Langley vs McLean vs Madison

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Franklin Sherman;Kent/Longfellow/McLean pyramid:
Pros: excellent academic
Cons: old facilities at Kent and McLean HS. McLean HS facility is ten times worse than Langley HS. Even Justice has nicer facilities

Churchill/Cooper/Langley:
Pros: excellent academic and facilities
Cons: Cooper MS is on ball hills, right next to I-495 exit

Madison:
Pros: excellent academic
Cons: old facilities and the area is definitely lower income than both McLean and Langley

This is a misconception. Madison FARM rates are the same as McLean. The uber-wealthy parts of McLean are mostly zoned to Langley.

What I would consider for Madison is that it feeds from two middle schools which are split between Marshall and Oakton, whereas everyone from Longfellow goes on to McLean and everyone from Cooper goes onto Langley. Since your kids are ES age, they’d have to go through the middle school split feeder pattern.

Almost. Madison feeds from two middle schools, one of which splits to Madison and Marshall (Kilmer), and the other of which splits to Madison, Oakton, and Marshall (Thoreau). Also, the Thoreau-zoned kids mostly go to Jackson, which is primarily a feeder to Falls Church, for AAP. So the feeder pattens are definitely more complicated than at Langley, where both the AAP and non-AAP kids are zoned to Cooper, and McLean, where both the AAP and non-AAP kids are zoned to Longfellow. But some may also like their kids mixing it up socially.

DP. AAP centers have confused and muddled every boundary. It’s long past time for centers to go and for kids to attend their neighborhood schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am in a somewhat similar situation zoned for Langley. We have one kid in private and two kids in public. We have considered moving (unrelated to schools) to a new home within Langley or McLean or other areas like Georgetown, Arlington or MD. We know people from all over the place in both public and private. I don’t know anything about Madison. We know many people at Langley, cooper, Longfellow, McLean, Potomac, little Langley, basis, flint hill, Landon, Holton, sta, ncs, Sidwell, gds, Bullis, etc etc etc.

I don’t think there is a difference in kids between Langley and McLean. They are the same kids. If you think the kids who live 2 miles are different, they are not. Langley and cooper are brand new buildings if that matters to you at all. McLean high is an old building. There is drinking and drugs at all the schools, public and private. I would not base any decisions on this or fights. Your kid can easily avoid these.

This is a very competitive area. If your kid is smart and has a good head on his shoulders, he should be fine. I personally would stick with Langley. That is what we are doing.

+1
Well said, especially the bolded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pp again. A lot of the rich kids in McLean go to private schools. The public school kids are not that rich. I know it is relative but there are a lot of relatively affordable housing in great falls. Many kids live in 1.5m homes, not 5m mansions. These are regular UMC kids whose parents may be a lawyer or fed or physician. So the McLean high kids living in somewhat modest 1m homes are the same as the ones from GF also living in 1m homes. I’m sure the board will criticize the fact that the million dollar price point sounds high but these houses are not luxurious. They are normal homes that you may expect in Burke or Springfield.

+1
We live in one of those houses!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Longfellow/McLean has long had more of an academically-focused reputation vs Langley and Madison. If you look through the forums, drugs are a problem at private schools too, even the big 3. The increase in fights and other behavioral problems are generally post-pandemic related, and that has been the case at all schools.

You’d probably feel most comfortable at McLean. But if your kids already have a good, academically-focused friend group, maybe stay at Cooper/Langley. Talk with more of your neighbors and reach out to the PTA.

What? I have no idea where you got this. Such a bizarre claim.

DP, but Longfellow historically has been a big TJ feeder and in recent years McLean has racked up It’s Academic and Scholastic Bowl victories. Its student publications also win a lot of awards for excellence.

I expect those are the types of things OP had in mind. Calm down, Langley Mom (note that the poster to whom you’re responding said OP might want to stay at Cooper/Langley).

Uh oh - McLean Mom is back to shamelessly boost her school, repeating the same old song and dance. And btw - the PP could very well have been a Madison mom, like me. McLean is no more “academic” than either Madison OR Langley.
DP

I explained why I thought another poster might say that McLean is more “academically focused.” You don’t have to agree but there’s no need for you to be so nasty.

You were first to nastily call me out as “Langley Mom.” Maybe don’t do that?

Wait, I thought you were proud to be a Langley Mom? Not so?

Anyway, you had previously said another poster made a “bizarre claim.” There was no reason for you to be so insulting, even if you disagreed with her, and until then the thread was cordial.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am in a somewhat similar situation zoned for Langley. We have one kid in private and two kids in public. We have considered moving (unrelated to schools) to a new home within Langley or McLean or other areas like Georgetown, Arlington or MD. We know people from all over the place in both public and private. I don’t know anything about Madison. We know many people at Langley, cooper, Longfellow, McLean, Potomac, little Langley, basis, flint hill, Landon, Holton, sta, ncs, Sidwell, gds, Bullis, etc etc etc.

