WWYD: Herndon/Reston Edition

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carson is totally a failed MS. I mean, it only has the largest number of kids accepted into TJ every year even after they changed the admissions structure. Simply horrifically awful for a child to attend Carson. /sarcasm

Carson is a strong Middle School, especially for the kids in AAP. If anything, the complaint for Carson might be that there is too much emphasis on TJ but you will find that is the case at Cooper as well. I have heard zero complaints about Carson as a school.

So what the PP is saying is that Langley is better then South Lakes and what they really mean is that there are far fewer FARMS kids at Langley then South Lakes, which is true. Since Langley has more upper middle class and rich kids, there are more kids with tutors and fewer kids in ELL classes and higher test scores so it is clearly the better school. I mean, who would want to send kids to a school that has a decent number of poor kids who don’t do well on the SAT.

South Lakes is a fine High School. It is not going to win the accolades that other schools do because it is a more ethnically and economically diverse school then Langley. The kids in the Honors and IB classes have an excellent experience and do well. Of the kids in my neighborhood, I have only heard one complain about South Lakes. The other teens in the neighborhood seem to be enjoying SLHS and their main complaints are the normal thing that kids complain about, getting up early and homework.

If the OP chooses a house outside of Fox Mill’s school boundaries, they can choose a different high school but it is not likely to have the Japanese language at the same level as South Lakes. SLHS is regularly in the middle of the pack in a well regarded school district for test scores and the like.

I don’t know anything about Great Falls ES other then it has Japanese Immersion. My impression is that it is a smaller program then the one at Fox Mill but that is just rumint.

we have loved JI for our child. I love that it is a totally different alphabet(s) and sounding language. I think it provides a unique opportunity to really challenge a child at an early age. OP as one kid who is already learning Japanese in school. I think the Fox Mill families are very engaged and interested in the JI program and that the parents in the program are very enthusiastic. It is a great community and I think a rewarding program for the kids. I suspect that the OPs kids would do well at either JI program because this is something that the family is interested in and both schools are good schools.

You didn't need to write all of that. OP has already discarded GF as an option and as a parent who researches schools before moving, likely already knows about rankings and stats and considers South Lakes a fitting choice. You guys have to stop being triggered into writing dissertations whenever someone inserts a completely irrelevant post about the Langley pyramid being "better."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carson is totally a failed MS. I mean, it only has the largest number of kids accepted into TJ every year even after they changed the admissions structure. Simply horrifically awful for a child to attend Carson. /sarcasm

Carson is a strong Middle School, especially for the kids in AAP. If anything, the complaint for Carson might be that there is too much emphasis on TJ but you will find that is the case at Cooper as well. I have heard zero complaints about Carson as a school.

So what the PP is saying is that Langley is better then South Lakes and what they really mean is that there are far fewer FARMS kids at Langley then South Lakes, which is true. Since Langley has more upper middle class and rich kids, there are more kids with tutors and fewer kids in ELL classes and higher test scores so it is clearly the better school. I mean, who would want to send kids to a school that has a decent number of poor kids who don’t do well on the SAT.

South Lakes is a fine High School. It is not going to win the accolades that other schools do because it is a more ethnically and economically diverse school then Langley. The kids in the Honors and IB classes have an excellent experience and do well. Of the kids in my neighborhood, I have only heard one complain about South Lakes. The other teens in the neighborhood seem to be enjoying SLHS and their main complaints are the normal thing that kids complain about, getting up early and homework.

If the OP chooses a house outside of Fox Mill’s school boundaries, they can choose a different high school but it is not likely to have the Japanese language at the same level as South Lakes. SLHS is regularly in the middle of the pack in a well regarded school district for test scores and the like.

I don’t know anything about Great Falls ES other then it has Japanese Immersion. My impression is that it is a smaller program then the one at Fox Mill but that is just rumint.

we have loved JI for our child. I love that it is a totally different alphabet(s) and sounding language. I think it provides a unique opportunity to really challenge a child at an early age. OP as one kid who is already learning Japanese in school. I think the Fox Mill families are very engaged and interested in the JI program and that the parents in the program are very enthusiastic. It is a great community and I think a rewarding program for the kids. I suspect that the OPs kids would do well at either JI program because this is something that the family is interested in and both schools are good schools.

