Top High Schools in VA 2020 - US News

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Consider TJ: 70.2 percent Asian, 20.7 percent White, 5.1 percent Multiracial/Other, 2.4 percent Hispanic, 1.6 percent Black:

Not a true representation of FCPS!

It represents the best of FCPS.

[Anonymous]

You can always expect that comments will be helpful when posted at 3:30 in the morning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some recent FCPS stats on which schools have the most talented musicians (2020 All-State Band, Chorus, Orchestra), but that can reflect both the strength of a school's music programs and whether parents are spending money on private lessons.

TJ 20
McLean 16
Woodson 15
Langley 13
Lake Braddock 11
South County 11
Madison 10
Fairfax 9
Robinson 9
Centreville 8
Oakton 7
Marshall 6
West Springfield 6
South Lakes 5
Edison 4
Herndon 4
Chantilly 3
Falls Church 3
Hayfield 3
Justice 3
West Potomac 3
Westfield 3
Annandale 2
Lee 1
Mount Vernon 0

This does not necessarily reflect which schools have the most talented students.

This just reflects which schools had the largest number of talented students who tried out.

Many, many talented students, for whatever reason, do not bother with trying out for districts or all state.

I believe PP said the strength of the school’s music program, not just the talent of the kids. For example, one who was into stereotypes might expect TJ to knock it out of the park in orchestra given the perception that all Asian kids play the violin. And one who be dead wrong. TJ’s orchestra program is fine. But it’s band program, marching and curricular, is exceptional. And 15 of TJs 20 all state spots were in band. Whereas, they has no real chorus program, and sent no one in chorus. Other schools have amazing chorus programs, but send no one, or very few people in band or strings.

The schools at the top of the list tend to have at least one very strong music discipline where kids commit to playing or performing for four years under a talented director. And yes, also have parents who can afford private lessons. And some things don’t show up on this list. I have a Chantilly kid, and their theater department is huge and phenomenal.

More to the point, TJ Marching band finished #5 in the state at the championship. Only one school in the top 10 (academically) finished ahead of them (#1 2 years in a row; #2 in class nationally (at grand nationals)). But, if you want good marching bands, go to Texas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some recent FCPS stats on which schools have the most talented musicians (2020 All-State Band, Chorus, Orchestra), but that can reflect both the strength of a school's music programs and whether parents are spending money on private lessons.

TJ 20
McLean 16
Woodson 15
Langley 13
Lake Braddock 11
South County 11
Madison 10
Fairfax 9
Robinson 9
Centreville 8
Oakton 7
Marshall 6
West Springfield 6
South Lakes 5
Edison 4
Herndon 4
Chantilly 3
Falls Church 3
Hayfield 3
Justice 3
West Potomac 3
Westfield 3
Annandale 2
Lee 1
Mount Vernon 0

This does not necessarily reflect which schools have the most talented students.

This just reflects which schools had the largest number of talented students who tried out.

Many, many talented students, for whatever reason, do not bother with trying out for districts or all state.

I believe PP said the strength of the school’s music program, not just the talent of the kids. For example, one who was into stereotypes might expect TJ to knock it out of the park in orchestra given the perception that all Asian kids play the violin. And one who be dead wrong. TJ’s orchestra program is fine. But it’s band program, marching and curricular, is exceptional. And 15 of TJs 20 all state spots were in band. Whereas, they has no real chorus program, and sent no one in chorus. Other schools have amazing chorus programs, but send no one, or very few people in band or strings.

The schools at the top of the list tend to have at least one very strong music discipline where kids commit to playing or performing for four years under a talented director. And yes, also have parents who can afford private lessons. And some things don’t show up on this list. I have a Chantilly kid, and their theater department is huge and phenomenal.

More to the point, TJ Marching band finished #5 in the state at the championship. Only one school in the top 10 (academically) finished ahead of them (#1 2 years in a row; #2 in class nationally (at grand nationals)). But, if you want good marching bands, go to Texas.

