WWYD: Herndon/Reston Edition

[Anonymous]

Why not Great Falls ES for JIP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not Great Falls ES for JIP?

Because if you are working in Dulles, living closer to Fox Mill likely gets you more bang for your buck. And no driving on the Pike/Rt 7…GFES would have to be leaps and bounds better than Fox Mill for me to drive Georgetown Pike every day. If you live over that way, it makes sense, but I’m not sure it does if you work by Dulles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not Great Falls ES for JIP?

Because if you are working in Dulles, living closer to Fox Mill likely gets you more bang for your buck. And no driving on the Pike/Rt 7…GFES would have to be leaps and bounds better than Fox Mill for me to drive Georgetown Pike every day. If you live over that way, it makes sense, but I’m not sure it does if you work by Dulles.

We had originally looked at GF because (being out of area), it seemed like the commute from there to Metro Center would be easier than from Fox Mill (and not too much worse for the commuter to Dulles), but the general consensus seemed to be that Fox Mill commute wouldn't be much (any) worse to Metro Center than a commute from GF.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not Great Falls ES for JIP?

Because if you are working in Dulles, living closer to Fox Mill likely gets you more bang for your buck. And no driving on the Pike/Rt 7…GFES would have to be leaps and bounds better than Fox Mill for me to drive Georgetown Pike every day. If you live over that way, it makes sense, but I’m not sure it does if you work by Dulles.

We had originally looked at GF because (being out of area), it seemed like the commute from there to Metro Center would be easier than from Fox Mill (and not too much worse for the commuter to Dulles), but the general consensus seemed to be that Fox Mill commute wouldn't be much (any) worse to Metro Center than a commute from GF.

FWIW, the Great Falls/Cooper/Langley pyramid is much better academically than the Oakton/South Lakes pyramids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not Great Falls ES for JIP?

Because if you are working in Dulles, living closer to Fox Mill likely gets you more bang for your buck. And no driving on the Pike/Rt 7…GFES would have to be leaps and bounds better than Fox Mill for me to drive Georgetown Pike every day. If you live over that way, it makes sense, but I’m not sure it does if you work by Dulles.

We had originally looked at GF because (being out of area), it seemed like the commute from there to Metro Center would be easier than from Fox Mill (and not too much worse for the commuter to Dulles), but the general consensus seemed to be that Fox Mill commute wouldn't be much (any) worse to Metro Center than a commute from GF.

FWIW, the Great Falls/Cooper/Langley pyramid is much better academically than the Oakton/South Lakes pyramids.

Did you look down your nose when you were typing that or is that just how I’m picturing you?

[Anonymous]

Carson is totally a failed MS. I mean, it only has the largest number of kids accepted into TJ every year even after they changed the admissions structure. Simply horrifically awful for a child to attend Carson. /sarcasm

Carson is a strong Middle School, especially for the kids in AAP. If anything, the complaint for Carson might be that there is too much emphasis on TJ but you will find that is the case at Cooper as well. I have heard zero complaints about Carson as a school.

So what the PP is saying is that Langley is better then South Lakes and what they really mean is that there are far fewer FARMS kids at Langley then South Lakes, which is true. Since Langley has more upper middle class and rich kids, there are more kids with tutors and fewer kids in ELL classes and higher test scores so it is clearly the better school. I mean, who would want to send kids to a school that has a decent number of poor kids who don’t do well on the SAT.

South Lakes is a fine High School. It is not going to win the accolades that other schools do because it is a more ethnically and economically diverse school then Langley. The kids in the Honors and IB classes have an excellent experience and do well. Of the kids in my neighborhood, I have only heard one complain about South Lakes. The other teens in the neighborhood seem to be enjoying SLHS and their main complaints are the normal thing that kids complain about, getting up early and homework.

If the OP chooses a house outside of Fox Mill’s school boundaries, they can choose a different high school but it is not likely to have the Japanese language at the same level as South Lakes. SLHS is regularly in the middle of the pack in a well regarded school district for test scores and the like.

