I have the opportunity to send my child to South Lakes or Westfield and I wanted to receive feedback from you guys to see what are your thoughts. Also, did you attend Westfield or South Lakes or is your opinion based on heresay?

I would recommend 2 things If your child will take honors courses: do you homework. Try to understand the differences between AP and IB. FairfaxCAPS has tons of information on this topic (as well as, a rating on the High Schools in the area). Then go to the schools and interview the admin staff and observe the classes. I did those things and ended up pupil placing my child.

speaking from personal experience if your child goes to westfield he/she will probley get into underage drinking and most likely smoke weed. so dont be suprised if one day he/she comes home stoned if you choose westfield

I went to South Lakes. We had AP classes back then instead of IB. It could be pretty rough at times but I'm glad I had the experience. I went on to an Ivy League university after SL.

The impression I of Westfield is that it's a lot more spoiled/yuppie. I can't confirm this... it's just what everyone says.

I can TELL from experience that I would prefer Westfield....contrary to what some people believe. I am a parent of two and it was the best decision for them. You want science--Westfield hands down. You want liberal arts--then South Lakes is for you. But given the choice, I would still prefer Westfield, more courses to choose from, and also a VERY diverse school.

Regardless of its troubles nowadays, it is still a very good school. You just have to be involved with the teachers and volunteer whenever you can....but also take time to get to know your kid's friends.

Different strokes for different folks...

#1: Go to the schools and interview the principals. Walk around and get a feel for it.

#2: Find out how easy or hard it is to get into ECAs -- Some schools are so competitive that only a few kids ever see field time in sports. Pay attention to the ECAs and electives your kid likes and find out how kids and parents are treated and how much attention kids get.

#3: Don't believe CAPS. It is a totally biased site that has no science behind its assertions. It was born out of a screed against South Lakes during redistricting, hiding a thinly veiled racist component.

#4: Don't believe anyone who says IB is "liberal arts" and AP is "science." That's BS. Both are very strong in both categories but they have different approaches. (Full disclosure: My bias is toward IB -- it is a holistic approach that requires both synthesis and analysis across disciplines. Wm & Mary professors have stated in a survey that they see a stark contrast between AP and IB students, with IB being far more ready for college. That is what I found in my college kids: 1 IB grad is finding school a cinch and my AP grad had way more adjusting.) IB kids -- just like AP -- go to MIT, CalTech, RIT, Princeton, UVA, etc. etc. in math/engineering/science.

#5: Consider the commute. While this isn't a make-or-break factor, it can mean a lot if you're an involved parent or want/need to drive your kid to/from school. Some families live 10 miles from Oakton but only 3 from South Lakes, for example, and have chosen to pupil place in one or the other, taking commuting into account. Take into account upcoming development along the commute -- is it going to get worse? How many back roads are there? Etc.

Bottom line: SEE FOR YOURSELF. Meet with the principals. Drive to the schools along the route you'd normally take at the hour you'd normally go. Ask to speak to a science/math/history/English teacher if one of those fields is of particular concern. Talk to parent representatives. Go to a sports or academic booster meeting. Ask questions.

Just a couple more notes so you know my "bias:"

I have/had two kids at South Lakes. Three kids from TJ have come back to South Lakes this year because they like the teaching and atmosphere there better.

How would kids leaving TJ know that South Lakes is better when they've never been enrolled in South Lakes?

Sorry "See for yourself", but your posts are not believable. Nice try though, for a kid. Glad you like your school.

Listen, I used to buy TONS of drugs from SL kids when i was in high school; it was considered THE place to get them. I never once even saw a Westfield Student get high or sell drugs when i was in high school, and I certainly never stood outside westfield high to get drugs when I was in high school.

RESton Peace Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Listen, I used to buy TONS of drugs from SL kids
> when i was in high school; it was considered THE
> place to get them. I never once even saw a
> Westfield Student get high or sell drugs when i
> was in high school, and I certainly never stood
> outside westfield high to get drugs when I was in
> high school.


Probably because Westfield wasn't built when you were in high school.

