Western High School Boundary Map options (A/B/C/D)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, students from caring family would do well anywhere they go. But I'd still prefer my child to attend schools where everyone else is working hard, high achieving or had their academics "supplemented by rich parents". Because what western HS is going to be is unknown. Why would I give up a sure winner like Oakton (and we lived here for 10 years) and go to the Unknown so willingly.

Not Fox Mill.
Please tell me why my taxes should pay for the (not insignificant) extra cost for your child to go on an extremely long bus ride over a very short one.

You think a bus going twenty extra minutes somewhere is a “not insignificant” cost for you? Man that’s like complaining that you lost a penny in the couch while you’re husband is buying multiple Bentleys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, students from caring family would do well anywhere they go. But I'd still prefer my child to attend schools where everyone else is working hard, high achieving or had their academics "supplemented by rich parents". Because what western HS is going to be is unknown. Why would I give up a sure winner like Oakton (and we lived here for 10 years) and go to the Unknown so willingly.

Not Fox Mill.
Please tell me why my taxes should pay for the (not insignificant) extra cost for your child to go on an extremely long bus ride over a very short one.

I would have done the same for you, buddy. I would have paid taxes for your child to go to TJ, which is like 30-40 min?

[Anonymous]

Remember, the cost of couple min extra min drive

Vs

Cost of new school to host kids that want to be here, not need to be here

Is insignificant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question…why do people with kids already in Oakton HS care?

I don't have any high schoolers but perhaps property value concerns?

It’s impossible to account for siblings forever - I had a kid in elementary when others were in college. If they follow through with the AI sub school (robotics, computer vision, machine learning) Western will be THE coveted school, full stop. God knows leaving that in FCPS hands is risky but if it happens it will be national news. The demographics are always mixed in this area - we have lots of immigrant families - by the same token there are lots of parents who are serious about academics. Personally I’d like to see Fox Mill in there since they send the kids to Carson with the Oak Hill AAP kids - it’s be nice to keep them together. I also feel bad for Emerald Chase who is at Oak Hill then cast off elsewhere. The neighborhood is often visited by Chantilly Highlands kids via the woods and basketball courts. That said if I were in charge I’d draw a demographic radius circle around neighborhoods and that is who would be going. Forget agendas- public high school are intended to be primarily proximity. The lobbying to stay or go is next level. We go in all scenarios so Let’s go Western! Stop spending time on personal agendas and property value woes and get the AI and AE programs going.

Thank you. Too many people forgetting this. It's one thing to argue that you don't want your kids attending a school that won't have access to the same programming as others while it's still very new. It's another thing to say your neighborhood should always get to be zoned for a school far away when several others are closer, just because you like that school better.

That is part of the wacky county model we have down south.

If you go to the north east, schools are town based so people just move to whatever town's high schools they want to go to.

LOL! And, you think all the schools in the towns they choose are the same?
You think all the schools in NYC are the same? Are good?

Lots of north eastern and mid Atlantic towns have 1 high school for 10k total k-12 kids in a district. You want to go to Madison Hs you move to Madison NJ. You want to go to Morris Plains Hs, you move to there despite being in the same county.

[Anonymous]

Until they can show that transportation savings (either through time or money) can be translated into something tangible, like improved school start times, the argument will never gain much traction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

So, you basically have one of the top high schools in the area. It's number 3 in FCPS if you don't count the crown jewel of the DC area, Thomas Jefferson which is a govenor's school. If given the option, why wouldn't you want to attend a top high school? Generally top high schools have a combination of a high performing student body coupled with outstanding teachers. This combination pushes the students to achieve higher and provides additonal opportunites for excellence.

To downplay it means you're either unaware of its excellence, or your kids are mediorcre.

Here is a secret: there are outstanding teachers and mediocre teachers at every high school. And, some of those kids that you consider "mediocre" will likely outpace your kid in the future.

Yes, I am sure that Oakton is a good school. But, why should the taxpayers pay additional funds for long bus routes for your kid when there will be a school that will be just as good nearby?