You didn't need to write all of that. OP has already discarded GF as an option and as a parent who researches schools before moving, likely already knows about rankings and stats and considers South Lakes a fitting choice. You guys have to stop being triggered into writing dissertations whenever someone inserts a completely irrelevant post about the Langley pyramid being "better."

There was nothing in OP's original post or follow-up indicating that they had discarded GF. They said they had originally considered it. Because OP is from out of the area, it is certainly relevant to say that the Langley pyramid is better academically. If I were moving to the area, I would want to know that. It may not impact the decision, and there are other and potentially more important factors (both re the schools and the the commute and neighborhoods and otherwise). I don't think anyone has suggested that SLHS (or Oakton) are not good academically. I find the defensiveness to be surprising.

But we are also now far off topic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carson is totally a failed MS. I mean, it only has the largest number of kids accepted into TJ every year even after they changed the admissions structure. Simply horrifically awful for a child to attend Carson. /sarcasm

Carson is a strong Middle School, especially for the kids in AAP. If anything, the complaint for Carson might be that there is too much emphasis on TJ but you will find that is the case at Cooper as well. I have heard zero complaints about Carson as a school.

So what the PP is saying is that Langley is better then South Lakes and what they really mean is that there are far fewer FARMS kids at Langley then South Lakes, which is true. Since Langley has more upper middle class and rich kids, there are more kids with tutors and fewer kids in ELL classes and higher test scores so it is clearly the better school. I mean, who would want to send kids to a school that has a decent number of poor kids who don’t do well on the SAT.

South Lakes is a fine High School. It is not going to win the accolades that other schools do because it is a more ethnically and economically diverse school then Langley. The kids in the Honors and IB classes have an excellent experience and do well. Of the kids in my neighborhood, I have only heard one complain about South Lakes. The other teens in the neighborhood seem to be enjoying SLHS and their main complaints are the normal thing that kids complain about, getting up early and homework.

If the OP chooses a house outside of Fox Mill’s school boundaries, they can choose a different high school but it is not likely to have the Japanese language at the same level as South Lakes. SLHS is regularly in the middle of the pack in a well regarded school district for test scores and the like.

I don’t know anything about Great Falls ES other then it has Japanese Immersion. My impression is that it is a smaller program then the one at Fox Mill but that is just rumint.

we have loved JI for our child. I love that it is a totally different alphabet(s) and sounding language. I think it provides a unique opportunity to really challenge a child at an early age. OP as one kid who is already learning Japanese in school. I think the Fox Mill families are very engaged and interested in the JI program and that the parents in the program are very enthusiastic. It is a great community and I think a rewarding program for the kids. I suspect that the OPs kids would do well at either JI program because this is something that the family is interested in and both schools are good schools.

You didn't need to write all of that. OP has already discarded GF as an option and as a parent who researches schools before moving, likely already knows about rankings and stats and considers South Lakes a fitting choice. You guys have to stop being triggered into writing dissertations whenever someone inserts a completely irrelevant post about the Langley pyramid being "better."

There was nothing in OP's original post or follow-up indicating that they had discarded GF. They said they had originally considered it. Because OP is from out of the area, it is certainly relevant to say that the Langley pyramid is better academically. If I were moving to the area, I would want to know that. It may not impact the decision, and there are other and potentially more important factors (both re the schools and the the commute and neighborhoods and otherwise). I don't think anyone has suggested that SLHS (or Oakton) are not good academically. I find the defensiveness to be surprising.

But we are also now far off topic.

OP here - my realtor told me this morning I should reconsider looking at GF. So anyone with insights on commutes or where specifically in GF to magically find both sidewalks and a neighborhood feel without a brutal commute to Dulles and Metro Center would be an absolute legend.

[Anonymous]

Great falls doesnt have sidewalks or a walkable neighborhood feel.

[Anonymous]

I think the OP’s bottom line question is whether SLHS is bad enough so that she needs to stay outside the Fox Mill boundary.

My answer would be SLHS is fine but certianly a notch below Oakton/Chantilly unless her DD is going for the full IB. However, my observation is that the Fox Mill kids seem to be doing OK at SLHS. Maybe after going through six years of JI, they stick together even in high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great falls doesnt have sidewalks or a walkable neighborhood feel.

