what is the difference between Madison HS, Oakton, and Reston high schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The last time I was in Reston it seemed like Reston Town Center, which is similar to a lot of other developments in the DC suburbs, was thriving, whereas Lake Anne Plaza, which was part of the original Reston design, had little retail left and felt borderline sketchy. I wouldn't rhapsodize too much about how ahead of its time Reston was.

Also, while it may have an active association, Reston isn't a town or a city, so there are limits on how much it controls its fate. Putting aside Simon's original vision for Reston, there have been times when Reston residents complained about the county putting too much low-income housing in Reston.

Lake Anne works as intended, as a popular community gathering space and attractive place to live. However, with the larger supermarkets in strip malls close by, the Safeway closed years ago. The classic drug store with soda fountain closed in 2014 when the original owner retired. The coffee house and brew pub are wildly popular, and the plaza is the perfect setting for outdoor dining.

But if the proposed addition to Lake Anne takes place, then the neighborhood will really take off. Fairfax County announced last week it is resurrecting plans to demolish the Crescent Apartments and build a vibrant mixed use community with lots of new retail. It will connect to Lake Anne Plaza.

Reston Town Center was always part of the Reston plan, as a pedestrian friendly “downtown” commercial heart. Robert Simon envisioned the place himself, and an international architecture competition was held in the 80s. The winning design was built.

It was not similar to other developments in the DC area at the time, except for maybe the Georgetown Waterfront. For an outlying suburb, Reston broke all the rules. Even Columbia Md built a typical mall instead of an outdoor town center.

[Anonymous]

One of the South Lakes feeders, Dogwood ES in Reston, was performing so poorly at one point that its accreditation status was jeopardized. Students had to be given the right to transfer to other elementary schools for several years.

None of the schools in the Oakton or Madison pyramids have ever had problems like that, as far as I'm aware.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of the South Lakes feeders, Dogwood ES in Reston, was performing so poorly at one point that its accreditation status was jeopardized. Students had to be given the right to transfer to other elementary schools for several years.

None of the schools in the Oakton or Madison pyramids have ever had problems like that, as far as I'm aware.

That’s one of the poorest elementary schools in the county. It doesn’t define the high school. But yes, Oakton and Madison are considered top notch in part due to the high performing elementary schools that are in the pyramid.

[Anonymous]

OP again here, I noticed at Madison HS that once you exit the HS onto Maple, there is no traffic light. so if you want to turn left onto Maple, you have to wait until there is a gap big enough ... I can imagine in the morning and during pick up it might be really hard to do that . I am trying to think back to what the Oakton parking lot was.... there is 66 on the back side of it, and there is that road called Sutton or something...

Also how much time do I need to register her for classes- is it three weeks or what is it, for the rental real estate papers and all that to process, for her to be registered for classes. Also will she need to be tested to see what level math to go in? She did Algebra last year in private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again here, I noticed at Madison HS that once you exit the HS onto Maple, there is no traffic light. so if you want to turn left onto Maple, you have to wait until there is a gap big enough ... I can imagine in the morning and during pick up it might be really hard to do that . I am trying to think back to what the Oakton parking lot was.... there is 66 on the back side of it, and there is that road called Sutton or something...

Also how much time do I need to register her for classes- is it three weeks or what is it, for the rental real estate papers and all that to process, for her to be registered for classes. Also will she need to be tested to see what level math to go in? She did Algebra last year in private school.

Traffic backs up around all schools, and parking is limited. I thought your kid was walking?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again here, I noticed at Madison HS that once you exit the HS onto Maple, there is no traffic light. so if you want to turn left onto Maple, you have to wait until there is a gap big enough ... I can imagine in the morning and during pick up it might be really hard to do that . I am trying to think back to what the Oakton parking lot was.... there is 66 on the back side of it, and there is that road called Sutton or something...

Also how much time do I need to register her for classes- is it three weeks or what is it, for the rental real estate papers and all that to process, for her to be registered for classes. Also will she need to be tested to see what level math to go in? She did Algebra last year in private school.

They are both difficult to get out of, but most high schools have similar issues. The lack of a traffic light on Maple is annoying. I do believe drivers and pedestrians are being more vigilant since the much publicized accident. It was in the news this week that one of the families won the lawsuit against the driver.

Even in pedestrian friendly communities like Vienna and Arlington, accidents can and have happened. I still believe that walking is many times safer than driving to/from school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again here, I noticed at Madison HS that once you exit the HS onto Maple, there is no traffic light. so if you want to turn left onto Maple, you have to wait until there is a gap big enough ... I can imagine in the morning and during pick up it might be really hard to do that . I am trying to think back to what the Oakton parking lot was.... there is 66 on the back side of it, and there is that road called Sutton or something...

