Anonymous
03/05/2012 07:33
Subject: Re:McLean v. Falls Church City school systems
Not sure why Marshall is being discussed since OP asked about FCC and McLean schools, but FWIW Marshall has one of the top IB programs in NoVa, so for the students who go the IB diploma route I'd expect it's as good as Mason.
Anonymous
03/05/2012 07:27
Subject: McLean v. Falls Church City school systems
Its obvious that mason is no longer rated vastly superior to nearby fcps , it boils down to money and the high incomes of the surounding areas. You are thinking in the mindset of 15 years a go if you believe mason to be much better, if anything the tax policies of Fcc has been squeezed more than fcps.
Anonymous
03/04/2012 22:43
Subject: McLean v. Falls Church City school systems
I think the prior posts are splitting hairs. Being in a larger system has its pros and cons, as does a smaller system. All of the schools listed are very, very good.
In answer to your original questions though, as far as I know the FCC system does not have as large a GT/AAP program as FCC. FCPS takes approximately 15% of its student population, if the students qualify into their program.
Anonymous
03/04/2012 21:51
Subject: McLean v. Falls Church City school systems
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Mclean, marshal, langley, madison are rated hire than george mason. Mason used to be better but the quality of fairfax and bigger budget changed this.
source please???
The Jay Matthews challenge index for 2011 http://apps.washingtonpost.com/highschoolchallenge/schools/2011/list/local/
puts George Mason at number 5. On this ranking list McLean is 12 Langley is 15, Marshall is 46 and Madison is 19.
I can see considering McLean and Langley to be the equivalents of GM, but Marshall???????? I've never heard anyone consider Marshall to be higher rated (except PP).
Every since all the expensive mcmansion of the last 10 years in 22182 marshall has DRAMATICALLY changed.
Marshall "silver ranking"
http://education.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-high-schools/listings/virginia/george-c-marshall-high-school
George Mason "honorable mention"
http://education.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-high-schools/listings/virginia/george-mason-high-school
hmm-- I think you need to look closely at the methodology of how this ranking is done-- http://education.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/education/high-schools/articles/2009/12/09/methodology-americas-best-high-schools
I think you are misreading the rankings to think that Marshall got a silver and Mason got an honorable mention, thus Marshall is the better ranked school.
Specifically- to get a medal you had to have your disadvantaged students performing better than the statewide statistical average.
The honorable mentions are schools that scored high enough on college readiness to get a gold medal, but didn't meet the first two steps of showing that their disadvantaged students are performing better.
I don't really know but I would guess that Mason is hurt in this ranking by the fact that it has very few disadvantaged students.
On this ranking Mclean is also an honorable mention- but with a slightly lower college readiness index than Mason.
Anonymous
03/04/2012 21:37
Subject: McLean v. Falls Church City school systems
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Mclean, marshal, langley, madison are rated hire than george mason. Mason used to be better but the quality of fairfax and bigger budget changed this.
source please???
The Jay Matthews challenge index for 2011 http://apps.washingtonpost.com/highschoolchallenge/schools/2011/list/local/
puts George Mason at number 5. On this ranking list McLean is 12 Langley is 15, Marshall is 46 and Madison is 19.
I can see considering McLean and Langley to be the equivalents of GM, but Marshall???????? I've never heard anyone consider Marshall to be higher rated (except PP).
Every since all the expensive mcmansion of the last 10 years in 22182 marshall has DRAMATICALLY changed.
Marshall "silver ranking"
http://education.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-high-schools/listings/virginia/george-c-marshall-high-school
George Mason "honorable mention"
http://education.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-high-schools/listings/virginia/george-mason-high-school
Anonymous
03/04/2012 21:33
Subject: Re:McLean v. Falls Church City school systems
to answer your question--- if you are primarily interested in competitive sports, music etc. you probably will not be very happy with FCC.
I grew up in the Falls Church City public schools. I thought it was great to be with alot of the same kids all the way through--- you didn't get the same mixing of schools as you hit middle school and then high school.
I also think it is harder for a kid to get lost in FCC.
I grew up in the Falls Church City public schools. I thought it was great to be with alot of the same kids all the way through--- you didn't get the same mixing of schools as you hit middle school and then high school.
I also think it is harder for a kid to get lost in FCC.
Anonymous
03/04/2012 21:30
Subject: McLean v. Falls Church City school systems
Anonymous wrote:Mclean, marshal, langley, madison are rated hire than george mason. Mason used to be better but the quality of fairfax and bigger budget changed this.
source please???