There are plenty of areas in GF with a neighborhood feel. Fewer sidewalks, but most of the "neighborhood" areas are very walkable with quiet streets. (I say this because we live in one of those areas.)

Where to look depends largely on price point. If you are looking at or below ~$1M, Lexington Estates (a big neighboorhood west of Walker Rd., between Georgetown Pike and Route 7) has a good neighborhood feel, as does a good part of the area east of Walker Rd. and north of Colvin Run Rd. The neighborhood just south of the Village (Columbine/Constellation/Golden Arrow/Minburn/etc.) is more of a traditional neighborhood with streets laid out in a grid and also has houses at a range of price points. That area connects to (by walking paths) Hickory Vale Farm, which is a nice subdivision abutting the Village and Georgetown Pike. Here is one current listing in that neighborhood: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/784-Stephanie-Cir-Great-Falls-VA-22066/51710688_zpid/

Further west, and not walkable to the Village, other nice areas with a neighborhoody feel include Cavalcade St./Forestville Meadow Dr., and Wynkoop Dr./Riva Ridge Dr. (that area goes to Forestville, not GFES).

That's just a few areas. There has been a clear uptick in families with younger children moving to GF over the past year or two. We love the sense of community here -- lots of events sponsored by Celebrate Great Falls and others (weekly summer concerts on the Village Green, 4th of July parade/fireworks, Halloween parade, etc.), Great Falls Swim & Tennis is great (though now has a wait list, I believe) and filled with families, and a nice small town feeling in an area that is still very close to all of the typical suburban amenities.

That said, because GF consists primarily of houses with larger lots (minimum you'll see is 1/2 acre, many houses even in neighborhoods are on 3/4 of acre or more), there are fewer areas with kids playing in the street all day and running from house to house. There are neighborhoods like that, but they are fewer and further between. Some people like that -- our kids have lots of friends and are so happy that we moved here -- others don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carson is totally a failed MS. I mean, it only has the largest number of kids accepted into TJ every year even after they changed the admissions structure. Simply horrifically awful for a child to attend Carson. /sarcasm

Carson is a strong Middle School, especially for the kids in AAP. If anything, the complaint for Carson might be that there is too much emphasis on TJ but you will find that is the case at Cooper as well. I have heard zero complaints about Carson as a school.

So what the PP is saying is that Langley is better then South Lakes and what they really mean is that there are far fewer FARMS kids at Langley then South Lakes, which is true. Since Langley has more upper middle class and rich kids, there are more kids with tutors and fewer kids in ELL classes and higher test scores so it is clearly the better school. I mean, who would want to send kids to a school that has a decent number of poor kids who don’t do well on the SAT.

South Lakes is a fine High School. It is not going to win the accolades that other schools do because it is a more ethnically and economically diverse school then Langley. The kids in the Honors and IB classes have an excellent experience and do well. Of the kids in my neighborhood, I have only heard one complain about South Lakes. The other teens in the neighborhood seem to be enjoying SLHS and their main complaints are the normal thing that kids complain about, getting up early and homework.

If the OP chooses a house outside of Fox Mill’s school boundaries, they can choose a different high school but it is not likely to have the Japanese language at the same level as South Lakes. SLHS is regularly in the middle of the pack in a well regarded school district for test scores and the like.

I don’t know anything about Great Falls ES other then it has Japanese Immersion. My impression is that it is a smaller program then the one at Fox Mill but that is just rumint.

we have loved JI for our child. I love that it is a totally different alphabet(s) and sounding language. I think it provides a unique opportunity to really challenge a child at an early age. OP as one kid who is already learning Japanese in school. I think the Fox Mill families are very engaged and interested in the JI program and that the parents in the program are very enthusiastic. It is a great community and I think a rewarding program for the kids. I suspect that the OPs kids would do well at either JI program because this is something that the family is interested in and both schools are good schools.

You didn't need to write all of that. OP has already discarded GF as an option and as a parent who researches schools before moving, likely already knows about rankings and stats and considers South Lakes a fitting choice. You guys have to stop being triggered into writing dissertations whenever someone inserts a completely irrelevant post about the Langley pyramid being "better."

