Reply to Is FCPS overhyped? even top rated schools seem meh?

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Reply to "Is FCPS overhyped? even top rated schools seem meh?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We came from city public elementary/middle which I thought would be bar set low.  But we would get teachers calls and emails if kids would do poorly on assessments and would be invited to talk to teachers to set a plan to improve and know exactly where children need help or more advanced material.  I am surprised with the level of indifference and "cattle-like" experience from what was touted as top suburban publics in one of the top educated metro areas.  Classes are overcrowded and teachers seem overwhelmed and overloaded.  Grading is incredibly slow and it's hard to see if your kid is truly thriving or failing based on this info posted online, it's this unclear.  Not to mention try to get access to the information where exactly they need help.

I do see tons of test prep places of all kinds.  Is this what essentially becomes the necessary extension of school here? There is a lot of focus on sport, but we aren't a sports family, so it's like an alternative universe.  I don't see the academic culture, am I completely off base?[/quote]

Graduated in the 90s and kids are in FCPS now. I went to college in the Northeast and was clearly from a mid-tier school (although that includes New England boarding/prep schools). Schools are fine but kids will get what they put in - meaning if you want a top tier education out of FCPS, you either need a super motivated kid or to do some pushing. It is absolutely a "cattle-like" experience because it's so big and administratively heavy. Kids and students have to work to get the value out of FCPS - if you are passive you will be unhappy with the results.

There are lots of extracurriculars available which is mostly due to the size of the schools which either becomes a way to get a well-rounded HS experience or burn out completely. The teachers who run programs (sports, music, arts) and very dedicated and really make the whole experience worthwhile. Families need to figure out how to balance what is available and what works - so many families here feel the need to do everything and be the best and their kids are disasters.

Kids in grade school are often bored unless they are in the 25-40% of the pack. The "hard" homework years I rarely ever saw anything come home yet high grades and good teacher reports. The laptops are wholly unregulated and become a problem.

Is that good or bad? Depends. Know lots of happy FCPS families and lots who are happier now that they are private.[/quote]

I think things vary school to school. Kids still need teachers, counselors, and admin who care. A lot of these schools are just too big and there is not much connection or care.[/quote]

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