Culture at McLean High vs Langley High?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:A quick scan of the parking lot will tell you otherwise. Plenty of rich people's kids go to Langley.

Those cars don't mean anything. it just tells you they are UCM, not wealthy. I live in 0.5 mile from Langley and I have two full-pay tuition kids at private schools, around 40k/year for each. they have been going there since kindergarten. It costs me about 420k/year for each kid from K-12. That will be 820k for both kids. I can have multiple Benz, Range Rover and Bentley with that kind of money.

Benz, BMW, Range Rover are dime and dozen at Madeira and Potomac schools.

This post tells you plenty about the attitudes you'll encounter in the Langley HS neighborhoods, even if not at the high school itself. There is more conspicuous consumption than you'll find in most of the McLean HS neighborhoods.

I'm not the PP, but perhaps you didn't comprehend his/her post. The point was that PP sends her kids to private, at a great cost - not that PP actually has those vehicles.

You're clearly one of the Langley haters who will jump on any excuse to malign the school. Newsflash: wealthy =/= bad people. Plenty of incredibly generous, philanthropic families out there. I'm sorry you're so bitter about... something.

Yep, bitter.

About what? PP was just pointing out how much some (not all) people in the Langley areas like to gab about how much money they spend - whether it’s on those “dime a dozen” luxury cars or their expensive private school tuitions.

It provokes amusement, not envy.

You do realize the PP's response - about spending money on private school rather than on cars - was in direct response to the ever-tiresome accusation of Langley kids driving expensive cars to school, being wealthy, etc. etc.? The people who love to "gab about money" are those who hate anyone living in the Langley district. They're fixated on how much money these people have, what they spend it on, what kind of cars they drive, etc. So maybe if you and others would stop worrying about the incomes of people you know nothing about, there wouldn't be a need to respond to you.

Of all the things to be hyper-sensitive about, having a lot of money shouldn’t be too high on the list. The easier way to deflect it is by mentioning the mini-vans and older cars in the Langley parking lot, as did a PP, not by pointing out that a BMW is chump change for those spending close to a million on privates.

In any case, the biggest critic of Langley I ever recall on this forum was the woman who pulled her daughter out after 9th grade, claiming that the counselors were trying to make her take all AP courses as a sophomore. I found that hard to believe at the time and, from everything I’ve heard, the current counselors at both Langley and McLean really urge kids to consider their course load carefully and not over-extend themselves.

OP, are your DCs hoping to go to UVA or William and Mary? I ask others on this forum -- what kind of GPA/class rank do you need to get accepted to UVA from Langley or McLean HS? If UVA is a "safety school" for the top 5-10 students in each graduating class, your DC will need to pretty much take all APs to compete and be in the running for UVA admission.

Op here. I would hope our kids would go to better schools than UVA. DH and I are both Ivy League educated.

OP, I'm not going to attack you for your sentiment. It's understandable that someone who attended an Ivy League school would want the same for their child. But what is your plan for trying to get your child accepted into an Ivy? In a world where nearly perfect grades in top level courses are no guarantee for UVA, what makes you think that it's reasonable to assume your child will be accepted by an ivy?

I’m very well aware how difficult admissions are at top schools. You always want better for your kids. DH is a hard worker and we are at the top.1%. I want my kids to be well rounded and happy. I was not knocking down UVA. It is obviously an excellent school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have 2 elementary kids and looking to move to McLean for better schools. Currently we live in Alexandria. Wondering if there is a cultural difference between McLean and Langley High.

We chose McLean because they have 10% lower income families versus the 2% at Langley. Don’t get me wrong - there are plenty of wealthy or comfortable kids at McLean but there is a little more diversity which I wanted fir my kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One has rich, white kids, while the other has rich white kids. Both have kids from families who live in boring McLean. Does that answer your question, OP?

It's the haves vs the have mores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One has rich, white kids, while the other has rich white kids. Both have kids from families who live in boring McLean. Does that answer your question, OP?[/quote

I’m so sorry for you. Sounds like a troubled life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A quick scan of the parking lot will tell you otherwise. Plenty of rich people's kids go to Langley.

Those cars don't mean anything. it just tells you they are UCM, not wealthy. I live in 0.5 mile from Langley and I have two full-pay tuition kids at private schools, around 40k/year for each. they have been going there since kindergarten. It costs me about 420k/year for each kid from K-12. That will be 820k for both kids. I can have multiple Benz, Range Rover and Bentley with that kind of money.

