WWYD? If you own or are thinking of buying in an area with iffy schools

[Anonymous]

We are in MoCo, east of the park. Our ES is iffy by most DCUM standards, but the parents in our neighborhood seem really happy with it. We are not as happy with the MS and HS options, but we also have over a decade before that becomes a problem. We'll reassess after 4th or 5th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - it is the Falls Church High School pyramid. Not FCC, but Fairfax County.

OP, we're in the same pyramid. Bought in 2003 thinking we would move before school started. Well, our first is in a school we thought was iffy initially, and is thriving, title I and all. We visited the school and spent quite some time with the principal before deciding to enroll her. We also visited some privates, and honestly were underwhelmed. So for now we are staying. We'll do similar research about the middle- and high schools when the time comes and will make our decision based on what we find. Test scores are not the whole story and kids with involved parents tend to do well regardless. Good luck with your decision.

OP, I am also in the same pyramid. We haven't decided what to do yet in terms of schools but haven't ruled out our public schools. I grew up in the DC area and went to public schools which were at the time considered "iffy" and in which I was a minority as a white person and most people didn't speak English and yada yada yada. DCUM would not have approved I went on to get a 4.0 in high school and went to an excellent college and have done well in life. I am not bragging or looking to go into a big private v public debate, I am just saying that many people can do just fine in "iffy" public schools. We are staying put and going to make the best of it because we love our house and neighborhood and commute and will do the best we can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
OP, I am also in the same pyramid. We haven't decided what to do yet in terms of schools but haven't ruled out our public schools. I grew up in the DC area and went to public schools which were at the time considered "iffy" and in which I was a minority as a white person and most people didn't speak English and yada yada yada. DCUM would not have approved I went on to get a 4.0 in high school and went to an excellent college and have done well in life. I am not bragging or looking to go into a big private v public debate, I am just saying that many people can do just fine in "iffy" public schools. We are staying put and going to make the best of it because we love our house and neighborhood and commute and will do the best we can.

But didn't you read the post earlier? Some DCUMs want more than "fine" for their children. Insert eyeroll here.

I'm like the PP. I went to MVHS, which at the time was "fine" but nothing stellar. I'd guess by DCUM standards, I'm doing pretty well (sucessful attorney making over $300K/year; happily married; three great children).

I don't know why people, whose kids aren't even attending the schools yet, freak out about these things. If you love your house/community, then at least give the public schools a shot. You may surprise yourself by how good they are. And you know what? Title I schools and schools with large FARMs populations tend to have smaller class sizes and better resources. Seriously. Compare the class sizes to some of the elementary schools in the Langley pyramid. Much smaller.

Now, if you have a child at the public school who isn't doing well, then by all means, consider moving or private.

[Anonymous]

Bought in old town alexandria knowing we would have to foot the bill for 12 to 13 yrs of private. DC is in HS now. When we bought our house avg tuitions were about 16k at the alexandria privates... They are now mid to high 20s per year. I serioysly cant believe the amount of $$ I have spent on tuition. In hindsight wouldve moved to a better public school district in the younger yrs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bought in old town alexandria knowing we would have to foot the bill for 12 to 13 yrs of private. DC is in HS now. When we bought our house avg tuitions were about 16k at the alexandria privates... They are now mid to high 20s per year. I serioysly cant believe the amount of $$ I have spent on tuition. In hindsight wouldve moved to a better public school district in the younger yrs

+1

[Anonymous]

Or u know maybe u could've sacKed up and sent them to public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or u know maybe u could've sacKed up and sent them to public.

Come on, tell us how sending your kid to a school with 50%+ FARMS builds character.

[Anonymous]

It exposes you to different socioeconomic groups and teaches that not everyone is as lucky or well off. It could ground them, teach compassion and understaning.

[Anonymous]

Also, make them less likely be a douche like 80% of this board are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of us want more than fine. To each his or her own.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Live in Alexandria, kids go and will continue to go to public. THE HORROR!

LOL. I like you. My kid goes to DCPS, and you know what, I'm not worried. She'll be fine.

We ALL want the BEST for our children. Some panic easily though. Education is NOT JUST up to the school, involved parents play an important part. THAT said...mine are in DCPS in an up-and-coming area. I hope we get lucky with a charter school, but for now I spend time home schooling because the level in class is too low. My daughter will be fine because of ME, I am not worried either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It exposes you to different socioeconomic groups and teaches that not everyone is as lucky or well off. It could ground them, teach compassion and understaning.

So why can't this be done with a school that's 15-30% FARMS? Enough to indicate to DC that not everyone's upper middle class, but not so many as to overwhelm the administration and staff.

[Anonymous]

Why would they "overwhelm the administration and staff"? Go ahead, say what you mean, not that is coded bullshit that is pedaled around here so often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I'm like the PP. I went to MVHS, which at the time was "fine" but nothing stellar. I'd guess by DCUM standards, I'm doing pretty well (sucessful attorney making over $300K/year; happily married; three great children).

.

And what year was that?

[Anonymous]

We live in the DCC area in MoCo, and this won't be an issue for more than a decade, but since Blair is the best of the five HS in the DCC does basically everyone apply to it? Although I guess there are specialty programs at the others, like a leadership institute at Kennedy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would they "overwhelm the administration and staff"? Go ahead, say what you mean, not that is coded bullshit that is pedaled around here so often.

I meant exactly what I said, that poor students are (1) more likely to have discipline problems, (2) more likely to have other factors that make them at-risk, including low levels of parental education, broken homes, being victims of abuse, etc., etc., (3) more likely to have special needs (and fewer mitigation strategies set up before they entered K), and (4) will therefore -- by necessity -- take up more attention from staff/administration.

Now that I've answered your questions, maybe you can answer mine, namely, "What life lessons that are taught at a 50%+ FARMS school cannot be taught at a 20% FARMS school?"