How did Herndon/Westfield HS go from top to bottom?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid goes to Herndon. She is taking a lot of AP classes. Her classmates are focused. None have time to mess around during lessons. She says there are enough AP classes offered at her school. One main benefit is that she can walk to school and her friends all live close by. Also, before she could drive, pick-up after sports practices was super convenient. The new additions are great as well. In the end, kids with similar grades will probably be admitted to similar colleges.

My kid is a Langley grad and friends at college with a Herndon grad.

Oh well, that solves it then. Both schools must be exactly equal.

Nothing to see over here folks!

[Anonymous]

1. I am wondering why Langley is even discussed on this thread. Langley has nothing to do with Herndon/Westfield/SLHS’s performance.

2. Herndon used to on a par with other FCPS high schools and one notch above South Lakes. For some reason a large hispanic population flocked to Herndon and that didn’t help the school academically. Aside from the gang problem, much of school resource is being used for Spanish speakers.

3. Westfield is still an OK school. But many condos and townhouses have been built in that area.

4. South Lakes did become a little (much?) better thanks to the boundary change in 2007. Some people said its IB program attracts students from other wealthier areas. But my observation is that most out of boundary kids are from Herndon, resulting in even worse situation at HHS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. I am wondering why Langley is even discussed on this thread. Langley has nothing to do with Herndon/Westfield/SLHS’s performance.

2. Herndon used to on a par with other FCPS high schools and one notch above South Lakes. For some reason a large hispanic population flocked to Herndon and that didn’t help the school academically. Aside from the gang problem, much of school resource is being used for Spanish speakers.

3. Westfield is still an OK school. But many condos and townhouses have been built in that area.

4. South Lakes did become a little (much?) better thanks to the boundary change in 2007. Some people said its IB program attracts students from other wealthier areas. But my observation is that most out of boundary kids are from Herndon, resulting in even worse situation at HHS.

What I understand from this post is:

1. Children who live in townhouses and apartments are undesirable.
2. Spanish speaking students are a thing to avoid.

Got it.

¡Muchas gracias!

-Una mamá hispana

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. I am wondering why Langley is even discussed on this thread. Langley has nothing to do with Herndon/Westfield/SLHS’s performance.

2. Herndon used to on a par with other FCPS high schools and one notch above South Lakes. For some reason a large hispanic population flocked to Herndon and that didn’t help the school academically. Aside from the gang problem, much of school resource is being used for Spanish speakers.

3. Westfield is still an OK school. But many condos and townhouses have been built in that area.

4. South Lakes did become a little (much?) better thanks to the boundary change in 2007. Some people said its IB program attracts students from other wealthier areas. But my observation is that most out of boundary kids are from Herndon, resulting in even worse situation at HHS.

There are 224 kids transferring into South Lakes this year. About 2/3 (155) are transferring from Herndon. Westfield and Oakton also send 33 and 20 kids to South Lakes this year. In comparison, South Lakes only sends 13 kids to Herndon this year. FCPS shows both Herndon and South Lakes as closed to new transfers in 2022-23.

The 2007 boundary change ended up overcrowding South Lakes, so they built a further addition to South Lakes to the school outside the normal renovation cycle. Because people from Reston typically have had the most influence over Hunter Mill politics, many of the Hunter Mill School Board and Board of Supervisors members over the years (Stu Gibson, Pat Hynes, Kathy Hudgins, Walter Alcorn) have had close ties to Reston and/or South Lakes. They look out after that school. Dranesville politicians only pay attention to Herndon when they want Herndon residents to vote for Democrats.

[Anonymous]

There are 224 kids transferring into South Lakes this year. About 2/3 (155) are transferring from Herndon. Westfield and Oakton also send 33 and 20 kids to South Lakes this year. In comparison, South Lakes only sends 13 kids to Herndon this year. FCPS shows both Herndon and South Lakes as closed to new transfers in 2022-23.

The 2007 boundary change ended up overcrowding South Lakes, so they built a further addition to South Lakes to the school outside the normal renovation cycle. Because people from Reston typically have had the most influence over Hunter Mill politics, many of the Hunter Mill School Board and Board of Supervisors members over the years (Stu Gibson, Pat Hynes, Kathy Hudgins, Walter Alcorn) have had close ties to Reston and/or South Lakes. They look out after that school. Dranesville politicians only pay attention to Herndon when they want Herndon residents to vote for Democrats.

Another reason to get rid of IB. This encourages Pupil Placement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. I am wondering why Langley is even discussed on this thread. Langley has nothing to do with Herndon/Westfield/SLHS’s performance.

2. Herndon used to on a par with other FCPS high schools and one notch above South Lakes. For some reason a large hispanic population flocked to Herndon and that didn’t help the school academically. Aside from the gang problem, much of school resource is being used for Spanish speakers.

3. Westfield is still an OK school. But many condos and townhouses have been built in that area.

4. South Lakes did become a little (much?) better thanks to the boundary change in 2007. Some people said its IB program attracts students from other wealthier areas. But my observation is that most out of boundary kids are from Herndon, resulting in even worse situation at HHS.

1. Well some areas in Great Falls who used to be zoned for South Lakes and Herndon are now zoned for Langley.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. I am wondering why Langley is even discussed on this thread. Langley has nothing to do with Herndon/Westfield/SLHS’s performance.

2. Herndon used to on a par with other FCPS high schools and one notch above South Lakes. For some reason a large hispanic population flocked to Herndon and that didn’t help the school academically. Aside from the gang problem, much of school resource is being used for Spanish speakers.

