Anonymous wrote:I'm 17:31 and 17:59 and I stand by my first post where I said you will find racial and socioeconomic diversity in the South Lakes pyramid.

I've seen SAT results for certain groups that are very good -- do you have first hand knowledge of the social culture at South Lakes? Can you tell me more about South Lakes?

Anonymous wrote:I'm 17:31 and 17:59 and I stand by my first post where I said you will find racial and socioeconomic diversity in the South Lakes pyramid.

So you believe that South Lakes is also a high quality school? Assuming yes, what's makes you say that?

I'm 17:31 and 17:59 and I stand by my first post where I said you will find racial and socioeconomic diversity in the South Lakes pyramid.

Anonymous wrote:The problem is not racial diversity, it is socio-economic diversity. My DD goes to a very successful and diverse school. But, it is not economically diverse.

Unfortunately, in this country, economically disadvantage and some racial minorities show a very high correlation.

The issues are: 1) poor people typically have to work more hours, so less time at home; 2) poor people are typically less educated, and can not help the children to the same degree; 3) Poor people can not contribute as much financial resources to their children's education.

I agree with all of this but why does it necessarily have to mean a poor quality school? It might mean lower test scores but that shouldn't have an impact on the quality of instruction.

The problem is not racial diversity, it is socio-economic diversity. My DD goes to a very successful and diverse school. But, it is not economically diverse.

Unfortunately, in this country, economically disadvantage and some racial minorities show a very high correlation.

The issues are: 1) poor people typically have to work more hours, so less time at home; 2) poor people are typically less educated, and can not help the children to the same degree; 3) Poor people can not contribute as much financial resources to their children's education.

Anonymous wrote:We're in Shrevewood/Kilmer/Marshall. It's diverse.

I third this recommendation. All three are very diverse, definitely not a white/Asian majority. International night at Shrevewood has an amazing representation of the various cultures.

Anonymous wrote:Although marshall is diverse it still is vastly white and asian, what you are looking for is a unicorn out didn't exist, they are polar opposites

Really?? You think high-quality and diversity can't co-exist in the same school? On what basis?

Although marshall is diverse it still is vastly white and asian, what you are looking for is a unicorn out didn't exist, they are polar opposites

Anonymous wrote:Madison has a decent percentage of Asians and Latinos, but barely and African Americans.

Longfellow and McLean are more diverse than Thoreau and Madison.

Second the recommendation for Shrevewood/Kilmer/Marshall. Could swap Freedom Hill for the elementary school option.

Some of the Lake Braddock feeders would be good choices as well.

We're in Shrevewood/Kilmer/Marshall. It's diverse.

Madison has a decent percentage of Asians and Latinos, but barely and African Americans.

Or Marshall Road/ Madison pyramid

I second South Lakes.

Ummm...I think I'd suggest Sunrise Valley, Hughes, South Lakes in Reston.

It seems as though pyramids like Langley and McLean are constantly touted as the best of what Northern Virginia schools have to offer, but both districts serve a pretty homogenous population of wealthy white (and perhaps Asian) families. Assuming you want the typical, high-quality instruction/good facilities/variety of options for advanced coursework, etc. that every parent seeks, but also place significant value on your child's exposure to classmates from a wide variety of racial/ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, which NoVA HS pyramid would you choose?

Also--what do you believe are the best measures of school quality when variables like test scores (which seem to primarily reflect socioeconomic factors) are removed from the mix?