The Western High School will have plenty of high achieving kids--just like Carson has. There will also be some kids that are strugglers--and I am sure they are also at Oakton. There may be more of those at Oakton, but I appreciate my children being exposed to all kinds of people. That is a learning experience that is also valuable.

How much of a time/distance savings are we talking about? My kids already has a 40 minute bus ride to his middle school while he friend has 10 minutes and we live a 3 minute car ride apart. The middle school is a 10 minute drive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So it is not crossfield issue then, it is Franklin Farm issue.

Franklin Farm does not need to persuade anybody else that they want to go to KAA because of a shorter commute.

Franklin farm just needs to figure out what your whole community needs.

I'm a Franklin Farm resident. My neighbors need to get a grip. Western HS/KAA is going to be a dream school.

The only thing that might be crappy is for elite athletes who could be Varsity starters all four years of high school but who might not have access to Varsity-level sports at the new school in the first year or two.

Otherwise, it's a dream! New schools often draw top talent with regard to teachers and admin, the resources (e.g., robotics lab, ceramics lab, pool, and auditorium) available are top-tier, and the commute is significantly less scary for a teen driver.

Oakton has been great, as has Chantilly for the other side of Franklin Farm. I'm sure Western/KAA will be just as good.

Academy-wise, the best Western HS could do is perform close to Chantilly. I don't see Western HS coming out of the gate (next 10 years) and getting even close to Oakton level. There is no incentive for Oakton people to leave an excellent school and go to an unknown.

I see there are gains from quality of education for Fox Mills moving to Western HS. Let's go Option B.

I'm so confused about what is just sooooo amazing about Oakton. Please share.

#6 in Virginia High Schools (660+ public and 300 private)
#9 in Washington, DC Metro Area High Schools (64 metropolitan DC HS)
#4 in Fairfax County Public Schools High Schools (FCPS has 30 HS)

So, you basically have one of the top high schools in the area. It's number 3 in FCPS if you don't count the crown jewel of the DC area, Thomas Jefferson which is a govenor's school. If given the option, why wouldn't you want to attend a top high school? Generally top high schools have a combination of a high performing student body coupled with outstanding teachers. This combination pushes the students to achieve higher and provides additonal opportunites for excellence.

To downplay it means you're either unaware of its excellence, or your kids are mediorcre.

Oh sweetie, you just had to put a nasty insult in there, didn’t you?

Do you know why good schools are highly rated? Because of their populations. I guarantee your brilliant genius snowflake child will be just as successful at KAA as they would be at Oakton.

Yes, my child is fairly average in test scores, but she’s not an entitled little twat like yours is, which I think is a huge win.

Not with the limited activities. If you don't have established programs or you have to compete against kids from you base high school, your kid might not be as successful. Dr. Reid already indicated that this would be how various sports and after school programs would be handled until a full 4 year contingent of students was present. Actually if they had the opportunity at KAA for kids to be on varsity or the various club presidents and the like to build a college resume as a 9th or 10th grader it would be awesome, but it's not the case.

Also the comment was in response to someone asking why Oakton was so great. If you're unaware of the ranking, then you might not live in the area, might not be a type of person who seeks out challenging and competitive environments for your kids to succeed in. To be honest people who don't prioritize academics, tend not to be highly competive academically, which by definition is mediocre.

Demanding high standards and having high expectations is what we all should strive for. If you're happy with less more power to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So it is not crossfield issue then, it is Franklin Farm issue.

Franklin Farm does not need to persuade anybody else that they want to go to KAA because of a shorter commute.

Franklin farm just needs to figure out what your whole community needs.

I'm a Franklin Farm resident. My neighbors need to get a grip. Western HS/KAA is going to be a dream school.

The only thing that might be crappy is for elite athletes who could be Varsity starters all four years of high school but who might not have access to Varsity-level sports at the new school in the first year or two.

Otherwise, it's a dream! New schools often draw top talent with regard to teachers and admin, the resources (e.g., robotics lab, ceramics lab, pool, and auditorium) available are top-tier, and the commute is significantly less scary for a teen driver.

