Anonymous
02/08/2026 13:41
Subject: Which APS high school manages its huge size best?
Anonymous wrote:The schools in Arlington are not really that large. Where are you moving from?
+1? I thought the Arlington high schools were regular sized schools. Less than 3000, certainly not "massive".
Anonymous
02/08/2026 13:39
Subject: Which APS high school manages its huge size best?
The schools in Arlington are not really that large. Where are you moving from?
Anonymous
02/08/2026 13:37
Subject: Which APS high school manages its huge size best?
Anonymous wrote:We are likely moving to Arlington for my kid’s HS years. I see that all the three comprehensive HS are massive. Is there any difference in how they handle the size between them? I’m not that concerned about the differences in demographics etc. Just want my kid to be able to integrate into the school with the other kids. He is not a STEM kid so Arlington Tech isn’t really an option. I don’t think he will be full IB either.
Why would you do this? Move to FCC. We moved here pre kids for the short commute and metro access, but as nearly empty nesters FCC would be ideal.
Anonymous
02/08/2026 12:43
Subject: Which APS high school manages its huge size best?
Cross country and crew are very welcoming and open to people who have never run/rowed before.
Anonymous
02/08/2026 11:06
Subject: Which APS high school manages its huge size best?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I agree about the sports. the teams are extremely difficult to make. Do your kids play sports? IMO, it's easier to make friends at the APS HS than the MS. In MS, all of the kids basically stick with their Elem school friends.
No, not a sporty kid! I hope he will have an interest in an art or creative/writinf activity like drama or yearbook or school paper.
All three high schools have strong drama programs & put on good plays. I don’t know details about yearbook beyond that they all of course have a yearbook class.
If he does want to try sports, some sports, such as track, swimming, and crew, are no-cut.
Anonymous
02/08/2026 10:50
Subject: Which APS high school manages its huge size best?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I agree about the sports. the teams are extremely difficult to make. Do your kids play sports? IMO, it's easier to make friends at the APS HS than the MS. In MS, all of the kids basically stick with their Elem school friends.
No, not a sporty kid! I hope he will have an interest in an art or creative/writinf activity like drama or yearbook or school paper.
WL and Yorktown both have very strong drama and yearbook programs. Not sure if he is vocal, but YHS has an amazing choir program as well. The kids are very inclusive.
Thanks! Can you say more about what you mean by inclusive?
Anonymous
02/08/2026 10:47
Subject: Which APS high school manages its huge size best?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I agree about the sports. the teams are extremely difficult to make. Do your kids play sports? IMO, it's easier to make friends at the APS HS than the MS. In MS, all of the kids basically stick with their Elem school friends.
No, not a sporty kid! I hope he will have an interest in an art or creative/writinf activity like drama or yearbook or school paper.
WL and Yorktown both have very strong drama and yearbook programs. Not sure if he is vocal, but YHS has an amazing choir program as well. The kids are very inclusive.
Anonymous
02/08/2026 10:18
Subject: Which APS high school manages its huge size best?
Anonymous wrote:None of them do. If your DC is average or above average student they will be fine.
I’m more concerned about social life and happiness than about academics. He is average/above average in some areas.
Anonymous
02/08/2026 10:17
Subject: Which APS high school manages its huge size best?
Anonymous wrote:I agree about the sports. the teams are extremely difficult to make. Do your kids play sports? IMO, it's easier to make friends at the APS HS than the MS. In MS, all of the kids basically stick with their Elem school friends.
No, not a sporty kid! I hope he will have an interest in an art or creative/writinf activity like drama or yearbook or school paper.
Anonymous
02/08/2026 10:03
Subject: Which APS high school manages its huge size best?
None of them do. If your DC is average or above average student they will be fine.
Anonymous
02/08/2026 09:43
Subject: Which APS high school manages its huge size best?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:As someone with a kid in two different Arlington high schools and who moved to new high schools myself in both ninth grade and 11th grade, I don’t think there’s one high school in Arlington in particular that “handles“ the size differently that would be meaningful to a new student. Interestingly, there was a thread over the past day or two started about how schools handle size so go back and look at some of those you’ll see there’s no meaningful difference. If he plays sports, there are schools where it’s easier to make teams than others. Arlington high schools are known to be extremely competitive with regard to sports and if the child hasn’t been playing travel for the majority of their childhood, they are not going to make a team unfortunately. Wakefield is definitely the easiest to make a sports team.
Thanks! I actually just looked and don’t see that thread. Link?
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1313147.page
Anonymous
02/08/2026 09:41
Subject: Which APS high school manages its huge size best?
I agree about the sports. the teams are extremely difficult to make. Do your kids play sports? IMO, it's easier to make friends at the APS HS than the MS. In MS, all of the kids basically stick with their Elem school friends.
Anonymous
02/08/2026 09:31
Subject: Which APS high school manages its huge size best?
Anonymous wrote:As someone with a kid in two different Arlington high schools and who moved to new high schools myself in both ninth grade and 11th grade, I don’t think there’s one high school in Arlington in particular that “handles“ the size differently that would be meaningful to a new student. Interestingly, there was a thread over the past day or two started about how schools handle size so go back and look at some of those you’ll see there’s no meaningful difference. If he plays sports, there are schools where it’s easier to make teams than others. Arlington high schools are known to be extremely competitive with regard to sports and if the child hasn’t been playing travel for the majority of their childhood, they are not going to make a team unfortunately. Wakefield is definitely the easiest to make a sports team.
Thanks! I actually just looked and don’t see that thread. Link?
Anonymous
02/08/2026 09:29
Subject: Which APS high school manages its huge size best?
As someone with a kid in two different Arlington high schools and who moved to new high schools myself in both ninth grade and 11th grade, I don’t think there’s one high school in Arlington in particular that “handles“ the size differently that would be meaningful to a new student. Interestingly, there was a thread over the past day or two started about how schools handle size so go back and look at some of those you’ll see there’s no meaningful difference. If he plays sports, there are schools where it’s easier to make teams than others. Arlington high schools are known to be extremely competitive with regard to sports and if the child hasn’t been playing travel for the majority of their childhood, they are not going to make a team unfortunately. Wakefield is definitely the easiest to make a sports team.
Anonymous
02/08/2026 09:19
Subject: Which APS high school manages its huge size best?
We are likely moving to Arlington for my kid’s HS years. I see that all the three comprehensive HS are massive. Is there any difference in how they handle the size between them? I’m not that concerned about the differences in demographics etc. Just want my kid to be able to integrate into the school with the other kids. He is not a STEM kid so Arlington Tech isn’t really an option. I don’t think he will be full IB either.