I was waiting for someone to say that, bravo to you.

See For Yourself Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> #1: Go to the schools and interview the
> principals. Walk around and get a feel for it.
>
> #2: Find out how easy or hard it is to get into
> ECAs -- Some schools are so competitive that only
> a few kids ever see field time in sports. Pay
> attention to the ECAs and electives your kid likes
> and find out how kids and parents are treated and
> how much attention kids get.
>
> #3: Don't believe CAPS. It is a totally biased
> site that has no science behind its assertions. It
> was born out of a screed against South Lakes
> during redistricting, hiding a thinly veiled
> racist component.
>
> #4: Don't believe anyone who says IB is "liberal
> arts" and AP is "science." That's BS. Both are
> very strong in both categories but they have
> different approaches. (Full disclosure: My bias is
> toward IB -- it is a holistic approach that
> requires both synthesis and analysis across
> disciplines. Wm & Mary professors have stated in a
> survey that they see a stark contrast between AP
> and IB students, with IB being far more ready for
> college. That is what I found in my college kids:
> 1 IB grad is finding school a cinch and my AP grad
> had way more adjusting.) IB kids -- just like AP
> -- go to MIT, CalTech, RIT, Princeton, UVA, etc.
> etc. in math/engineering/science.
>
> #5: Consider the commute. While this isn't a
> make-or-break factor, it can mean a lot if you're
> an involved parent or want/need to drive your kid
> to/from school. Some families live 10 miles from
> Oakton but only 3 from South Lakes, for example,
> and have chosen to pupil place in one or the
> other, taking commuting into account. Take into
> account upcoming development along the commute --
> is it going to get worse? How many back roads are
> there? Etc.
>
> Bottom line: SEE FOR YOURSELF. Meet with the
> principals. Drive to the schools along the route
> you'd normally take at the hour you'd normally go.
> Ask to speak to a science/math/history/English
> teacher if one of those fields is of particular
> concern. Talk to parent representatives. Go to a
> sports or academic booster meeting. Ask questions.


I thought your advice was fine until you got to the racist part. People who are ugly (cry racism when none exists) are often stupid too. So, your comments, which might have been useful, just end up in the stupid category. Do better next time. And, I'm VERY sure that MANY more AP students go to MIT and CalTech than IB students. Be honest, if a student is leaning toward engineering or physics then you want AP for them and not IB. With AP they can have classes devoted just to calculus (which you want if you're going to be an engineer) and SL math and HL math are a smattering of a lot of things, including calculus but not devoted to calc.

I don't see why anyone would interview the principal to get a feel for how the school works. I have been to a lot of principal's offices, and they mostly sit around in $1,000 leather chairs watching TV or checking email. I only saw one principal going around and seeing what was happening in classes, watching halls during class change, etc. Of course, since he did his job so well, he was promoted to cluster superintendent.

Interview students at lunch. THey will give an unbiased opinion



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/09/2009 10:24PM by KeepOnTruckin.

KeepOnTruckin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> I have been to a lot of principal's offices, and
> they mostly sit around in $1,000 leather chairs
> watching TV or checking email.


That's because they were making sure you didn't steal anything while you cleaned their office. Since when do principals have TV's in their offices anyway.


I only saw one principal going around and seeing what was
> happening in classes, watching halls during class
> change, etc.

That's because you mostly clean schools at night when the principal is gone.


> Interview students at lunch. THey will give an
> unbiased opinion


I agree. Don't listen to a dumbass janitor.

RESton Peace Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Listen, I used to buy TONS of drugs from SL kids
> when i was in high school; it was considered THE
> place to get them. I never once even saw a
> Westfield Student get high or sell drugs when i
> was in high school, and I certainly never stood
> outside westfield high to get drugs when I was in
> high school.


While that may be true...this is the reality today...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/22/AR2008112202240.html

Key paragraphs:
"The investigation has revealed a web of heroin sales and use among a tightknit group of former and current students of Westfield High School in western Fairfax -- a symptom of a larger heroin problem that had gone undetected, law enforcement officials say. Officials said the growing availability of heroin, long considered a serious drug linked to addiction and death, has fueled its popularity and made it the drug of choice for many Washington area youths.