Oakton has been great, as has Chantilly for the other side of Franklin Farm. I'm sure Western/KAA will be just as good.

Academy-wise, the best Western HS could do is perform close to Chantilly. I don't see Western HS coming out of the gate (next 10 years) and getting even close to Oakton level. There is no incentive for Oakton people to leave an excellent school and go to an unknown.

I see there are gains from quality of education for Fox Mills moving to Western HS. Let's go Option B.

I'm so confused about what is just sooooo amazing about Oakton. Please share.

#6 in Virginia High Schools (660+ public and 300 private)
#9 in Washington, DC Metro Area High Schools (64 metropolitan DC HS)
#4 in Fairfax County Public Schools High Schools (FCPS has 30 HS)

So, you basically have one of the top high schools in the area. It's number 3 in FCPS if you don't count the crown jewel of the DC area, Thomas Jefferson which is a govenor's school. If given the option, why wouldn't you want to attend a top high school? Generally top high schools have a combination of a high performing student body coupled with outstanding teachers. This combination pushes the students to achieve higher and provides additonal opportunites for excellence.

To downplay it means you're either unaware of its excellence, or your kids are mediorcre.

Oh sweetie, you just had to put a nasty insult in there, didn’t you?

Do you know why good schools are highly rated? Because of their populations. I guarantee your brilliant genius snowflake child will be just as successful at KAA as they would be at Oakton.

Yes, my child is fairly average in test scores, but she’s not an entitled little twat like yours is, which I think is a huge win.

Not with the limited activities. If you don't have established programs or you have to compete against kids from you base high school, your kid might not be as successful. Dr. Reid already indicated that this would be how various sports and after school programs would be handled until a full 4 year contingent of students was present. Actually if they had the opportunity at KAA for kids to be on varsity or the various club presidents and the like to build a college resume as a 9th or 10th grader it would be awesome, but it's not the case.

Also the comment was in response to someone asking why Oakton was so great. If you're unaware of the ranking, then you might not live in the area, might not be a type of person who seeks out challenging and competitive environments for your kids to succeed in. To be honest people who don't prioritize academics, tend not to be highly competive academically, which by definition is mediocre.

Demanding high standards and having high expectations is what we all should strive for. If you're happy with less more power to you.

The first two years are opt in, so your child doesn't have to go to the new school. By the third year, clubs, band, sports, theatre and the like will be in place. Carson has a strong group of STEM students, you can count on math teams/clubs, science teams/clubs and the like to be in place pretty quickly. Current 6th graders will be walking into a school with programs that are starting to be established and the school has said you can opt out, so pupil place to Oakton and provide your own transportation.

I would guess that the clubs will look very similar to what is at Oakton since there are plenty of STEM kids from Carson, or do you think that the STEM kids from Carson only go to TJ and Oakton?

[Anonymous]

We belive it will be a good school for surrounding neighhood. We are also happy for the kids that will enjoy and benefit from the new school.

We are just happy to stay where we are now. Different people has different preference, we respect yours. I hope you will be happy for our preference too.

Maybe our kids will pay sports together at the new school.

All theses anxiety was not caused by Oakton parents, we were also forced to be brought into this out of nowhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So it is not crossfield issue then, it is Franklin Farm issue.

Franklin Farm does not need to persuade anybody else that they want to go to KAA because of a shorter commute.

Franklin farm just needs to figure out what your whole community needs.

I'm a Franklin Farm resident. My neighbors need to get a grip. Western HS/KAA is going to be a dream school.

The only thing that might be crappy is for elite athletes who could be Varsity starters all four years of high school but who might not have access to Varsity-level sports at the new school in the first year or two.

Otherwise, it's a dream! New schools often draw top talent with regard to teachers and admin, the resources (e.g., robotics lab, ceramics lab, pool, and auditorium) available are top-tier, and the commute is significantly less scary for a teen driver.

Oakton has been great, as has Chantilly for the other side of Franklin Farm. I'm sure Western/KAA will be just as good.

