Haycock vs Kent Gardens

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Np here following this thread with interest. Re : Shrevewood, the school is ranked 659 in the state. Is it that good? Several ACPS elementary schools are ranked better and everyone complains that system stinks. Why not recommend that the OP consider the Alexandria parts of FFX county where housing prices are cheaper. E.g., Waynewood and Stratford Landing. Both ranked higher than Shrevewood.

OP - you might want to check out Waynewood and Stratford Landing systems. You can find a nice home in your price range ($600 -$700 k) and not have the McLean and Haycock drama. And it's close in!

Thread OP...housing is cheaper in certain areas for a reason.

Lower demand, higher supply....made worse if conveniences are nearby such as metro, but demand is still low.

BTW, both KG and Haycock aren't far from West Falls Church Metro...Orange line, which will take you directly to the US Capitol stop with no transfers required.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Np here following this thread with interest. Re : Shrevewood, the school is ranked 659 in the state. Is it that good? Several ACPS elementary schools are ranked better and everyone complains that system stinks. Why not recommend that the OP consider the Alexandria parts of FFX county where housing prices are cheaper. E.g., Waynewood and Stratford Landing. Both ranked higher than Shrevewood.

OP - you might want to check out Waynewood and Stratford Landing systems. You can find a nice home in your price range ($600 -$700 k) and not have the McLean and Haycock drama. And it's close in!

Ranked by whom?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Np here following this thread with interest. Re : Shrevewood, the school is ranked 659 in the state. Is it that good? Several ACPS elementary schools are ranked better and everyone complains that system stinks. Why not recommend that the OP consider the Alexandria parts of FFX county where housing prices are cheaper. E.g., Waynewood and Stratford Landing. Both ranked higher than Shrevewood.

OP - you might want to check out Waynewood and Stratford Landing systems. You can find a nice home in your price range ($600 -$700 k) and not have the McLean and Haycock drama. And it's close in!

I think people recommended Shrevewood because it's in the immediate area of where OP was already looking but in a lower price range, which I think she said she wanted. It's an 8 on Great Schools for what that's worth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Np here following this thread with interest. Re : Shrevewood, the school is ranked 659 in the state. Is it that good? Several ACPS elementary schools are ranked better and everyone complains that system stinks. Why not recommend that the OP consider the Alexandria parts of FFX county where housing prices are cheaper. E.g., Waynewood and Stratford Landing. Both ranked higher than Shrevewood.

OP - you might want to check out Waynewood and Stratford Landing systems. You can find a nice home in your price range ($600 -$700 k) and not have the McLean and Haycock drama. And it's close in!

I think people recommended Shrevewood because it's in the immediate area of where OP was already looking but in a lower price range, which I think she said she wanted. It's an 8 on Great Schools for what that's worth.

I'm the PP here. Waynewood is an awesome school as well. If OP is interested in that area, she should definitely consider it. I didn't mean to imply otherwise. There are many great schools in FCPS. My point is that she doesn't have to be limited to Haycock and KG (unless that's where she wants to be with respect to location and price). Sometimes you read this forum and it seems like there are only about 4 or 5 elementary schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you have received wonderful advice. My kids attend Shrevewood and are very happy there. I'm also very pleased with the school as well as the admistration. Yes, it's over crowded, however, we currently do not house any classrooms (other than specials) in trailers.

As for the schools you really can't go wrong with this area. Now that being said, what I think is great and what you think is great, can be miles apart. For me, it's all about the teachers and administration. So far, my kids have had great teachers at Shrevewood. We have had great communication with the teachers and they are very in tune to notice problems if they exist. I have one child who has difficulty adjusting to new teachers in the begining of the year, all the teachers have met his needs and deal with him very well.

Some people don't look at Shrevewood because of the diversity, there is lots of it! For me the diversity is one of the main reasons I love it so much. My kids have met children from all over the world.

This area is very tranisant, you have diplomats, State Dept, IMF, World Bank, military, you get the idea.

I know of a couple of parents at Haycock, while they are happy with the academics they are a bit disappointed with the classrooms in trailors. The Haycock construction will last at least 2 years from what I have heard.

Good luck with your decision, I would suggest you and your family come out to the are for a long weekend to get a feel for the area and look around.

Nothing against the Shrevewood's quality of teaching, but I have been inside the school many times and found it to be run down and drabby. Quite a contrast to the high tech electronic bulletin board in front of the school.

BTW, KG is very diverse also, and holds a yearly international night. In contrast, schools like Spring Hill, Churchill Road, Chesterbrook, and Franklin Sherman are predominantly white.

