what is the difference between Madison HS, Oakton, and Reston high schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again here, I noticed at Madison HS that once you exit the HS onto Maple, there is no traffic light. so if you want to turn left onto Maple, you have to wait until there is a gap big enough ... I can imagine in the morning and during pick up it might be really hard to do that . I am trying to think back to what the Oakton parking lot was.... there is 66 on the back side of it, and there is that road called Sutton or something...

Also how much time do I need to register her for classes- is it three weeks or what is it, for the rental real estate papers and all that to process, for her to be registered for classes. Also will she need to be tested to see what level math to go in? She did Algebra last year in private school.

Traffic is bad at all schools. Although FWIW if you want to turn left on Maple from Madison, you cut over to Nutley St. (there’s a side road connecting it to James Madison Dr.) and turn at the light. Plus, there is no kiss and ride out front in the afternoon. It’s at the back entrance, although many parents forego that and just pick up on Nutley.

I’d register as soon as you can prove residency. Many schools have very little wiggle room with classes and the more time you can provide for them to put together a schedule, the better. There is no math testing for HS. If your DD took a class that is equivalent to Algebra I last year, she’ll take Geometry next.

There isn't a smaller or more crowded high school parking lot in FCPS than Madison's. The school lost some of its parking when an addition was built a few years ago.

I don't dispute that campus is crowded. I spent two years driving my kid both ways, and she dealt with local street parking then on campus parking for the two after that. Honestly, even with the crowds it was still far easier to navigate than the kiss and ride at either her ES or MS. But at the end of the day nobody should be choosing a school because of the size of the parking lot.

Both of my kids went to Madison. I don't think it's nearly as sports focused as some say (and definitely not as much as it was three principals ago)...my non athlete kid had no worse an experience than my varsity athlete kid. I will say that I am not a fan of standards based grading or the constant changes in grading policies (kid #2 had four different policies in four years, and three different counselors for that matter). DC #1 had several good friends at South Lakes, and #2 had a lot at Oakton, and overall everybody seemed to be happy with their school. OP needs to consider things like housing budget and AP v. IB but will most likely be just fine at whichever school ends up meeting those needs.

[Anonymous]

why are there more places to rent zoned for Langley? Is Langley the most like Oakton in terms of academics?

[Anonymous]

We need to stop engaging with OP.

[Anonymous]

OP, since you’re literally looking over Northern Va, check out Loudoun County High School. It’s walkable to homes and the charming and artsy historic town of Leesburg. The school itself is a renovated historic building. Strong arts and not as sports focused as the other Loudoun County high schools.

Arlington is famous for its walkability, and most all the schools there are very walkable. Metro subway and busses are nearby. Many secondary school students walk to the cafes and shops after school.

Have you looked at Lake Braddock Secondary School? It is in a walkable neighborhood and close to the shops and cafes at Kings Park.

[Anonymous]

OP says that her DD was in private school and she wants a walkable school--but is concerned about the parking lot and drop off. Doesn't want her child to drown in academics or activities.

I think OP just needs to homeschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what is Meridian HS like? ... it is smaller and in a condo building/shopping area in Falls Church. Anyone have personal experience?

Ask on the Va Schools Forum. It is not a FCPS school.

It is a wonderful school in a brand new building. Walkable to Metro, shops and cafes, and most of the town.

The brand-new building is nice but it has like five or six floors and there are already horror stories of kids and others getting stuck on the elevator, etc. It's also on a very cramped parcel of land right off Leesburg Pike.

It’s 7 floors (tall skinny building) and a district with only one IB HS. The parking lot is very congested, since you seem to be concerned with that. We’ve had to be there for some events. Ask for more details on the VA other schools forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is South Lakes for all of Reston town center area? for an incoming ninth grader new to NoVa. Looking to buy in the area. A socially anxious, more artsy ninth grade girl with math difficulties, probably needs a specialized IEP. Thanks!

FCPS is FCPS. So the difference is location.

[Anonymous]

The last time I was in Reston it seemed like Reston Town Center, which is similar to a lot of other developments in the DC suburbs, was thriving, whereas Lake Anne Plaza, which was part of the original Reston design, had little retail left and felt borderline sketchy.

When was the last time you were in Lake Anne Plaza, 2010 or something? I was there last night and there were plenty of shops and non-sketchy people.

RTC is meh. Same chain stores you can go to anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yes, I drove through Marshall parking lot and was concerned about the more city feel around it of Tysons, that it wouldn't be as safe for walking around in , from a pedestrian/car safety standpoint. Also the building looked older... I am also not sure about IB and my daughter, I don't think she would have enough interest in the program to complete the IB diploma...

DP. You are completely wrong regarding safety. But Tyson's is (luckily for us) not a total white suburbia. I hope you find what you are looking for.

+1 I’m a teacher at Marshall. The school has been recently renovated so not sure why you would say it looks older. Its library is gorgeous. There is a diverse student body with kids from many socio-economic backgrounds. Kids can take IB classes, but not do the full diploma. It’s not perfect, but it’s a great school to work at and the students overall seem happy.

