<p>We are considering a move to the Northern Virginia area, most likely Fairfax county. I'm aware of the positive reputation for this school system, but would like to get some information about individual high schools. If we move this summer, we will have a Senior and a Freshman. We are looking at the high schools in Fairfax (city) and Springfield in particular. Does anyone here have any first hand knowledge of these schools? I'm interested in such things as the number of students in the schools, quality of boy's soccer and wrestling programs, speech and debated teams, culture of the high school (drug or alchol issues), etc. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>robinf1, Fairfax City has it’s own HS. Other Fairfax County HS info can be explored at this site. [Fairfax</a> County Public Schools - Schools and Centers Directory](<a href=“http://commweb.fcps.edu/directory/bylevel.cfm?level=High]Fairfax”>http://commweb.fcps.edu/directory/bylevel.cfm?level=High)</p>
<p>Springfield is a large area. Depending on what part of Springfield you could look at West Springfield, Lee, Lake Braddock or others that touch the Springfield area. Or if you are looking near Fairfax city, you could look at Robinson, Woodson or maybe Chantilly. </p>
<p>From this site you can check the specifics of each school you are interested in. [Fairfax</a> County Public Schools - School Profiles](<a href=“http://commweb.fcps.edu/schoolprofile/]Fairfax”>http://commweb.fcps.edu/schoolprofile/) </p>
<p>Make sure you consider the size of the school Schools such as Lake Braddock and Robinson are combined secondary schools, 7-12. They are large and their sports records are good, but you have to be the very top to be on the teams. The schools are divided into sports divisions that compete so that schools of similar characteristics compete together. </p>
<p>The FCPS web site has a wealth of info for you to start with. then you can start to look at how much you are willing to pay for housing to be in the particular districts that interest you. </p>
<p>There is also some comparative info from the Washington Post.
[2010</a> Challenge Index | washingtonpost.com](<a href=“http://projects.washingtonpost.com/challengeindex/ranking/2010/]2010”>http://projects.washingtonpost.com/challengeindex/ranking/2010/)</p>
<p>Make sure that as soon as you move to Virginia, visit a doctor for a physical examination for your child, if your son/daughter is an athlete. No matter how recent, Virginia public schools will not accept a report from an out-of-state doctor. No Virginia doctor’s report, no play, period.</p>
<p>Fairfax High and Woodson serve Fairfax City</p>
<p>Thanks! Your suggestions are a great place for me to start my research.</p>
<p>You are going to move a child senior year? I would strongly urge you to rethink that if at all possible…been there, done that it is pretty horrible!</p>
<p>check out langley high school
it’s a very good school</p>
<p>Fairfax High and Woodson serve Fairfax City >>></p>
<p>And both are part of the county school system. Fairfax City does not run Fairfax High.</p>
<p>You are going to move a child senior year? I would strongly urge you to rethink that if at all possible…been there, done that it is pretty horrible! >>></p>
<p>We did it and it worked out fine. It greatly depends on the child. Mine went from the East coast high school to the West coast high school to a small West coast oceanfront college to a East coast inner city grad school to an overseas Peace Corps assignment in less than 5 years and never batted an eye.</p>
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<p>Yes, it is a top school, however it is located in a very,very expensive area of Fairfax County (not that anywhere in NoVa is cheap!).</p>
<p>Ditto what FallGirl Said. That part of Fairfax County is by no means cheap. McLean High School and Langley High School are very fine schools but unless you find a house/condo that has an underwater mortgage and eager sellers, be prepared to put down a load of cash. $750K to $1 Million is not an uncommon starting point for residential streets in those areas.</p>
<p>I lived in Fairfax county for 5 years and moved to Arlington county…precisely for the schools. We lived in Mclean were in one of the very best “triangles” of elementary, middle and high. People moved to our neighborhood to max the chances their kid would get into Thomas Jefferson (highest admit rate was from our middle school). We fled the area…the sense of entitlement and “will do anything for the grade” even in elementary school was terrifying. Langley is even worse than Mclean HS. The main problems with Fairfax county high schools are:
- very big and impersonal
- many, many wealthy kids
- really really up tight parents
- MASSIVE budget cut coming this year
- 1-4 and you get unhappy teachers and staff</p>
<p>Advantages of Arlington
- if you work in DC you are 10 minutes away!
