Does the school pyramid really make a difference in the long run?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP will the cheaper house allow you to stop working or go part time?

Then you can the academic manager and tutor for your kid to help provide the differentiation they will not receive at a school where managing discipline and simply passing the SOLs is the priority of the teachers and administration

Very true at our base Title 1 school. In addition, at the middle school level, we've experience a lot of fighting. Not so much in the honors classes but in the hallways and lunchroom. The admin spends much time dealing with it and/or trying to head it off. The school bell schedule is different from others in that many middle schools have 3rd period every day for 45 mins and the remaining time is used as study time. Our school doesn't do this. Instead, they take a whole 90 minute slot every other day and give 1/2 to study time and 1/2 to teaching manners and lessons on how to get along better. Furthermore, our middle school is no longer reading novels. Admin said they are piloting the readers and writers workshops and eventually this will be rolled out to all middle schools. When I looked up those programs, the focus is on getting kids to just pick up a book and read. You get what you pay for. Admin can decide what to do based on the majority population.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly asking - Does the school pyramid really make a difference in the long run? I grew up in a small city in upstate NY and there was no moving around to a better school district. I got into a great engineering school and have done fine in life. But now, as my family is looking to move from a condo to SFH in NOVA with 2 kids, S and 2000+ sq for $950k or less. Arlington, Falls Church, McLean, Vienna, Alexandria, Annandale, or closer in Fairfax

In general, it will be easier to graduate in the top 5-10% of your class coming from a school like Justice, which may provide a leg up in college admissions. To the extent that colleges limit the number of admits from a given high school, there may also be advantages. For example, many believe those applying from high-income schools like McLean or Langley are at a relative disadvantage getting into UVA.

I see a lot of caveats there: “In general...may...to the extent that...”

UVA is not the “be-all-and-end-all” for most parents at those schools, but I think each annually sends about 35 grads to UVA. Out of curiosity, how many does Justice send? You’d need the Naviance data for the various schools to support your point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP will the cheaper house allow you to stop working or go part time?

Then you can the academic manager and tutor for your kid to help provide the differentiation they will not receive at a school where managing discipline and simply passing the SOLs is the priority of the teachers and administration

??

Lower GS high schools schools in this area offer programs like IB, AP and/or Honors classes, just as the higher GS schools do.

At least in name. The performance on AP and IB exams varies widely among area schools.

Of course. It's pretty well-established that income impacts performance on standardized tests.

Income in that context is a proxy for a number of factors that contribute to academic success. I guess you could try and negate some of those factors by sending your kids to schools where fewer families and peers pay as much attention to education, but most families think differently if they have options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:12:58 here again,

Just re-read your question in the title of this thread.

I guess my answer to "does the school pyramid really make a difference in the long run?" is:

Maybe. It depends on your kid.

Many people think of it like an insurance policy -- they buy in the best zone they can afford so that they know they've done all they can do for the kid to succeed. Whatever happens from there is on the kid.

+1

Most kids are not motivated including the smart one
My magnet kid would do only the minimum required, so are some of her magnet peers
If a zoom session is optional, only a few kid would join and we are talking about kids in magnet program

[Anonymous]

I’m going to say what no one is saying. If only say this anonymously. We bought in a nice neighborhood, in a “top” pyramid by whatever standards you have and in a high SES. There are no guarantees in life. But if schools go back in the fall, we would be a little more concerned if we lived in one of the zip codes in Fairfax county where Covid is increasing at a higher rate. We used to live in one and we also had crime in our neighborhood. We would be also be more uneasy at night with the state of the world right now.

Your children will probably be fine. But we are comfortable with our choice and wanted the best possible school we could afford for our children. We wanted them surrounded by more motivated and higher achieving students and do not regret our decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP will the cheaper house allow you to stop working or go part time?

Then you can the academic manager and tutor for your kid to help provide the differentiation they will not receive at a school where managing discipline and simply passing the SOLs is the priority of the teachers and administration

??

Lower GS high schools schools in this area offer programs like IB, AP and/or Honors classes, just as the higher GS schools do.

At least in name. The performance on AP and IB exams varies widely among area schools.

Of course. It's pretty well-established that income impacts performance on standardized tests.

