We are zoned for falls church as well. My oldest is in 7th at Jackson. He is AAP and is doing well. He has many friends and is involved in clubs. I think if he stays with this peer group and takes mostly AP classes Falls Church will be fine. If your children are not academically advanced I can see the concern. Its easy to get lost outside of the advanced classes.

Our neighbors with recent falls church grads are attending good colleges, mostly in state. They were able to participate in sports that they wouldn't have made teams at in other more competitive schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are currently zoned for Luther Jackson middle/Falls Church high and don't really want to send our child there. We can afford a home in the Marshall pyramid, although we'd be more stretched financially. I have read threads about Marshall going downhill; would a move there still be worth it from our current pyramid?

If the eventual goal is college remember your DC is compared against their peers first. If the can be a big fish at Falls Church stay put and invest in tutors and test prep as needed to help your kid stand out.

This is only a potential consideration if you’re talking about some state schools. Otherwise it’s irrelevant. Top schools will take multiple kids from a top school over any kids at a lower-ranked school with inferior credentials.

Um, what? So a student from a “better” HS who lacks the qualifications will be accepted into these universities?

Challenging a kid with AP courses at Falls Church > risking IB program at Marshall.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are currently zoned for Luther Jackson middle/Falls Church high and don't really want to send our child there. We can afford a home in the Marshall pyramid, although we'd be more stretched financially. I have read threads about Marshall going downhill; would a move there still be worth it from our current pyramid?

If the eventual goal is college remember your DC is compared against their peers first. If the can be a big fish at Falls Church stay put and invest in tutors and test prep as needed to help your kid stand out.

This is only a potential consideration if you’re talking about some state schools. Otherwise it’s irrelevant. Top schools will take multiple kids from a top school over any kids at a lower-ranked school with inferior credentials.

Anonymous wrote:We are currently zoned for Luther Jackson middle/Falls Church high and don't really want to send our child there. We can afford a home in the Marshall pyramid, although we'd be more stretched financially. I have read threads about Marshall going downhill; would a move there still be worth it from our current pyramid?

If the eventual goal is college remember your DC is compared against their peers first. If the can be a big fish at Falls Church stay put and invest in tutors and test prep as needed to help your kid stand out.

I have friends with kids at both schools right now. Only a few go to Fall Church and I know a lot at Marshall. The ones at Falls Church are happy there, but they are in advanced classes and involved in sports and activities.

At Marshall, some love it and some do not. You are going to find kids that love their school and kids that don't like their school at every HS everywhere.

What grade are they in now? Would they be in AAP for middle school?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at the Woodson pyramid instead, unless you know for sure you’ll want IB. Housing is more affordable and the schools are better.

Location doesn't work for us - due to family situation and our jobs, need to stay in falls church area.

What age are your kid(s)?

We have friends at LJ and Falls Church as well as Marshall. I think Marshall would probably be my preference, as it's small and has a good community feel. But having said that, the kids I know at Falls Church are doing great, and the new renovations are really nice!

I probably wouldn't stretch myself financially to leave FC.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at the Woodson pyramid instead, unless you know for sure you’ll want IB. Housing is more affordable and the schools are better.

Location doesn't work for us - due to family situation and our jobs, need to stay in falls church area.

Do you want IB? Otherwise it’s probably not worth it. You’ll pay transaction costs to move and the perceived gap between Falls Church and Marshall will narrow in the coming years.

Yes, I think so, though I also know kids who do well at Falls Church high. My manicurist's daughter got a full ride to UVA from there. Her friends are also going there. It will be harder to get into good schools from a better high school.

What have you heard about Marshall?

Anonymous wrote:Look at the Woodson pyramid instead, unless you know for sure you’ll want IB. Housing is more affordable and the schools are better.

Location doesn't work for us - due to family situation and our jobs, need to stay in falls church area.

Look at the Woodson pyramid instead, unless you know for sure you’ll want IB. Housing is more affordable and the schools are better.

We are currently zoned for Luther Jackson middle/Falls Church high and don't really want to send our child there. We can afford a home in the Marshall pyramid, although we'd be more stretched financially. I have read threads about Marshall going downhill; would a move there still be worth it from our current pyramid?