I don’t know anything about Great Falls ES other then it has Japanese Immersion. My impression is that it is a smaller program then the one at Fox Mill but that is just rumint.

we have loved JI for our child. I love that it is a totally different alphabet(s) and sounding language. I think it provides a unique opportunity to really challenge a child at an early age. OP as one kid who is already learning Japanese in school. I think the Fox Mill families are very engaged and interested in the JI program and that the parents in the program are very enthusiastic. It is a great community and I think a rewarding program for the kids. I suspect that the OPs kids would do well at either JI program because this is something that the family is interested in and both schools are good schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carson is totally a failed MS. I mean, it only has the largest number of kids accepted into TJ every year even after they changed the admissions structure. Simply horrifically awful for a child to attend Carson. /sarcasm

Carson is a strong Middle School, especially for the kids in AAP. If anything, the complaint for Carson might be that there is too much emphasis on TJ but you will find that is the case at Cooper as well. I have heard zero complaints about Carson as a school.

So what the PP is saying is that Langley is better then South Lakes and what they really mean is that there are far fewer FARMS kids at Langley then South Lakes, which is true. Since Langley has more upper middle class and rich kids, there are more kids with tutors and fewer kids in ELL classes and higher test scores so it is clearly the better school. I mean, who would want to send kids to a school that has a decent number of poor kids who don’t do well on the SAT.

South Lakes is a fine High School. It is not going to win the accolades that other schools do because it is a more ethnically and economically diverse school then Langley. The kids in the Honors and IB classes have an excellent experience and do well. Of the kids in my neighborhood, I have only heard one complain about South Lakes. The other teens in the neighborhood seem to be enjoying SLHS and their main complaints are the normal thing that kids complain about, getting up early and homework.

If the OP chooses a house outside of Fox Mill’s school boundaries, they can choose a different high school but it is not likely to have the Japanese language at the same level as South Lakes. SLHS is regularly in the middle of the pack in a well regarded school district for test scores and the like.

I don’t know anything about Great Falls ES other then it has Japanese Immersion. My impression is that it is a smaller program then the one at Fox Mill but that is just rumint.

we have loved JI for our child. I love that it is a totally different alphabet(s) and sounding language. I think it provides a unique opportunity to really challenge a child at an early age. OP as one kid who is already learning Japanese in school. I think the Fox Mill families are very engaged and interested in the JI program and that the parents in the program are very enthusiastic. It is a great community and I think a rewarding program for the kids. I suspect that the OPs kids would do well at either JI program because this is something that the family is interested in and both schools are good schools.

We are at GFES Abe love it. The teachers are wonderful and did so well even during virtual learning. I am so glad we chose Great Falls.

There are many good schools in FCPS, but the Langley pyramid is generally considered the best. That said, I have friends whose kids have done very well at Oakton, South Lakes, and Herndon.

Great Falls has a nice small town feel and it’s so quiet! Love it here!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not Great Falls ES for JIP?

Because if you are working in Dulles, living closer to Fox Mill likely gets you more bang for your buck. And no driving on the Pike/Rt 7…GFES would have to be leaps and bounds better than Fox Mill for me to drive Georgetown Pike every day. If you live over that way, it makes sense, but I’m not sure it does if you work by Dulles.

We had originally looked at GF because (being out of area), it seemed like the commute from there to Metro Center would be easier than from Fox Mill (and not too much worse for the commuter to Dulles), but the general consensus seemed to be that Fox Mill commute wouldn't be much (any) worse to Metro Center than a commute from GF.

FWIW, the Great Falls/Cooper/Langley pyramid is much better academically than the Oakton/South Lakes pyramids.

Did you look down your nose when you were typing that or is that just how I’m picturing you?

It's an objectively accurate statement. It also is not a knock on Oakton or South Lakes. But Langley is the better academic high school and Cooper is the better academic middle school. GFES and Fox Mill are both top-tier elementary schoold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carson is totally a failed MS. I mean, it only has the largest number of kids accepted into TJ every year even after they changed the admissions structure. Simply horrifically awful for a child to attend Carson. /sarcasm

Carson is a strong Middle School, especially for the kids in AAP. If anything, the complaint for Carson might be that there is too much emphasis on TJ but you will find that is the case at Cooper as well. I have heard zero complaints about Carson as a school.

