Langley pyramid vs. private school in mclean (the Langley school or Potomac)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in McLean.

Those 2 FCPS pyramids look good on paper, but have good scores primarily because so many kids in those pyramids get outside school supplements such as Kumon, Mathnasium, etc. The curriculum and teaching is the same as the rest of FCPS.

That’s true.
We also live in McLean (Langley High). I send my kids to Basis Independent McLean. Most of their classmates live in McLean too.

I don’t get this. Is FCPS bad? What’s wrong with the curriculum? From what I can tell all the private school parents are swallowing a load of hogwash re: superiority of curricula and just want their rich entitled kids surrounded by other privileged entitled kids. Why pretend that it’s about more than that?

Smaller class size, more individual attention and more accommodating.

[Anonymous]

Ok got it. So privilege. Privilege, entitlement, privilege, advantage, pay for play. Got it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in McLean.

Those 2 FCPS pyramids look good on paper, but have good scores primarily because so many kids in those pyramids get outside school supplements such as Kumon, Mathnasium, etc. The curriculum and teaching is the same as the rest of FCPS.

That’s true.
We also live in McLean (Langley High). I send my kids to Basis Independent McLean. Most of their classmates live in McLean too.

I don’t get this. Is FCPS bad? What’s wrong with the curriculum? From what I can tell all the private school parents are swallowing a load of hogwash re: superiority of curricula and just want their rich entitled kids surrounded by other privileged entitled kids. Why pretend that it’s about more than that?

These posts always seem to turn into this. There is nothing wrong with FCPS. There's nothing wrong with Potomac. But - again, having had kids at both in the most advanced tracks - the expectations, level of the curricula, grading, and instruction are more rigorous at Potomac. That might make Potomac better for some kids and Langley better for other kids. No bad choice, but they are certainly not the same.

And frankly, pretending private school has the monopoly on rich, entitled parents is downright ridiculous when put in the context of the very similar parent population at Langley High School. McLean and Great Falls parents claiming the moral high ground under the delusion that their kids are being exposed to socioeconomic or racial diversity at that school is laughable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in McLean.

Those 2 FCPS pyramids look good on paper, but have good scores primarily because so many kids in those pyramids get outside school supplements such as Kumon, Mathnasium, etc. The curriculum and teaching is the same as the rest of FCPS.

That’s true.
We also live in McLean (Langley High). I send my kids to Basis Independent McLean. Most of their classmates live in McLean too.

I don’t get this. Is FCPS bad? What’s wrong with the curriculum? From what I can tell all the private school parents are swallowing a load of hogwash re: superiority of curricula and just want their rich entitled kids surrounded by other privileged entitled kids. Why pretend that it’s about more than that?

These posts always seem to turn into this. There is nothing wrong with FCPS. There's nothing wrong with Potomac. But - again, having had kids at both in the most advanced tracks - the expectations, level of the curricula, grading, and instruction are more rigorous at Potomac. That might make Potomac better for some kids and Langley better for other kids. No bad choice, but they are certainly not the same.

And frankly, pretending private school has the monopoly on rich, entitled parents is downright ridiculous when put in the context of the very similar parent population at Langley High School. McLean and Great Falls parents claiming the moral high ground under the delusion that their kids are being exposed to socioeconomic or racial diversity at that school is laughable.

I assume you mean Langley HS and not little Langley correct?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in McLean.

Those 2 FCPS pyramids look good on paper, but have good scores primarily because so many kids in those pyramids get outside school supplements such as Kumon, Mathnasium, etc. The curriculum and teaching is the same as the rest of FCPS.

FCPS teachers st church have told us much of the content was removed from FCPS over the last 20 years. They said if we attend FCPS, then we need to plan ti supplement with Kumon, tutors, home study, or something else. We are tutoring at home to supplement.

[Anonymous]

Doesn’t literally everyone everywhere supplement though? We do in private and friends in private and public do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you compare little Langley to Potomac school? And would people generally agree that the education in private school is more “rigorous” than in public or is it just a bunch of rich most White kids in private schools?

I can’t speak to Langley, but most people with experience in both would describe public as more rigorous in the lower years. More homework, faster pace with math topics. More differentiation earlier. A lot of people get frustrated by Potomac during those hears. In high school there’s no question that the rigor at Potomac is a higher level than Langley (have had kids at both, and honors level to honors level isn’t even close).

If you can afford Potomac school and your kid is accepted, it is a no brainer not to go to Potomac school.  The reason I chose to live next to CIA HQ in Langley is because my kids could attend Langley HS as the last resort in case they didn't get accepted by Potomac school.

I had kids at both Langley HS and Potomac school (graduated a few years ago) and Potomac school, without questions, prepared kids a whole lot better for college.  My older child was at Potomac school and she was struggling with academics there but once she got into college, an Ivy, she did really well there.  My other child, a straight A with 10 AP courses from Langley HS, really struggled at the same Ivy.  My nephew also experienced the same thing in college and he also graduated from Langley HS.  Langley HS is one of the best public schools in Virginia but it is definitely not Potomac.  YMMV.  

How did your kid make it to an Ivy when she was struggling academically in HS?
Troll

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in McLean.

Those 2 FCPS pyramids look good on paper, but have good scores primarily because so many kids in those pyramids get outside school supplements such as Kumon, Mathnasium, etc. The curriculum and teaching is the same as the rest of FCPS.

That’s true.
We also live in McLean (Langley High). I send my kids to Basis Independent McLean. Most of their classmates live in McLean too.