I don’t think there is a difference in kids between Langley and McLean. They are the same kids. If you think the kids who live 2 miles are different, they are not. Langley and cooper are brand new buildings if that matters to you at all. McLean high is an old building. There is drinking and drugs at all the schools, public and private. I would not base any decisions on this or fights. Your kid can easily avoid these.

This is a very competitive area. If your kid is smart and has a good head on his shoulders, he should be fine. I personally would stick with Langley. That is what we are doing.

I’ve sent kids to both newly renovated and unrenovated schools, and what goes on within the buildings is far more important than whether the schools have been recently renovated. Longfellow and McLean are both excellent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in a somewhat similar situation zoned for Langley. We have one kid in private and two kids in public. We have considered moving (unrelated to schools) to a new home within Langley or McLean or other areas like Georgetown, Arlington or MD. We know people from all over the place in both public and private. I don’t know anything about Madison. We know many people at Langley, cooper, Longfellow, McLean, Potomac, little Langley, basis, flint hill, Landon, Holton, sta, ncs, Sidwell, gds, Bullis, etc etc etc.

I don’t think there is a difference in kids between Langley and McLean. They are the same kids. If you think the kids who live 2 miles are different, they are not. Langley and cooper are brand new buildings if that matters to you at all. McLean high is an old building. There is drinking and drugs at all the schools, public and private. I would not base any decisions on this or fights. Your kid can easily avoid these.

This is a very competitive area. If your kid is smart and has a good head on his shoulders, he should be fine. I personally would stick with Langley. That is what we are doing.

I’ve sent kids to both newly renovated and unrenovated schools, and what goes on within the buildings is far more important than whether the schools have been recently renovated. Longfellow and McLean are both excellent.

I don’t disagree with you. I don’t think there is much of a difference between kids. Langley is brand new. McLean is an old building. As someone who already resides on the Langley side, I would not try to switch over to McLean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in a somewhat similar situation zoned for Langley. We have one kid in private and two kids in public. We have considered moving (unrelated to schools) to a new home within Langley or McLean or other areas like Georgetown, Arlington or MD. We know people from all over the place in both public and private. I don’t know anything about Madison. We know many people at Langley, cooper, Longfellow, McLean, Potomac, little Langley, basis, flint hill, Landon, Holton, sta, ncs, Sidwell, gds, Bullis, etc etc etc.

I don’t think there is a difference in kids between Langley and McLean. They are the same kids. If you think the kids who live 2 miles are different, they are not. Langley and cooper are brand new buildings if that matters to you at all. McLean high is an old building. There is drinking and drugs at all the schools, public and private. I would not base any decisions on this or fights. Your kid can easily avoid these.

This is a very competitive area. If your kid is smart and has a good head on his shoulders, he should be fine. I personally would stick with Langley. That is what we are doing.

I’ve sent kids to both newly renovated and unrenovated schools, and what goes on within the buildings is far more important than whether the schools have been recently renovated. Longfellow and McLean are both excellent.

I don’t disagree with you. I don’t think there is much of a difference between kids. Langley is brand new. McLean is an old building. As someone who already resides on the Langley side, I would not try to switch over to McLean.

I know Langley was renovated more recently but IMO McLean has some better extra-curricular programs (such as stronger band, crew, student publications). I also wouldn’t move just for schools but if OP is moving anyway would (and did) prefer McLean.

[Anonymous]

Didn’t Cooper just lose its principal? She wasn’t there long before she left for another FCPS middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in a somewhat similar situation zoned for Langley. We have one kid in private and two kids in public. We have considered moving (unrelated to schools) to a new home within Langley or McLean or other areas like Georgetown, Arlington or MD. We know people from all over the place in both public and private. I don’t know anything about Madison. We know many people at Langley, cooper, Longfellow, McLean, Potomac, little Langley, basis, flint hill, Landon, Holton, sta, ncs, Sidwell, gds, Bullis, etc etc etc.

I don’t think there is a difference in kids between Langley and McLean. They are the same kids. If you think the kids who live 2 miles are different, they are not. Langley and cooper are brand new buildings if that matters to you at all. McLean high is an old building. There is drinking and drugs at all the schools, public and private. I would not base any decisions on this or fights. Your kid can easily avoid these.

This is a very competitive area. If your kid is smart and has a good head on his shoulders, he should be fine. I personally would stick with Langley. That is what we are doing.

I’ve sent kids to both newly renovated and unrenovated schools, and what goes on within the buildings is far more important than whether the schools have been recently renovated. Longfellow and McLean are both excellent.

I don’t disagree with you. I don’t think there is much of a difference between kids. Langley is brand new. McLean is an old building. As someone who already resides on the Langley side, I would not try to switch over to McLean.

I know Langley was renovated more recently but IMO McLean has some better extra-curricular programs (such as stronger band, crew, student publications). I also wouldn’t move just for schools but if OP is moving anyway would (and did) prefer McLean.

When we bought our house several years ago, we were told Langley was the stronger school. I think they are basically the same. I think the kids are the same. My kids would have done well in either school. Some people care about these rankings. Langley is ranked second in Va behind TJ.