So what the PP is saying is that Langley is better then South Lakes and what they really mean is that there are far fewer FARMS kids at Langley then South Lakes, which is true. Since Langley has more upper middle class and rich kids, there are more kids with tutors and fewer kids in ELL classes and higher test scores so it is clearly the better school. I mean, who would want to send kids to a school that has a decent number of poor kids who don’t do well on the SAT.

South Lakes is a fine High School. It is not going to win the accolades that other schools do because it is a more ethnically and economically diverse school then Langley. The kids in the Honors and IB classes have an excellent experience and do well. Of the kids in my neighborhood, I have only heard one complain about South Lakes. The other teens in the neighborhood seem to be enjoying SLHS and their main complaints are the normal thing that kids complain about, getting up early and homework.

If the OP chooses a house outside of Fox Mill’s school boundaries, they can choose a different high school but it is not likely to have the Japanese language at the same level as South Lakes. SLHS is regularly in the middle of the pack in a well regarded school district for test scores and the like.

I don’t know anything about Great Falls ES other then it has Japanese Immersion. My impression is that it is a smaller program then the one at Fox Mill but that is just rumint.

we have loved JI for our child. I love that it is a totally different alphabet(s) and sounding language. I think it provides a unique opportunity to really challenge a child at an early age. OP as one kid who is already learning Japanese in school. I think the Fox Mill families are very engaged and interested in the JI program and that the parents in the program are very enthusiastic. It is a great community and I think a rewarding program for the kids. I suspect that the OPs kids would do well at either JI program because this is something that the family is interested in and both schools are good schools.

We are at GFES Abe love it. The teachers are wonderful and did so well even during virtual learning. I am so glad we chose Great Falls.

There are many good schools in FCPS, but the Langley pyramid is generally considered the best. That said, I have friends whose kids have done very well at Oakton, South Lakes, and Herndon.

Great Falls has a nice small town feel and it’s so quiet! Love it here!

We are recent transplants to Great Falls and feel exactly the same way. Such a wonderful area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not Great Falls ES for JIP?

Because if you are working in Dulles, living closer to Fox Mill likely gets you more bang for your buck. And no driving on the Pike/Rt 7…GFES would have to be leaps and bounds better than Fox Mill for me to drive Georgetown Pike every day. If you live over that way, it makes sense, but I’m not sure it does if you work by Dulles.

We had originally looked at GF because (being out of area), it seemed like the commute from there to Metro Center would be easier than from Fox Mill (and not too much worse for the commuter to Dulles), but the general consensus seemed to be that Fox Mill commute wouldn't be much (any) worse to Metro Center than a commute from GF.

FWIW, the Great Falls/Cooper/Langley pyramid is much better academically than the Oakton/South Lakes pyramids.

Did you look down your nose when you were typing that or is that just how I’m picturing you?

Seriously. Langley is just wealthier, snobbier, and less convenient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carson is totally a failed MS. I mean, it only has the largest number of kids accepted into TJ every year even after they changed the admissions structure. Simply horrifically awful for a child to attend Carson. /sarcasm

Carson is a strong Middle School, especially for the kids in AAP. If anything, the complaint for Carson might be that there is too much emphasis on TJ but you will find that is the case at Cooper as well. I have heard zero complaints about Carson as a school.

So what the PP is saying is that Langley is better then South Lakes and what they really mean is that there are far fewer FARMS kids at Langley then South Lakes, which is true. Since Langley has more upper middle class and rich kids, there are more kids with tutors and fewer kids in ELL classes and higher test scores so it is clearly the better school. I mean, who would want to send kids to a school that has a decent number of poor kids who don’t do well on the SAT.

South Lakes is a fine High School. It is not going to win the accolades that other schools do because it is a more ethnically and economically diverse school then Langley. The kids in the Honors and IB classes have an excellent experience and do well. Of the kids in my neighborhood, I have only heard one complain about South Lakes. The other teens in the neighborhood seem to be enjoying SLHS and their main complaints are the normal thing that kids complain about, getting up early and homework.

If the OP chooses a house outside of Fox Mill’s school boundaries, they can choose a different high school but it is not likely to have the Japanese language at the same level as South Lakes. SLHS is regularly in the middle of the pack in a well regarded school district for test scores and the like.