Numerous current and former Westfield students, including friends of those who were arrested last week, said in interviews that the high school is not a haven for drug users and that heroin use was limited to a small circle of friends. But, they said, the drug slowly gripped an expanding network of people after it was introduced sometime in 2005."

want calc Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> See For Yourself Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > #1: Go to the schools and interview the
> > principals. Walk around and get a feel for it.
> >
> > #2: Find out how easy or hard it is to get into
> > ECAs -- Some schools are so competitive that
> only
> > a few kids ever see field time in sports. Pay
> > attention to the ECAs and electives your kid
> likes
> > and find out how kids and parents are treated
> and
> > how much attention kids get.
> >
> > #3: Don't believe CAPS. It is a totally biased
> > site that has no science behind its assertions.
> It
> > was born out of a screed against South Lakes
> > during redistricting, hiding a thinly veiled
> > racist component.
> >
> > #4: Don't believe anyone who says IB is
> "liberal
> > arts" and AP is "science." That's BS. Both are
> > very strong in both categories but they have
> > different approaches. (Full disclosure: My bias
> is
> > toward IB -- it is a holistic approach that
> > requires both synthesis and analysis across
> > disciplines. Wm & Mary professors have stated in
> a
> > survey that they see a stark contrast between
> AP
> > and IB students, with IB being far more ready
> for
> > college. That is what I found in my college
> kids:
> > 1 IB grad is finding school a cinch and my AP
> grad
> > had way more adjusting.) IB kids -- just like
> AP
> > -- go to MIT, CalTech, RIT, Princeton, UVA,
> etc.
> > etc. in math/engineering/science.
> >
> > #5: Consider the commute. While this isn't a
> > make-or-break factor, it can mean a lot if
> you're
> > an involved parent or want/need to drive your
> kid
> > to/from school. Some families live 10 miles
> from
> > Oakton but only 3 from South Lakes, for
> example,
> > and have chosen to pupil place in one or the
> > other, taking commuting into account. Take into
> > account upcoming development along the commute
> --
> > is it going to get worse? How many back roads
> are
> > there? Etc.
> >
> > Bottom line: SEE FOR YOURSELF. Meet with the
> > principals. Drive to the schools along the
> route
> > you'd normally take at the hour you'd normally
> go.
> > Ask to speak to a science/math/history/English
> > teacher if one of those fields is of particular
> > concern. Talk to parent representatives. Go to
> a
> > sports or academic booster meeting. Ask
> questions.
>
>
> I thought your advice was fine until you got to
> the racist part. People who are ugly (cry racism
> when none exists) are often stupid too. So, your
> comments, which might have been useful, just end
> up in the stupid category. Do better next time.
> And, I'm VERY sure that MANY more AP students go
> to MIT and CalTech than IB students. Be honest,
> if a student is leaning toward engineering or
> physics then you want AP for them and not IB.
> With AP they can have classes devoted just to
> calculus (which you want if you're going to be an
> engineer) and SL math and HL math are a smattering
> of a lot of things, including calculus but not
> devoted to calc.

AGREED....the first part is totally bias.....IB is NOT mainstream. I totally concurred that science inspired kids need AP and not IB...just checked South Lakes...don't have that many "caliber" courses to choose from. It is a smaller school, and thanks to the "Floris" transplants, it is doing better, not great.

So...seeing both sides of the coin, I still prefer AP...sorry SL advocates: it just doesn't cut it for lots of people. Just keep the good work and some people will come to join you....it is a choice after all.

Yes...I did CHECKED Wrote:
>
> AGREED....the first part is totally bias.....IB is
> NOT mainstream. I totally concurred that science
> inspired kids need AP and not IB...just checked
> South Lakes...don't have that many "caliber"
> courses to choose from. It is a smaller school,
> and thanks to the "Floris" transplants, it is
> doing better, not great.
>
> So...seeing both sides of the coin, I still prefer
> AP...sorry SL advocates: it just doesn't cut it
> for lots of people. Just keep the good work and
> some people will come to join you....it is a
> choice after all.