The Jay Matthews challenge index for 2011 http://apps.washingtonpost.com/highschoolchallenge/schools/2011/list/local/
puts George Mason at number 5. On this ranking list McLean is 12 Langley is 15, Marshall is 46 and Madison is 19.
I can see considering McLean and Langley to be the equivalents of GM, but Marshall???????? I've never heard anyone consider Marshall to be higher rated (except PP).
Anonymous
03/04/2012 20:43
Subject: McLean v. Falls Church City school systems
Mclean, marshal, langley, madison are rated hire than george mason. Mason used to be better but the quality of fairfax and bigger budget changed this.
Anonymous
03/04/2012 20:29
Subject: McLean v. Falls Church City school systems
We're in FC and I have mixed feelings about the system so far.
In Falls Church city, your son would be with the same group of kids from K all the way up through high school. That can have both positives and negatives depending on the situation. If your kid needs a consistent environment, that's great. But if your kid ever needs a fresh start, or a chance to get away from a bully...not a chance.
In Falls Church city, if you have a 5th grader, a 3rd grader and a Kindergartener, they would be in three different schools...while in Fairfax County schools, all three would attend the same school from K-6. There are 4 schools in the Falls Church city system and they are split up k-1, 2-4, 5-7, and 8-12.
In Falls Church city, your son would be with the same group of kids from K all the way up through high school. That can have both positives and negatives depending on the situation. If your kid needs a consistent environment, that's great. But if your kid ever needs a fresh start, or a chance to get away from a bully...not a chance.
In Falls Church city, if you have a 5th grader, a 3rd grader and a Kindergartener, they would be in three different schools...while in Fairfax County schools, all three would attend the same school from K-6. There are 4 schools in the Falls Church city system and they are split up k-1, 2-4, 5-7, and 8-12.
Anonymous
03/04/2012 20:07
Subject: Re:McLean v. Falls Church City school systems
They're both excellent schools and school systems. You are splitting hairs comparing them. Worry more about your neighborhoods and peers.
Anonymous
03/04/2012 09:54
Subject: McLean v. Falls Church City school systems
lol
Anonymous
03/04/2012 09:46
Subject: McLean v. Falls Church City school systems
OP, why are you assuming your child is so bright?
Anonymous
03/04/2012 09:10
Subject: McLean v. Falls Church City school systems
Anonymous wrote:I am interested in a comparison of the McLean school system (which I know is part of FFCPS) and Falls Church City's schools (which I understand is its own system). Our son will be starting from elementary-age, so I am interested in elementary through High School, hoping we will not move again. Things I am currently thinking about: 1. I understand McLean's sytem is designed to ensure bright kids won't be bored/there is the GT program -- what about Falls Church? 2. I'm wondering what things are like in the McLean HSs as far as social environment-- I know academically they are ranked high, but I wonder about problems with drugs/attitude of students given the concentration of wealth/privilege in the community, 3. wondering about the "extras" beyond strict academics that the systems provide through all grades (or don't) esp as far as art and music.
The richest parts of McLean are assigned to Langley, not McLean, and FCC has levels of wealth comparable to McLean.
http://www.loudountimes.com/index.php/news/article/falls_chur343ch_city_swipes_richest_county_title_from_loudoun/
FCC schools are smaller than FCPS. If you want a small system that's less bureaucratic and more parent-friendly, go with FCC. If you want more course options, or stronger programs in music and athletics, go with McLean. Mason offers a lot for a school its size, but it doesn't have, for example, a crew program, and its sports teams and band don't compete on the same level as McLean.
There will be some students at both schools who abuse drugs and alcohol. And many others who do not.
Anonymous
03/04/2012 00:43
Subject: McLean v. Falls Church City school systems
I am interested in a comparison of the McLean school system (which I know is part of FFCPS) and Falls Church City's schools (which I understand is its own system). Our son will be starting from elementary-age, so I am interested in elementary through High School, hoping we will not move again. Things I am currently thinking about: 1. I understand McLean's sytem is designed to ensure bright kids won't be bored/there is the GT program -- what about Falls Church? 2. I'm wondering what things are like in the McLean HSs as far as social environment-- I know academically they are ranked high, but I wonder about problems with drugs/attitude of students given the concentration of wealth/privilege in the community, 3. wondering about the "extras" beyond strict academics that the systems provide through all grades (or don't) esp as far as art and music.