Which FCPS pyramid contains the best schools?

Annandale
Centreville
Chantilly
Edison
Fairfax
Falls Church
Hayfield
Herndon
Lake Braddock
Langley
Lee
Madison
Marshall
McLean
Mount Vernon
Oakton
Robinson
South County
South Lakes
Stuart
Westfield
West Potomac
West Springfield
Woodson

I think Woodson has the best academic program of all the high schools you listed but there have been many "student deaths" over the past few years so I would stay cautious of this area.

I would suit Langley and McLean under most appropriate for the best schools in Fairfax County due to their highly regarded academia.

you can locate test data online to get an objective answer. my guess is scores will indicate that langley and mclean are the best performers.

Langley and McLean Pyramids. Motivated parents, students and teachers. Sure issues with pressure and affluence, but you'll find that in most of Fairfax County. Probably the lowest rates of RFM and ESOL in these pyramids to you take out a lot of issues related to poverty in the schools. Some of the elementary schools are truly way better than most of the pricey private schools. Class sizes will be much larger though so factor that into your considerations. Good luck.

oakton is a pretty good school - balancing academics with athletics

The best pyramids overall are Langley and McLean, IF you can afford to live there. If you are looking for pyramids that have good schools and relatively affordable homes I'd say Marshall and Robinson.

Cougars! Wrote:
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> oakton is a pretty good school - balancing
> academics with athletics


The administration at Oakton is corrupt.

Lee pyramid is by far the worst. ESOL enrollment in the elementary schools is shocking, and the amount of kids on free and reduced lunch is skyrocketing. South County's pyramid is probably third

Djjdksz Wrote:
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> Lee pyramid is by far the worst. ESOL enrollment
> in the elementary schools is shocking, and the
> amount of kids on free and reduced lunch is
> skyrocketing. South County's pyramid is probably
> third

Here's the numbers for Limited English Proficiency and Free & Reduced Price Meals for all the elementary schools in the Lee pyramid.

School              LEP    F&RPM
Crestwood           60.89% 71.86%
Forestdale          39.10% 47.92%
Garfield            49.59% 59.89% 
Lynbrook            76.77% 84.85%
Saratoga            27.69% 40.94%
Springfield Estates 25.27% 32.24%

Additionally, Key Middle School, which is the sole middle school in the pyramid, has 31.29% Limited English Proficiency and 54.41% Free & Reduced Price Meals

FCPS Number Cruncher Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Djjdksz Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Lee pyramid is by far the worst. ESOL
> enrollment
> > in the elementary schools is shocking, and the
> > amount of kids on free and reduced lunch is
> > skyrocketing. South County's pyramid is
> probably
> > third
>
> Here's the numbers for Limited English Proficiency
> and Free & Reduced Price Meals for all the
> elementary schools in the Lee pyramid.

> School              LEP    F&RPM
> Crestwood           60.89% 71.86%
> Forestdale          39.10% 47.92%
> Garfield            49.59% 59.89% 
> Lynbrook            76.77% 84.85%
> Saratoga            27.69% 40.94%
> Springfield Estates 25.27% 32.24%
>

>
> Additionally, Key Middle School, which is the sole
> middle school in the pyramid, has 31.29% Limited
> English Proficiency and 54.41% Free & Reduced
> Price Meals

Exactly

FCPS Number Cruncher Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Djjdksz Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Lee pyramid is by far the worst. ESOL
> enrollment
> > in the elementary schools is shocking, and the
> > amount of kids on free and reduced lunch is
> > skyrocketing. South County's pyramid is
> probably
> > third
>
> Here's the numbers for Limited English Proficiency
> and Free & Reduced Price Meals for all the
> elementary schools in the Lee pyramid.