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/virginia/rankings

I don’t doubt McLean has a strong band. I know my kid’s sibling played at the White House a year or two ago. Can’t remember if it was the Langley or cooper band. They are also very proud of their band.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Didn’t Cooper just lose its principal? She wasn’t there long before she left for another FCPS middle school.

The Cooper MS principal left earlier this year to become the principal over at Glasgow MS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Longfellow/McLean has long had more of an academically-focused reputation vs Langley and Madison. If you look through the forums, drugs are a problem at private schools too, even the big 3. The increase in fights and other behavioral problems are generally post-pandemic related, and that has been the case at all schools.

You’d probably feel most comfortable at McLean. But if your kids already have a good, academically-focused friend group, maybe stay at Cooper/Langley. Talk with more of your neighbors and reach out to the PTA.

What? I have no idea where you got this. Such a bizarre claim.

DP, but Longfellow historically has been a big TJ feeder and in recent years McLean has racked up It’s Academic and Scholastic Bowl victories. Its student publications also win a lot of awards for excellence.

I expect those are the types of things OP had in mind. Calm down, Langley Mom (note that the poster to whom you’re responding said OP might want to stay at Cooper/Langley).

Uh oh - McLean Mom is back to shamelessly boost her school, repeating the same old song and dance. And btw - the PP could very well have been a Madison mom, like me. McLean is no more “academic” than either Madison OR Langley.
DP

I explained why I thought another poster might say that McLean is more “academically focused.” You don’t have to agree but there’s no need for you to be so nasty.

You were first to nastily call me out as “Langley Mom.” Maybe don’t do that?

Wait, I thought you were proud to be a Langley Mom? Not so?

Anyway, you had previously said another poster made a “bizarre claim.” There was no reason for you to be so insulting, even if you disagreed with her, and until then the thread was cordial.

DP = different poster. I didn’t call the PP’s claim bizarre (though it actually is, upon re-reading it - McLean is certainly no more academically focused than Langley or Madison). And I also stated that I’m a Madison mom in my post. Regardless, I’m really sick of certain people labeling Langley families as this or that. They’re concerned parents, just as I assume you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in a somewhat similar situation zoned for Langley. We have one kid in private and two kids in public. We have considered moving (unrelated to schools) to a new home within Langley or McLean or other areas like Georgetown, Arlington or MD. We know people from all over the place in both public and private. I don’t know anything about Madison. We know many people at Langley, cooper, Longfellow, McLean, Potomac, little Langley, basis, flint hill, Landon, Holton, sta, ncs, Sidwell, gds, Bullis, etc etc etc.

I don’t think there is a difference in kids between Langley and McLean. They are the same kids. If you think the kids who live 2 miles are different, they are not. Langley and cooper are brand new buildings if that matters to you at all. McLean high is an old building. There is drinking and drugs at all the schools, public and private. I would not base any decisions on this or fights. Your kid can easily avoid these.

This is a very competitive area. If your kid is smart and has a good head on his shoulders, he should be fine. I personally would stick with Langley. That is what we are doing.

I’ve sent kids to both newly renovated and unrenovated schools, and what goes on within the buildings is far more important than whether the schools have been recently renovated. Longfellow and McLean are both excellent.

I don’t disagree with you. I don’t think there is much of a difference between kids. Langley is brand new. McLean is an old building. As someone who already resides on the Langley side, I would not try to switch over to McLean.

I know Langley was renovated more recently but IMO McLean has some better extra-curricular programs (such as stronger band, crew, student publications). I also wouldn’t move just for schools but if OP is moving anyway would (and did) prefer McLean.

When we bought our house several years ago, we were told Langley was the stronger school. I think they are basically the same. I think the kids are the same. My kids would have done well in either school. Some people care about these rankings. Langley is ranked second in Va behind TJ.

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/virginia/rankings

I don’t doubt McLean has a strong band. I know my kid’s sibling played at the White House a year or two ago. Can’t remember if it was the Langley or cooper band. They are also very proud of their band.

DP. Langley also has a very strong band (multiple bands/orchestras). They play at Carnegie Hall every year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Didn’t Cooper just lose its principal? She wasn’t there long before she left for another FCPS middle school.

Yes, she transferred, I don’t know the reason but staff move around a lot in FCPS. She was well liked so I don’t think it was a personal issue.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you’re currently zoned for Langley and like your home, there’s no way I personally would move. It’s an excellent, as is Cooper. The concerns you have can be found at every school, everywhere, as other posters have noted. My kids attend Cooper/Langley and have never experienced any of the issues you describe - which isn’t to say they don’t exist, just that if they do, they are negligible.

Langley has been beautifully renovated and is ranked the #2 high school in the state. I feel my kids are receiving a top-notch education and have made some really great friend groups. They’re involved in all sorts of activities - drama, chorus, quiz bowl, lacrosse, and soccer. There is truly something for everyone. GL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn’t Cooper just lose its principal? She wasn’t there long before she left for another FCPS middle school.

Yes, she transferred, I don’t know the reason but staff move around a lot in FCPS. She was well liked so I don’t think it was a personal issue.

+1