Why does Langley have such a bad reputation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a recent Langley graduate and a current freshman. Your answer is found in your question, "kids were entitled, ultra competitive and had affluenza." My kids got/are getting a wonderful education. However, keeping them out of the fast land is a challenge as alcohol, drugs and promiscuity are rampant.

+100. My cousin has 3 kids come out of Langley recently. They all agree with this. They avoided this however b/c they are pretty conservative, nerdy kids. Another of their friends got into quite a lot of drugs while at Langley, so the parents rented out their home and moved school districts. I laughed however when I heard it was to the most affluent high school in Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a recent Langley graduate and a current freshman. Your answer is found in your question, "kids were entitled, ultra competitive and had affluenza." My kids got/are getting a wonderful education. However, keeping them out of the fast land is a challenge as alcohol, drugs and promiscuity are rampant.

As they are at any high school, public or private. At least Langley has the benefit of an excellent education.

Just as others who have not had kids at Langley may not be in a position to speak to the environment there, you’re not in a position to characterize what other schools are like. Stop pretending that Langley’s strengths are unique and that its weaknesses are universal.

Do you seriously argue that drugs and promiscuity are not readily obtainable and rampant at other public (and indeed, private) high schools in the area?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I had the same fears when I was house-hunting, but I believe the reputation is unfounded. I think the "bad" reputation only exists on DCUM or with people who have no direct experience with Langley. My kids attended elementary, middle and high school in the Langley pyramid and we have been super-happy with it. We are dual feds (so, not wealthy), and have not had any major concerns with the "wealth difference" other than the fact that the wealthier kids are more likely to be "popular." I have no idea whether Langley are doing more drugs than at other schools (I know that kids vape and some probably use pot, but they don't hang with my kids.)

My kids have found great friends, are involved in activities, and are getting a stellar education. The pyramid does a good job setting kids up for success so that when my oldest started high school, the work load was challenging but completely manageable.

Exactly this. Our kids have all attended Langley pyramid schools and we've all loved Langley. Excellent education, tons of activities, nice kids. The people who start rumors about the school are always those whose kids don't even go there. Go figure.

Op here. I have one child who is shy and nerdy and another who is social and athletic. I feel like I have buyer’s remorse. I had a recent talk about drugs and making good decisions with the kids. They are still young enough where parents need to coordinate. So far their friends and parents seem nice enough. The few cooper and Langley siblings we have met seem like polite good kids.

[Anonymous]

I’m still confused as to why OP would use a phrase like “Why does Langley have such a bad reputation” if her own interactions to date with Langley students have generally been positive.

We looked in the Langley district, but chose to buy elsewhere because we wanted to be closer to DC and the lack of diversity at LHS compared to other area publics was a negative. Even so, I would not say the school has a “bad reputation,” just a distinct one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m still confused as to why OP would use a phrase like “Why does Langley have such a bad reputation” if her own interactions to date with Langley students have generally been positive.

We looked in the Langley district, but chose to buy elsewhere because we wanted to be closer to DC and the lack of diversity at LHS compared to other area publics was a negative. Even so, I would not say the school has a “bad reputation,” just a distinct one.

Op here. A few friends and acquaintances are looking to move and dismissed Langley due to the high school reputation.

Honestly, Langley was also the high school I did not want. Neighboring high schools seemed more diverse and down to earth. The house we found that we liked best and was the best commute happened to fall in the Langley pyramid. Elementary, middle and high school rankings were all high so we bid on the house and here we are.

At the end of the day, it isn’t like we even know any kids from Oakton, Marshall, Woodson or Madison High. Who knows how much more down to earth and worldly a kid from Marshall or McLean High will be compared to a Langley High kid?

I also have noticed many of our neighbors don’t even send their kids to public school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m still confused as to why OP would use a phrase like “Why does Langley have such a bad reputation” if her own interactions to date with Langley students have generally been positive.

We looked in the Langley district, but chose to buy elsewhere because we wanted to be closer to DC and the lack of diversity at LHS compared to other area publics was a negative. Even so, I would not say the school has a “bad reputation,” just a distinct one.

Op here. A few friends and acquaintances are looking to move and dismissed Langley due to the high school reputation.

Honestly, Langley was also the high school I did not want. Neighboring high schools seemed more diverse and down to earth. The house we found that we liked best and was the best commute happened to fall in the Langley pyramid. Elementary, middle and high school rankings were all high so we bid on the house and here we are.

At the end of the day, it isn’t like we even know any kids from Oakton, Marshall, Woodson or Madison High. Who knows how much more down to earth and worldly a kid from Marshall or McLean High will be compared to a Langley High kid?

I also have noticed many of our neighbors don’t even send their kids to public school.

I am a Langley parent and I have to say that my kids are just like kids from Alexandria, Madison, Marshall, Centreville, and elsewhere (they have friends at these schools through other activities). I, too, had reservations about Langley before I moved here, but my concerns were unfounded. It's an excellent pyramid. Try not to stress! If you are down-to-earth, your kids will likely be as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a recent Langley graduate and a current freshman. Your answer is found in your question, "kids were entitled, ultra competitive and had affluenza." My kids got/are getting a wonderful education. However, keeping them out of the fast land is a challenge as alcohol, drugs and promiscuity are rampant.

+1

This is absolutely true. My son is an athlete and a starter in two varsity sports at Langley as a rising senior. Since I paid for his cell phone so I have access to all of his text messages. He is into alcohol and lot of sex. From what I've read in his text messages, he must has had sex with at least 10 different young ladies at Langley HS. I move to Langley because I want him to have a good education at a good district. If I have to do it over again, Langley HS would not be my first choice. My 2c.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a recent Langley graduate and a current freshman. Your answer is found in your question, "kids were entitled, ultra competitive and had affluenza." My kids got/are getting a wonderful education. However, keeping them out of the fast land is a challenge as alcohol, drugs and promiscuity are rampant.