OP here- teacher from Marshall, can you tell me more about the school? Is there a lot of mean girl clique bullying happening? how is the community service program? Simply from previous poster's comments about Madison being very white and sports oriented, I imagine that could lead to some more social stratifying? I do not know. I do know that there can be bullying and mean girls anywhere, but I am trying to reduce the risk of that happening. Can you tell me anything else about the school? It also seems there are more affordable options in the Marshall zone. Looking at Redfin, and talking with a real estate agent, there are many fewer options for around $1M to buy in a year in Langley HS zone for example, also less rentals. If we are not going to be AP and IB heavy, does it really matter if the school is AP or IB?

[Anonymous]

OP: Find a house that you like and buy it. You could pick a school that is perfect for some kids and end up being a bad fit for your kid. Your big choice is IB vs AP programs. I would go AP, there is more flexibility in the classes and more opportunities for College credit.

Every school has mean girl behavior, every school has bullying, every school has behavior issues. What works for one kid might not work for another. I understand your concerns but you are over thinking this. Find a house that works for your family and land there.

[Anonymous]

Also isn't there just more to do for a teen in the Marshall area, with Tysons right there? There is not much going on in McLean... or is it so close to Tysons that it doesn't matter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yes, I drove through Marshall parking lot and was concerned about the more city feel around it of Tysons, that it wouldn't be as safe for walking around in , from a pedestrian/car safety standpoint. Also the building looked older... I am also not sure about IB and my daughter, I don't think she would have enough interest in the program to complete the IB diploma...

DP. You are completely wrong regarding safety. But Tyson's is (luckily for us) not a total white suburbia. I hope you find what you are looking for.

+1 I’m a teacher at Marshall. The school has been recently renovated so not sure why you would say it looks older. Its library is gorgeous. There is a diverse student body with kids from many socio-economic backgrounds. Kids can take IB classes, but not do the full diploma. It’s not perfect, but it’s a great school to work at and the students overall seem happy.

OP here- teacher from Marshall, can you tell me more about the school? Is there a lot of mean girl clique bullying happening? how is the community service program? Simply from previous poster's comments about Madison being very white and sports oriented, I imagine that could lead to some more social stratifying? I do not know. I do know that there can be bullying and mean girls anywhere, but I am trying to reduce the risk of that happening. Can you tell me anything else about the school? It also seems there are more affordable options in the Marshall zone. Looking at Redfin, and talking with a real estate agent, there are many fewer options for around $1M to buy in a year in Langley HS zone for example, also less rentals. If we are not going to be AP and IB heavy, does it really matter if the school is AP or IB?

Don’t you want to ask teacher about parking spaces?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: Find a house that you like and buy it. You could pick a school that is perfect for some kids and end up being a bad fit for your kid. Your big choice is IB vs AP programs. I would go AP, there is more flexibility in the classes and more opportunities for College credit.

Every school has mean girl behavior, every school has bullying, every school has behavior issues. What works for one kid might not work for another. I understand your concerns but you are over thinking this. Find a house that works for your family and land there.

++++++100

OP, I have two high school grads who went to the same school. They had two very different experiences and neither was bad.

You cannot outline what your child will experience. What can you do? Help her learn how to react to an environment. You cannot pick her friends. You cannot pick her likes, etc.

You can support her.

From your questions, I agree that you are overthinking this. You are looking for the perfect fit. We all would like that. But, sometimes, the perfect fit is what you make it.

Also, a piece of advice:

Let her go. Be aware, but let her go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yes, I drove through Marshall parking lot and was concerned about the more city feel around it of Tysons, that it wouldn't be as safe for walking around in , from a pedestrian/car safety standpoint. Also the building looked older... I am also not sure about IB and my daughter, I don't think she would have enough interest in the program to complete the IB diploma...

DP. You are completely wrong regarding safety. But Tyson's is (luckily for us) not a total white suburbia. I hope you find what you are looking for.

+1 I’m a teacher at Marshall. The school has been recently renovated so not sure why you would say it looks older. Its library is gorgeous. There is a diverse student body with kids from many socio-economic backgrounds. Kids can take IB classes, but not do the full diploma. It’s not perfect, but it’s a great school to work at and the students overall seem happy.

OP here- teacher from Marshall, can you tell me more about the school? Is there a lot of mean girl clique bullying happening? how is the community service program? Simply from previous poster's comments about Madison being very white and sports oriented, I imagine that could lead to some more social stratifying? I do not know. I do know that there can be bullying and mean girls anywhere, but I am trying to reduce the risk of that happening. Can you tell me anything else about the school? It also seems there are more affordable options in the Marshall zone. Looking at Redfin, and talking with a real estate agent, there are many fewer options for around $1M to buy in a year in Langley HS zone for example, also less rentals. If we are not going to be AP and IB heavy, does it really matter if the school is AP or IB?

Np. Not the Marshall teacher, but do want to chime in that you are correct. If your child's schedule is not going to be AP or IB heavy, it does not matter if the school is AP or IB.

[Anonymous]

OP’s questions are inane and all over the lot so the folks who would normally be engaging in the “pick me” competition are sitting it out and hoping OP ends up at Marshall.