I'm guessing you've never been inside Haycock or many other FCPS schools. If you consider Shrevewood to be drabby, Haycock would be downright ghetto. Not only has the inside not been updated since the 50s, but many kids never get to spend time in the building anyway. My dd was there for 3rd-6th and was in a trailer every year except for 4th grade. It's not a school experience that should be accepted as normal.

[Anonymous]

So much energy expended trying to get OP to consider Shrevewood as an alternative to other schools! I hope it's just because the Shrevewood area is less expensive than the McLean schools and AND has a Chinese FLES program like Chesterbrook, because otherwise it comes across as a bit needy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you have received wonderful advice. My kids attend Shrevewood and are very happy there. I'm also very pleased with the school as well as the admistration. Yes, it's over crowded, however, we currently do not house any classrooms (other than specials) in trailers.

As for the schools you really can't go wrong with this area. Now that being said, what I think is great and what you think is great, can be miles apart. For me, it's all about the teachers and administration. So far, my kids have had great teachers at Shrevewood. We have had great communication with the teachers and they are very in tune to notice problems if they exist. I have one child who has difficulty adjusting to new teachers in the begining of the year, all the teachers have met his needs and deal with him very well.

Some people don't look at Shrevewood because of the diversity, there is lots of it! For me the diversity is one of the main reasons I love it so much. My kids have met children from all over the world.

This area is very tranisant, you have diplomats, State Dept, IMF, World Bank, military, you get the idea.

I know of a couple of parents at Haycock, while they are happy with the academics they are a bit disappointed with the classrooms in trailors. The Haycock construction will last at least 2 years from what I have heard.

Good luck with your decision, I would suggest you and your family come out to the are for a long weekend to get a feel for the area and look around.

Nothing against the Shrevewood's quality of teaching, but I have been inside the school many times and found it to be run down and drabby. Quite a contrast to the high tech electronic bulletin board in front of the school.

BTW, KG is very diverse also, and holds a yearly international night. In contrast, schools like Spring Hill, Churchill Road, Chesterbrook, and Franklin Sherman are predominantly white.

I'm guessing you've never been inside Haycock or many other FCPS schools. If you consider Shrevewood to be drabby, Haycock would be downright ghetto. Not only has the inside not been updated since the 50s, but many kids never get to spend time in the building anyway. My dd was there for 3rd-6th and was in a trailer every year except for 4th grade. It's not a school experience that should be accepted as normal.

Sounds like you should be arrested for child abuse for letting your AAP kid from Shrevewood attend Haycock. Good thing you spend so much time posting on school threads now posting negative things about Haycock and positive things about Shrevewood.

[Anonymous]

OP - I agree with your DH. Having a shorter commute, and thus more family balance, is better in the long run for the whole family. It out weighs the nuanced differences between the schools mentioned above. I think you will be happy at Haycock or Kent Gardens. While there is a strong cadre of over achieving parents,there is also a large cadre of active parents who are more laid back. It will take more effort to find your "circle" because people are not as open around here, but being proactive will result in success. From your posts, it sounds like you will do fine wherever you land.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like the mean girls haven't had their coffee yet.

[Anonymous]

Op, come out for a house hinting trip and try the commutes.

The schools are excellent everywhere. You really, really do not need to limit yourself to McLean for good schools and a reasonable commute.

Coming from Kansas, you are going to find that area far more competitive than anything you have ever seen, particularly with regards to kids academics and activities

If your kids are stars back home, they are likely to be middle of the pack there. If they are laid back, middle of the pack type kids odds are very good they will get lost in the shuffle.

My recommendation is you find less cut throat school pyramid, and also try to go into one of the communities with a smalle elementary of around 600-800 kids. You can get high achieving with less competition doing that.

I am the midwest poster from earlier who mentioned culture shock. That is what I am talking about. The school culture here, and especially at Haycock, is very, very intense and like nothing you have ever seen, especially at the elementary level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you have received wonderful advice. My kids attend Shrevewood and are very happy there. I'm also very pleased with the school as well as the admistration. Yes, it's over crowded, however, we currently do not house any classrooms (other than specials) in trailers.

As for the schools you really can't go wrong with this area. Now that being said, what I think is great and what you think is great, can be miles apart. For me, it's all about the teachers and administration. So far, my kids have had great teachers at Shrevewood. We have had great communication with the teachers and they are very in tune to notice problems if they exist. I have one child who has difficulty adjusting to new teachers in the begining of the year, all the teachers have met his needs and deal with him very well.