+1

This is absolutely true. My son is an athlete and a starter in two varsity sports at Langley as a rising senior. Since I paid for his cell phone so I have access to all of his text messages. He is into alcohol and lot of sex. From what I've read in his text messages, he must has had sex with at least 10 different young ladies at Langley HS. I move to Langley because I want him to have a good education at a good district. If I have to do it over again, Langley HS would not be my first choice. My 2c.

I think this is par for the course for many rising seniors, not just Langley kids!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis mom here. Langley has improved with this new principal.

Your kids don’t go to Langley, so you wouldn’t know this, either way. The new principal is good, but so was the old one. Move on.

I have friends that do. I live in the community

Yes, we know. But YOU don't have any personal experience with the school, other than the very short period of time you had a kid there. So please don't share your second-hand opinions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I had the same fears when I was house-hunting, but I believe the reputation is unfounded. I think the "bad" reputation only exists on DCUM or with people who have no direct experience with Langley. My kids attended elementary, middle and high school in the Langley pyramid and we have been super-happy with it. We are dual feds (so, not wealthy), and have not had any major concerns with the "wealth difference" other than the fact that the wealthier kids are more likely to be "popular." I have no idea whether Langley are doing more drugs than at other schools (I know that kids vape and some probably use pot, but they don't hang with my kids.)

My kids have found great friends, are involved in activities, and are getting a stellar education. The pyramid does a good job setting kids up for success so that when my oldest started high school, the work load was challenging but completely manageable.

Exactly this. Our kids have all attended Langley pyramid schools and we've all loved Langley. Excellent education, tons of activities, nice kids. The people who start rumors about the school are always those whose kids don't even go there. Go figure.

Op here. I have one child who is shy and nerdy and another who is social and athletic. I feel like I have buyer’s remorse. I had a recent talk about drugs and making good decisions with the kids. They are still young enough where parents need to coordinate. So far their friends and parents seem nice enough. The few cooper and Langley siblings we have met seem like polite good kids.

None of my kids were/are athletic and all of them found "their people" at Cooper and Langley. There are so many groups to choose from - theater, academic competitions, band/orchestra, sports, student council, journalism, etc. Mine never played on any sports teams at Langley, but were very involved in other activities. Your kids will be fine!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m still confused as to why OP would use a phrase like “Why does Langley have such a bad reputation” if her own interactions to date with Langley students have generally been positive.

We looked in the Langley district, but chose to buy elsewhere because we wanted to be closer to DC and the lack of diversity at LHS compared to other area publics was a negative. Even so, I would not say the school has a “bad reputation,” just a distinct one.

Op here. A few friends and acquaintances are looking to move and dismissed Langley due to the high school reputation.

Honestly, Langley was also the high school I did not want. Neighboring high schools seemed more diverse and down to earth. The house we found that we liked best and was the best commute happened to fall in the Langley pyramid. Elementary, middle and high school rankings were all high so we bid on the house and here we are.

At the end of the day, it isn’t like we even know any kids from Oakton, Marshall, Woodson or Madison High. Who knows how much more down to earth and worldly a kid from Marshall or McLean High will be compared to a Langley High kid?

I also have noticed many of our neighbors don’t even send their kids to public school.

I am a Langley parent and I have to say that my kids are just like kids from Alexandria, Madison, Marshall, Centreville, and elsewhere (they have friends at these schools through other activities). I, too, had reservations about Langley before I moved here, but my concerns were unfounded. It's an excellent pyramid. Try not to stress! If you are down-to-earth, your kids will likely be as well.

EXACTLY. My kids also participate in activities with kids from many different NoVA high schools, including those you listed. There is no difference between any of the kids based on what school they attend. Teenagers are teenagers.

One thing I will note is that it's completely absurd when parents complain about Langley and its "lack of diversity," and then choose to send their kids to expensive private schools instead. Um, hello??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a recent Langley graduate and a current freshman. Your answer is found in your question, "kids were entitled, ultra competitive and had affluenza." My kids got/are getting a wonderful education. However, keeping them out of the fast land is a challenge as alcohol, drugs and promiscuity are rampant.

+1

This is absolutely true. My son is an athlete and a starter in two varsity sports at Langley as a rising senior. Since I paid for his cell phone so I have access to all of his text messages. He is into alcohol and lot of sex. From what I've read in his text messages, he must has had sex with at least 10 different young ladies at Langley HS. I move to Langley because I want him to have a good education at a good district. If I have to do it over again, Langley HS would not be my first choice. My 2c.

And we *totally* believe you! Go away, troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a recent Langley graduate and a current freshman. Your answer is found in your question, "kids were entitled, ultra competitive and had affluenza." My kids got/are getting a wonderful education. However, keeping them out of the fast land is a challenge as alcohol, drugs and promiscuity are rampant.

+1

This is absolutely true. My son is an athlete and a starter in two varsity sports at Langley as a rising senior. Since I paid for his cell phone so I have access to all of his text messages. He is into alcohol and lot of sex. From what I've read in his text messages, he must has had sex with at least 10 different young ladies at Langley HS. I move to Langley because I want him to have a good education at a good district. If I have to do it over again, Langley HS would not be my first choice. My 2c.

I think this is par for the course for many rising seniors, not just Langley kids!

Very true. But those schools can't be mentioned without the poster being labeled a racist.