Teachers: do you recommend to FCPS or LCPS?

[Anonymous]

I'm completing a Masters in PK-6, graduating in May; beginning the job hunt. I am currently student teaching in FCPS.

I live in FCPS right on the border with LCPS. Actively interviewing with both county school systems - not considering my student teaching school.

If I am lucky enough to have my choice of school systems, where would you recommend I go?

I have been very impressed by FCPS' resources and the amount of support I see for teachers, the health benefits, the planning and pacing guides, materials for students.

I don't know much about LCPS to compare. Are schools overcrowded? Well supplied? Is there a new teacher mentor program like FCPS Great Beginnings? I could see moving out there in a few years to start a family. I know LCPS pays slightly more.

Would appreciate insider insights on both counties! I plan to pick one county and stay there, don't want to switch around.
TIA!

[Anonymous]

What don’t you like about your student teaching school?

[Anonymous]

It's a title one in an area that isnt near me.

[Anonymous]

I recently moved from LCPS to FCPS. The traffic is a bit worse but the school division is much more comprehensive and I feel more supported as a staff member.

[Anonymous]

Are you planning on staying where you are living long term? Do you have children or plan to have children? LCPS has more snow days. Last minute child charge for delays and closings is a hassle for any working parent. Other than that every school is going to vary in both places.

[Anonymous]

Thanks!
I know that Loudoun area is booming now. In general, are schools overcrowded? Well supplied? Is there a new teacher mentor program like FCPS Great Beginnings?

I'm not worried about snow days -- if schools are closed, I'd be home w the (future) kids, so that's a wash. We plan to live in whatever county I teach for that reason when we have kiddos.

[Anonymous]

Loudoun overcrowding depends on area. South Riding / Brambleton areas are bad, but Leesburg tends to be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks!
I know that Loudoun area is booming now. In general, are schools overcrowded? Well supplied? Is there a new teacher mentor program like FCPS Great Beginnings?

I'm not worried about snow days -- if schools are closed, I'd be home w the (future) kids, so that's a wash. We plan to live in whatever county I teach for that reason when we have kiddos.

But if you live in Loudoun and teach in FCPS, your kids may be off and you won’t. That’s what the PP was saying.

[Anonymous]

Loudoun schools redistrict often. As neighborhoods boom, schools explode and then new ones have to be built for overflow. Then they drop below capacity when they split the students and kids end up going to 4 different schools by 10th grade as their elementary/middle and high schools all rezone. (I’m a Loudoun teacher and this is by far the worst aspect of LCPS you might avoid in FCPS.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks!
I know that Loudoun area is booming now. In general, are schools overcrowded? Well supplied? Is there a new teacher mentor program like FCPS Great Beginnings?

I'm not worried about snow days -- if schools are closed, I'd be home w the (future) kids, so that's a wash. We plan to live in whatever county I teach for that reason when we have kiddos.

But if you live in Loudoun and teach in FCPS, your kids may be off and you won’t. That’s what the PP was saying.

Reading comprehension, much? She said she was planning to live in the county she teaches in. So if she lives in Loudoun she will teach in Loudoun. If she lives in Fairfax, she will teach in Fairfax. If she is off, her kids will be off, since they will be in the SAME county. Do you get it??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks!
I know that Loudoun area is booming now. In general, are schools overcrowded? Well supplied? Is there a new teacher mentor program like FCPS Great Beginnings?

I'm not worried about snow days -- if schools are closed, I'd be home w the (future) kids, so that's a wash. We plan to live in whatever county I teach for that reason when we have kiddos.

But if you live in Loudoun and teach in FCPS, your kids may be off and you won’t. That’s what the PP was saying.

READ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks!
I know that Loudoun area is booming now. In general, are schools overcrowded? Well supplied? Is there a new teacher mentor program like FCPS Great Beginnings?

I'm not worried about snow days -- if schools are closed, I'd be home w the (future) kids, so that's a wash. We plan to live in whatever county I teach for that reason when we have kiddos.

But if you live in Loudoun and teach in FCPS, your kids may be off and you won’t. That’s what the PP was saying.

Reading comprehension, much? She said she was planning to live in the county she teaches in. So if she lives in Loudoun she will teach in Loudoun. If she lives in Fairfax, she will teach in Fairfax. If she is off, her kids will be off, since they will be in the SAME county. Do you get it??

Wow, angry much?

[Anonymous]

A lot more affordable housing stock in Loudoun. And very few areas in Loudoun are in danger of redistricting (mainly Brambleton/Arcola.) If you don’t want to be redistricted it’s easy to avoid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Loudoun schools redistrict often. As neighborhoods boom, schools explode and then new ones have to be built for overflow. Then they drop below capacity when they split the students and kids end up going to 4 different schools by 10th grade as their elementary/middle and high schools all rezone. (I’m a Loudoun teacher and this is by far the worst aspect of LCPS you might avoid in FCPS.)

We've lived in Sterling for 20 years, have two kids in LCPS and have never been redistricted. Even most of Ashburn is pretty stable now. Maybe in the newer parts of Ashburn and South Riding/Aldie do you see the kind of churn you're referring to.

If you want to avoid redistricting, pick a more established part of the county.

[Anonymous]

Which ones are the established parts of the county? Not OP. Looking to move to loudoun county in the summer. Kid will be in 5th grade.