Academy-wise, the best Western HS could do is perform close to Chantilly. I don't see Western HS coming out of the gate (next 10 years) and getting even close to Oakton level. There is no incentive for Oakton people to leave an excellent school and go to an unknown.

I see there are gains from quality of education for Fox Mills moving to Western HS. Let's go Option B.

I'm so confused about what is just sooooo amazing about Oakton. Please share.

#6 in Virginia High Schools (660+ public and 300 private)
#9 in Washington, DC Metro Area High Schools (64 metropolitan DC HS)
#4 in Fairfax County Public Schools High Schools (FCPS has 30 HS)

So, you basically have one of the top high schools in the area. It's number 3 in FCPS if you don't count the crown jewel of the DC area, Thomas Jefferson which is a govenor's school. If given the option, why wouldn't you want to attend a top high school? Generally top high schools have a combination of a high performing student body coupled with outstanding teachers. This combination pushes the students to achieve higher and provides additonal opportunites for excellence.

To downplay it means you're either unaware of its excellence, or your kids are mediorcre.

Oh sweetie, you just had to put a nasty insult in there, didn’t you?

Do you know why good schools are highly rated? Because of their populations. I guarantee your brilliant genius snowflake child will be just as successful at KAA as they would be at Oakton.

Yes, my child is fairly average in test scores, but she’s not an entitled little twat like yours is, which I think is a huge win.

Not with the limited activities. If you don't have established programs or you have to compete against kids from you base high school, your kid might not be as successful. Dr. Reid already indicated that this would be how various sports and after school programs would be handled until a full 4 year contingent of students was present. Actually if they had the opportunity at KAA for kids to be on varsity or the various club presidents and the like to build a college resume as a 9th or 10th grader it would be awesome, but it's not the case.

Also the comment was in response to someone asking why Oakton was so great. If you're unaware of the ranking, then you might not live in the area, might not be a type of person who seeks out challenging and competitive environments for your kids to succeed in. To be honest people who don't prioritize academics, tend not to be highly competive academically, which by definition is mediocre.

Demanding high standards and having high expectations is what we all should strive for. If you're happy with less more power to you.

The first two years are opt in, so your child doesn't have to go to the new school. By the third year, clubs, band, sports, theatre and the like will be in place. Carson has a strong group of STEM students, you can count on math teams/clubs, science teams/clubs and the like to be in place pretty quickly. Current 6th graders will be walking into a school with programs that are starting to be established and the school has said you can opt out, so pupil place to Oakton and provide your own transportation.

I would guess that the clubs will look very similar to what is at Oakton since there are plenty of STEM kids from Carson, or do you think that the STEM kids from Carson only go to TJ and Oakton?

If PP is the crazy lady from the meeting she already said out loud that the best kids are the ones who go from Crossfield to Navy AAP to Oakton. She couldn’t care less about the rest as they are beneath her children. And Oakton will be a terrible school without her amazing prodigies!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We belive it will be a good school for surrounding neighhood. We are also happy for the kids that will enjoy and benefit from the new school.

We are just happy to stay where we are now. Different people has different preference, we respect yours. I hope you will be happy for our preference too.

Maybe our kids will pay sports together at the new school.

All theses anxiety was not caused by Oakton parents, we were also forced to be brought into this out of nowhere.

Translation: the new school isn’t good enough for my special children but it will be just fine for your average kids. Please go there so mine don’t have to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We belive it will be a good school for surrounding neighhood. We are also happy for the kids that will enjoy and benefit from the new school.

We are just happy to stay where we are now. Different people has different preference, we respect yours. I hope you will be happy for our preference too.

Maybe our kids will pay sports together at the new school.

All theses anxiety was not caused by Oakton parents, we were also forced to be brought into this out of nowhere.

I am more likely to get what I want if you get what you want. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Wow there's some people with issues and jealousy.

So much for the "OneFairfax" policy.

[Anonymous]

I am not from Great Falls, but I am not jealous of them, they kept their kids at langley, they work hard to provide the great enviroment for their kids. I do not understand why there are so many PP making fun of them and always wish the worst outcome for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So it is not crossfield issue then, it is Franklin Farm issue.

