Other threads had lots of people who sent their kids there- and almost all had positive things to say about their experiences. Lots of other people who didn't have kids there- said there were lots of problems. The actual kids that I know are going to Ivy, UVA, W&M, Va. Tech, and a couple private North East Schools. There seems to be 2 tracks - AP and getting out of HS. It doesn't seem like there is much overlap. Herndon has some great elementary schools, HMS is hit or miss depending on student, above avg. student will do well at HHS- and be set up for college. I know a couple people who sent kids to private Middle school years and back to HHS- and that worked for them others who said they had no problems, and still others who said there where some problems they heard of at HMS- but did not involve them or the their kids friends. They were just aware that some kids who attended school had been in trouble.
I have not heard from one actual parent or student who said they wished they didn't go to Herndon HS. Maybe they just don't want to say it- or maybe they liked it and got a good education.
I would say that Langley, McLean, Madison have much less overall problems listed on their reporting, but come with higher real estate - if money is no issue- go there. I don't think the kids who are going to the ivy schools or other great colleges ever had an issue with any of the problem data listed for HHS. I live in Fairfax County- there are reports of problems all the time. I have never been involved in or had anyone I know be involved in some of the headlines that come out of Fairfax Co. IF my friends who live outside of the area just relied on any bad headline news that came from FXCO- they would think I live in a dump. There is data that shows FXCO has problems, but not affected us. Is FXCO a good place to live- may depend- probably just like this case. For us, we love living here.

My DS has friends at HMS and he has repeatedly said he's glad he doesn't go there. Drugs, fights.

You didn’t provide a data point. You shared an anecdote - a comment from a person responding to you after you’d expressed your aversion to the area.

That is a data point, idiot.

I would read old threads.

Also a good idea to pull up Herndon stats and look at trends. What's been going up, down or remaining stable for the last ten years?

Pull up the PTA site and skim posts for the past few years.

Anonymous wrote:We were seriously looking in Reston as well a few years ago. I really like the area and there were several houses that caught our attention. We also had serious concerns about HMS (our oldest was going into 7th grade at the time). We didn't know if it was o.k. or not and couldn't get much first hand intel.

DH had more concerns about safety having been bullied in MS/HS when he was a kid. I drove by HMS -- I was not too keen on the area of the MS and the facility. Ultimately we chose not to find out if it would have been fine or not.

Fast forward a couple of years to this past Aug....and we happened to be at a house party in Reston. One of the attendees had been hosting an afterschool club for years at HMS. I told that person we had almost bought a house that fed into HMS And HHS but we just weren't sure. That person responded "you made the right decision."

I wish I could tell you the opposite. I really like Reston with the trees, trails, pools, excellent commute for one of us. We weren't willing to take the leap of faith on it. (and the homes weren't actually less expensive where we bought in Vienna! -- North Reston is surprisingly expensive!) But, you might go further than we did and meet with someone inside the school. Maybe you will feel comfortable and it will turn out fine. I'm not saying there is no chance for a good outcome. Everyone has to make their own assessment. I'm just providing the data point that I from someone who has had regular interaction and no bias.

You didn’t provide a data point. You shared an anecdote - a comment from a person responding to you after you’d expressed your aversion to the area.

I wish I could tell you Vienna doesn’t have its own problems, but I can’t.

Anonymous wrote:We were seriously looking in Reston as well a few years ago. I really like the area and there were several houses that caught our attention. We also had serious concerns about HMS (our oldest was going into 7th grade at the time). We didn't know if it was o.k. or not and couldn't get much first hand intel.

DH had more concerns about safety having been bullied in MS/HS when he was a kid. I drove by HMS -- I was not too keen on the area of the MS and the facility. Ultimately we chose not to find out if it would have been fine or not.

Fast forward a couple of years to this past Aug....and we happened to be at a house party in Reston. One of the attendees had been hosting an afterschool club for years at HMS. I told that person we had almost bought a house that fed into HMS And HHS but we just weren't sure. That person responded "you made the right decision."

I wish I could tell you the opposite. I really like Reston with the trees, trails, pools, excellent commute for one of us. We weren't willing to take the leap of faith on it. (and the homes weren't actually less expensive where we bought in Vienna! -- North Reston is surprisingly expensive!) But, you might go further than we did and meet with someone inside the school. Maybe you will feel comfortable and it will turn out fine. I'm not saying there is no chance for a good outcome. Everyone has to make their own assessment. I'm just providing the data point that I from someone who has had regular interaction and no bias.

What was the reason your friend gave?

We were seriously looking in Reston as well a few years ago. I really like the area and there were several houses that caught our attention. We also had serious concerns about HMS (our oldest was going into 7th grade at the time). We didn't know if it was o.k. or not and couldn't get much first hand intel.

DH had more concerns about safety having been bullied in MS/HS when he was a kid. I drove by HMS -- I was not too keen on the area of the MS and the facility. Ultimately we chose not to find out if it would have been fine or not.

Fast forward a couple of years to this past Aug....and we happened to be at a house party in Reston. One of the attendees had been hosting an afterschool club for years at HMS. I told that person we had almost bought a house that fed into HMS And HHS but we just weren't sure. That person responded "you made the right decision."

I wish I could tell you the opposite. I really like Reston with the trees, trails, pools, excellent commute for one of us. We weren't willing to take the leap of faith on it. (and the homes weren't actually less expensive where we bought in Vienna! -- North Reston is surprisingly expensive!) But, you might go further than we did and meet with someone inside the school. Maybe you will feel comfortable and it will turn out fine. I'm not saying there is no chance for a good outcome. Everyone has to make their own assessment. I'm just providing the data point that I from someone who has had regular interaction and no bias.

Anonymous wrote:Wow! I think HMS and HHS parents are the only replying / and they aren’t gonna say don’t come. Just know that they are schools with real issues. As are SL and LHMS. Just know that you really do get what you pay for. There’s a reason why houses zones for OHS and JMHS are much more $ and/or smaller.
Having said this, my niece and nephew attended SL and LHMS and did just fine, but they definitely preferred hanging out with my kids’ friend group.

Oh please.

Wow! I think HMS and HHS parents are the only replying / and they aren’t gonna say don’t come. Just know that they are schools with real issues. As are SL and LHMS. Just know that you really do get what you pay for. There’s a reason why houses zones for OHS and JMHS are much more $ and/or smaller.
Having said this, my niece and nephew attended SL and LHMS and did just fine, but they definitely preferred hanging out with my kids’ friend group.

High School is great for mid to upper level students = AP track. Great post HS opps if have some motivation.
Renovation will be done in 2 years at HHS. Will be great.
HHS Middle school has a few more challenges- but - again if your student is above average- no problem.
Personal opinion is that - home prices will be going up in the area and that Herndon/HHS Zoned area houses will be good investments as well- real estate wise.

Mine are at South Lakes, but we know many with kids at both who have had/are having great experiences. HHS is in the middle of a massive renovation—the poor kids there now are living through it, but the finished product will be amazing in a few years.

A friend of mine’s daughter went there. Graduated in 2018 and is now at UVA. Challenging curriculum if you’re in AP classes.

I did but saw a few of parents fighting. I was looking more for recent feedback of actual parents who have kids who go to these schools. Thank you!

Fair amount of threads and posts on the topic.

We are interested in a house in Reston that is zoned to Herndon middle and high. The GS ratings are very weak , so were looking at actual experiences in those schools. The other house we like is zoned to Hughes and South Lakes but we like the north reston house zoned to herndon better. Thank you