I don’t know anything about Great Falls ES other then it has Japanese Immersion. My impression is that it is a smaller program then the one at Fox Mill but that is just rumint.

we have loved JI for our child. I love that it is a totally different alphabet(s) and sounding language. I think it provides a unique opportunity to really challenge a child at an early age. OP as one kid who is already learning Japanese in school. I think the Fox Mill families are very engaged and interested in the JI program and that the parents in the program are very enthusiastic. It is a great community and I think a rewarding program for the kids. I suspect that the OPs kids would do well at either JI program because this is something that the family is interested in and both schools are good schools.

We are at GFES Abe love it. The teachers are wonderful and did so well even during virtual learning. I am so glad we chose Great Falls.

There are many good schools in FCPS, but the Langley pyramid is generally considered the best. That said, I have friends whose kids have done very well at Oakton, South Lakes, and Herndon.

Great Falls has a nice small town feel and it’s so quiet! Love it here!

It isn't "generally considered the best," just the most snotty and least diverse. You need to get out more.

[Anonymous]

Langley has better test scores then most HS in Virginia and that is the argument for it being one of the best.

My kid will be moving from Fox Mill to Carson to SL and we are happy with that progression. SL is a good high school. He will get a great education, likely do very well on his SATs, and go to a good or better college. We are well aware that the schools rating and SAT average is not all that is important. What is important is how we view education, how we support his education, and his extra curricular activities. He doesn't have to go to Langley for any of those things. And we save a ton of money on our mortgage.

But a kid attending GF, Cooper, and Langley will have the opportunity to receive an very good education as well.

HS is about education and not prestige.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Langley has better test scores then most HS in Virginia and that is the argument for it being one of the best.

My kid will be moving from Fox Mill to Carson to SL and we are happy with that progression. SL is a good high school. He will get a great education, likely do very well on his SATs, and go to a good or better college. We are well aware that the schools rating and SAT average is not all that is important. What is important is how we view education, how we support his education, and his extra curricular activities. He doesn't have to go to Langley for any of those things. And we save a ton of money on our mortgage.

But a kid attending GF, Cooper, and Langley will have the opportunity to receive an very good education as well.

HS is about education and not prestige.

+1.

The "best" school would be the one that does the most to further the education of the students attending that school. That's hard to measure, and no one knows what local school is doing the best job in this regard. The odds are good that South Lakes does at least as much for the students who go there as Langley does, if not more. And there are also benefits to attending a school that is more diverse than Langley - it's probably easier for kids to find their niche in more diverse schools where not every kid comes from a wealthy family.

[Anonymous]

I have one child in JI at Fox Mill, and another who graduated Fox Mill JI, went to Carson, and will go to SLHS in August.

Fox Mill is a great school. The teachers are very attentive, and remained attentive to individual students even during Covid. The parents / PTA tend to be very close knit, too, at least in the JI program. I did not live in the Fox Mill boundary (won the lottery) and the only drawback was my kids couldn't ride the bus to/from school. I am not a big fan of the houses in the area, they're kinda boring, but I agree they have good "bang for the buck".

My child who went to Carson really only got half of seventh grade at Carson and then the rest virtual. This was not optimal, obviously. Nevertheless I was positively impressed with the school. There is a large contingent of kids who are super-involved in math and science, which is good if your kid is into that (mine wasn't). Thanks to Fox Mill and Carson, my kids will complete their high school language requirement in their freshman year of high school.

I have a lot of neighbors who sent their kids to SLHS, and their kids wound up going to good colleges, so I don't see any reason to look down on it.

[Anonymous]

South Lakes is a fine High School. It is not going to win the accolades that other schools do because it is a more ethnically and economically diverse school then Langley. The kids in the Honors and IB classes have an excellent experience and do well. Of the kids in my neighborhood, I have only heard one complain about South Lakes. The other teens in the neighborhood seem to be enjoying SLHS and their main complaints are the normal thing that kids complain about, getting up early and homework.

SING IT!

OP, I have friends who sent their kids to Fox Mill for the Japanese program and they have been very happy.