Best FCPS Middle and Hugh Schools?

[Anonymous]

My child goes to Kilmer and absolutely loves it. We don't love it or hate it. There's plenty to do and a lot of very smart and talented kids so we are content.

[Anonymous]

I’ve lived around the Tysons area for years and, based on everything I know, I’d go with Longfellow/McLean or Thoreau/Madison for the best overall experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child goes to Kilmer and absolutely loves it. We don't love it or hate it. There's plenty to do and a lot of very smart and talented kids so we are content.

Thank you —- we’ve seen a few lovely homes / neighborhoods in that boundary. I’m glad your DC is enjoying middle school at Kilmer. Are there academic differences between Kilmer, Longfellow, and Cooper ? Lovely homes/ neighborhoods in Longfellow too! (which is in Falls Church but is a FCPS MS). Anyone know about schools administered by the City of Falls Church?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child goes to Kilmer and absolutely loves it. We don't love it or hate it. There's plenty to do and a lot of very smart and talented kids so we are content.

My child also liked most of her teachers at kilmer but agree the administration is not good. They were unresponsive to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child goes to Kilmer and absolutely loves it. We don't love it or hate it. There's plenty to do and a lot of very smart and talented kids so we are content.

My child also liked most of her teachers at kilmer but agree the administration is not good. They were unresponsive to me.

How so? What are the issues parents are having to deal with at this school?

[Anonymous]

Just buy a house you can afford that isn’t a crazy commute for your spouse. Your kids will be fine at any middle or hs in the county.

I completely agree with this. Every single MS/HS in Fairfax County can provide an excellent education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child goes to Kilmer and absolutely loves it. We don't love it or hate it. There's plenty to do and a lot of very smart and talented kids so we are content.

My child also liked most of her teachers at kilmer but agree the administration is not good. They were unresponsive to me.

How so? What are the issues parents are having to deal with at this school?

DP here. Our experience at Kilmer was not positive.The teachers were all over the lot and not coordinating with each other. 7th grade teachers were ridiculously easy and 8th grade teachers were much more demanding and at times brutal (one of the french teachers, who is still there, was a particular piece of work). Our younger kids went to another middle school in FCPS and had a much better experience - the long-time principal there actually supervises the teachers so the transitions from elementary school and to high school are much smoother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Just buy a house you can afford that isn’t a crazy commute for your spouse. Your kids will be fine at any middle or hs in the county.

I completely agree with this. Every single MS/HS in Fairfax County can provide an excellent education.

How would you know? Did you have kids at all of them, or do you just like making general statements?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child goes to Kilmer and absolutely loves it. We don't love it or hate it. There's plenty to do and a lot of very smart and talented kids so we are content.

My child also liked most of her teachers at kilmer but agree the administration is not good. They were unresponsive to me.

How so? What are the issues parents are having to deal with at this school?

DP here. Our experience at Kilmer was not positive.The teachers were all over the lot and not coordinating with each other. 7th grade teachers were ridiculously easy and 8th grade teachers were much more demanding and at times brutal (one of the french teachers, who is still there, was a particular piece of work). Our younger kids went to another middle school in FCPS and had a much better experience - the long-time principal there actually supervises the teachers so the transitions from elementary school and to high school are much smoother.

Can I ask which MS your DC transferred to? I’m concerned about Kilmer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Just buy a house you can afford that isn’t a crazy commute for your spouse. Your kids will be fine at any middle or hs in the county.

I completely agree with this. Every single MS/HS in Fairfax County can provide an excellent education.

How would you know? Did you have kids at all of them, or do you just like making general statements?

No one has kids at every school and kids’ experiences differ. But, generally, yes, this is good advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Just buy a house you can afford that isn’t a crazy commute for your spouse. Your kids will be fine at any middle or hs in the county.

I completely agree with this. Every single MS/HS in Fairfax County can provide an excellent education.

How would you know? Did you have kids at all of them, or do you just like making general statements?

No one has kids at every school and kids’ experiences differ. But, generally, yes, this is good advice.

Actually, it’s more of a platitude than it is sound advice, and ignores the very real differences in learning environments at different schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child goes to Kilmer and absolutely loves it. We don't love it or hate it. There's plenty to do and a lot of very smart and talented kids so we are content.

My child also liked most of her teachers at kilmer but agree the administration is not good. They were unresponsive to me.

How so? What are the issues parents are having to deal with at this school?

DP here. Our experience at Kilmer was not positive.The teachers were all over the lot and not coordinating with each other. 7th grade teachers were ridiculously easy and 8th grade teachers were much more demanding and at times brutal (one of the french teachers, who is still there, was a particular piece of work). Our younger kids went to another middle school in FCPS and had a much better experience - the long-time principal there actually supervises the teachers so the transitions from elementary school and to high school are much smoother.

Can I ask which MS your DC transferred to? I’m concerned about Kilmer.

Not sure why it’s offered — instruction is questionable at best.

[Anonymous]

What offered? The kids seem engaged in classes and some of the teachers are very good. I agree 7th grade is pretty easy but I assume it was designed as a transition to middle school.

[Anonymous]

Thoreau is also knows as being very easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Just buy a house you can afford that isn’t a crazy commute for your spouse. Your kids will be fine at any middle or hs in the county.

I completely agree with this. Every single MS/HS in Fairfax County can provide an excellent education.

How would you know? Did you have kids at all of them, or do you just like making general statements?

No one has kids at every school and kids’ experiences differ. But, generally, yes, this is good advice.

Actually, it’s more of a platitude than it is sound advice, and ignores the very real differences in learning environments at different schools.

They’re all good. But which is right for your kid is not answered by crowd source.