Do you think FFX County or N Arlington is better for a bright child?

[Anonymous]

We currently live in Alexandria and looking to move in the next year. My oldest will be starting kindergarten. He is bright. I don't know if he is gifted. I want him to have a solid education without too much pressure.

Would you pick FFX County or N Arlington?

[Anonymous]

I think that your child will probably do well in either school system. Both are excellent. I would probably base your decision more on other factors - commute, house inventory, etc.

We've been very happy with what we've seen with APS so far -- only half-way through elementary school.

[Anonymous]

A bright child would do well in both. Consider other aspects that will have a more positive effect on her life like- shorter commute for her parents.

[Anonymous]

Concur with pps. As a former Alexandria schools refugee (APS now), I'm just going to ask: Are you moving due to the schools?

You will be surprised how many people you encounter who have done this.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Consider private instead of moving.

[Anonymous]

I am a product of Fairfax Co schools K-12. I have much respect.

However, I chose Arlington Co for my kids (now a lot did have to do with location of our neighborhood)--but I was so attracted to Arlington County's small size, high tax$ going to the students, and responsiveness. The schools here get what they ask for. The Board is very supportive of parental and principal wishes. Your voice is heard because is is such a smaller Co than FFX or MoCo.

Our HS start times were changed 10 years ago to 8:19am. Our class sizes are small. We are at a very popular NArl elem. and my K has 19 kids and a full-time aid and 2nd grader has 20 kids.

I am in favor of the way gifted is handled in the home school, by subject pull-out and not the AAP centers. There are very, very bright and gifted students at our school the class is way, way ahead of State requirements and most kids come in way above grade level that the environment is such that I felt my kid designated as gifted was getting enough in his home classroom without pulling out.

Arlington Co spends more $ per student than any local county---and a lot more...40% more. This is also not going to a Superintendant's mercedes and furs it is going directly to the schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a product of Fairfax Co schools K-12. I have much respect.

However, I chose Arlington Co for my kids (now a lot did have to do with location of our neighborhood)--but I was so attracted to Arlington County's small size, high tax$ going to the students, and responsiveness. The schools here get what they ask for. The Board is very supportive of parental and principal wishes. Your voice is heard because is is such a smaller Co than FFX or MoCo.

Our HS start times were changed 10 years ago to 8:19am. Our class sizes are small. We are at a very popular NArl elem. and my K has 19 kids and a full-time aid and 2nd grader has 20 kids.

I am in favor of the way gifted is handled in the home school, by subject pull-out and not the AAP centers. There are very, very bright and gifted students at our school the class is way, way ahead of State requirements and most kids come in way above grade level that the environment is such that I felt my kid designated as gifted was getting enough in his home classroom without pulling out.

Arlington Co spends more $ per student than any local county---and a lot more...40% more. This is also not going to a Superintendant's mercedes and furs it is going directly to the schools.

As an Arlington resident, I appreciate your enthusiasm for the schools, but it is not the case that the schools get what they ask for. The board is more interested in vanity projects like the trolley or the aquatics center than in funding the schools. School funding has not kept pace with either student enrollment or the growth of the tax base. Arlington is better than most, but it could definitely stand to improve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a product of Fairfax Co schools K-12. I have much respect.

However, I chose Arlington Co for my kids (now a lot did have to do with location of our neighborhood)--but I was so attracted to Arlington County's small size, high tax$ going to the students, and responsiveness. The schools here get what they ask for. The Board is very supportive of parental and principal wishes. Your voice is heard because is is such a smaller Co than FFX or MoCo.

Our HS start times were changed 10 years ago to 8:19am. Our class sizes are small. We are at a very popular NArl elem. and my K has 19 kids and a full-time aid and 2nd grader has 20 kids.

I am in favor of the way gifted is handled in the home school, by subject pull-out and not the AAP centers. There are very, very bright and gifted students at our school the class is way, way ahead of State requirements and most kids come in way above grade level that the environment is such that I felt my kid designated as gifted was getting enough in his home classroom without pulling out.

Arlington Co spends more $ per student than any local county---and a lot more...40% more. This is also not going to a Superintendant's mercedes and furs it is going directly to the schools.

As an Arlington resident, I appreciate your enthusiasm for the schools, but it is not the case that the schools get what they ask for. The board is more interested in vanity projects like the trolley or the aquatics center than in funding the schools. School funding has not kept pace with either student enrollment or the growth of the tax base. Arlington is better than most, but it could definitely stand to improve.

They have never turned down a request for $ from the schools. Aquatic center is being crushed. I don't think it stands a chance.

[Anonymous]

As an APS parent, I feel that my schools are very well equipped to handle your above-average, smart kid, but don't do a great job with very gifted kids, whereas Fairfax makes these kids feel like failures because they don't make it to TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an APS parent, I feel that my schools are very well equipped to handle your above-average, smart kid, but don't do a great job with very gifted kids, whereas Fairfax makes these kids feel like failures because they don't make it to TJ.

You're projecting. It would be like saying Arlington makes its kids feel like failures because they know Fairfax has more programs for bright students.

OP should just find a place she likes and not invite the millionth iteration of the FCPS vs. APS flame wars.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on individual schools and classes. I don't think you should use one school system to determine a whole move. Factor in everything. A bright kid will do fine anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an APS parent, I feel that my schools are very well equipped to handle your above-average, smart kid, but don't do a great job with very gifted kids, whereas Fairfax makes these kids feel like failures because they don't make it to TJ.

As an FCPS parent, I feel the county makes its above-average smart kids feel like failures if they're not selected for AAP and remain in General Ed. The cut-off needs to be higher so that most of these average-but-smart kids stay in Gen Ed together and only the very highest gifted learners are placed in AAP.

[Anonymous]

My children are both bright. One has been identified gifted and the other is currently going through the process. We chose Campbell, the county's Expeditionary Learning school, in S. Arl. We love it. Its diverse, there are small class sizes and the teachers are very strong.

Our neighborhood school is Barcroft and our neighbors seem to like it a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My children are both bright. One has been identified gifted and the other is currently going through the process. We chose Campbell, the county's Expeditionary Learning school, in S. Arl. We love it. Its diverse, there are small class sizes and the teachers are very strong.

Our neighborhood school is Barcroft and our neighbors seem to like it a lot.

This. Please go to Arlington. We do not need anymore moving to Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

South Arlington schools are good too. They have the same curriculum and quality of teachers as north Arlington.