> School              LEP    F&RPM
> Crestwood           60.89% 71.86%
> Forestdale          39.10% 47.92%
> Garfield            49.59% 59.89% 
> Lynbrook            76.77% 84.85%
> Saratoga            27.69% 40.94%
> Springfield Estates 25.27% 32.24%
>

>
> Additionally, Key Middle School, which is the sole
> middle school in the pyramid, has 31.29% Limited
> English Proficiency and 54.41% Free & Reduced
> Price Meals

Wow the LEP is truly shocking! What do the poor English speaking kids born here do in class - teach the others how to ask where the bathroom is? Id pull my kid out of there and rent an apartment in mclean or Fairfax asap. Id have the family in a 2 bdrm if I had to.

@watch out - what to do mean administration at Oakton is corrupt? I haven't been there in years

2 bdrm Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> FCPS Number Cruncher Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Djjdksz Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Lee pyramid is by far the worst. ESOL
> > enrollment
> > > in the elementary schools is shocking, and
> the
> > > amount of kids on free and reduced lunch is
> > > skyrocketing. South County's pyramid is
> > probably
> > > third
> >
> > Here's the numbers for Limited English
> Proficiency
> > and Free & Reduced Price Meals for all the
> > elementary schools in the Lee pyramid.

> > School              LEP    F&RPM
> > Crestwood           60.89% 71.86%
> > Forestdale          39.10% 47.92%
> > Garfield            49.59% 59.89% 
> > Lynbrook            76.77% 84.85%
> > Saratoga            27.69% 40.94%
> > Springfield Estates 25.27% 32.24%
> >

> >
> > Additionally, Key Middle School, which is the
> sole
> > middle school in the pyramid, has 31.29%
> Limited
> > English Proficiency and 54.41% Free & Reduced
> > Price Meals
>
> Wow the LEP is truly shocking! What do the poor
> English speaking kids born here do in class -
> teach the others how to ask where the bathroom is?
> Id pull my kid out of there and rent an apartment
> in mclean or Fairfax asap. Id have the family in
> a 2 bdrm if I had to.

Yet people blame this on the school system and teachers.

Steerclear Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think Woodson has the best academic program of
> all the high schools you listed but there have
> been many "student deaths" over the past few years
> so I would stay cautious of this area.

I've been wondering about what makes Woodson stand out so much (it was actually second in the county for SAT scores this year, behind Langley and excluding TJ), as it has consistently been in the top 5 for several years now.

Unlike the other usual suspects - Langley, Mclean, Oakton and Madison - which have large areas of expensive and/or desirable neighborhoods, Woodson has always struck me as pretty similar to West Springfield, Lake Braddock, etc. in that it's just filled with average looking 60's and 70's era homes, with no areas that really grab your attention. Yet it consistently outperforms LB, WS, Rob.

Why is this? Is it the location of these older neighborhoods closer to DC makes them more desirable (while still remaining outside the beltway)? Is it that the SFH % is substantially higher than other districts w/ many more TH's and condos? Something else?

Just something I've been curious about for awhile...

snowdenscold Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Steerclear Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I think Woodson has the best academic program
> of
> > all the high schools you listed but there have
> > been many "student deaths" over the past few
> years
> > so I would stay cautious of this area.
>
> I've been wondering about what makes Woodson stand
> out so much (it was actually second in the county
> for SAT scores this year, behind Langley and
> excluding TJ), as it has consistently been in the
> top 5 for several years now.
>
> Unlike the other usual suspects - Langley, Mclean,
> Oakton and Madison - which have large areas of
> expensive and/or desirable neighborhoods, Woodson
> has always struck me as pretty similar to West
> Springfield, Lake Braddock, etc. in that it's just
> filled with average looking 60's and 70's era
> homes, with no areas that really grab your
> attention. Yet it consistently outperforms LB, WS,
> Rob.
>
> Why is this? Is it the location of these older
> neighborhoods closer to DC makes them more
> desirable (while still remaining outside the
> beltway)? Is it that the SFH % is substantially
> higher than other districts w/ many more TH's and
> condos? Something else?
>
> Just something I've been curious about for
> awhile...

because parents fight to get into the pyramid. Those in it make every sacrifice to locate in this pyramid. For better or worse these families place great value on k-12 education. Same with McLean. Oakton I have no idea I assume they are pretty good.

peoplefight Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> because parents fight to get into the pyramid.
> Those in it make every sacrifice to locate in this
> pyramid. For better or worse these families place
> great value on k-12 education. Same with McLean.
> Oakton I have no idea I assume they are pretty
> good.