Lower income school districts have lower average GPAs as well. The high school grade inflation epidemic has largely been at higher income public schools. Income levels are also correlated with IQ scores. (Wealth is less correlated, high income people tend to spend to their income levels.) Heritability for IQ is quite high as well, meaning smart parents are more likely to produce smart kids. The rush to get rid of standardized tests is silly in my view. Nothing else in admissions is standardized.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP will the cheaper house allow you to stop working or go part time?

Then you can the academic manager and tutor for your kid to help provide the differentiation they will not receive at a school where managing discipline and simply passing the SOLs is the priority of the teachers and administration

??

Lower GS high schools schools in this area offer programs like IB, AP and/or Honors classes, just as the higher GS schools do.

At least in name. The performance on AP and IB exams varies widely among area schools.

Of course. It's pretty well-established that income impacts performance on standardized tests.

Lower income school districts have lower average GPAs as well. The high school grade inflation epidemic has largely been at higher income public schools. Income levels are also correlated with IQ scores. (Wealth is less correlated, high income people tend to spend to their income levels.) Heritability for IQ is quite high as well, meaning smart parents are more likely to produce smart kids. The rush to get rid of standardized tests is silly in my view. Nothing else in admissions is standardized.

It’s amazing how if you actually show up for class and turn in the homework you actually might get credit. Of course the GPAs are higher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:12:58 here again,

Just re-read your question in the title of this thread.

I guess my answer to "does the school pyramid really make a difference in the long run?" is:

Maybe. It depends on your kid.

Many people think of it like an insurance policy -- they buy in the best zone they can afford so that they know they've done all they can do for the kid to succeed. Whatever happens from there is on the kid.

This.

I went to a TERRIBLE high school, as did my brother (middle school). There were routine knife fights in my school, and my brother was relentlessly bullied. As recent immigrants, we didn’t have options. Nor did our parents understand that there could be options. We kept our head down, and nose in the books. My brother tested into a really good high school (he didn’t even tell the family about the test. Or the bullying), a horrible commute away, but made it work. My partial college scholarships were insufficient for me to go to private college, so I went to a local one. Then went to a top tier grad school, while working 3 jobs to make it work. We have both done well in life. My brother just made partner, and I am immensely proud of how far we have both come.

TL;DR A really good work ethic, and family support, goes a long way in life. People with options wouldn’t want to put their children through that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:12:58 here again,

Just re-read your question in the title of this thread.

I guess my answer to "does the school pyramid really make a difference in the long run?" is:

Maybe. It depends on your kid.

Many people think of it like an insurance policy -- they buy in the best zone they can afford so that they know they've done all they can do for the kid to succeed. Whatever happens from there is on the kid.

This.

I went to a TERRIBLE high school, as did my brother (middle school). There were routine knife fights in my school, and my brother was relentlessly bullied. As recent immigrants, we didn’t have options. Nor did our parents understand that there could be options. We kept our head down, and nose in the books. My brother tested into a really good high school (he didn’t even tell the family about the test. Or the bullying), a horrible commute away, but made it work. My partial college scholarships were insufficient for me to go to private college, so I went to a local one. Then went to a top tier grad school, while working 3 jobs to make it work. We have both done well in life. My brother just made partner, and I am immensely proud of how far we have both come.

TL;DR A really good work ethic, and family support, goes a long way in life. People with options wouldn’t want to put their children through that.

Give me a break. There are no schools in Fairfax or Arlington counties with "routine knife fights".

[Anonymous]

