US News 2021 Virginia High School Rankings (FCPS)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ is also the #1 school in the nation.

Once again, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County, Virginia, has been named the No. 1 high school in the U.S.

https://wtop.com/local/2021/04/several-local-high-schools-rank-as-some-of-the-best-in-the-nation/

Shocker. A highly-selective-entry school in one of the richest, most educated areas of the country is first. What a come-from-behind win. I'm sure TJ would hold onto that top position if they were required to serve a geographic boundary population.

It's impressive that FCPS has not only TJ, but also 9 of the top 10 in the state, even when the feeder middle schools to several of those schools (particularly Oakton, McLean, Langley, and Chantilly) send so many kids to TJ.

It's really not. FCPS primarily gets kids from UMC/wealthy families from an area with one of the largest concentrations of highly-educated adults of highly-educated adults in the country. FCPS is not working miracles, it's getting kids who have support from home (parents and tutors) and resources. FCPS is doing great by my academically advanced child, but I am thoroughly unimpressed by how they have handled my average kids' education. My public HS is in the 80s on the list and managed to serve not just the college bound (AP school), but also the vocational students and grade-level/remedial kids. FCPS does not seem to have a clue what to do with kids that don't come pre-programmed for academic success.

Lots of UMC/wealthy people in Arlington and Loudoun and those counties don't have a single school in the state's top 10.

[Anonymous]

These rankings were obviously done before the pandemic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ is also the #1 school in the nation.

Once again, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County, Virginia, has been named the No. 1 high school in the U.S.

https://wtop.com/local/2021/04/several-local-high-schools-rank-as-some-of-the-best-in-the-nation/

Shocker. A highly-selective-entry school in one of the richest, most educated areas of the country is first. What a come-from-behind win. I'm sure TJ would hold onto that top position if they were required to serve a geographic boundary population.

It's impressive that FCPS has not only TJ, but also 9 of the top 10 in the state, even when the feeder middle schools to several of those schools (particularly Oakton, McLean, Langley, and Chantilly) send so many kids to TJ.

It's really not. FCPS primarily gets kids from UMC/wealthy families from an area with one of the largest concentrations of highly-educated adults of highly-educated adults in the country. FCPS is not working miracles, it's getting kids who have support from home (parents and tutors) and resources. FCPS is doing great by my academically advanced child, but I am thoroughly unimpressed by how they have handled my average kids' education. My public HS is in the 80s on the list and managed to serve not just the college bound (AP school), but also the vocational students and grade-level/remedial kids. FCPS does not seem to have a clue what to do with kids that don't come pre-programmed for academic success.

Lots of UMC/wealthy people in Arlington and Loudoun and those counties don't have a single school in the state's top 10.

We are zoned for Langley. My kids attend an AAP center in McLean. Many parents are both wealthy AND smart. Lots of parents from Harvard, MIT, Penn, UVA, etc. I would say half my child’s AAP class has parents who attended top schools and grad school educated. This is not just about being able to afford an expensive home. Most of these families can easily afford private but choose to send their kids to public school. I know I am happy with my children’s education and peer group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ is also the #1 school in the nation.

Once again, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County, Virginia, has been named the No. 1 high school in the U.S.

https://wtop.com/local/2021/04/several-local-high-schools-rank-as-some-of-the-best-in-the-nation/

Shocker. A highly-selective-entry school in one of the richest, most educated areas of the country is first. What a come-from-behind win. I'm sure TJ would hold onto that top position if they were required to serve a geographic boundary population.

It's impressive that FCPS has not only TJ, but also 9 of the top 10 in the state, even when the feeder middle schools to several of those schools (particularly Oakton, McLean, Langley, and Chantilly) send so many kids to TJ.

It's really not. FCPS primarily gets kids from UMC/wealthy families from an area with one of the largest concentrations of highly-educated adults of highly-educated adults in the country. FCPS is not working miracles, it's getting kids who have support from home (parents and tutors) and resources. FCPS is doing great by my academically advanced child, but I am thoroughly unimpressed by how they have handled my average kids' education. My public HS is in the 80s on the list and managed to serve not just the college bound (AP school), but also the vocational students and grade-level/remedial kids. FCPS does not seem to have a clue what to do with kids that don't come pre-programmed for academic success.

Lots of UMC/wealthy people in Arlington and Loudoun and those counties don't have a single school in the state's top 10.

We are zoned for Langley. My kids attend an AAP center in McLean. Many parents are both wealthy AND smart. Lots of parents from Harvard, MIT, Penn, UVA, etc. I would say half my child’s AAP class has parents who attended top schools and grad school educated. This is not just about being able to afford an expensive home. Most of these families can easily afford private but choose to send their kids to public school. I know I am happy with my children’s education and peer group.

Smart students + involved parents + good teachers makes for a positive experience. I’m not sure how much longer that can last in today’s FCPS but there is a reason why the Langley pyramid and some others are still highly coveted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ is also the #1 school in the nation.

Once again, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County, Virginia, has been named the No. 1 high school in the U.S.

https://wtop.com/local/2021/04/several-local-high-schools-rank-as-some-of-the-best-in-the-nation/

Shocker. A highly-selective-entry school in one of the richest, most educated areas of the country is first. What a come-from-behind win. I'm sure TJ would hold onto that top position if they were required to serve a geographic boundary population.

It's impressive that FCPS has not only TJ, but also 9 of the top 10 in the state, even when the feeder middle schools to several of those schools (particularly Oakton, McLean, Langley, and Chantilly) send so many kids to TJ.

It's really not. FCPS primarily gets kids from UMC/wealthy families from an area with one of the largest concentrations of highly-educated adults of highly-educated adults in the country. FCPS is not working miracles, it's getting kids who have support from home (parents and tutors) and resources. FCPS is doing great by my academically advanced child, but I am thoroughly unimpressed by how they have handled my average kids' education. My public HS is in the 80s on the list and managed to serve not just the college bound (AP school), but also the vocational students and grade-level/remedial kids. FCPS does not seem to have a clue what to do with kids that don't come pre-programmed for academic success.

Lots of UMC/wealthy people in Arlington and Loudoun and those counties don't have a single school in the state's top 10.

We are zoned for Langley. My kids attend an AAP center in McLean. Many parents are both wealthy AND smart. Lots of parents from Harvard, MIT, Penn, UVA, etc. I would say half my child’s AAP class has parents who attended top schools and grad school educated. This is not just about being able to afford an expensive home. Most of these families can easily afford private but choose to send their kids to public school. I know I am happy with my children’s education and peer group.

Smart students + involved parents + good teachers makes for a positive experience. I’m not sure how much longer that can last in today’s FCPS but there is a reason why the Langley pyramid and some others are still highly coveted.

It’s about money. Highly rated schools are wealthier.

[Anonymous]

I know Madison has a somewhat significant population of Hispanic kids as well as the usual under achieving kids on drugs. Chantilly has a super significant Asian population.

[Anonymous]

Agree. FCPS is in a region which is top 10 in educated people. The aptitude is much higher than most areas. Then add on affluence & parental pushing. My kid says half the teachers suck. Yet I guess if half are ok, he’s going to succeed.

[Anonymous]

It is not just about money. Educated and parents who care about education move to the deemed top school districts. Asian parents who may or may not be wealthy also move to these school districts.

My poor Asian immigrant parents moved to the cheapest apartment in a top school district when I was a kid. When I tell people where I am from, people usually automatically assume I grew up rich. I was a free lunch kid.