There was nothing in OP's original post or follow-up indicating that they had discarded GF. They said they had originally considered it. Because OP is from out of the area, it is certainly relevant to say that the Langley pyramid is better academically. If I were moving to the area, I would want to know that. It may not impact the decision, and there are other and potentially more important factors (both re the schools and the the commute and neighborhoods and otherwise). I don't think anyone has suggested that SLHS (or Oakton) are not good academically. I find the defensiveness to be surprising.

But we are also now far off topic.

OP here - my realtor told me this morning I should reconsider looking at GF. So anyone with insights on commutes or where specifically in GF to magically find both sidewalks and a neighborhood feel without a brutal commute to Dulles and Metro Center would be an absolute legend.

Commuting to Metro Center from Great Falls is brutal and not something most would recommend.

Not too many Great Falls neighborhoods have sidewalks - for the most part, it's houses spaced far apart on winding roads without sidewalks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carson is totally a failed MS. I mean, it only has the largest number of kids accepted into TJ every year even after they changed the admissions structure. Simply horrifically awful for a child to attend Carson. /sarcasm

Carson is a strong Middle School, especially for the kids in AAP. If anything, the complaint for Carson might be that there is too much emphasis on TJ but you will find that is the case at Cooper as well. I have heard zero complaints about Carson as a school.

So what the PP is saying is that Langley is better then South Lakes and what they really mean is that there are far fewer FARMS kids at Langley then South Lakes, which is true. Since Langley has more upper middle class and rich kids, there are more kids with tutors and fewer kids in ELL classes and higher test scores so it is clearly the better school. I mean, who would want to send kids to a school that has a decent number of poor kids who don’t do well on the SAT.

South Lakes is a fine High School. It is not going to win the accolades that other schools do because it is a more ethnically and economically diverse school then Langley. The kids in the Honors and IB classes have an excellent experience and do well. Of the kids in my neighborhood, I have only heard one complain about South Lakes. The other teens in the neighborhood seem to be enjoying SLHS and their main complaints are the normal thing that kids complain about, getting up early and homework.

If the OP chooses a house outside of Fox Mill’s school boundaries, they can choose a different high school but it is not likely to have the Japanese language at the same level as South Lakes. SLHS is regularly in the middle of the pack in a well regarded school district for test scores and the like.

I don’t know anything about Great Falls ES other then it has Japanese Immersion. My impression is that it is a smaller program then the one at Fox Mill but that is just rumint.

we have loved JI for our child. I love that it is a totally different alphabet(s) and sounding language. I think it provides a unique opportunity to really challenge a child at an early age. OP as one kid who is already learning Japanese in school. I think the Fox Mill families are very engaged and interested in the JI program and that the parents in the program are very enthusiastic. It is a great community and I think a rewarding program for the kids. I suspect that the OPs kids would do well at either JI program because this is something that the family is interested in and both schools are good schools.

You didn't need to write all of that. OP has already discarded GF as an option and as a parent who researches schools before moving, likely already knows about rankings and stats and considers South Lakes a fitting choice. You guys have to stop being triggered into writing dissertations whenever someone inserts a completely irrelevant post about the Langley pyramid being "better."

There was nothing in OP's original post or follow-up indicating that they had discarded GF. They said they had originally considered it. Because OP is from out of the area, it is certainly relevant to say that the Langley pyramid is better academically. If I were moving to the area, I would want to know that. It may not impact the decision, and there are other and potentially more important factors (both re the schools and the the commute and neighborhoods and otherwise). I don't think anyone has suggested that SLHS (or Oakton) are not good academically. I find the defensiveness to be surprising.

But we are also now far off topic.

OP here - my realtor told me this morning I should reconsider looking at GF. So anyone with insights on commutes or where specifically in GF to magically find both sidewalks and a neighborhood feel without a brutal commute to Dulles and Metro Center would be an absolute legend.

For the easiest commute to Metro Center, closer to the Village (G'town Pike/Walker Road) is best. The light at that intersection can be brutal at rush hour. These days, the commute to DC isn't bad -- 30 mins. But in normal times it's closer to 45 mins - 1 hour at rush hour. I think the commute to Dulles would be more in the range of 30-45 mins from the area around the Village. If you live closer to Route 7, then that commute is shorter, but Route 7 can otherwise be a nightmare at rush hour . . .G'town Pike to the GW Parkway is the easiest way into DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carson is totally a failed MS. I mean, it only has the largest number of kids accepted into TJ every year even after they changed the admissions structure. Simply horrifically awful for a child to attend Carson. /sarcasm

Carson is a strong Middle School, especially for the kids in AAP. If anything, the complaint for Carson might be that there is too much emphasis on TJ but you will find that is the case at Cooper as well. I have heard zero complaints about Carson as a school.