We moved from one of the worst school pyramids to one of the best in FCPS. For a long time, I planned to send my kids to the low rated high school. Having a paid off house in our familiar neighborhood was appealing. We ended up moving to McLean and the peer group is significantly different. School PTA is better funded and school is extremely academically oriented. We are at an AAP center. In our former neighborhood, my kids were always the smartest with little effort. I am sure and had hoped they would be fine if they stayed at their old school. At the end, I am glad we moved. My kids have found a love of chess from chess club, something our school didn’t have. Yes, they had a chess after school program but nothing like in McLean. That being said, there are a lot of schools and pyramids between the lowest and highest rated schools. I am sure you can find a decent school in your budget in FCPS and your kids will have a great experience. I personally would not choose justice. Burke. W Springfield, Fairfax, Centreville and Chantilly all have excellent schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We moved from one of the worst school pyramids to one of the best in FCPS. For a long time, I planned to send my kids to the low rated high school. Having a paid off house in our familiar neighborhood was appealing. We ended up moving to McLean and the peer group is significantly different. School PTA is better funded and school is extremely academically oriented. We are at an AAP center. In our former neighborhood, my kids were always the smartest with little effort. I am sure and had hoped they would be fine if they stayed at their old school. At the end, I am glad we moved. My kids have found a love of chess from chess club, something our school didn’t have. Yes, they had a chess after school program but nothing like in McLean. That being said, there are a lot of schools and pyramids between the lowest and highest rated schools. I am sure you can find a decent school in your budget in FCPS and your kids will have a great experience. I personally would not choose justice. Burke. W Springfield, Fairfax, Centreville and Chantilly all have excellent schools.

What was your originating pyramid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:12:58 here again,

Just re-read your question in the title of this thread.

I guess my answer to "does the school pyramid really make a difference in the long run?" is:

Maybe. It depends on your kid.

Many people think of it like an insurance policy -- they buy in the best zone they can afford so that they know they've done all they can do for the kid to succeed. Whatever happens from there is on the kid.

This.

I went to a TERRIBLE high school, as did my brother (middle school). There were routine knife fights in my school, and my brother was relentlessly bullied. As recent immigrants, we didn’t have options. Nor did our parents understand that there could be options. We kept our head down, and nose in the books. My brother tested into a really good high school (he didn’t even tell the family about the test. Or the bullying), a horrible commute away, but made it work. My partial college scholarships were insufficient for me to go to private college, so I went to a local one. Then went to a top tier grad school, while working 3 jobs to make it work. We have both done well in life. My brother just made partner, and I am immensely proud of how far we have both come.

TL;DR A really good work ethic, and family support, goes a long way in life. People with options wouldn’t want to put their children through that.

Give me a break. There are no schools in Fairfax or Arlington counties with "routine knife fights".

I’m not this poster, but why do you assume they are originally from Fairfax County? High schools in my area had routine fights and some included knives. You learned to be safe, when you saw fights break out to go far away from the crowds. Don’t be one of the ones crowding around to watch.

[Anonymous]

^i I grew up in a city in a different part of the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP I’m like you. Small town, elite college, even an engineer.

Did fine? So your HHI is like $200k — guessing from being in a condo looking at lower price SFH.

That is fine but going to a better pyramid opens up a network of people to learn and benefit from, peers who succeed and can refer you, parents with even more successful careers to give advice to their kids friends. I saw it at my elite college, having others from your circle helps a lot.

You did fine, but a better school let’s your kids do better.

+1. You may have “did fine,” but it doesn’t sound like you’ve done great. Wouldn’t you like your kids to do better than just fine?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:12:58 here again,

Just re-read your question in the title of this thread.

I guess my answer to "does the school pyramid really make a difference in the long run?" is:

Maybe. It depends on your kid.

Many people think of it like an insurance policy -- they buy in the best zone they can afford so that they know they've done all they can do for the kid to succeed. Whatever happens from there is on the kid.

This.

I went to a TERRIBLE high school, as did my brother (middle school). There were routine knife fights in my school, and my brother was relentlessly bullied. As recent immigrants, we didn’t have options. Nor did our parents understand that there could be options. We kept our head down, and nose in the books. My brother tested into a really good high school (he didn’t even tell the family about the test. Or the bullying), a horrible commute away, but made it work. My partial college scholarships were insufficient for me to go to private college, so I went to a local one. Then went to a top tier grad school, while working 3 jobs to make it work. We have both done well in life. My brother just made partner, and I am immensely proud of how far we have both come.

TL;DR A really good work ethic, and family support, goes a long way in life. People with options wouldn’t want to put their children through that.

Give me a break. There are no schools in Fairfax or Arlington counties with "routine knife fights".

I’m not this poster, but why do you assume they are originally from Fairfax County? High schools in my area had routine fights and some included knives. You learned to be safe, when you saw fights break out to go far away from the crowds. Don’t be one of the ones crowding around to watch.

I don't, but OP's question is about schools in this area. Posts about routine knife fights that occur in other areas are irrelevant.