Comparing and contrasting the culture at different FCPS high schools

[Anonymous]

There's no shortage of available information these days on test scores, demographics, rankings, AP vs. IB, etc. at the various FCPS high schools. What's more difficult to come by is good info on how the atmosphere differs at each. For example, are some schools more cliquish than others? More prone to problems with bullying? Are there bigger party schools"? Places with a strong sports culture where only the "jocks" fit in? Places where it's easier to be a geek? Etc, etc.

If you had to characterize the culture/reputation at each of these high schools in one sentence or less, what would you say?

Langley
McLean
Madison
Marshall
Oakton
Woodson
Lake Braddock
Robinson
West Springfield

[Anonymous]

Cue the people who live for any opportunity to bash certain schools. Thanks, OP. Predictable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cue the people who live for any opportunity to bash certain schools. Thanks, OP. Predictable.

OP here. That is NOT what I'm looking for and this is NOT a troll post. We're planning to move in the very near future and are in the early stages of trying to choose a high school pyramid, so hopefully there are some out there who can provide actual useful feedback. I know I can't be the only one who would find this kind of information helpful. Unfortunately, it's not the kind of thing you can just look up on the FCPS web site.

[Anonymous]

I have heard nothing but positive things from parents and kids from West springfield HS. This is across all social groups: geeks, jocks, choir, band, theater kids, leadership types, brain types, locals and transient military.

[Anonymous]

We have direct experience with three of the listed high schools.

Woodson was much more stressful of the three.
Lake Braddock was the most warm and welcoming, especially band and theatre.
Robinson was also warm and welcoming, especially band and sports.

Signed,
Parent of four students

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's no shortage of available information these days on test scores, demographics, rankings, AP vs. IB, etc. at the various FCPS high schools. What's more difficult to come by is good info on how the atmosphere differs at each. For example, are some schools more cliquish than others? More prone to problems with bullying? Are there bigger party schools"? Places with a strong sports culture where only the "jocks" fit in? Places where it's easier to be a geek? Etc, etc.

If you had to characterize the culture/reputation at each of these high schools in one sentence or less, what would you say?

Langley
McLean
Madison
Marshall
Oakton
Woodson
Lake Braddock
Robinson
West Springfield

The schools are too large and diverse for one word descriptions. They are large enough for children to find their "people". Plenty of activities to meet them. There is room for everyone. Think about if you want the AP or IB HS. Think about if you want to be close enough to walk to them. THink about your house budget. Think about commute. All of these HS are great and the commute should rule your decision. The shorter the better. Really.

I have two children and both went to McLean. One is still there. They are vastly different people and each found his niche. Same for their friends they know from county wide activities at many of the other HS you mention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's no shortage of available information these days on test scores, demographics, rankings, AP vs. IB, etc. at the various FCPS high schools. What's more difficult to come by is good info on how the atmosphere differs at each. For example, are some schools more cliquish than others? More prone to problems with bullying? Are there bigger party schools"? Places with a strong sports culture where only the "jocks" fit in? Places where it's easier to be a geek? Etc, etc.

If you had to characterize the culture/reputation at each of these high schools in one sentence or less, what would you say?

Langley
McLean
Madison
Marshall
Oakton
Woodson
Lake Braddock
Robinson
West Springfield

The schools are too large and diverse for one word descriptions. They are large enough for children to find their "people". Plenty of activities to meet them. There is room for everyone. Think about if you want the AP or IB HS. Think about if you want to be close enough to walk to them. THink about your house budget. Think about commute. All of these HS are great and the commute should rule your decision. The shorter the better. Really.

I have two children and both went to McLean. One is still there. They are vastly different people and each found his niche. Same for their friends they know from county wide activities at many of the other HS you mention.

+1. One of the things we liked about our McLean neighborhood was that all the schools (ES/MS/HS) were close to our house and that we didn't have to travel on major roads to get to any of them. Things like this can matter more than efforts to reduce a school's "culture" to a single sentence. We were happy with the schools.

[Anonymous]

Following this thread with interest. We are moving in a year and our son will be starting school (K) but there is a remote chance that we will be able to buy (the West Springfield pyramid looks like it has some options that we may be able to afford) so we are researching schools for the long term. I hope that people take the time to provide some useful input (like Parent of Four and the McLean parent, above).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's no shortage of available information these days on test scores, demographics, rankings, AP vs. IB, etc. at the various FCPS high schools. What's more difficult to come by is good info on how the atmosphere differs at each. For example, are some schools more cliquish than others? More prone to problems with bullying? Are there bigger party schools"? Places with a strong sports culture where only the "jocks" fit in? Places where it's easier to be a geek? Etc, etc.

If you had to characterize the culture/reputation at each of these high schools in one sentence or less, what would you say?

Langley
McLean
Madison
Marshall
Oakton
Woodson
Lake Braddock
Robinson
West Springfield

The schools are too large and diverse for one word descriptions. They are large enough for children to find their "people". Plenty of activities to meet them. There is room for everyone. Think about if you want the AP or IB HS. Think about if you want to be close enough to walk to them. THink about your house budget. Think about commute. All of these HS are great and the commute should rule your decision. The shorter the better. Really.

I have two children and both went to McLean. One is still there. They are vastly different people and each found his niche. Same for their friends they know from county wide activities at many of the other HS you mention.

I reread what I wrote and it looks like I said living close to the HS was best, which it is but, more importantly, I meant the parent commutes should be as short as possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Following this thread with interest. We are moving in a year and our son will be starting school (K) but there is a remote chance that we will be able to buy (the West Springfield pyramid looks like it has some options that we may be able to afford) so we are researching schools for the long term. I hope that people take the time to provide some useful input (like Parent of Four and the McLean parent, above).

West Springfield pyramid is fantastic. Good choice.

[Anonymous]

Lake Braddock is definitely warm and welcoming. Not cliquish at all and big enough that there is something for everyone. The kids are good students and all of the extracurriculars, whether your kid is into sports, band, theater, etc. are really top notch. It has a very active PTSA and the parents at the school are really supportive.

[Anonymous]

Westfield HS was left off, but it's another decent option. Huge, and stuck in the middle of nowhere among corporate buildings, so there's no neighborhood feel as far as location. Sports are big. There are all the usual groups you find in any high school, and they coexist in a friendly way.

[Anonymous]

Langley: good school but drug problem.

[Anonymous]

Madison: Obsessed with band and sports. Mean girl culture.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much everyone. This is very helpful information.

Any feedback on the options that haven't been mentioned yet? Am most interested in hearing from those who have (or have recently had) students at these schools. How have you found the social environment?

Langley
Madison
Marshall
Oakton