Carson AAP prepares kids very well for base high schools too. High school is usually a bump-up (standards wise) from middle school. I Know many Carson AAP kids who have no problem transitioning to base high school freshman year.

Anyone at Herndon middle now or in the past couple of years? Anyone have one go to Hughes and another go to Herndon? If so, how do they compare? I've heard Herndon is pretty easy. Next to no homework. How prepared are the kids for high school honors/AP?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any Reston/Herndon/Chantilly folks out there?

Few would admit to it.

people are so ridiculous on this board. I lived in Reston for 8 years, and am now in Chantilly for 6+. It's a perfectly normal, safe suburban area for families. We have been happy in Western Fairfax. I have no desire to pay twice as much for a home closer in when we don't actually need to live closer to the city. That would be just about status, which is goofy.

You can shove your elitism where the sun don't shine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any Reston/Herndon/Chantilly folks out there?

Few would admit to it.

Trying for wit? Didn't quite get there. Get a life.

Anonymous wrote:Any Reston/Herndon/Chantilly folks out there?

Few would admit to it.

Franklin versus Carson depends on what your kid wants out of MS. Do you think your kid will be in AAP? And is your kid interested in applying to TJ? You need to answer those questions before people can answer. And you will likely get better answers in in AAP.

PP did a nice, diplomatic job of spelling it out. If your kid is not AAP, I would choose Franklin. AAP kids and TJ admissions can overwhelm Carson sometimes. If your kid is AAP but does not want TJ, IMO it’s a close call. Pros and cons on both sides. And some of it depends on what your high school is and which MSs it draws from. If you have an AAP kid with an interest in TJ, definately Carson. They are an academic powerhouse, and their kids get accepted.

Both Carson and Franklin are excellent. Hughes is meh. It is an IB Middle Years program, but it feeds the SLHS IB program. So you have to want IB. That, in and of itself, sets Hughes apart. You don’t hear terrible things about Hughes. But you don’t hear great, either. It seems to be a way station between ES and HS that does an adequate job. I would avoid Herndon MS. It does not have a good reputation, and there are certainly rumors of MS-13 and drugs.

Cannot answer to others, but Franklin and Carson both have excellent reputations.

Depends on what you are seeking in a middle school.

Franklin is what I would consider a normal, high quality, nurturing environment whose students feed into Chantilly HS which is also high quality. About half the students at Franklin also feed into Oakton HS, also good quality students and parents that are supportive in the middle school environment. Kids who are well rounded, studious, sporty. There is a decent after school program, supportive PTA, and lacks the intense focus of kids wanting TJ. Homework is manageable and kids are well prepared for high school.

Carson is the AAP center so some families in Franklin boundary elect this school for middle school. The environment is very high quality, but also a bit more intense as this school is a large feeder school for TJ so it is sought out with this in mind. The school is crowded and over-capacity, but very strong and supportive PTA. Many after school programs very competitive to get in due to reputation and past success in competitions. Carson students who are Franklin boundary feed into Chantilly HS if they do not attend TJ so neighborhood kids end up back together in HS.

Lived in the area for 20+ years before Carson was built and AAP craze kicked in within the last 10 years. Western Fairfax demographics have changed as a result with increased Asian population (35-40%) and you will see this reflected in the neighborhoods and schools. If you want the AAP craze, then choose Carson. If you want the normal environment, choose Franklin. Middle school is only 2 years and then evens out in High School where everyone has equal choice of courses.

Any Reston/Herndon/Chantilly folks out there?

Hello. We are moving in the spring and looking at houses that feed into Franklin in Chantilly. Also looking at Carson Middle. Unsure about Herndon Middle and Langston Highes. Any suggestions or information would be so appreciated. Thank you.