So what the PP is saying is that Langley is better then South Lakes and what they really mean is that there are far fewer FARMS kids at Langley then South Lakes, which is true. Since Langley has more upper middle class and rich kids, there are more kids with tutors and fewer kids in ELL classes and higher test scores so it is clearly the better school. I mean, who would want to send kids to a school that has a decent number of poor kids who don’t do well on the SAT.

South Lakes is a fine High School. It is not going to win the accolades that other schools do because it is a more ethnically and economically diverse school then Langley. The kids in the Honors and IB classes have an excellent experience and do well. Of the kids in my neighborhood, I have only heard one complain about South Lakes. The other teens in the neighborhood seem to be enjoying SLHS and their main complaints are the normal thing that kids complain about, getting up early and homework.

If the OP chooses a house outside of Fox Mill’s school boundaries, they can choose a different high school but it is not likely to have the Japanese language at the same level as South Lakes. SLHS is regularly in the middle of the pack in a well regarded school district for test scores and the like.

I don’t know anything about Great Falls ES other then it has Japanese Immersion. My impression is that it is a smaller program then the one at Fox Mill but that is just rumint.

we have loved JI for our child. I love that it is a totally different alphabet(s) and sounding language. I think it provides a unique opportunity to really challenge a child at an early age. OP as one kid who is already learning Japanese in school. I think the Fox Mill families are very engaged and interested in the JI program and that the parents in the program are very enthusiastic. It is a great community and I think a rewarding program for the kids. I suspect that the OPs kids would do well at either JI program because this is something that the family is interested in and both schools are good schools.

You didn't need to write all of that. OP has already discarded GF as an option and as a parent who researches schools before moving, likely already knows about rankings and stats and considers South Lakes a fitting choice. You guys have to stop being triggered into writing dissertations whenever someone inserts a completely irrelevant post about the Langley pyramid being "better."

There was nothing in OP's original post or follow-up indicating that they had discarded GF. They said they had originally considered it. Because OP is from out of the area, it is certainly relevant to say that the Langley pyramid is better academically. If I were moving to the area, I would want to know that. It may not impact the decision, and there are other and potentially more important factors (both re the schools and the the commute and neighborhoods and otherwise). I don't think anyone has suggested that SLHS (or Oakton) are not good academically. I find the defensiveness to be surprising.

But we are also now far off topic.

OP here - my realtor told me this morning I should reconsider looking at GF. So anyone with insights on commutes or where specifically in GF to magically find both sidewalks and a neighborhood feel without a brutal commute to Dulles and Metro Center would be an absolute legend.

Not surprised that a realtor would tell you to reconsider, given the housing premium for a home zoned to the Langley pyramid.

In the long run, it may be a better real estate investment but commute is a real quality of life concern that impacts you and your children.

As for neighborhood feel and walkability, there are sidewalks near Great Falls elementary itself and the size of the lots in GF as a whole means that no one bothers about the natural footpaths that form on the edge of their properties as their neighbors walk dogs or children meet up and walk together to the Village Center for a cone at the Creamery or to study at Starbucks.

Great Falls truly is a great place to live, but it's not the only pleasant neighborhood in the area and commute is no small consideration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carson is totally a failed MS. I mean, it only has the largest number of kids accepted into TJ every year even after they changed the admissions structure. Simply horrifically awful for a child to attend Carson. /sarcasm

Carson is a strong Middle School, especially for the kids in AAP. If anything, the complaint for Carson might be that there is too much emphasis on TJ but you will find that is the case at Cooper as well. I have heard zero complaints about Carson as a school.

So what the PP is saying is that Langley is better then South Lakes and what they really mean is that there are far fewer FARMS kids at Langley then South Lakes, which is true. Since Langley has more upper middle class and rich kids, there are more kids with tutors and fewer kids in ELL classes and higher test scores so it is clearly the better school. I mean, who would want to send kids to a school that has a decent number of poor kids who don’t do well on the SAT.

