Anonymous
Post 04/22/2020 23:39     Subject: Top High Schools in VA 2020 - US News
If you want some of the strongest schools for theater, check out the Cappies from year to year. Robinson is often near the top. They have one of the top programs in NOVA.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2020 23:26     Subject: Re:Top High Schools in VA 2020 - US News
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There are some recent FCPS stats on which schools have the most talented musicians (2020 All-State Band, Chorus, Orchestra), but that can reflect both the strength of a school's music programs and whether parents are spending money on private lessons.

TJ 20
McLean 16
Woodson 15
Langley 13
Lake Braddock 11
South County 11
Madison 10
Fairfax 9
Robinson 9
Centreville 8
Oakton 7
Marshall 6
West Springfield 6
South Lakes 5
Edison 4
Herndon 4
Chantilly 3
Falls Church 3
Hayfield 3
Justice 3
West Potomac 3
Westfield 3
Annandale 2
Lee 1
Mount Vernon 0



This does not necessarily reflect which schools have the most talented students.

This just reflects which schools had the largest number of talented students who tried out.

Many, many talented students, for whatever reason, do not bother with trying out for districts or all state.


I believe PP said the strength of the school’s music program, not just the talent of the kids. For example, one who was into stereotypes might expect TJ to knock it out of the park in orchestra given the perception that all Asian kids play the violin. And one who be dead wrong. TJ’s orchestra program is fine. But it’s band program, marching and curricular, is exceptional. And 15 of TJs 20 all state spots were in band. Whereas, they has no real chorus program, and sent no one in chorus. Other schools have amazing chorus programs, but send no one, or very few people in band or strings.

The schools at the top of the list tend to have at least one very strong music discipline where kids commit to playing or performing for four years under a talented director. And yes, also have parents who can afford private lessons. And some things don’t show up on this list. I have a Chantilly kid, and their theater department is huge and phenomenal.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2020 21:29     Subject: Top High Schools in VA 2020 - US News
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:SAT/ACT list is best measurement -- all the other can be juked and monkeyed with to drive clicks and push social engineering crap.


SAT list is 100% ranked by SES. Kids who can afford tutors, get them, and places like Prep Matters in McLean cost $200/hour.


So lots of engaged two-parent households and motivated kids with aspirations to get into good colleges -- i.e. good things that shouldn't be demonized. And let's stop exaggerating that rich flunkies can turn into ACT/SAT wiz kids -- if anything, prep just eases stress and knocks the rust off of material they learned years ago.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2020 21:12     Subject: Top High Schools in VA 2020 - US News
Anonymous wrote:SAT/ACT list is best measurement -- all the other can be juked and monkeyed with to drive clicks and push social engineering crap.


SAT list is 100% ranked by SES. Kids who can afford tutors, get them, and places like Prep Matters in McLean cost $200/hour.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2020 19:17     Subject: Re:Top High Schools in VA 2020 - US News
Anonymous wrote:Yeah, let's come up with a rating system that rewards the schools with the most disengaged kids. Call it the Whatever Index. [/quote}]

Let me say in a non-snarky manner that this is the best idea I've ever seen on DCUM. The possibilities for extensions to other areas are endless.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2020 19:05     Subject: Re:Top High Schools in VA 2020 - US News
Yeah, let's come up with a rating system that rewards the schools with the most disengaged kids. Call it the Whatever Index.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2020 18:06     Subject: Re:Top High Schools in VA 2020 - US News
Anonymous wrote:There are some recent FCPS stats on which schools have the most talented musicians (2020 All-State Band, Chorus, Orchestra), but that can reflect both the strength of a school's music programs and whether parents are spending money on private lessons.

TJ 20
McLean 16
Woodson 15
Langley 13
Lake Braddock 11
South County 11
Madison 10
Fairfax 9
Robinson 9
Centreville 8
Oakton 7
Marshall 6
West Springfield 6
South Lakes 5
Edison 4
Herndon 4
Chantilly 3
Falls Church 3
Hayfield 3
Justice 3
West Potomac 3
Westfield 3
Annandale 2
Lee 1
Mount Vernon 0



This does not necessarily reflect which schools have the most talented students.

This just reflects which schools had the largest number of talented students who tried out.

Many, many talented students, for whatever reason, do not bother with trying out for districts or all state.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2020 17:54     Subject: Re:Top High Schools in VA 2020 - US News
There are some recent FCPS stats on which schools have the most talented musicians (2020 All-State Band, Chorus, Orchestra), but that can reflect both the strength of a school's music programs and whether parents are spending money on private lessons.

TJ 20
McLean 16
Woodson 15
Langley 13
Lake Braddock 11
South County 11
Madison 10
Fairfax 9
Robinson 9
Centreville 8
Oakton 7
Marshall 6
West Springfield 6
South Lakes 5
Edison 4
Herndon 4
Chantilly 3
Falls Church 3
Hayfield 3
Justice 3
West Potomac 3
Westfield 3
Annandale 2
Lee 1
Mount Vernon 0
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2020 17:48     Subject: Top High Schools in VA 2020 - US News
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:SAT/ACT list is best measurement -- all the other can be juked and monkeyed with to drive clicks and push social engineering crap.


SAT is largely an aptitude test and 75% of it is just having good genes. The school has no impact on it


I want my kids around the smartest and most driven peers, period.


How about the kindest and most creative?


Barf.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2020 17:37     Subject: Top High Schools in VA 2020 - US News
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:SAT/ACT list is best measurement -- all the other can be juked and monkeyed with to drive clicks and push social engineering crap.


SAT is largely an aptitude test and 75% of it is just having good genes. The school has no impact on it


I want my kids around the smartest and most driven peers, period.


How about the kindest and most creative?
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2020 14:34     Subject: Top High Schools in VA 2020 - US News
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:SAT/ACT list is best measurement -- all the other can be juked and monkeyed with to drive clicks and push social engineering crap.


SAT is largely an aptitude test and 75% of it is just having good genes. The school has no impact on it


I want my kids around the smartest and most driven peers, period.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2020 14:16     Subject: Top High Schools in VA 2020 - US News
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:SAT/ACT list is best measurement -- all the other can be juked and monkeyed with to drive clicks and push social engineering crap.


SAT is largely an aptitude test and 75% of it is just having good genes. The school has no impact on it


dunno about the genes, but I agree the school has zilch to do with it.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2020 12:37     Subject: Top High Schools in VA 2020 - US News
Anonymous wrote:SAT/ACT list is best measurement -- all the other can be juked and monkeyed with to drive clicks and push social engineering crap.


SAT is largely an aptitude test and 75% of it is just having good genes. The school has no impact on it
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2020 12:34     Subject: Top High Schools in VA 2020 - US News
SAT/ACT list is best measurement -- all the other can be juked and monkeyed with to drive clicks and push social engineering crap.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2020 11:54     Subject: Top High Schools in VA 2020 - US News
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:1. TJ (FCPS)
2. Langley (FCPS)
3. McLean (FCPS)
4. Marshall (FCPS)
5. Madison (FCPS)
6. Woodson (FCPS)
7. West Springfield (FCPS)
8. Chantilly (FCPS)
9. Broad Run (LCPS)
10. Open High (Richmond)


Is this list any different if you just sort by median SAT/ACT?


Yes, at least within FCPS it would be:

TJ
Langley
McLean
[Oakton]
Madison
Woodson
Chantilly
Marshall
[Centreville]
[Lake Braddock]
[Fairfax]
West Springfield