Franklin Farm does not need to persuade anybody else that they want to go to KAA because of a shorter commute.

Franklin farm just needs to figure out what your whole community needs.

I'm a Franklin Farm resident. My neighbors need to get a grip. Western HS/KAA is going to be a dream school.

The only thing that might be crappy is for elite athletes who could be Varsity starters all four years of high school but who might not have access to Varsity-level sports at the new school in the first year or two.

Otherwise, it's a dream! New schools often draw top talent with regard to teachers and admin, the resources (e.g., robotics lab, ceramics lab, pool, and auditorium) available are top-tier, and the commute is significantly less scary for a teen driver.

Oakton has been great, as has Chantilly for the other side of Franklin Farm. I'm sure Western/KAA will be just as good.

Academy-wise, the best Western HS could do is perform close to Chantilly. I don't see Western HS coming out of the gate (next 10 years) and getting even close to Oakton level. There is no incentive for Oakton people to leave an excellent school and go to an unknown.

I see there are gains from quality of education for Fox Mills moving to Western HS. Let's go Option B.

I'm so confused about what is just sooooo amazing about Oakton. Please share.

#6 in Virginia High Schools (660+ public and 300 private)
#9 in Washington, DC Metro Area High Schools (64 metropolitan DC HS)
#4 in Fairfax County Public Schools High Schools (FCPS has 30 HS)

So, you basically have one of the top high schools in the area. It's number 3 in FCPS if you don't count the crown jewel of the DC area, Thomas Jefferson which is a govenor's school. If given the option, why wouldn't you want to attend a top high school? Generally top high schools have a combination of a high performing student body coupled with outstanding teachers. This combination pushes the students to achieve higher and provides additonal opportunites for excellence.

To downplay it means you're either unaware of its excellence, or your kids are mediorcre.

Oh sweetie, you just had to put a nasty insult in there, didn’t you?

Do you know why good schools are highly rated? Because of their populations. I guarantee your brilliant genius snowflake child will be just as successful at KAA as they would be at Oakton.

Yes, my child is fairly average in test scores, but she’s not an entitled little twat like yours is, which I think is a huge win.

Not with the limited activities. If you don't have established programs or you have to compete against kids from you base high school, your kid might not be as successful. Dr. Reid already indicated that this would be how various sports and after school programs would be handled until a full 4 year contingent of students was present. Actually if they had the opportunity at KAA for kids to be on varsity or the various club presidents and the like to build a college resume as a 9th or 10th grader it would be awesome, but it's not the case.

Also the comment was in response to someone asking why Oakton was so great. If you're unaware of the ranking, then you might not live in the area, might not be a type of person who seeks out challenging and competitive environments for your kids to succeed in. To be honest people who don't prioritize academics, tend not to be highly competive academically, which by definition is mediocre.

Demanding high standards and having high expectations is what we all should strive for. If you're happy with less more power to you.

The first two years are opt in, so your child doesn't have to go to the new school. By the third year, clubs, band, sports, theatre and the like will be in place. Carson has a strong group of STEM students, you can count on math teams/clubs, science teams/clubs and the like to be in place pretty quickly. Current 6th graders will be walking into a school with programs that are starting to be established and the school has said you can opt out, so pupil place to Oakton and provide your own transportation.

I would guess that the clubs will look very similar to what is at Oakton since there are plenty of STEM kids from Carson, or do you think that the STEM kids from Carson only go to TJ and Oakton?

I'm a Crossfield parent who wants my children to go to KAA. Your post highlights one thing that I don't understand about the pro-Oakton families. They are the SAME ones who go on and on about how Carson is the best middle school in Fairfax County, provides the best opportunities for their children, blah blah. KAA is going to have almost ALL the same kids from Carson. Do you know what that means? It means KAA is going to become one of the best high schools in Fairfax County. For the same reasons that Carson is great - it's going to have the same focus on STEM (even as a traditional high school), the same high achieving kids and the same proactive parents.