At a crossroads mcps or nova

[Anonymous]

We currently live in moco and are trying to decide where to set down some roots so dd can start kindergarten next year. I've been reading threads about mcps large class size, instituting the longer day, and 1 recess a day. I'm wondering how it is in nova? I'm not familiar with the area but we aren't tied to moco so could move if school situation was better.

[Anonymous]

Have you read about the proposed budget cuts to Fairfax County Public Schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you read about the proposed budget cuts to Fairfax County Public Schools?

No... I'm feeling discouraged. I thought schools out here were supposed to be great. Now I'm wondering if I'm doomed for private school.

[Anonymous]

We are spoiled here to have great local public schools (MCPS and FCPS). While the budget cuts, if they ever happen, will mean some resources may get cut in FCPS, it is still a great school district. MCPS suffers from budget pressures also. MCPS has smaller K sizes in its focus schools to try to even the playing field between the richer and not as rich areas, and it works well. The overcrowding of MCPS is due to its stature and desirability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are spoiled here to have great local public schools (MCPS and FCPS). While the budget cuts, if they ever happen, will mean some resources may get cut in FCPS, it is still a great school district. MCPS suffers from budget pressures also. MCPS has smaller K sizes in its focus schools to try to even the playing field between the richer and not as rich areas, and it works well. The overcrowding of MCPS is due to its stature and desirability.

I read there is a 24:1 ratio with no asst teacher?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are spoiled here to have great local public schools (MCPS and FCPS). While the budget cuts, if they ever happen, will mean some resources may get cut in FCPS, it is still a great school district. MCPS suffers from budget pressures also. MCPS has smaller K sizes in its focus schools to try to even the playing field between the richer and not as rich areas, and it works well. The overcrowding of MCPS is due to its stature and desirability.

I read there is a 24:1 ratio with no asst teacher?

K class sizes vary from school to school and year to year. DD had 16 in her kindergarten class in Silver spring. I have a friend in Bethesda whose son had 26. I think the language immersion classes have about 25 per class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are spoiled here to have great local public schools (MCPS and FCPS). While the budget cuts, if they ever happen, will mean some resources may get cut in FCPS, it is still a great school district. MCPS suffers from budget pressures also. MCPS has smaller K sizes in its focus schools to try to even the playing field between the richer and not as rich areas, and it works well. The overcrowding of MCPS is due to its stature and desirability.

Yes. MCPS is a good school district. FCPS is a good school district. People who decide on private school do not (or should not) do so because the public schools aren't good.

[Anonymous]

Yes they do. I hear all the time that the schools have no textbooks, there isn't a lot of learning in the classroom because the class size is too big. To them, the public schools aren't good enough.

[Anonymous]

Look at voting patterns - for whatever area you look at. Make sure you will feel rooted.

[Anonymous]

There are pockets of smaller, good schools scattered throughout the NoVa and MD area. Does it have to be FCPS? Could you do Arlington or Falls Church City?
If you're looking for smaller class size, look for Title 1 schools (yes, those with lower SES) or check out Somerset in MCPS or Franklin Sherman in McLean.
Also know that the public schools can change quickly with new principals, boundary shifts, etc. The unknown is what leads some families to commit to private schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes they do. I hear all the time that the schools have no textbooks, there isn't a lot of learning in the classroom because the class size is too big. To them, the public schools aren't good enough.

"Not good enough" is not the same as "not good".

And yes, of course people do choose private schools because they believe that the public schools aren't good. If you have to pay $30,000 for a year for something, it must be better, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are pockets of smaller, good schools scattered throughout the NoVa and MD area. Does it have to be FCPS? Could you do Arlington or Falls Church City?
If you're looking for smaller class size, look for Title 1 schools (yes, those with lower SES) or check out Somerset in MCPS or Franklin Sherman in McLean.
Also know that the public schools can change quickly with new principals, boundary shifts, etc. The unknown is what leads some families to commit to private schools.

I wonder what the median housing prices are in the Somerset ES and Franklin Sherman ES school zones.

[Anonymous]

MCPS is huge--what matters is what schools you are zoned for in particular. FWIW, we've been in MCPS for 6 years, 2 different schools, and have been very happy. Ignore the gloom and doom threads about all MCPS, and ask about your schools in particular. (Better yet, talk to human beings in person about those schools!)

[Anonymous]

I don't think Somerset has smaller class sizes than other Bethesda area elementaries; you have to go to less affluent parts of the county for that. But honestly, hard as it is to believe when you have a preschooler or younger, these are very good school systems and thanks to mostly great teachers, the kids learn. Yes, you can get much smaller classes in privates, but you will pay $35k for the privilege. I have a 4th grade boy in MCPS and am very satisfied (and have friends in NOVA who feel the same.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes they do. I hear all the time that the schools have no textbooks, there isn't a lot of learning in the classroom because the class size is too big. To them, the public schools aren't good enough.

"Not good enough" is not the same as "not good".

And yes, of course people do choose private schools because they believe that the public schools aren't good. If you have to pay $30,000 for a year for something, it must be better, right?

I too have heard private school parents insist that "there isn't a lot of learning in the classroom." If their kids are in private not public schools, how can they possibly know this?

Like a PP said, your decisions will depend on the choices you actually have, not the choices you'd like to have. Does your kid have the hooks or test scores to get into a really good private? Because there are some so-so privates that will make you wish you had saved your money and gone public. Can you afford a house in the "best" public school districts? Will you be able to pay a $35k/year or a big mortgage, and still save for college?