South Lakes is a fine High School. It is not going to win the accolades that other schools do because it is a more ethnically and economically diverse school then Langley. The kids in the Honors and IB classes have an excellent experience and do well. Of the kids in my neighborhood, I have only heard one complain about South Lakes. The other teens in the neighborhood seem to be enjoying SLHS and their main complaints are the normal thing that kids complain about, getting up early and homework.

If the OP chooses a house outside of Fox Mill’s school boundaries, they can choose a different high school but it is not likely to have the Japanese language at the same level as South Lakes. SLHS is regularly in the middle of the pack in a well regarded school district for test scores and the like.

I don’t know anything about Great Falls ES other then it has Japanese Immersion. My impression is that it is a smaller program then the one at Fox Mill but that is just rumint.

we have loved JI for our child. I love that it is a totally different alphabet(s) and sounding language. I think it provides a unique opportunity to really challenge a child at an early age. OP as one kid who is already learning Japanese in school. I think the Fox Mill families are very engaged and interested in the JI program and that the parents in the program are very enthusiastic. It is a great community and I think a rewarding program for the kids. I suspect that the OPs kids would do well at either JI program because this is something that the family is interested in and both schools are good schools.

You didn't need to write all of that. OP has already discarded GF as an option and as a parent who researches schools before moving, likely already knows about rankings and stats and considers South Lakes a fitting choice. You guys have to stop being triggered into writing dissertations whenever someone inserts a completely irrelevant post about the Langley pyramid being "better."

There was nothing in OP's original post or follow-up indicating that they had discarded GF. They said they had originally considered it. Because OP is from out of the area, it is certainly relevant to say that the Langley pyramid is better academically. If I were moving to the area, I would want to know that. It may not impact the decision, and there are other and potentially more important factors (both re the schools and the the commute and neighborhoods and otherwise). I don't think anyone has suggested that SLHS (or Oakton) are not good academically. I find the defensiveness to be surprising.

But we are also now far off topic.

OP here - my realtor told me this morning I should reconsider looking at GF. So anyone with insights on commutes or where specifically in GF to magically find both sidewalks and a neighborhood feel without a brutal commute to Dulles and Metro Center would be an absolute legend.

For the easiest commute to Metro Center, closer to the Village (G'town Pike/Walker Road) is best. The light at that intersection can be brutal at rush hour. These days, the commute to DC isn't bad -- 30 mins. But in normal times it's closer to 45 mins - 1 hour at rush hour. I think the commute to Dulles would be more in the range of 30-45 mins from the area around the Village. If you live closer to Route 7, then that commute is shorter, but Route 7 can otherwise be a nightmare at rush hour . . .G'town Pike to the GW Parkway is the easiest way into DC.

OP here. So many great responses/intel on this thread. Thank you all so much for the pointers. Part of the reason our realtor recommended this is based on housing preferences we've expressed (2500+ sq ft and tall ceilings) that are apparently hard to find in Fox Mill. Pre-Covid, I was commuting 40+ minutes to work and my husband was commuting 1-1:45 hours regularly to work, so it seems like GF is a slight pickup from a commuting perspective, and I would only expect to commute 1-2 days per week (unlike 5 here pre-Covid).

I take it there's no viable/attractive train option to Metro Center from GF (i.e., where I could drive to a particular station to catch a train and have it take a similar amount of time to driving the whole way in)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carson is totally a failed MS. I mean, it only has the largest number of kids accepted into TJ every year even after they changed the admissions structure. Simply horrifically awful for a child to attend Carson. /sarcasm

Carson is a strong Middle School, especially for the kids in AAP. If anything, the complaint for Carson might be that there is too much emphasis on TJ but you will find that is the case at Cooper as well. I have heard zero complaints about Carson as a school.

So what the PP is saying is that Langley is better then South Lakes and what they really mean is that there are far fewer FARMS kids at Langley then South Lakes, which is true. Since Langley has more upper middle class and rich kids, there are more kids with tutors and fewer kids in ELL classes and higher test scores so it is clearly the better school. I mean, who would want to send kids to a school that has a decent number of poor kids who don’t do well on the SAT.