3. Westfield is still an OK school. But many condos and townhouses have been built in that area.

4. South Lakes did become a little (much?) better thanks to the boundary change in 2007. Some people said its IB program attracts students from other wealthier areas. But my observation is that most out of boundary kids are from Herndon, resulting in even worse situation at HHS.

1. Well some areas in Great Falls who used to be zoned for South Lakes and Herndon are now zoned for Langley.

When was it? 20th century?

[Anonymous]

1. Well some areas in Great Falls who used to be zoned for South Lakes and Herndon are now zoned for Langley.

Is this not a matter of where they go to elementary school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid goes to Herndon. She is taking a lot of AP classes. Her classmates are focused. None have time to mess around during lessons. She says there are enough AP classes offered at her school. One main benefit is that she can walk to school and her friends all live close by. Also, before she could drive, pick-up after sports practices was super convenient. The new additions are great as well. In the end, kids with similar grades will probably be admitted to similar colleges.

That's great and I believe it. But what if your kid isn't one of the "top" kids? Top kids make up probably 10% of the student body. Mine is not one of the top kids but capable. We only have experience with HMS where there was so much emphasis on the bottom majority. Things like the honor roll was kept under the covers while the school was offering cookies and no Tardy parties to kids who were not late during the quarters. Way to go!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. I am wondering why Langley is even discussed on this thread. Langley has nothing to do with Herndon/Westfield/SLHS’s performance.

2. Herndon used to on a par with other FCPS high schools and one notch above South Lakes. For some reason a large hispanic population flocked to Herndon and that didn’t help the school academically. Aside from the gang problem, much of school resource is being used for Spanish speakers.

3. Westfield is still an OK school. But many condos and townhouses have been built in that area.

4. South Lakes did become a little (much?) better thanks to the boundary change in 2007. Some people said its IB program attracts students from other wealthier areas. But my observation is that most out of boundary kids are from Herndon, resulting in even worse situation at HHS.

1. Well some areas in Great Falls who used to be zoned for South Lakes and Herndon are now zoned for Langley.

When was it? 20th century?

Yes and also the 21st century as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. I am wondering why Langley is even discussed on this thread. Langley has nothing to do with Herndon/Westfield/SLHS’s performance.

2. Herndon used to on a par with other FCPS high schools and one notch above South Lakes. For some reason a large hispanic population flocked to Herndon and that didn’t help the school academically. Aside from the gang problem, much of school resource is being used for Spanish speakers.

3. Westfield is still an OK school. But many condos and townhouses have been built in that area.

4. South Lakes did become a little (much?) better thanks to the boundary change in 2007. Some people said its IB program attracts students from other wealthier areas. But my observation is that most out of boundary kids are from Herndon, resulting in even worse situation at HHS.

1. Well some areas in Great Falls who used to be zoned for South Lakes and Herndon are now zoned for Langley.

When was it? 20th century?

Yes and also the 21st century as well.

When did the boundary adjustment happen? I always thought that had happened long before 2000.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. I am wondering why Langley is even discussed on this thread. Langley has nothing to do with Herndon/Westfield/SLHS’s performance.

2. Herndon used to on a par with other FCPS high schools and one notch above South Lakes. For some reason a large hispanic population flocked to Herndon and that didn’t help the school academically. Aside from the gang problem, much of school resource is being used for Spanish speakers.

3. Westfield is still an OK school. But many condos and townhouses have been built in that area.

4. South Lakes did become a little (much?) better thanks to the boundary change in 2007. Some people said its IB program attracts students from other wealthier areas. But my observation is that most out of boundary kids are from Herndon, resulting in even worse situation at HHS.

1. Well some areas in Great Falls who used to be zoned for South Lakes and Herndon are now zoned for Langley.

When was it? 20th century?

Yes and also the 21st century as well.

When did the boundary adjustment happen? I always thought that had happened long before 2000.

Maybe when they moved then south lakes kids to Langley, but I know for sure they moved the Herndon kids there after 2000.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. I am wondering why Langley is even discussed on this thread. Langley has nothing to do with Herndon/Westfield/SLHS’s performance.

2. Herndon used to on a par with other FCPS high schools and one notch above South Lakes. For some reason a large hispanic population flocked to Herndon and that didn’t help the school academically. Aside from the gang problem, much of school resource is being used for Spanish speakers.

3. Westfield is still an OK school. But many condos and townhouses have been built in that area.

4. South Lakes did become a little (much?) better thanks to the boundary change in 2007. Some people said its IB program attracts students from other wealthier areas. But my observation is that most out of boundary kids are from Herndon, resulting in even worse situation at HHS.

1. Well some areas in Great Falls who used to be zoned for South Lakes and Herndon are now zoned for Langley.

When was it? 20th century?

Yes and also the 21st century as well.

When did the boundary adjustment happen? I always thought that had happened long before 2000.

Maybe when they moved then south lakes kids to Langley, but I know for sure they moved the Herndon kids there after 2000.

At least some of them. A friend of mine’s daughter lived on Sugarland Rd with a Herndon address and she was mad because her friends were going to Herndon and she was going to Langley.

[Anonymous]

It’s tough when they draw a boundary through a neighborhood

[Anonymous]

There are 224 kids transferring into South Lakes this year. About 2/3 (155) are transferring from Herndon. Westfield and Oakton also send 33 and 20 kids to South Lakes this year. In comparison, South Lakes only sends 13 kids to Herndon this year. FCPS shows both Herndon and South Lakes as closed to new transfers in 2022-23.

Do you have a link for this informatin? I've tried to find it on FCPS website, but have been unsuccessful. i'd like to see it for the whole county.