Yeah, I would understand that, but that's somewhat circular. They are sacrificing to get into a particular pyramid - my question is what are the underlying factors that led to to Woodson's prominence so that it continues to be worth sacrificing for to get into? Demographics, location, housing mix, etc?
Especially when compared and contrasted against other districts that it is comparable to (Mad, Oak, McL, Lang) vs those it seems to stand above (LB, Rob, WS).

Look at the percentage of Asians there. They don't necessarily want a big, fancy house or have the money to get one, but they want a good education for their children. They push their kids and that area has been known for its good high school. There's a self perpetuating cycle of achievement over there. High achievers were already there and the reputation of the school keeps attracting more families that value high achievement. The 60's houses can be remodeled/renovated, but a good high school cannot be built overnight.

Our Langley pyramid neighborhood has turned into tiger mom central.

Greatschools.org is a good resource in comparing different schools.

snowdenscold Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Steerclear Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I think Woodson has the best academic program
> of
> > all the high schools you listed but there have
> > been many "student deaths" over the past few
> years
> > so I would stay cautious of this area.
>
> I've been wondering about what makes Woodson stand
> out so much (it was actually second in the county
> for SAT scores this year, behind Langley and
> excluding TJ), as it has consistently been in the
> top 5 for several years now.
>
> Unlike the other usual suspects - Langley, Mclean,
> Oakton and Madison - which have large areas of
> expensive and/or desirable neighborhoods, Woodson
> has always struck me as pretty similar to West
> Springfield, Lake Braddock, etc. in that it's just
> filled with average looking 60's and 70's era
> homes, with no areas that really grab your
> attention. Yet it consistently outperforms LB, WS,
> Rob.
>
> Why is this? Is it the location of these older
> neighborhoods closer to DC makes them more
> desirable (while still remaining outside the
> beltway)? Is it that the SFH % is substantially
> higher than other districts w/ many more TH's and
> condos? Something else?
>
> Just something I've been curious about for
> awhile...

The Woodson district had the lowest number of apartments and townhouses of any HS district except Langley. That is going to change, because FCPS just moved the Fairfax Villa area (with more THs/condos) from Fairfax to Woodson and moved part of Fairfax Station (SFHs) from Woodson to Robinson. It will take a while to show up in the test scores, because the changes start with 9th graders, but I'd expect to see Woodson scores drop in three or four years.

jaykee3 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Which FCPS pyramid contains the best schools?
>
> Annandale
> Centreville
> Chantilly
> Edison
> Fairfax
> Falls Church
> Hayfield
> Herndon
> Lake Braddock
> Langley
> Lee
> Madison
> Marshall
> McLean
> Mount Vernon
> Oakton
> Robinson
> South County
> South Lakes
> Stuart
> Westfield
> West Potomac
> West Springfield
> Woodson

Best in what way? Strictly academics? Sports? A school where the maximum number of kids get along? School spirit? Below are some threads that might be of interest:

http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/1316989/
http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/1317229/

Yo, Jeff Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> The Woodson district had the lowest number of
> apartments and townhouses of any HS district
> except Langley. That is going to change, because
> FCPS just moved the Fairfax Villa area (with more
> THs/condos) from Fairfax to Woodson and moved part
> of Fairfax Station (SFHs) from Woodson to
> Robinson. It will take a while to show up in the
> test scores, because the changes start with 9th
> graders, but I'd expect to see Woodson scores drop
> in three or four years.

Ah, that makes a good deal of sense. I thought that might be the case (the housing mix), but that was just my speculation. Also, while I knew about the Fairfax Station island (Robert Carter / Clara Barton) going away, I didn't realize Fairfax Villa was moving in in its place.