South Lakes is a fine High School. It is not going to win the accolades that other schools do because it is a more ethnically and economically diverse school then Langley. The kids in the Honors and IB classes have an excellent experience and do well. Of the kids in my neighborhood, I have only heard one complain about South Lakes. The other teens in the neighborhood seem to be enjoying SLHS and their main complaints are the normal thing that kids complain about, getting up early and homework.

If the OP chooses a house outside of Fox Mill’s school boundaries, they can choose a different high school but it is not likely to have the Japanese language at the same level as South Lakes. SLHS is regularly in the middle of the pack in a well regarded school district for test scores and the like.

I don’t know anything about Great Falls ES other then it has Japanese Immersion. My impression is that it is a smaller program then the one at Fox Mill but that is just rumint.

we have loved JI for our child. I love that it is a totally different alphabet(s) and sounding language. I think it provides a unique opportunity to really challenge a child at an early age. OP as one kid who is already learning Japanese in school. I think the Fox Mill families are very engaged and interested in the JI program and that the parents in the program are very enthusiastic. It is a great community and I think a rewarding program for the kids. I suspect that the OPs kids would do well at either JI program because this is something that the family is interested in and both schools are good schools.

You didn't need to write all of that. OP has already discarded GF as an option and as a parent who researches schools before moving, likely already knows about rankings and stats and considers South Lakes a fitting choice. You guys have to stop being triggered into writing dissertations whenever someone inserts a completely irrelevant post about the Langley pyramid being "better."

There was nothing in OP's original post or follow-up indicating that they had discarded GF. They said they had originally considered it. Because OP is from out of the area, it is certainly relevant to say that the Langley pyramid is better academically. If I were moving to the area, I would want to know that. It may not impact the decision, and there are other and potentially more important factors (both re the schools and the the commute and neighborhoods and otherwise). I don't think anyone has suggested that SLHS (or Oakton) are not good academically. I find the defensiveness to be surprising.

But we are also now far off topic.

OP here - my realtor told me this morning I should reconsider looking at GF. So anyone with insights on commutes or where specifically in GF to magically find both sidewalks and a neighborhood feel without a brutal commute to Dulles and Metro Center would be an absolute legend.

For the easiest commute to Metro Center, closer to the Village (G'town Pike/Walker Road) is best. The light at that intersection can be brutal at rush hour. These days, the commute to DC isn't bad -- 30 mins. But in normal times it's closer to 45 mins - 1 hour at rush hour. I think the commute to Dulles would be more in the range of 30-45 mins from the area around the Village. If you live closer to Route 7, then that commute is shorter, but Route 7 can otherwise be a nightmare at rush hour . . .G'town Pike to the GW Parkway is the easiest way into DC.

OP here. So many great responses/intel on this thread. Thank you all so much for the pointers. Part of the reason our realtor recommended this is based on housing preferences we've expressed (2500+ sq ft and tall ceilings) that are apparently hard to find in Fox Mill. Pre-Covid, I was commuting 40+ minutes to work and my husband was commuting 1-1:45 hours regularly to work, so it seems like GF is a slight pickup from a commuting perspective, and I would only expect to commute 1-2 days per week (unlike 5 here pre-Covid).

I take it there's no viable/attractive train option to Metro Center from GF (i.e., where I could drive to a particular station to catch a train and have it take a similar amount of time to driving the whole way in)?

Unfortunately not. Wiehle and Spring Hill on the Silver line are the "closest" stations, but that's a relative term . . . each would likely be a 20-25 min drive (or more) at rush hour

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great falls doesnt have sidewalks or a walkable neighborhood feel.

Exactly—find a new realtor! LOL

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Carson is totally a failed MS. I mean, it only has the largest number of kids accepted into TJ every year even after they changed the admissions structure. Simply horrifically awful for a child to attend Carson. /sarcasm

Carson is a strong Middle School, especially for the kids in AAP. If anything, the complaint for Carson might be that there is too much emphasis on TJ but you will find that is the case at Cooper as well. I have heard zero complaints about Carson as a school.

So what the PP is saying is that Langley is better then South Lakes and what they really mean is that there are far fewer FARMS kids at Langley then South Lakes, which is true. Since Langley has more upper middle class and rich kids, there are more kids with tutors and fewer kids in ELL classes and higher test scores so it is clearly the better school. I mean, who would want to send kids to a school that has a decent number of poor kids who don’t do well on the SAT.