Benz, BMW, Range Rover are dime and dozen at Madeira and Potomac schools.

This post tells you plenty about the attitudes you'll encounter in the Langley HS neighborhoods, even if not at the high school itself. There is more conspicuous consumption than you'll find in most of the McLean HS neighborhoods.

I'm not the PP, but perhaps you didn't comprehend his/her post. The point was that PP sends her kids to private, at a great cost - not that PP actually has those vehicles.

You're clearly one of the Langley haters who will jump on any excuse to malign the school. Newsflash: wealthy =/= bad people. Plenty of incredibly generous, philanthropic families out there. I'm sorry you're so bitter about... something.

Yep, bitter.

About what? PP was just pointing out how much some (not all) people in the Langley areas like to gab about how much money they spend - whether it’s on those “dime a dozen” luxury cars or their expensive private school tuitions.

It provokes amusement, not envy.

You do realize the PP's response - about spending money on private school rather than on cars - was in direct response to the ever-tiresome accusation of Langley kids driving expensive cars to school, being wealthy, etc. etc.? The people who love to "gab about money" are those who hate anyone living in the Langley district. They're fixated on how much money these people have, what they spend it on, what kind of cars they drive, etc. So maybe if you and others would stop worrying about the incomes of people you know nothing about, there wouldn't be a need to respond to you.

Of all the things to be hyper-sensitive about, having a lot of money shouldn’t be too high on the list. The easier way to deflect it is by mentioning the mini-vans and older cars in the Langley parking lot, as did a PP, not by pointing out that a BMW is chump change for those spending close to a million on privates.

In any case, the biggest critic of Langley I ever recall on this forum was the woman who pulled her daughter out after 9th grade, claiming that the counselors were trying to make her take all AP courses as a sophomore. I found that hard to believe at the time and, from everything I’ve heard, the current counselors at both Langley and McLean really urge kids to consider their course load carefully and not over-extend themselves.

OP, are your DCs hoping to go to UVA or William and Mary? I ask others on this forum -- what kind of GPA/class rank do you need to get accepted to UVA from Langley or McLean HS? If UVA is a "safety school" for the top 5-10 students in each graduating class, your DC will need to pretty much take all APs to compete and be in the running for UVA admission.

This is actually quite true. I had a child at Langley who was clearly middle of the pack. Langley would have never supported him applying to UVA or William & Mary. He wasn't top 10% with national awards so went to JMU. Second child went private and was a top student, top grades and test scores and national awards and just squeaked into UVA. Today, I doubt he would get in.

Have you posted here before about this? I've had three kids go to Langley and I have no idea what you mean about the school "not supporting" them applying to any school they want to. The counselors will give students/parents a good idea of where they stand, via Naviance, but they will write a recommendation for any student applying to any school. The student may or may not get in, but the counselors will always write the recommendation. Please stop spreading misinformation. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A quick scan of the parking lot will tell you otherwise. Plenty of rich people's kids go to Langley.

Those cars don't mean anything. it just tells you they are UCM, not wealthy. I live in 0.5 mile from Langley and I have two full-pay tuition kids at private schools, around 40k/year for each. they have been going there since kindergarten. It costs me about 420k/year for each kid from K-12. That will be 820k for both kids. I can have multiple Benz, Range Rover and Bentley with that kind of money.

Benz, BMW, Range Rover are dime and dozen at Madeira and Potomac schools.

This post tells you plenty about the attitudes you'll encounter in the Langley HS neighborhoods, even if not at the high school itself. There is more conspicuous consumption than you'll find in most of the McLean HS neighborhoods.

I'm not the PP, but perhaps you didn't comprehend his/her post. The point was that PP sends her kids to private, at a great cost - not that PP actually has those vehicles.

You're clearly one of the Langley haters who will jump on any excuse to malign the school. Newsflash: wealthy =/= bad people. Plenty of incredibly generous, philanthropic families out there. I'm sorry you're so bitter about... something.

Yep, bitter.

About what? PP was just pointing out how much some (not all) people in the Langley areas like to gab about how much money they spend - whether it’s on those “dime a dozen” luxury cars or their expensive private school tuitions.

It provokes amusement, not envy.

You do realize the PP's response - about spending money on private school rather than on cars - was in direct response to the ever-tiresome accusation of Langley kids driving expensive cars to school, being wealthy, etc. etc.? The people who love to "gab about money" are those who hate anyone living in the Langley district. They're fixated on how much money these people have, what they spend it on, what kind of cars they drive, etc. So maybe if you and others would stop worrying about the incomes of people you know nothing about, there wouldn't be a need to respond to you.

