excellent! Guess I shouldn't have said that, huh? Whatever. Let the unreasonably fearful move elsewhere!

My recollection is that when South County was built there was a near-stampede of people asking to be moved from Hayfield to South County. In that case the people you want to label “unreasonably fearful” lived in the then-current Hayfield district.

You mean a recollection from 14 years ago? Did you even have kids in school then? South County opened in 2005 and was populated with students from at least 3 different schools (Hayfield, Lake Braddock and Lee). Crowding/distance was an issue at all these schools. People weren't so much trying to get their kid out of a school because it was 'bad' but because it may have been closer to their home and because all the facilities were new.

[Anonymous]

Are you currently zoned for Luther jackson middle school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:22310 is a housing bargain. Convenience, proximity and spacious yards and street. Beautiful houses- not always. Quiet and low crime. Schools OK, not dazzling.

Yeah, we're in 22310 and my young daughter goes to Clermont. Elementary school is okay and the middle school is fine. We'll have to move before she goes to HS or hopefully she'll get into AAP. We moved here because it was affordable and close to Huntington metro. Our neighborhood has been increasing in value and homes are turning over. Not my favorite style of home and some houses in my neighborhood are real dumps. But the area is generally safe and it's convenient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:22310 is a housing bargain. Convenience, proximity and spacious yards and street. Beautiful houses- not always. Quiet and low crime. Schools OK, not dazzling.

Yeah, we're in 22310 and my young daughter goes to Clermont. Elementary school is okay and the middle school is fine. We'll have to move before she goes to HS or hopefully she'll get into AAP. We moved here because it was affordable and close to Huntington metro. Our neighborhood has been increasing in value and homes are turning over. Not my favorite style of home and some houses in my neighborhood are real dumps. But the area is generally safe and it's convenient.

Why is Twain be fine but Edison isn't? You know the vast majority of kids go to Edison, don't you?

[Anonymous]

We moved from the Bell Haven section of Alexandria a few years ago. Many liked our house but we had to lower the price because many felt it was too close to Route 1 and didn’t like the surrounding neighborhood.