Also how much time do I need to register her for classes- is it three weeks or what is it, for the rental real estate papers and all that to process, for her to be registered for classes. Also will she need to be tested to see what level math to go in? She did Algebra last year in private school.

They are both difficult to get out of, but most high schools have similar issues. The lack of a traffic light on Maple is annoying. I do believe drivers and pedestrians are being more vigilant since the much publicized accident. It was in the news this week that one of the families won the lawsuit against the driver.

Even in pedestrian friendly communities like Vienna and Arlington, accidents can and have happened. I still believe that walking is many times safer than driving to/from school.

That accident involved students but did not have anything to do with the exit from the school. It was a teen with no drivers' license whose dad gave him a BMW...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again here, I noticed at Madison HS that once you exit the HS onto Maple, there is no traffic light. so if you want to turn left onto Maple, you have to wait until there is a gap big enough ... I can imagine in the morning and during pick up it might be really hard to do that . I am trying to think back to what the Oakton parking lot was.... there is 66 on the back side of it, and there is that road called Sutton or something...

Also how much time do I need to register her for classes- is it three weeks or what is it, for the rental real estate papers and all that to process, for her to be registered for classes. Also will she need to be tested to see what level math to go in? She did Algebra last year in private school.

Traffic is bad at all schools. Although FWIW if you want to turn left on Maple from Madison, you cut over to Nutley St. (there’s a side road connecting it to James Madison Dr.) and turn at the light. Plus, there is no kiss and ride out front in the afternoon. It’s at the back entrance, although many parents forego that and just pick up on Nutley.

I’d register as soon as you can prove residency. Many schools have very little wiggle room with classes and the more time you can provide for them to put together a schedule, the better. There is no math testing for HS. If your DD took a class that is equivalent to Algebra I last year, she’ll take Geometry next.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again here, I noticed at Madison HS that once you exit the HS onto Maple, there is no traffic light. so if you want to turn left onto Maple, you have to wait until there is a gap big enough ... I can imagine in the morning and during pick up it might be really hard to do that . I am trying to think back to what the Oakton parking lot was.... there is 66 on the back side of it, and there is that road called Sutton or something...

Also how much time do I need to register her for classes- is it three weeks or what is it, for the rental real estate papers and all that to process, for her to be registered for classes. Also will she need to be tested to see what level math to go in? She did Algebra last year in private school.

Traffic is bad at all schools. Although FWIW if you want to turn left on Maple from Madison, you cut over to Nutley St. (there’s a side road connecting it to James Madison Dr.) and turn at the light. Plus, there is no kiss and ride out front in the afternoon. It’s at the back entrance, although many parents forego that and just pick up on Nutley.

I’d register as soon as you can prove residency. Many schools have very little wiggle room with classes and the more time you can provide for them to put together a schedule, the better. There is no math testing for HS. If your DD took a class that is equivalent to Algebra I last year, she’ll take Geometry next.

There isn't a smaller or more crowded high school parking lot in FCPS than Madison's. The school lost some of its parking when an addition was built a few years ago.

[Anonymous]

Really, OP? This is what concerns you the most? School parking lots and exits?
Here is a novel thought: have your DD ride the bus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really, OP? This is what concerns you the most? School parking lots and exits?
Here is a novel thought: have your DD ride the bus.

With the Student Pass, FCPS students can ride public transportation (busses but not trains) for free.

[Anonymous]

what is Meridian HS like? ... it is smaller and in a condo building/shopping area in Falls Church. Anyone have personal experience?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what is Meridian HS like? ... it is smaller and in a condo building/shopping area in Falls Church. Anyone have personal experience?

Ask on the Va Schools Forum. It is not a FCPS school.

It is a wonderful school in a brand new building. Walkable to Metro, shops and cafes, and most of the town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what is Meridian HS like? ... it is smaller and in a condo building/shopping area in Falls Church. Anyone have personal experience?

Ask on the Va Schools Forum. It is not a FCPS school.

It is a wonderful school in a brand new building. Walkable to Metro, shops and cafes, and most of the town.

The brand-new building is nice but it has like five or six floors and there are already horror stories of kids and others getting stuck on the elevator, etc. It's also on a very cramped parcel of land right off Leesburg Pike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what is Meridian HS like? ... it is smaller and in a condo building/shopping area in Falls Church. Anyone have personal experience?

Ask on the Va Schools Forum. It is not a FCPS school.

It is a wonderful school in a brand new building. Walkable to Metro, shops and cafes, and most of the town.

The brand-new building is nice but it has like five or six floors and there are already horror stories of kids and others getting stuck on the elevator, etc. It's also on a very cramped parcel of land right off Leesburg Pike.

People with claustrophobia or anxiety should probably avoid the elevators anyways. It’s a high rise school precisely because of the cramped site. I think the commercial development next door helped pay for the school campus and/or the land swap.