Best elementary schools in Fairfax

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The outcome is still going to be different because of the level of teaching and the students being taught to. Teachers have to teach to the lowest denominator and the lowest denominator is a lot higher at a low FARMS rate school. So this only works at your school if your child is in the AAP class, but if you compare Gen Ed to Gen Ed, there is a markable difference, even for the white and asian kids. That said, an average white or asian kid is probably more likely to get into AAP at your school than at a high SES school, so maybe that makes up the difference.

This is not true. It is true that the common denominator may be lower, but that does not mean that is where the teacher "teaches."

Do you really think that elementary teachers teach to the "whole class" all day? That they do not provide leveled instruction at all?

I was a first grade teacher in a school with a very wide span of abilities. Except for the morning discussion and some other activities, there was plenty of leveled teaching. I had at least three reading groups (and as many as five), as an example. With math, everyone was taught together, but then additional work was given to kids.
Social studies and science were generally group taught.

And, FWIW, while it is true that the FARMS is an indicator, there are always exceptions. I also taught in a Title I school for several years where almost all the kids were very poor. Even there, I taught some kids who were highly gifted--yes, even poor people can have gifted children.

Of course they don't teach to the whole class. They teach to the middle and then work with the kids behind in small groups. The kids ahead either get busy work or ignored

+1

[Anonymous]

It’s no longer appropriate to want the best house you can afford in order to send your children to their nearby school.

Instead, you want to find an mix of cultural, racial and economic diversity but also a place where there’s not too much academic pressure, nor exclusionary practices, but will also have a top-notch teaching staff with little turnover who’ll also reflect the community’s diversity.

[Anonymous]

Someone help me find a FCPS elementary where there’s a solid focus on teaching fundamentals - the basics- like reading, writing, arithmetic with reliance upon the printed word and not screens and computer work stations in kindergarten.

I’ll wait. This style of learning hasn’t existed in FCPS in 20+ years.

[Anonymous]

Of course they don't teach to the whole class. They teach to the middle and then work with the kids behind in small groups. The kids ahead either get busy work or ignored[/quote]

this is not necessarily true.

I always met with my top readers--or reader--in a small group. Of course, you give them extra work--because they are capable of doing it! It is not necessarily "busy work."
Do you meet with them as much as with the struggling kids? No. They don't need the one on one because they are capable of moving forward faster and don't need all the extra help.

You might be surprised that teachers also spend time planning and creating work for bright students.

Do all teachers to this? Probably not. But, most do.

Just because the teacher is not sitting with your child one on one does not mean the child's needs are not being met.
Be grateful your child is able to work independently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone help me find a FCPS elementary where there’s a solid focus on teaching fundamentals - the basics- like reading, writing, arithmetic with reliance upon the printed word and not screens and computer work stations in kindergarten.

I’ll wait. This style of learning hasn’t existed in FCPS in 20+ years.

That style hasn't existed in our society in 20+ years. Why be so stuck on teaching in a style that is not reflective of what exists in our communities? Technology is everywhere. It's not going away. Why teach kids using antiquated platforms and methodologies that does not help them integrate with the tools and technologies that are available to them outside of the classroom?? Nobody ever got ahead by yearning for the good ol' days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone help me find a FCPS elementary where there’s a solid focus on teaching fundamentals - the basics- like reading, writing, arithmetic with reliance upon the printed word and not screens and computer work stations in kindergarten.

I’ll wait. This style of learning hasn’t existed in FCPS in 20+ years.

That style hasn't existed in our society in 20+ years. Why be so stuck on teaching in a style that is not reflective of what exists in our communities? Technology is everywhere. It's not going away. Why teach kids using antiquated platforms and methodologies that does not help them integrate with the tools and technologies that are available to them outside of the classroom?? Nobody ever got ahead by yearning for the good ol' days.

\Maybe so they develop some thinking skills?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone help me find a FCPS elementary where there’s a solid focus on teaching fundamentals - the basics- like reading, writing, arithmetic with reliance upon the printed word and not screens and computer work stations in kindergarten.

I’ll wait. This style of learning hasn’t existed in FCPS in 20+ years.

+1
Good luck. Maybe eventually the pendulum will swing back to teaching the basics and teaching them well without using computers as a crutch. But that time is not here yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone help me find a FCPS elementary where there’s a solid focus on teaching fundamentals - the basics- like reading, writing, arithmetic with reliance upon the printed word and not screens and computer work stations in kindergarten.

I’ll wait. This style of learning hasn’t existed in FCPS in 20+ years.

That style hasn't existed in our society in 20+ years. Why be so stuck on teaching in a style that is not reflective of what exists in our communities? Technology is everywhere. It's not going away. Why teach kids using antiquated platforms and methodologies that does not help them integrate with the tools and technologies that are available to them outside of the classroom?? Nobody ever got ahead by yearning for the good ol' days.

DP. Because elementary school kids have plenty of time to learn all the technologies available to them. Young kids first and foremost need to learn to read and write - WELL. They need to learn math by writing things out. Only after the basics are mastered should tech be introduced in school. Besides which, they’re all using computers at home from an early age anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone help me find a FCPS elementary where there’s a solid focus on teaching fundamentals - the basics- like reading, writing, arithmetic with reliance upon the printed word and not screens and computer work stations in kindergarten.

I’ll wait. This style of learning hasn’t existed in FCPS in 20+ years.