Of all the things to be hyper-sensitive about, having a lot of money shouldn’t be too high on the list. The easier way to deflect it is by mentioning the mini-vans and older cars in the Langley parking lot, as did a PP, not by pointing out that a BMW is chump change for those spending close to a million on privates.

In any case, the biggest critic of Langley I ever recall on this forum was the woman who pulled her daughter out after 9th grade, claiming that the counselors were trying to make her take all AP courses as a sophomore. I found that hard to believe at the time and, from everything I’ve heard, the current counselors at both Langley and McLean really urge kids to consider their course load carefully and not over-extend themselves.

Is it even possible to take all APs as a sophomore? I thought the only AP that was available to sophmores was AP world history.

You are correct. The only AP available to sophomores (at least at Langley) is AP World History. So that's just one more indication that Bullis Mom (the mother in question, above) is a complete liar. No one forces kids to take all APs, or any APs, for that matter. It's up to the students and their parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One has rich, white kids, while the other has rich white kids. Both have kids from families who live in boring McLean. Does that answer your question, OP?

"Boring McLean" - as opposed to what? Exciting Annandale? Thrilling Herndon?

You sound like a boring (and bitter) person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Is it even possible to take all APs as a sophomore? I thought the only AP that was available to sophmores was AP world history.

You are correct. The only AP available to sophomores (at least at Langley) is AP World History. So that's just one more indication that Bullis Mom (the mother in question, above) is a complete liar. No one forces kids to take all APs, or any APs, for that matter. It's up to the students and their parents.

A few also take AP Statistics sophmore year, at least at McLean. I don’t know about Langley.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One has rich, white kids, while the other has rich white kids. Both have kids from families who live in boring McLean. Does that answer your question, OP?

"Boring McLean" - as opposed to what? Exciting Annandale? Thrilling Herndon?

You sound like a boring (and bitter) person.

+1

I'll take "boring Mclean" over MS-13 exciting South Arlington, Annandale and thrilling Herndon anytime

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Is it even possible to take all APs as a sophomore? I thought the only AP that was available to sophmores was AP world history.

You are correct. The only AP available to sophomores (at least at Langley) is AP World History. So that's just one more indication that Bullis Mom (the mother in question, above) is a complete liar. No one forces kids to take all APs, or any APs, for that matter. It's up to the students and their parents.

A few also take AP Statistics sophmore year, at least at McLean. I don’t know about Langley.

I believe Langley allows sophomores to take only one AP, thank goodness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One has rich, white kids, while the other has rich white kids. Both have kids from families who live in boring McLean. Does that answer your question, OP?

"Boring McLean" - as opposed to what? Exciting Annandale? Thrilling Herndon?

You sound like a boring (and bitter) person.

+1

I'll take "boring Mclean" over MS-13 exciting South Arlington, Annandale and thrilling Herndon anytime

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Is it even possible to take all APs as a sophomore? I thought the only AP that was available to sophmores was AP world history.

You are correct. The only AP available to sophomores (at least at Langley) is AP World History. So that's just one more indication that Bullis Mom (the mother in question, above) is a complete liar. No one forces kids to take all APs, or any APs, for that matter. It's up to the students and their parents.

A few also take AP Statistics sophmore year, at least at McLean. I don’t know about Langley.

I believe Langley allows sophomores to take only one AP, thank goodness.

It was helpful for my DC to be able to take AP Stats as his introductory AP class sophomore year. He did not take AP World History - he has dyslexia and it would have been too much for him. He is a math and science kid so having the option for an AP math class fit him better.

[Anonymous]

There are plenty AP options for sophomore in McLean, AP World History, AP Statistics, AP Computer Science Principle...

[Anonymous]

Here's the latest presentation on AP courses at McLean - this was for an informational session for students who wanted to learn about AP options. It looks like sophomores can take AP World History as a core course, but can also choose from among four other AP courses as an elective. The presentation emphasizes the need for "balance" and for students to consider their other time commitments and their need for sleep.

https://mcleanhs.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/inline-files/AP%20Night%20Packet%202018.pdf

[Anonymous]

AP European History as an elective is not offered during 2017-2018 year at McLean. AP Statistics is not offered to Sophomores. AP Computer Science A requires prerequisite. This school year might be the first year that they let a Freshman take AP Computer Science Principles. Overall, Sophomores take 1 AP class, and are strongly discouraged by the school to take 2.