APS or FCPS or FCCPS?

[Anonymous]

Not sure whether this is the right place to ask this - if private were out of question, which school district would you move into? We’re looking at S Arlington or the Woodson HS pyramid but FCCPS is also an option. Virtual has been a bit hard for us.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

What do you want in a school? How old are your kids? These districts are drastically different. We looked at houses in all 3 and choose FCPS because we wanted a community larger than FCCPS, AP classes and a variety of options since our children were young at the time and we didn’t know what interests they would want to pursue. We are happy with our decision. Commute and house availability were also big factors.

[Anonymous]

Yes we would want a community larger than FCCPS, but we’re also worried about schools still hybrid next year. Kids are in 2nd and pre-K. We want schools that would provide some solid academics. Not many houses on market in S Arlington or in the Woodson HS area.

[Anonymous]

What’s your budget? Do you definitely want Woodson? Personally, I would look at the Vienna or Oakton area.

[Anonymous]

Other good and comparative districts in FCPS. Why Woodson?

[Anonymous]

I guess I assumed Woodson and Madison are comparable, initially thought about Marshall but not sure about IB only. Some areas zoned for Woodson would be a better commute for us.

[Anonymous]

If no hybrid is most important than go with FCCPS. They have been the most nimble and have announced 5 day for ES after spring break. FCPS has a whole advanced/gifted track starting young which was a turn off for me (we moved when pregnant so had no idea what our kids would be like, just didn’t like the set up at a young age). We are N Arlington at APS and are not that impressed either. There’s a lot of bells and whistle and lovely extras but lacks a strong foundation in fundamentals - reading, writing, grammar, math.

[Anonymous]

We moved from APs to FCPS. No regrets. DC identified for gifted but the quality of services was so different bt the two districts that it was all worth it. The AAP program was excellent. DC was admitted to TJ but stayed at base school. Excellent HS, really glad we moved but understand APS has good options too. Just that moving to another district worked well for our kids’ abilities/needs. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

We were a similar position last summer and chose FCCPS for the schools. While I’m thrilled they’re finally going back full time after spring break if I had it to do over again I would have definitely opted for a much larger house in a less desirable school district and done parochial school.

Real estate within the FCCPS district is definitely far more expensive than south arlington/Woodson. From our experience to date I wouldn’t say it’s worth it but the demand/ bidding wars would suggest otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess I assumed Woodson and Madison are comparable, initially thought about Marshall but not sure about IB only. Some areas zoned for Woodson would be a better commute for us.

Then don’t look at FCCPS. It is all IB and doesn’t have as many course offerings as the larger schools in the area, which may also offer some AP classes. There promise to go back in person full time is tempting right now but this will matter when your children are in high school if you are not sure if you want them in an IB program. That is the only choice there. I would pick Woodson over South Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Just so hard to compare FCPS and APS, seem super different. Some really bad comments about FCPS on this site, makes me a bit uneasy about choosing it.

[Anonymous]

Am in Woodson pyramid. Principals in our pyramid are awesome. FCPS has a tentative plan for 5 days in the fall, but no guarantee if it is concurrent or not. There's a school board work session on next year on 3/16. If you tune in you can decide if our bumbling school district scares you away or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were a similar position last summer and chose FCCPS for the schools. While I’m thrilled they’re finally going back full time after spring break if I had it to do over again I would have definitely opted for a much larger house in a less desirable school district and done parochial school.

Real estate within the FCCPS district is definitely far more expensive than south arlington/Woodson. From our experience to date I wouldn’t say it’s worth it but the demand/ bidding wars would suggest otherwise.

+1 re: home inventory in FCCPS - it is super expensive and there isn't much. You likely already know this, but just a reminder that there is Falls Church City (FCCPS) and then Falls Church in Fairfax County (FCPS).

[Anonymous]

Housing stock and prices vary quite a bit in those areas. What else are you looking for?

[Anonymous]

FCPS is a hot mess this year (Im an FCPS parent). We have an ineffective school board.

I would select APS at the moment. Because Duran is committed to 5 days a week in person for the fall. Strong leadership in APS, compared to FCPS.