Reply to Happier After Move Away from FCPS/Fairfax County?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I honestly think you have to ask WHY you want to move away - is it the (local) school environment? Curriculum? Overall School System (and then you can get into size, number of students, teacher experience, etc). I grew up in the Midwest, Small Town, Excellent school system (4 Elem, 1 Middle, 1 HS). Generally, a well-rounded, high achieving school with a traditional education.

I feel strongly that my kids could be getting a better education in that district vs. what they are receiving in FCPS. The academic pressure and competitiveness here are the major drawbacks for me. It's like people can't even see what their kids MIGHT be good at or how they can be a well-rounded person because they are so focused on getting a 4.5, taking 12APs and being President of 4 clubs just for their resume/college application.

Yes, I feel the School Board is one issue to look at, but I would focus on what a place is actually doing academically. What are the foundations in the early years - literacy, phonics, reading, math, etc - and how are they taught/what methods are being used. How much testing is going on during the school year (as it takes time away from actual learning).

It, for example, felt really crappy to realize my kids had never been taught Phonics based on the curriculum FCPS was using at the time, not to mention the way reading and literacy was being crammed down their throats for what amounts to some metrics. That's a lifelong issue they are going to have to deal with - and I have kids who H A T E reading as a result. Did I do all the things I was supposed to at home? Yes, I did. And let's not even mention the writing skills (not being taught).....[/quote]

I’d say we’re reasonably happy with the local schools. It’s just this sense that the leadership is terrible, wastes money, and is driving FCPS into a ditch.  The specter of boundary changes doesn’t help and our School Board member is awful (like dealing with a brick wall). I guess I’m feeling like a smaller system that is less bureaucratic, where you wouldn’t have to worry about money being wasted or where your kids will go to school in a few years, would be an upgrade.  [/quote]

I am no FCPS booster, at all, but if you are happy with the actual school your kids attend, it's pretty silly to move them because of "a sense the leadership is terrible and wastes money." Your actual kids are fine, according to you. If school boundaries change, you can move then.

If you are not already involved in the PTO and school board, getting involved there seems more relevant to your concerns. If nothing else, you might understand more about where the money goes.[/quote]

Points to consider, thanks.  If anything, if we stay, I think I'll disengage from the PTO, and any civic engagement with the School Board, and just keep my head down and focus on my kids' experience.  It's not that different from how some are responding to Trump (the whole "tend my garden for four years" thing), but from the other end of the political spectrum.  My problem is that I grew up in the county and remember when it was known for good government and an excellent school system, and we don't have that any more.  And talking to our local School Board member is like talking to a brick wall - I honestly think she's on the spectrum. [/quote]

The sad thing is that I honestly don’t know which member you are talking about. Can really only whittle it down based on you saying she is female.[/quote]

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