That style hasn't existed in our society in 20+ years. Why be so stuck on teaching in a style that is not reflective of what exists in our communities? Technology is everywhere. It's not going away. Why teach kids using antiquated platforms and methodologies that does not help them integrate with the tools and technologies that are available to them outside of the classroom?? Nobody ever got ahead by yearning for the good ol' days.

\Maybe so they develop some thinking skills?

+1
That this has to be explained to anyone is so telling.

[Anonymous]

DP. Because elementary school kids have plenty of time to learn all the technologies available to them. Young kids first and foremost need to learn to read and write - WELL. They need to learn math by writing things out. Only after the basics are mastered should tech be introduced in school. Besides which, they’re all using computers at home from an early age anyway.

This.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you can afford Langley HS, Churchill Road or Spring Hill, those two have great test scores and almost no FARMS.

Avoid Forestville as it will likely be redistributed to Herndon High School.

I think you would be doing your children a great disservice if you send them to a no FARMS elementary school. There is something to be said for diversity. And diversity means more than "oh but we have a large asian population".

Did you really choose your kids' elementary school by looking up the FARMS rates to make sure there was enough poverty there for you to give your kids the "diversity" they need to thrive? Do you realize how obnoxious and offensive this is to everyone, especially poor folks?

If I was poor, the last thing I'd be doing is saying to myself I need to find a school for my kid where there's enough poor people to make me feel good about the "diverse" environment.

But let's be honest, people choose higher FARMS schools when they do not have to, not because of a love of diversity, but because they want a nicer house for a better price or otherwise do not care all that much about the educational and social experiences their kids will endure.

NP. I don’t know what makes you think you can speak for others. We deliberately avoided the Langley pyramid because we didn’t want that type of environment for our kids. We are more comfortable with greater diversity and believe it helps kids develop better social skills and empathy.

Stop using the word "diversity" as a euphemistic stand in for something more specific that you, for whatever reason, do not want to speak.

It is understandable to avoid a wealthy pyramid if your values do not align well with those of the wealthy, but no need to act like you are superior for it.

DP. I agree with most of your post, but I do take issue with suggesting “the values of the wealthy” are somehow suspect or wrong. The wealthy are often heavily involved in philanthropy. It’s so misguided to assume that just because someone has money, they don’t have values. I think that’s the excuse of people who are envious and it’s a really bad look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s no longer appropriate to want the best house you can afford in order to send your children to their nearby school.

Instead, you want to find an mix of cultural, racial and economic diversity but also a place where there’s not too much academic pressure, nor exclusionary practices, but will also have a top-notch teaching staff with little turnover who’ll also reflect the community’s diversity.

NP, no one really wants cultural, racial, and economic diversity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone help me find a FCPS elementary where there’s a solid focus on teaching fundamentals - the basics- like reading, writing, arithmetic with reliance upon the printed word and not screens and computer work stations in kindergarten.

I’ll wait. This style of learning hasn’t existed in FCPS in 20+ years.

Easy peasy:
Mount Eagle ES
Bucknell ES

You’re looking for outstanding play-based kindergarten programs with small class sizes and highly experienced teachers. But you won’t go there because they’re Title 1 schools, which is fine. The families—both the upper middle class as well as those living in poverty—know that they have hidden gems in their schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:your kids spend a lot of time in elementary school and it can have lasting impacts if the school fails to help with reading issues or other learning disabilities.

Frost and Woodson are great but I would totally avoid Olde Creek and Little Run.

I’m curious- why would you avoid those schools?

Elementary schools in a “good pyramid” that have low scores should be a red flag. Both these schools are known to have issues with handling learning disabilities and as training grounds for admin staff (at the detriment to the staff and kids). Both these schools have had a lot of turnover in the last 20 years because of bad admins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you can afford Langley HS, Churchill Road or Spring Hill, those two have great test scores and almost no FARMS.

Avoid Forestville as it will likely be redistributed to Herndon High School.

I think you would be doing your children a great disservice if you send them to a no FARMS elementary school. There is something to be said for diversity. And diversity means more than "oh but we have a large asian population".

Did you really choose your kids' elementary school by looking up the FARMS rates to make sure there was enough poverty there for you to give your kids the "diversity" they need to thrive? Do you realize how obnoxious and offensive this is to everyone, especially poor folks?

If I was poor, the last thing I'd be doing is saying to myself I need to find a school for my kid where there's enough poor people to make me feel good about the "diverse" environment.

But let's be honest, people choose higher FARMS schools when they do not have to, not because of a love of diversity, but because they want a nicer house for a better price or otherwise do not care all that much about the educational and social experiences their kids will endure.

NP. I don’t know what makes you think you can speak for others. We deliberately avoided the Langley pyramid because we didn’t want that type of environment for our kids. We are more comfortable with greater diversity and believe it helps kids develop better social skills and empathy.

Stop using the word "diversity" as a euphemistic stand in for something more specific that you, for whatever reason, do not want to speak.

It is understandable to avoid a wealthy pyramid if your values do not align well with those of the wealthy, but no need to act like you are superior for it.

DP. I agree with most of your post, but I do take issue with suggesting “the values of the wealthy” are somehow suspect or wrong. The wealthy are often heavily involved in philanthropy. It’s so misguided to assume that just because someone has money, they don’t have values. I think that’s the excuse of people who are envious and it’s a really bad look.

I didn't mean to suggest the values of the wealthy are suspect though I know that some people think this way.