Too bad the science inspired people don't know their verb tenses.

Statistically speaking, your kid is more likely to become a cop killer or mass murderer if he goes to Westfield.

I'm sitting in AP Government class right now at Westfield. I'm taking five AP's this year and will have taken nine by the time I graduate. I don't do drugs, and am not a raging alcoholic.

The bottom line is, you know your kids better than anyone else. South Lakes is a good school especially with regards to the arts, whereas Westfield excels in science and technology. AP classes are easy to sign up for and take if you're adequately prepared, and the teaching staff at Westfield does a great job preparing you for exams.

Just my two cents.

Sitting in AP Gov Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm sitting in AP Government class right now at
> Westfield. I'm taking five AP's this year and will
> have taken nine by the time I graduate. I don't do
> drugs, and am not a raging alcoholic.
>
> The bottom line is, you know your kids better than
> anyone else. South Lakes is a good school
> especially with regards to the arts, whereas
> Westfield excels in science and technology. AP
> classes are easy to sign up for and take if you're
> adequately prepared, and the teaching staff at
> Westfield does a great job preparing you for
> exams.
>
> Just my two cents.


You are allowed to take 5 AP's this year? I was under the impression taking no more than 2 APs at a time is recommended per year.

He probably uses performance enhancing drugs, like his favorite athletes. Ritalin, etc.

RESton Peace Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> He probably uses performance enhancing drugs, like
> his favorite athletes. Ritalin, etc.


and I AM sure you do.....And yes, he can take whatever he wants as long as he can deal with the homework!!

Please don't any any more stupid comments....they are NOT welcome! such a moron!

Bob in Southeast Loudoun Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Statistically speaking, your kid is more likely to
> become a cop killer or mass murderer if he goes to
> Westfield.


And what about you?? Have you had anything better to do?? You probably skipped class, since you don't belong to Faifax....where ALL schools rock, regardless.

Please...if you don't any anything positive to say... SHUT UP! Your comments are not welcome!

~**~ Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes...I did CHECKED Wrote:
> >
> > AGREED....the first part is totally bias.....IB
> is
> > NOT mainstream. I totally concurred that
> science
> > inspired kids need AP and not IB...just checked
> > South Lakes...don't have that many "caliber"
> > courses to choose from. It is a smaller
> school,
> > and thanks to the "Floris" transplants, it is
> > doing better, not great.
> >
> > So...seeing both sides of the coin, I still
> prefer
> > AP...sorry SL advocates: it just doesn't cut it
> > for lots of people. Just keep the good work and
> > some people will come to join you....it is a
> > choice after all.
>
>
> Too bad the science inspired people don't know
> their verb tenses.


This comment just shows bias...another SL...and yes, scientists rock! They have assistants to take care of these minor editorial details, they just work on the cure for cancer....

another moron Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ~**~ Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Yes...I did CHECKED Wrote:
> > >
> > > AGREED....the first part is totally
> bias.....IB
> > is
> > > NOT mainstream. I totally concurred that
> > science
> > > inspired kids need AP and not IB...just
> checked
> > > South Lakes...don't have that many "caliber"
> > > courses to choose from. It is a smaller
> > school,
> > > and thanks to the "Floris" transplants, it is
> > > doing better, not great.
> > >
> > > So...seeing both sides of the coin, I still
> > prefer
> > > AP...sorry SL advocates: it just doesn't cut
> it
> > > for lots of people. Just keep the good work
> and
> > > some people will come to join you....it is a
> > > choice after all.
> >
> >
> > Too bad the science inspired people don't know
> > their verb tenses.
>
>
> This comment just shows bias...another SL...and
> yes, scientists rock! They have assistants to
> take care of these minor editorial details, they
> just work on the cure for cancer....

Then please have your assistant write your next message since you are incapable of writing and most likely speaking English.

to what a stupid comment: Some responses to your idiotic post.