South Lakes is a fine High School. It is not going to win the accolades that other schools do because it is a more ethnically and economically diverse school then Langley. The kids in the Honors and IB classes have an excellent experience and do well. Of the kids in my neighborhood, I have only heard one complain about South Lakes. The other teens in the neighborhood seem to be enjoying SLHS and their main complaints are the normal thing that kids complain about, getting up early and homework.

If the OP chooses a house outside of Fox Mill’s school boundaries, they can choose a different high school but it is not likely to have the Japanese language at the same level as South Lakes. SLHS is regularly in the middle of the pack in a well regarded school district for test scores and the like.

I don’t know anything about Great Falls ES other then it has Japanese Immersion. My impression is that it is a smaller program then the one at Fox Mill but that is just rumint.

we have loved JI for our child. I love that it is a totally different alphabet(s) and sounding language. I think it provides a unique opportunity to really challenge a child at an early age. OP as one kid who is already learning Japanese in school. I think the Fox Mill families are very engaged and interested in the JI program and that the parents in the program are very enthusiastic. It is a great community and I think a rewarding program for the kids. I suspect that the OPs kids would do well at either JI program because this is something that the family is interested in and both schools are good schools.

You didn't need to write all of that. OP has already discarded GF as an option and as a parent who researches schools before moving, likely already knows about rankings and stats and considers South Lakes a fitting choice. You guys have to stop being triggered into writing dissertations whenever someone inserts a completely irrelevant post about the Langley pyramid being "better."

There was nothing in OP's original post or follow-up indicating that they had discarded GF. They said they had originally considered it. Because OP is from out of the area, it is certainly relevant to say that the Langley pyramid is better academically. If I were moving to the area, I would want to know that. It may not impact the decision, and there are other and potentially more important factors (both re the schools and the the commute and neighborhoods and otherwise). I don't think anyone has suggested that SLHS (or Oakton) are not good academically. I find the defensiveness to be surprising.

But we are also now far off topic.

OP here - my realtor told me this morning I should reconsider looking at GF. So anyone with insights on commutes or where specifically in GF to magically find both sidewalks and a neighborhood feel without a brutal commute to Dulles and Metro Center would be an absolute legend.

For the easiest commute to Metro Center, closer to the Village (G'town Pike/Walker Road) is best. The light at that intersection can be brutal at rush hour. These days, the commute to DC isn't bad -- 30 mins. But in normal times it's closer to 45 mins - 1 hour at rush hour. I think the commute to Dulles would be more in the range of 30-45 mins from the area around the Village. If you live closer to Route 7, then that commute is shorter, but Route 7 can otherwise be a nightmare at rush hour . . .G'town Pike to the GW Parkway is the easiest way into DC.

OP here. So many great responses/intel on this thread. Thank you all so much for the pointers. Part of the reason our realtor recommended this is based on housing preferences we've expressed (2500+ sq ft and tall ceilings) that are apparently hard to find in Fox Mill. Pre-Covid, I was commuting 40+ minutes to work and my husband was commuting 1-1:45 hours regularly to work, so it seems like GF is a slight pickup from a commuting perspective, and I would only expect to commute 1-2 days per week (unlike 5 here pre-Covid).

I take it there's no viable/attractive train option to Metro Center from GF (i.e., where I could drive to a particular station to catch a train and have it take a similar amount of time to driving the whole way in)?

Unfortunately not. Wiehle and Spring Hill on the Silver line are the "closest" stations, but that's a relative term . . . each would likely be a 20-25 min drive (or more) at rush hour

Fox Mill is not closer to the Metro Center though. It takes 20 mins driving from Fox Mill to Wiehle at rush hour. If Herndon metro station is built, the driving time to that metro station would be a little shorter but the train time would increase.

[Anonymous]

doesn't the park and ride still operate near fox mill?

[Anonymous]

Fox Mill is not closer to the Metro Center though. It takes 20 mins driving from Fox Mill to Wiehle at rush hour. If Herndon metro station is built, the driving time to that metro station would be a little shorter but the train time would increase.

If you really have to go to Metro Center, then live in Reston and find before/after care that will transport you kid to/from Fox Mill.