Some people don't look at Shrevewood because of the diversity, there is lots of it! For me the diversity is one of the main reasons I love it so much. My kids have met children from all over the world.

This area is very tranisant, you have diplomats, State Dept, IMF, World Bank, military, you get the idea.

I know of a couple of parents at Haycock, while they are happy with the academics they are a bit disappointed with the classrooms in trailors. The Haycock construction will last at least 2 years from what I have heard.

Good luck with your decision, I would suggest you and your family come out to the are for a long weekend to get a feel for the area and look around.

Nothing against the Shrevewood's quality of teaching, but I have been inside the school many times and found it to be run down and drabby. Quite a contrast to the high tech electronic bulletin board in front of the school.

BTW, KG is very diverse also, and holds a yearly international night. In contrast, schools like Spring Hill, Churchill Road, Chesterbrook, and Franklin Sherman are predominantly white.

I'm guessing you've never been inside Haycock or many other FCPS schools. If you consider Shrevewood to be drabby, Haycock would be downright ghetto. Not only has the inside not been updated since the 50s, but many kids never get to spend time in the building anyway. My dd was there for 3rd-6th and was in a trailer every year except for 4th grade. It's not a school experience that should be accepted as normal.

Stop guessing.

What I said was that Shrevewood is drabby inside while they have a high tech bulletin board outside.

[Anonymous]

Haycock is probably the most cut throat ES in the McLean pyramid. This was made worse last year when it was decided to grandfather out of boundary kids and not admit anymore AAP kids who are within the Lemon Road boundary.

I'm surprised no one has suggested Lemon Road and Timber Lane..the latter which feeds to McLean.

I'm also surprised that OP is "priced out" of North Arlington, but is still considering McLean. Both areas have similar housing costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, come out for a house hinting trip and try the commutes.

The schools are excellent everywhere. You really, really do not need to limit yourself to McLean for good schools and a reasonable commute.

Coming from Kansas, you are going to find that area far more competitive than anything you have ever seen, particularly with regards to kids academics and activities

If your kids are stars back home, they are likely to be middle of the pack there. If they are laid back, middle of the pack type kids odds are very good they will get lost in the shuffle.

My recommendation is you find less cut throat school pyramid, and also try to go into one of the communities with a smalle elementary of around 600-800 kids. You can get high achieving with less competition doing that.

I am the midwest poster from earlier who mentioned culture shock. That is what I am talking about. The school culture here, and especially at Haycock, is very, very intense and like nothing you have ever seen, especially at the elementary level.

I think the Haycock-bashing, whether couched in the form of a "recommendation" or otherwise, is pretty silly. But, as they say, haters gonna hate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haycock is probably the most cut throat ES in the McLean pyramid. This was made worse last year when it was decided to grandfather out of boundary kids and not admit anymore AAP kids who are within the Lemon Road boundary.

I'm surprised no one has suggested Lemon Road and Timber Lane..the latter which feeds to McLean.

I'm also surprised that OP is "priced out" of North Arlington, but is still considering McLean. Both areas have similar housing costs.

Both Lemon Road and Timber Lane are split feeders - meaning that some students go to one Middle School and High School and other go to a different Middle School and High School. However, the Timber Lane students are most at risk of changes to their MS and HS boundary as they are basically an Island with Falls Church Schoolsbeteeen them and the rest of the MS and HS population. The school board has shown a tendency to eliminate islands and peninsulas as the first part of proposed boundary changes. Lemon Road's Longfellow and McLean HS population is quite small as compared to the Kilmer/Marshall population. Lemon Road is currently under utilized - it is at high risk of another boundary expansion. Based on current enrollment overages, it should come from the McLean side, but the Freedom Hill folks probably want to dump the other half of their high needs population on them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haycock is probably the most cut throat ES in the McLean pyramid. This was made worse last year when it was decided to grandfather out of boundary kids and not admit anymore AAP kids who are within the Lemon Road boundary.

I'm surprised no one has suggested Lemon Road and Timber Lane..the latter which feeds to McLean.

I'm also surprised that OP is "priced out" of North Arlington, but is still considering McLean. Both areas have similar housing costs.

There are also neighborhoods assigned to Lemon Road that feed into Longfellow/McLean. Part of Timber Lane feeds into Longfellow/McLean, the rest goes to Jackson/Falls Church.

Both North Arlington and McLean are expensive, but it may be easier to find a relatively nice house for $700K in West Falls Church that feeds into McLean schools than it would be to find a nice house for that amount of money in North Arlington.