I don’t get this. Is FCPS bad? What’s wrong with the curriculum? From what I can tell all the private school parents are swallowing a load of hogwash re: superiority of curricula and just want their rich entitled kids surrounded by other privileged entitled kids. Why pretend that it’s about more than that?

These posts always seem to turn into this. There is nothing wrong with FCPS. There's nothing wrong with Potomac. But - again, having had kids at both in the most advanced tracks - the expectations, level of the curricula, grading, and instruction are more rigorous at Potomac. That might make Potomac better for some kids and Langley better for other kids. No bad choice, but they are certainly not the same.

And frankly, pretending private school has the monopoly on rich, entitled parents is downright ridiculous when put in the context of the very similar parent population at Langley High School. McLean and Great Falls parents claiming the moral high ground under the delusion that their kids are being exposed to socioeconomic or racial diversity at that school is laughable.

I assume you mean Langley HS and not little Langley correct?

Yes, Langley hs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok got it. So privilege. Privilege, entitlement, privilege, advantage, pay for play. Got it!

So? You do you. Why are you so threatened by my choices ? If anything, my property tax go towards Langley high school, so I am paying for your kids education.

[Anonymous]

I’m saying call it what it is! Your bias and privilege are showing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Doesn’t literally everyone everywhere supplement though? We do in private and friends in private and public do.

We don’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you compare little Langley to Potomac school? And would people generally agree that the education in private school is more “rigorous” than in public or is it just a bunch of rich most White kids in private schools?

I can’t speak to Langley, but most people with experience in both would describe public as more rigorous in the lower years. More homework, faster pace with math topics. More differentiation earlier. A lot of people get frustrated by Potomac during those hears. In high school there’s no question that the rigor at Potomac is a higher level than Langley (have had kids at both, and honors level to honors level isn’t even close).

If you can afford Potomac school and your kid is accepted, it is a no brainer not to go to Potomac school.  The reason I chose to live next to CIA HQ in Langley is because my kids could attend Langley HS as the last resort in case they didn't get accepted by Potomac school.

I had kids at both Langley HS and Potomac school (graduated a few years ago) and Potomac school, without questions, prepared kids a whole lot better for college.  My older child was at Potomac school and she was struggling with academics there but once she got into college, an Ivy, she did really well there.  My other child, a straight A with 10 AP courses from Langley HS, really struggled at the same Ivy.  My nephew also experienced the same thing in college and he also graduated from Langley HS.  Langley HS is one of the best public schools in Virginia but it is definitely not Potomac.  YMMV.  

How did your kid make it to an Ivy when she was struggling academically in HS?
Troll

I have heard this experience from several people, too. I don’t think pp means the kid was struggling as in getting Cs. More likely really had to work hard for that A-, lots of difficult assignments, not understanding math problem sets without a lengthy struggle. That environment was strong preparation for college, especially when college means taking four classes and not having to participate in sports and all the rest. There’s probably some debate to be had about whether it is necessary, but for many students college feels easier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you compare little Langley to Potomac school? And would people generally agree that the education in private school is more “rigorous” than in public or is it just a bunch of rich most White kids in private schools?

I can’t speak to Langley, but most people with experience in both would describe public as more rigorous in the lower years. More homework, faster pace with math topics. More differentiation earlier. A lot of people get frustrated by Potomac during those hears. In high school there’s no question that the rigor at Potomac is a higher level than Langley (have had kids at both, and honors level to honors level isn’t even close).

If you can afford Potomac school and your kid is accepted, it is a no brainer not to go to Potomac school.  The reason I chose to live next to CIA HQ in Langley is because my kids could attend Langley HS as the last resort in case they didn't get accepted by Potomac school.

I had kids at both Langley HS and Potomac school (graduated a few years ago) and Potomac school, without questions, prepared kids a whole lot better for college.  My older child was at Potomac school and she was struggling with academics there but once she got into college, an Ivy, she did really well there.  My other child, a straight A with 10 AP courses from Langley HS, really struggled at the same Ivy.  My nephew also experienced the same thing in college and he also graduated from Langley HS.  Langley HS is one of the best public schools in Virginia but it is definitely not Potomac.  YMMV.  

How did your kid make it to an Ivy when she was struggling academically in HS?
Troll

I have heard this experience from several people, too. I don’t think pp means the kid was struggling as in getting Cs. More likely really had to work hard for that A-, lots of difficult assignments, not understanding math problem sets without a lengthy struggle. That environment was strong preparation for college, especially when college means taking four classes and not having to participate in sports and all the rest. There’s probably some debate to be had about whether it is necessary, but for many students college feels easier.

I am the PP and thank you. That's exactly what I should have said. It is much harder to get A- at Potomac than at Langley HS. Potomac teaches exactly how college is being taught while Langley HS is just another regular HS in FCPS. That's why it costs almost 50K/yr at Potomac upper school. The first child did excel in college and the second child struggled.

Most Asian families move to Langley because: 1- send the kid to TJ, Sidwell, St. Albans, Potomac and 2- if the kid is not accepted to TJ, Sidwell, St. Albans or Potomac, the safety school is Langley HS. Langley HS is still a very good public school. That might have changed now that TJ has changed its admission requirements, asian parents might not see TJ as a desirable destination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Doesn’t literally everyone everywhere supplement though? We do in private and friends in private and public do.

The math specialists at our private school provide enough differentiation/challenge that supplementing is completely unnecessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Doesn’t literally everyone everywhere supplement though? We do in private and friends in private and public do.

No. That is why I am paying for private, so DC can get academic needs met IN school, covered by the cost of tuition. DC is a strong student but definitely has opportunities to stretch and be challenged. Same for most of our friends. If you need that much academically outside of school, you are probably in the wrong place.