That wasn't more to the point. It was an excuse to mention Madison's band program again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some recent FCPS stats on which schools have the most talented musicians (2020 All-State Band, Chorus, Orchestra), but that can reflect both the strength of a school's music programs and whether parents are spending money on private lessons.

TJ 20
McLean 16
Woodson 15
Langley 13
Lake Braddock 11
South County 11
Madison 10
Fairfax 9
Robinson 9
Centreville 8
Oakton 7
Marshall 6
West Springfield 6
South Lakes 5
Edison 4
Herndon 4
Chantilly 3
Falls Church 3
Hayfield 3
Justice 3
West Potomac 3
Westfield 3
Annandale 2
Lee 1
Mount Vernon 0

This does not necessarily reflect which schools have the most talented students.

This just reflects which schools had the largest number of talented students who tried out.

Many, many talented students, for whatever reason, do not bother with trying out for districts or all state.

I believe PP said the strength of the school’s music program, not just the talent of the kids. For example, one who was into stereotypes might expect TJ to knock it out of the park in orchestra given the perception that all Asian kids play the violin. And one who be dead wrong. TJ’s orchestra program is fine. But it’s band program, marching and curricular, is exceptional. And 15 of TJs 20 all state spots were in band. Whereas, they has no real chorus program, and sent no one in chorus. Other schools have amazing chorus programs, but send no one, or very few people in band or strings.

The schools at the top of the list tend to have at least one very strong music discipline where kids commit to playing or performing for four years under a talented director. And yes, also have parents who can afford private lessons. And some things don’t show up on this list. I have a Chantilly kid, and their theater department is huge and phenomenal.

More to the point, TJ Marching band finished #5 in the state at the championship. Only one school in the top 10 (academically) finished ahead of them (#1 2 years in a row; #2 in class nationally (at grand nationals)). But, if you want good marching bands, go to Texas.

That wasn't more to the point. It was an excuse to mention Madison's band program again.

Maybe that was my point

[Anonymous]

Before Madison Mom’s head gets so big it explodes, it might be good to point out that it’s sad Madison is a bigger school than TJ and had so many fewer kids make all state band (4 for Madison vs 15 for TJ). Madison’s band was also not chosen for the VMEA showcase this year.

Of course, this thread isn’t about band. It’s about how to measure school quality. And high quality fine arts plays a role, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Before Madison Mom’s head gets so big it explodes, it might be good to point out that it’s sad Madison is a bigger school than TJ and had so many fewer kids make all state band (4 for Madison vs 15 for TJ). Madison’s band was also not chosen for the VMEA showcase this year.

Of course, this thread isn’t about band. It’s about how to measure school quality. And high quality fine arts plays a role, IMO.

Be nice. The Madison girls were on the verge of winning a state championship in basketball in March when the COVID gods denied them that opportunity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Before Madison Mom’s head gets so big it explodes, it might be good to point out that it’s sad Madison is a bigger school than TJ and had so many fewer kids make all state band (4 for Madison vs 15 for TJ). Madison’s band was also not chosen for the VMEA showcase this year.

Of course, this thread isn’t about band. It’s about how to measure school quality. And high quality fine arts plays a role, IMO.

Be nice. The Madison girls were on the verge of winning a state championship in basketball in March when the COVID gods denied them that opportunity.

What does that have to do with anything on this thread? Unless we now judge academic quality by sports victories. But get it all out of your system. List ever honor every kid at Madison has had in the past decade, so the rest of us can move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Before Madison Mom’s head gets so big it explodes, it might be good to point out that it’s sad Madison is a bigger school than TJ and had so many fewer kids make all state band (4 for Madison vs 15 for TJ). Madison’s band was also not chosen for the VMEA showcase this year.

Of course, this thread isn’t about band. It’s about how to measure school quality. And high quality fine arts plays a role, IMO.

Be nice. The Madison girls were on the verge of winning a state championship in basketball in March when the COVID gods denied them that opportunity.

