If my kid's heart was set on Madeira, I'd do what a previous poster suggested and put them in a k-8 then apply for high school.

Our family weighed the same decision and sent two boys to Langley who both love it. The education, sports, and social scene at Langley have been great. The homework is moderate, even in AP classes, and everyone we know at Potomac says it is heavier.

Anonymous wrote:We moved to McLean for their schools. My child is doing well, in AAP, has lots of friends and thriving in elementary. Looking at middle and high school, I worry about large class sizes and lack of individual support.

Has anyone on here left FCPS for Potomac or other privates?

I would love to send my daughter to Madeira but they only have high school.

People leave FCPS if it is not working for them for a reason (academic and/or social-emotional reasons).

I don't know anyone who has left FCPS in a situation like yours. What I have seen in FCPS exit stories are:

- Kid needing social/emotional support and individual attention. Not doing well overall due to lack of those.
- Kid not getting into AAP, but was close to getting in (missed being accepted by a small margin)
- Kid in AAP but the family is disappointed with AAP program in practice
- Family wanting a richer parent network

If you prefer Madeira as a high school over the Langley HS, you can apply there after FCPS MS. Or switch now to a K-12 school such as Potomac or Flint Hill. If you switch to a K-8 school you can apply out to the high schools you like including Madeira.

Sure lots of people have. It's very hard to get into, so good luck.

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is thriving by those measures, I question why you’d move them.

Potomac for only 2 grades (unless you would also be considering for high school), will be a stretch. What about Little Langley, or St. Luke’s if you are just looking to escape FCPS for middle school. Or Basis? Those 3 would be very different from one another, but would give you avenues to explore.

We are looking for private school for middle and high school. If it were just elementary, we would be fine staying in FCPS AAP.

If your kid is thriving by those measures, I question why you’d move them.

Potomac for only 2 grades (unless you would also be considering for high school), will be a stretch. What about Little Langley, or St. Luke’s if you are just looking to escape FCPS for middle school. Or Basis? Those 3 would be very different from one another, but would give you avenues to explore.

We moved to McLean for their schools. My child is doing well, in AAP, has lots of friends and thriving in elementary. Looking at middle and high school, I worry about large class sizes and lack of individual support.

Has anyone on here left FCPS for Potomac or other privates?

I would love to send my daughter to Madeira but they only have high school.