You are worrying too much. Marching band will help her make friends at the school. I think all high schools in Fairfax County have a big feel to them. I think that's good, more likely she'll find a group.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are multicultural. My DC has many friends from OHS and JMHS. DC tells me that kids at OHS are much friendlier and less cliquey compared to JMHS. Academically both schools are similar. OHS ranks higher in US News.

I have a hard time seeing why that's the case, unless it's just a function of the kids your child happens to know. There just isn't that much difference between Oakton and Madison.

I tend to agree with a pp and I think families in Vienna (Madison feed) are more clique. Oakton community seems much more diverse.

Both schools are diverse. Madison draws from a smaller area so kids/families tend to get to know each other through the years through sports and elementary school and other community stuff (i.e. Cliquey)

Oakton is a one of the more highly regarded high schools in one of the best school districts in the country. It's a great high school (as is Madison). No red flags for you to be concerned about. If just comes down to what you are looking for: smaller private versus big public.

This. I am the PP that mentioned Madison. I mentioned it only because of the band program (which is strong but demanding (e.g., 3 weeks of band camp vs. 1 week). Oakton is an excellent school. So is Madison, and several others within Fairfax Co. Since you bought a house in the Oakton district, the question is, will Oakton be right for us, or should we consider Private.

I can not see any reason for a typical kid to need private.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are multicultural. My DC has many friends from OHS and JMHS. DC tells me that kids at OHS are much friendlier and less cliquey compared to JMHS. Academically both schools are similar. OHS ranks higher in US News.

I have a hard time seeing why that's the case, unless it's just a function of the kids your child happens to know. There just isn't that much difference between Oakton and Madison.

I tend to agree with a pp and I think families in Vienna (Madison feed) are more clique. Oakton community seems much more diverse.

Both schools are diverse. Madison draws from a smaller area so kids/families tend to get to know each other through the years through sports and elementary school and other community stuff (i.e. Cliquey)

Oakton is a one of the more highly regarded high schools in one of the best school districts in the country. It's a great high school (as is Madison). No red flags for you to be concerned about. If just comes down to what you are looking for: smaller private versus big public.

There are also paraochial schools.

Anonymous wrote:To answer your other question, Clubs help the school feel smaller as do band and sports, you have a group that you know. The cafeteria is large, so my DD, who is introverted, often goes to the library during lunch or walks around with her friends. My DD has friends in all but 2 classes. The key is just finding your niche. As stated band will be great for her!

This is it. My DD, in the band, is part of the band subculture. And some other groups (e.g., eco-nerds). I assume similar groups exist at Oakton.

As I recall OP asked about privates. There are not many private options in Fairfax county. The schools are good enough where most people use the public schools. Exceptions might be for the wealthy. Secular private schools include Flint Hill Prep (Oakton), Basis (McLean/Tysons) and Potomac (McLean). DC has many more private schools, but that is largely the result of more wealth and substandard public options.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are multicultural. My DC has many friends from OHS and JMHS. DC tells me that kids at OHS are much friendlier and less cliquey compared to JMHS. Academically both schools are similar. OHS ranks higher in US News.

I have a hard time seeing why that's the case, unless it's just a function of the kids your child happens to know. There just isn't that much difference between Oakton and Madison.

I tend to agree with a pp and I think families in Vienna (Madison feed) are more clique. Oakton community seems much more diverse.

To answer your other question, Clubs help the school feel smaller as do band and sports, you have a group that you know. The cafeteria is large, so my DD, who is introverted, often goes to the library during lunch or walks around with her friends. My DD has friends in all but 2 classes. The key is just finding your niche. As stated band will be great for her!

OP, what grade will your child be going into this summer? My DD loves the school-she's a 9th grader. It was an adjustment, but she found her way. She's part of two after school clubs, which made the transition a little easier. There are a lot of nice kids. We live close to the HS, so my DD and her friends usually walk to Zinga, Tropical Smoothie, Chipotle about once a week; more often when it's nicer out. I usually drop her friends at their homes, back to Oakton where they study until their parents pick them up, or they group study at our house.

If your daughter will be entering as a 9th grader, the school has Jumpstart in the summer, it's a week of getting acquainted with the school and meeting other rising 9th graders.

Good luck! Your child will find her way!

Thanks all. OP here, and I appreciate all the comments. We already bought the house in the Oakton district, so Madison is not a possibility but good to know that these are rivals.

The bullying comments concern me but I know that is going to happen at any school. The school is huge, I know there are advantages to that but also worry about my daughter getting lost in the crowds both socially and academically. I was impressed with the private schools we have spoken to but we weren't able to do any tours and hope that they still have availability.

I really would prefer a smaller school for her. What if anything does Oakton do to make it feel smaller? If she takes honors classes will she be with the same kids most of the day? As we are still out of the area, I need to get in touch with the band director about auditions and the schedule over the summer.

I have no dog in this hunt--my kids didn't go to Oakton or Madison, neither did they do marching band (wish they had, every kid I know that does it, loves it--so do their parents.)

However, people, please listen to yourselves. OP is moving here and asked a question......she did not ask who has the most prestigious marching band program, she asked if Oakton would be okay for her kid. This is NOT a competition for the program with the most awards. It is a search for a good fit for her daughter.

FWIW, there is never a "perfect" fit, and I suspect that OP knows that. DD will likely find a niche anywhere she goes. It may take a little time--and, possibly a few tears if she likes the place she is leaving. Any school in FCPS is likely to be a little overwhelming due to size. However, even in the largest schools, almost all kids find their way. There may be a lot of kids in the school, but each class is likely comparable to where she comes from. Just as she is likely to encounter some wonderful, caring teachers--and, occasionally, one that is not so caring. That is likely the same in her present community. Kids are kids.

Can't believe the competition among the parents who post on this forum.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are multicultural. My DC has many friends from OHS and JMHS. DC tells me that kids at OHS are much friendlier and less cliquey compared to JMHS. Academically both schools are similar. OHS ranks higher in US News.

I have a hard time seeing why that's the case, unless it's just a function of the kids your child happens to know. There just isn't that much difference between Oakton and Madison.

Oakton pulls from several middle schools so naturally it's just less cliquey. It's also a little more diverse socioeconomically.

Oakton pulls from Caron, Franklin, and Jackson. Thoreau pulls from Thoreau, Kilmer, and Jackson.

Madison demographics are changing. It's is ranked lower than Oakton.

I am the poster that first mentioned Madison. Mostly for the marching band -- Oakton puts on a good show, but Madison is routinely ranked as a top program in the mid-atlantic competition (Usually in the top 5 at BOA regional events; in non-boa events, they almost always finish first). Oakton is more VA focused. There is also a difference in the intensity. That should not be the reason why one chooses where to live though.

For me, it was a combination of affordability, commute, and schools. We looked at houses in Vienna, Oakton, and Fairfax/Mantua. No regrets on the 1999 decision.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are multicultural. My DC has many friends from OHS and JMHS. DC tells me that kids at OHS are much friendlier and less cliquey compared to JMHS. Academically both schools are similar. OHS ranks higher in US News.

I have a hard time seeing why that's the case, unless it's just a function of the kids your child happens to know. There just isn't that much difference between Oakton and Madison.

Oakton pulls from several middle schools so naturally it's just less cliquey. It's also a little more diverse socioeconomically.

Oakton pulls from Caron, Franklin, and Jackson. Thoreau pulls from Thoreau, Kilmer, and Jackson.

Madison demographics are changing. It's is ranked lower than Oakton.