Shoutout to the Marshall girls for upsetting the then-undefeated Madison girls to win the Northern Region title. It's a real shame Madison didn't get a chance for the state title due to the virus. They have a great team.

[Anonymous]

Shoutout to McLean and TJ for winning the state Scholastic Bowl championships (Class 6 and Class 5) earlier this year before state championships started getting cancelled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Before Madison Mom’s head gets so big it explodes, it might be good to point out that it’s sad Madison is a bigger school than TJ and had so many fewer kids make all state band (4 for Madison vs 15 for TJ). Madison’s band was also not chosen for the VMEA showcase this year.

Of course, this thread isn’t about band. It’s about how to measure school quality. And high quality fine arts plays a role, IMO.

Be nice. The Madison girls were on the verge of winning a state championship in basketball in March when the COVID gods denied them that opportunity.

Says who? Edison very well might have beaten them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Before Madison Mom’s head gets so big it explodes, it might be good to point out that it’s sad Madison is a bigger school than TJ and had so many fewer kids make all state band (4 for Madison vs 15 for TJ). Madison’s band was also not chosen for the VMEA showcase this year.

Of course, this thread isn’t about band. It’s about how to measure school quality. And high quality fine arts plays a role, IMO.

Be nice. The Madison girls were on the verge of winning a state championship in basketball in March when the COVID gods denied them that opportunity.

Says who? Edison very well might have beaten them.

True. The finals was set with Madison 28-1 vs. Edison 18-5. ( Though both teams lost to Marshall during the season )

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Before Madison Mom’s head gets so big it explodes, it might be good to point out that it’s sad Madison is a bigger school than TJ and had so many fewer kids make all state band (4 for Madison vs 15 for TJ). Madison’s band was also not chosen for the VMEA showcase this year.

Of course, this thread isn’t about band. It’s about how to measure school quality. And high quality fine arts plays a role, IMO.

Be nice. The Madison girls were on the verge of winning a state championship in basketball in March when the COVID gods denied them that opportunity.

Says who? Edison very well might have beaten them.

There was next to no chance of that happening. Madison was far and away the best team in the state. Marshall caught a lucky break by getting to play Madison on their home court even though Madison was undefeated and had previously crushed Marshall on a neutral court. When Marshall played its next game away from home they lost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Before Madison Mom’s head gets so big it explodes, it might be good to point out that it’s sad Madison is a bigger school than TJ and had so many fewer kids make all state band (4 for Madison vs 15 for TJ). Madison’s band was also not chosen for the VMEA showcase this year.

Of course, this thread isn’t about band. It’s about how to measure school quality. And high quality fine arts plays a role, IMO.

Be nice. The Madison girls were on the verge of winning a state championship in basketball in March when the COVID gods denied them that opportunity.

Says who? Edison very well might have beaten them.

There was next to no chance of that happening. Madison was far and away the best team in the state. Marshall caught a lucky break by getting to play Madison on their home court even though Madison was undefeated and had previously crushed Marshall on a neutral court. When Marshall played its next game away from home they lost.

Yeah, but Edison had 2 players on the All State 1st team to Madison’s 1 player. And I’m sticking with Edison for the win

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Before Madison Mom’s head gets so big it explodes, it might be good to point out that it’s sad Madison is a bigger school than TJ and had so many fewer kids make all state band (4 for Madison vs 15 for TJ). Madison’s band was also not chosen for the VMEA showcase this year.

Of course, this thread isn’t about band. It’s about how to measure school quality. And high quality fine arts plays a role, IMO.

Be nice. The Madison girls were on the verge of winning a state championship in basketball in March when the COVID gods denied them that opportunity.

What does that have to do with anything on this thread? Unless we now judge academic quality by sports victories. But get it all out of your system. List ever honor every kid at Madison has had in the past decade, so the rest of us can move on.

+1
Madison Mom manages to make every thread about Madison, in one way or another. She's beyond annoying.