- South arlington is pretty reasonable cost-wise
- ifyou live in south arlington you can go to Wakefield HS which is incredibly diverse (70% kids of color, 50% low income) with a fantastic AP program with really happy teachers and lots of special attention to kids who are focused and want to achieve. S’s friends went to HPY, CMU, UVA, VTech, lots of scholarship money for low income kids</p>
<ol>
<li>You can live anywhere in the county and go to the IB program (if daughter is in IB now) at Washington-Lee HS.with a brand new building, fantastic administration and also very diverse.<br></li>
<li>IF you have lots of money you live in Yorktown district…some of the same problems as Mclean schools like langley…but not as extreme. but an excellent school.<br></li>
</ol>
<p>Just 3 HS (one alternative will not be an option you have to get in at 11) and all wonderful. I would have been pleased if they had chosen Wakefield where most of their friends went but they are did/doing the IB and thriving.</p>
<p>To be fair…Fairfax outlying high schools have much stronger sports programs than the smaller, less competitive schools (sports-wise) in Arlington. That being said, if your kids are good but not great at soccer they will have a much better chance to play in Arlington. Also, the upcoming budget cuts will not affect Arlington sports like Fairfax County. Langley and Mclean in Fairfax are also not as strong in sports compared to the mega-schools in the far burbs. Part of it is cultural–Mclean (Fairfax Co) and Arlington schools have very large first/second generation immigrant population that may vary a great deal by income but share a focus on academics over sports. What I do observe and it may be just spurious association is a stronger relationship between “party/drinking” HS culture and the strong sports programs. I could be wrong, but my S has attended proms and parties in the burbs and finds that while there are drugs/alchohol at all schools, the big-burb schools tend to have drinking as a central feature of parties and social events. We have seen less of this in Arlington–also kids don’t drive as much because we are more urban with metro/buses so this may explain why we don’t get the terrible news about traffic/alchohol fatalities and accidents very often.</p>
<p>sorry…more…feel very strongly about this…all of the arlington HS are in the top of hte challenge index but don’t be fooled by Wakefield at 53. This is an incredible achievement in a school with over 50% low income and many come from homes where English is a second language. My kids don’t go here but I am their biggest cheerleader. My kids went to the feeder middle school…with same demographics and best school experience ever. The AP classes are top notch but the bonus is that your kid studies and lives in the “real America” of today…diverse, challenging, surprising and inspirational.</p>
<p>You can’t go wrong with any FCPS school! That being said you need to think about the program a school offers. Some schools are AP only- South County, West Springfield Lake Braddock or IB only-Lee, Edison. I believe that Robinson offers both. These are all schools in the southern part of the county. Soccer is very strong in the county and indeed the whole Washington DC area. Lake Braddock, West Springfield and Robinson are always in the mix for regional and state championship both boys and girls. That being said competition is tough to earn a spot on those teams. Robinson is a huge school, WS, South County and LB are midsize (2,300+) Edison and Lee are under 2,000. So you can gauge the size of the athletic pool. I can’t say much about wrestling but you can check the individual teams athletic boosters web sites and find out more info. Their season is just finishing. Soccer is a spring sport for us.
I think it is naive to think that any school is immune to drugs/alcohol. What is important is that parents are aware it is out there and not to assume it isn’t happening in their school. I think this tends to be a problem in our community, the attitude that our “good kids” won’t make some stupid choices. It seems every year there is some group of athletes ( girls and boys)who get caught at a party and are suspended for 1 or (many) more games at any of the schools mentioned. You just have to remind your kids over and over of your expectations for them and keep your ears and eyes open. Two of my sons have graduated from one of these schools and went on the same VA university. If you are looking in this part of the county you will certainly find a great public school!</p>
<p>I agree with finearts. Great experience in Arlington schools. Also, I have a feeling you have better college acceptances when you apply from Wakefield HS. This is just based on circumstancial evidence though.</p>
<p>I live in the DC area and will reinforce that the academic intensity here is non-trivial. Kids who would be superstars in other parts of the country are middle-of-the-pack here. </p>
<p>If you are moving to VA to get in-state for colleges, be aware that even from NoVA, one must have pretty impressive numbers to get into the likes of UVA or W&M.</p>
<p>If your kids are looking at highly selective schools, they may do better coming from their current school where, if they are top students, they will stand out more and where they can get recs from teachers who have known them throughout HS.</p>
<p>Wow! You guys are so helpful! I will give you some more info about about our situation. As anonymously as possible, of course!</p>
<p>Rising Senior is very excited about the possibility of moving. RS is unhappy at current school and doesn’t feel any real ties to staying here. Is in honors/AP classes, so would want to continue this track, so IB schools wouldn’t really work. Is physically disabled, can walk short distances, can’t drive. Wants to go to college in the DC area, then live and work there.</p>
<p>Rising Freshman is not thrilled with the possibility of moving due to not wanting to leave friends, but says if we are going to do it, do it before starting high school. Will not be taking AP classes as school is simply a necessary evil to be endured. Good to very good at chosen sports. On current age group ODP soccer team. Loves the games, doesn’t love the practices.</p>
<p>We would be looking to rent, not buy. Would prefer a town home with a small, fenced yard and a garage in a safe, quiet neighborhood.</p>
<p>Thanks again for all of your help! It’s very helpful to hear from people who really know the area!</p>
<p>FCPS high schools are very, very large, which results in lots of opportunities. Top notch theater programs with many outstanding performers. </p>
<p>Be very aware that the grade school, middle school and high school for your neighborhood will impact the value of your house. The better the triad the more you house will be worth.</p>
<p>Forgot to add. Coming from a large, suburban high school (2,400 9-12). Would prefer a bit smaller.</p>
<p>What about a bit furthur out, like Woodbridge or Manassas?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Depends on where the workplace location is. Going south on 95 past Springfield is a nightmare M-F and once it’s beach season the weekends are just as bad. 66 west to Manassas/Gainesville has improved…but again huge commute from DC/Pentagon. Contrary to some of the posts here…not all FCPS are huge. Some of the older schools are the smallest and many have been renovated in the last 10 years. You can evaluate on the various school sites.<br>
Fairfax county has plenty of rental properties due to military/govt employment. Whether single family or townhouse you should be able to find one that is right for you.<br>
Participating in ODP puts your player right in the mix with the top soccer players in the area. Should be a pretty big advantage if they want to continue. Lake Braddock is the home a Mia Hamm. They tend to dominate in soccer, (not always) but it’s a great program.
There should be plenty of rental properties that are in the school district. They are an AP school. Last I heard they are actually under enrolled for the size of the school. We have gone through several boundary changes lately due to new school openings.</p>