4 in 2 years

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that, if you really want the OP to exercise caution about Woodson based on tragic suicides, you should be specific and not just raise issues by innuendo.

I prefer to not specify names and details out of deference to the four Woodson families that suffered losses over the past few years.

The situation involving Nick Stuban was highly publicized. His father made a brave and conscious decision to speak out about it.

I'd suggest to the OP that you take the last poster's comments with a grain of salt. They may reflect an exercise of discretion or they may simply reflect someone with an agenda.

Anonymous wrote:I think that, if you really want the OP to exercise caution about Woodson based on tragic suicides, you should be specific and not just raise issues by innuendo.

I prefer to not specify names and details out of deference to the four Woodson families that suffered losses over the past few years.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Suicide results from a combination of mental illness, external and internal pressure, and an inadequate support system. It can't be blamed on a HS environment alone.

True, but there are high schools in Fairfax County (as well as in other locales) that have increased external pressure(s). The OP asked for opinions re: Woodson for a "non competitive family." There have been issues re: external pressure(s) at Woodson which may be considered important.

I think that, if you really want the OP to exercise caution about Woodson based on tragic suicides, you should be specific and not just raise issues by innuendo.

A former Woodson student committed suicide in 2011. To the extent the school system bears responsibility, it was not because Woodson was an academic "pressure-cooker," but because FCPS had an unforgiving disciplinary policy involving minor drug offenses. He wanted to be at Woodson, but FCPS wouldn't let him stay there and forced him to transfer to another school. You could criticize officials at Woodson for strictly adhering to the policy and not showing much empathy, but the result has been a call for county-wide policy changes rather than simply changes at Woodson.

I understand that another Woodson student committed suicide this summer. I have not read any details, but it obviously did not occur while school was in session.

Anonymous wrote:Suicide results from a combination of mental illness, external and internal pressure, and an inadequate support system. It can't be blamed on a HS environment alone.

True, but there are high schools in Fairfax County (as well as in other locales) that have increased external pressure(s). The OP asked for opinions re: Woodson for a "non competitive family." There have been issues re: external pressure(s) at Woodson which may be considered important.

There has been a history of TJ students committing suicide in college, but you won't find many avoiding the school for that reason.

Suicide results from a combination of mental illness, external and internal pressure, and an inadequate support system. It can't be blamed on a HS environment alone.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Watch the suicides at Woodson. There was just another one over the summer.

This seems very mean-spirited. Shame on you.

Hardly. More like prayers for the family.