Loudoun Co. high school recommendations?

[Anonymous]

We're seriously considering moving out of FCPS to LCPS. We're sick of the ultra-competitive atmosphere in the FCPS schools our kids have attended and are wondering if LCPS has less of this nonsense, but still good academics.

Can anyone who actually has kids in LCPS recommend their high schools? We're only looking for high schools as our kids are older. Thanks so much in advance.

[Anonymous]

I live in Loudoun, and if you're looking for less competitiveness, keep on going until you get to Prince William county.

As far as high schools, they're all the same. However, Dominion had an excellent principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're seriously considering moving out of FCPS to LCPS. We're sick of the ultra-competitive atmosphere in the FCPS schools our kids have attended and are wondering if LCPS has less of this nonsense, but still good academics.

Can anyone who actually has kids in LCPS recommend their high schools? We're only looking for high schools as our kids are older. Thanks so much in advance.

This is us, only we're fleeing APS.

We're targeting Western Loudoun County (Woodgrove and Valley)

[Anonymous]

We couldnt move due to commute but found a great private school that is such a breath of fresh air compared to our previous FCPS school. The crazy part is that my kids are learning and doing more, but feel so much more relaxed. The teachers are awesome and have high expectations but the kids are friendlier and less competitive than public. I'm not going to say which school bc every family needs to find the right fit for themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We couldnt move due to commute but found a great private school that is such a breath of fresh air compared to our previous FCPS school. The crazy part is that my kids are learning and doing more, but feel so much more relaxed. The teachers are awesome and have high expectations but the kids are friendlier and less competitive than public. I'm not going to say which school bc every family needs to find the right fit for themselves.

That's ironic because the good private schools are even more intensely competitive than publics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We couldnt move due to commute but found a great private school that is such a breath of fresh air compared to our previous FCPS school. The crazy part is that my kids are learning and doing more, but feel so much more relaxed. The teachers are awesome and have high expectations but the kids are friendlier and less competitive than public. I'm not going to say which school bc every family needs to find the right fit for themselves.

That's ironic because the good private schools are even more intensely competitive than publics.

I think that may be the case at some schools but certainly not all. We are at a smaller private in fairfax county, not at a D.C. Big 3. The small class sizes are great, and everyone has the chance to develop and show off their skills whether music, arts, sports, math, etc. We were in FCPS for many years, and didn't like where things were headed. Maybe it is ironic, but it is true in our case. In the end private for middle and high school is expensive but moving/commuting would have been costlier for lifestyle reasons. It took a while for us to get over our assumptions about private school, but our kids are happier than ever both academically and socially. Our FCPS schools were so huge that even though our kids had straight As they were lost in the shuffle, didn't try out for teams, didn't apply to contest or ever expect to win awards. There was a lottery to see which kids could go on a field trip at our FCPS middle school. We saw them giving up because they felt like they didn't stand a chance. When they did try for selective things, people were so cutthroat, and seemed to just do it for college apps or because their parents wanted it. I don't see this at all yet at our private, there's no need for it. Plenty of leadership opportunities and people know each other well, and have to be more authentic with teachers and other students.

[Anonymous]

Thanks to the PPs who are actually responding with names of Loudoun Co. high schools! -OP

[Anonymous]

I was not going to reply to this thread because my child has only been at his school for one year. I am actually very surprised at how non-competitive the school is academically. I was under the impression that the curiculum would be rigorous and he would be academically challenged. We have found that not to be the case. The school is not a bad school per se, but my child came from a very rigorous middle school in another state and found his high school does not provide the challenge he needs.

[Anonymous]

None of these schools are competitive academically especially if you don't want to be. Public schools are large and resources few. This was all confirmed above. Students and families are more competitive than schools. People who have money move to private so their child can stand out more and have less competition. Doesn't always mean school is easier though

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, thanks to all **2** of the PPs who thinks that LCPS has any redeeming qualities. OP, you sound like a first class c*ntosaurus, so I'm sure you will fit in well we'll the bleached, botoxed Loudoun wine-o-ettes.

My recommendation is that you homeschool and let your kids come to the winery with you. They will get just as good as education from your drunk ass as they would from any LCPS high school.

Wow who pissed in your cheerios? Simmer down there Judgmentalina.
OP I'd probably look at the non-Ashburn schools- west or south of there. South has South Riding and Stone Ridge neighborhoods- so Feeedom and John Champe.

Thanks! I'll check those two out. -OP

[Anonymous]

LCPS mom here. If you're looking for less competitive, stay away from Rock Ridge and Freedom. And probably Briar Woods. Woodgrove and Valley are good choices. Riverside and Stone Bridge aren't that competitive academically, but sports-wise and social climbing they are. County, Tuscarora, Dominion, Potomac Falls, and Parkview are not as competitive, but more because there are more students there that aren't interested in pursuing college, which is not really what you're looking for I think. Broad run is kind of the same as Briar Woods. I think that's all? I agree that Valley and Wiodgtove are good choices.

[Anonymous]

I will say having taught at briar woods and stone bridge I liked briar woods much better. Nicer kids, better vibe all around, great teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We couldnt move due to commute but found a great private school that is such a breath of fresh air compared to our previous FCPS school. The crazy part is that my kids are learning and doing more, but feel so much more relaxed. The teachers are awesome and have high expectations but the kids are friendlier and less competitive than public. I'm not going to say which school bc every family needs to find the right fit for themselves.

That's ironic because the good private schools are even more intensely competitive than publics.

Do you have kids in both public and private? Because I'd say this isn't true.

[Anonymous]

Our kids are younger but we live in a Woodgrove pyramid and love it here. So long as you have a manageable commute or work-from-home situation, the quality of life can be great, and the schools are very good. Everyone I know with kids in either Loudoun Valley or Woodgrove is happy with the schools.
Some downsides are that the housing inventory tends to be very limited, and depending on where you live bus routes to school can be notoriously long. (Then again, you could live in the town of Purcellville, and your kids might be able to walk to Loudoun Valley, so it all depends...)

[Anonymous]

I have ES kids but are zoned to Dominion HS. The entire neighborhood seems to be in love with the HS and the principal.

There is going to be competitiveness anywhere but its not terrible here. And what competitiveness there is seems to be more financial (between the parents) and athletic, neither of which apply to me, haha.

We have a good commute too. We are >1 mile from the FFX line.