Speaking of Woodson boundary changes, does anyone have any insight into whether the school board has ever talked about going further and eliminating that far western peninsula of homes (about the now-gone island, connected by a GMU "isthmus"), or is that pretty safe?

snowdenscold Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yo, Jeff Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> >
> > The Woodson district had the lowest number of
> > apartments and townhouses of any HS district
> > except Langley. That is going to change,
> because
> > FCPS just moved the Fairfax Villa area (with
> more
> > THs/condos) from Fairfax to Woodson and moved
> part
> > of Fairfax Station (SFHs) from Woodson to
> > Robinson. It will take a while to show up in
> the
> > test scores, because the changes start with 9th
> > graders, but I'd expect to see Woodson scores
> drop
> > in three or four years.
>
> Ah, that makes a good deal of sense. I thought
> that might be the case (the housing mix), but that
> was just my speculation. Also, while I knew about
> the Fairfax Station island (Robert Carter / Clara
> Barton) going away, I didn't realize Fairfax Villa
> was moving in in its place.
>
> Speaking of Woodson boundary changes, does anyone
> have any insight into whether the school board has
> ever talked about going further and eliminating
> that far western peninsula of homes (about the
> now-gone island, connected by a GMU "isthmus"), or
> is that pretty safe?

Are you talking about the western part of the Woodson district that was already in the district before the last round of adjustments? That area seems "safe" (in terms of staying in the Woodson district) for a long time. There are areas in Fairfax City that are closer to Woodson than these neighborhoods, but by law all of City of Fairfax goes to Fairfax HS.

You can see the "new" boundaries on this map:

http://www.fcps.edu/fts/planning/fairfaxlanier/adopted_may_9_2013.pdf

Yo, Jeff Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Are you talking about the western part of the
> Woodson district that was already in the district
> before the last round of adjustments? That area
> seems "safe" (in terms of staying in the Woodson
> district) for a long time. There are areas in
> Fairfax City that are closer to Woodson than these
> neighborhoods, but by law all of City of Fairfax
> goes to Fairfax HS.
>
> You can see the "new" boundaries on this map:
>
> http://www.fcps.edu/fts/planning/fairfaxlanier/ado
> pted_may_9_2013.pdf


Thanks for the link - good map.
Yes, I was talking about that area previously part of Woodson that was at the western edge, but now is adajcent to all that new stuff that added to the north. Basically, the area that Popes Head road goes through.

Also, it looks like not just the Fairfax Villa neighborhood that's being added, but also all those newish TH's off of Random Hills Rd and near Fairfax Corner, and then all the stuff off Ridge Top nearby. That's quite a lot of housing units to be added to Woodson.

So yes, given that and the loss of the Fairfax Station island, it will be interesting to look at scores over the next 5 years.

Yo, Jeff Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That is going to change, because
> FCPS just moved the Fairfax Villa area (with more
> THs/condos) from Fairfax to Woodson and moved part
> of Fairfax Station (SFHs) from Woodson to
> Robinson. It will take a while to show up in the
> test scores, because the changes start with 9th
> graders, but I'd expect to see Woodson scores drop
> in three or four years.


God damn it.

former cougar Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> @watch out - what to do mean administration at
> Oakton is corrupt? I haven't been there in years


slimy.

Bill.N. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The best pyramids overall are Langley and McLean,
> IF you can afford to live there. If you are
> looking for pyramids that have good schools and
> relatively affordable homes I'd say Marshall and
> Robinson.

I'd take Madison, Robinson or West Springfield over Marshall. It's probably better than it used to be but that's not saying much.

Pimmit Hillbilly Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bill.N. Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The best pyramids overall are Langley and
> McLean,
> > IF you can afford to live there. If you are
> > looking for pyramids that have good schools and
> > relatively affordable homes I'd say Marshall
> and
> > Robinson.
>
> I'd take Madison, Robinson or West Springfield
> over Marshall. It's probably better than it used
> to be but that's not saying much.

The statement included the condition that "relatively affordable homes" would be part of the equation. I am pretty sure that Madison no longer meets that condition. Furthermore, there are a lot of kids in the Madison district that are pupil placing into Marshall in order to pursue an IB diploma, which is a golden ticket for admission into UVa.

Just when you think you have it figured out, sink big money into a house, etc, they move the lines.