Falls Church, Alexandria or Arlington Schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I am not having any luck finding a house in our price range that feeds into G Mason. I am finding Falls Church homes that feed into McLean though.

If people could share some qualitative information on G Mason, McLean and Langley High, I would appreciate it. What are some of the positives and negatives?

I've got kids at McLean HS. It's pretty good - many classes and student activities to choose from, lots of communication from administrators and teachers, kids seem to have a lot of school spirit. Test scores are usually #3 in the county, behind TJ and Langley. It's a bit more diverse than George Mason or Langley, since there are a few lower-income apartment complexes near Lee Highway that feed into McLean. I don't think it's a bad thing for kids to realize not everyone lives in a SFH or comes from wealth. The negatives are pretty much what you'd expect - there are some disaffected kids and some students have money to spend on booze and drugs.

The main things I can say about Mason and Langley in comparison is that Mason is much smaller and has the IB program, and Langley has very few lower-income students. Apart from a few townhouse complexes north of Route 123, Langley draws entirely from expensive neighborhoods of single-family homes, most of which are in McLean or Great Falls.

Thank you so much for the helpful input. Since my children are in preschool, it's hard to predict what environment they would thrive in. I'm not very familiar with the IB program. From what you described, I like G Mason and McLean over Langley. I think of diversity as positive. We are priced out of most places within Langley anyways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Thank you so much for the helpful input. Since my children are in preschool, it's hard to predict what environment they would thrive in. I'm not very familiar with the IB program. From what you described, I like G Mason and McLean over Langley. I think of diversity as positive. We are priced out of most places within Langley anyways.

You will definitely find a nice house within Falls Church part of McLean HS. And you will also be close to the West Falls Church Metro. McLean HS has a mix of incomes, and most families there are down to earth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Thank you so much for the helpful input. Since my children are in preschool, it's hard to predict what environment they would thrive in. I'm not very familiar with the IB program. From what you described, I like G Mason and McLean over Langley. I think of diversity as positive. We are priced out of most places within Langley anyways.

You will definitely find a nice house within Falls Church part of McLean HS. And you will also be close to the West Falls Church Metro. McLean HS has a mix of incomes, and most families there are down to earth.

I'm so relieved to have narrowed down an area. I was completely overwhelmed with choices. I am liking everything I'm reading and hearing about McLean High.

The area around Tysons Corner feeds into McLean High, right? I would like the convenience of shopping and highways closeby since both DH and I drive to work. I know that is PRIME traffic area though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I'm so relieved to have narrowed down an area. I was completely overwhelmed with choices. I am liking everything I'm reading and hearing about McLean High.

The area around Tysons Corner feeds into McLean High, right? I would like the convenience of shopping and highways closeby since both DH and I drive to work. I know that is PRIME traffic area though.

Yes and no. There are single family neighborhoods that feed into both McLean and Langley HS within 1-2 miles of Tysons, but the areas that are closest to the center of Tysons feed into Marshall HS. If you work in DC, it's easier to live east of Tysons in McLean or Falls Church, and drive west to Tysons only when you want to for shopping or movies.

Here's the McLean HS boundary map:

http://www.fcps.edu/images/boundarymaps/mcleanhs.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:City of Falls Church is a great place - walkable, family friendly, great schools. I bought my house last year for $750K and is very nice sized (5 bedroom, 4 FB, 3000 sq ft), great yard. Definitely need to keep your eyes peeled and act quickly (I had alerts set up on RedFin for FC, Mclean, and Arlington area) and put the offer in the day after it went on the market. I love it here!

That sounds like exactly what I want.

I'm just trying to do preliminary research on schools before wasting the time of a realtor.

We considered Falls Church before buying in North Arlington.

Ultimately decided against Falls Church City because:

1) Traffic. Falls Church is kind of like an oasis bordered by hideous traffic. Once you leave your enclave you are immediately swallowed by a nightmare.

2) Schools. Falls Church has very good schools, but it is underresourced relative to APS and if you for whatever reason end up with a problem, there's no where to go.