1. My comment, while certainly true, was obviously a joke. Your school doesn't turn you into a cop killer, or a murderer. But you, with your low self-esteem, couldn't see that.

2. I lived in Fairfax for years, then moved to Loudoun because I could get a bigger house on a bigger lot. So bite me.

3. Thanks for responding. I was afraid there was no one stupid enough on here to take the bait.

Re: South Lakes or Westfield
Posted by: westfield student ()
Date: February 05, 2009 12:58AM


speaking from personal experience if your child goes to westfield he/she will probley get into underage drinking and most likely smoke weed. so dont be suprised if one day he/she comes home stoned if you choose westfield


--shut up, just cuz you couldnt hold your shit together doesnt mean everyone cant. fuckin loser deal with peer pressure, its gonna happen.

"deal with peer pressure"? Are you fucking kidding me? If you don't at least drink in high school you're a loser squandering some of the easiest years of your life. "holding your shit together" has nothing to do with never being invited to a party in your fucking life.

its not my fault your a fucking loser and no one likes you, you dont have to go to parties to drink or do drugs, you go to interact with your friends (if you have any). sounds more like you have social issues. and if you think if you dont drink in highschool than you a loser than you have the wrong mindset. fuck off

>1. My comment, while certainly true, was obviously a joke. Your school doesn't turn you into a cop killer, or a murderer. But you, with your low self-esteem, couldn't see that.


is it funny to make "jokes" about cop killing and murduer? ur an old ass man who lives in loudon, nobody could care less wat u have to say.

none Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Re: South Lakes or Westfield
> Posted by: westfield student ()
> Date: February 05, 2009 12:58AM
>
>
> speaking from personal experience if your child
> goes to westfield he/she will probley get into
> underage drinking and most likely smoke weed. so
> dont be suprised if one day he/she comes home
> stoned if you choose westfield
>
>
> --shut up, just cuz you couldnt hold your shit
> together doesnt mean everyone cant. fuckin loser
> deal with peer pressure, its gonna happen.



ey im just saying...i, myself decided to smoke everyday, and drink every weekend. i had my shit on lock. and dudes who in middle school, 9th grade who i thought would never ever drink or smoke the herb were most deffinintly participating....

i will add there were the small group of really smart girls who from what it seemed would never drink or smoke, and a small group of boys who would also not partake.

the peer pressure part goes on everyday if u are trying to stop the drugs- from firsthand experience. i am not a loser though! thanks for trying to insult me though, im sure it makes you feel real big and strong.

holla

westfieldstudent-10' Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> ey im just saying...i, myself decided to smoke
> everyday, and drink every weekend. i had my shit
> on lock. and dudes who in middle school, 9th grade
> who i thought would never ever drink or smoke the
> herb were most deffinintly participating....
>
> i will add there were the small group of really
> smart girls who from what it seemed would never
> drink or smoke, and a small group of boys who
> would also not partake.
>
> the peer pressure part goes on everyday if u are
> trying to stop the drugs- from firsthand
> experience. i am not a loser though! thanks for
> trying to insult me though, im sure it makes you
> feel real big and strong.
>
> holla

like none stated, you've got one distorted mindset, young one. it is not about heineken or corona. it is about living, learning, and growing up. perhaps you'll learn after you have a family just how abusive you will end up becoming towards your wife and children, scarring them for life and distorting their sense of morals and reason just as your parents have with you.

bring ur daughter to westfield if and only if shes hot

yea westfield is full of raunchy bitches

>
> like none stated, you've got one distorted
> mindset, young one. it is not about heineken or
> corona. it is about living, learning, and growing
> up. perhaps you'll learn after you have a family
> just how abusive you will end up becoming towards
> your wife and children, scarring them for life and
> distorting their sense of morals and reason just
> as your parents have with you.


you know my parents? :(. i thought they kept all that a secret. i guess police reports aren't confidential anymore. ;) lol!

sike nah just playing yall bitches

but on the real considering you don't know who i am im gonna take that as a joke.. i actually have lived the corona life, and since have halted that lifestyle, am now learning, and as you know growing up with each day of my life. i think you are talking about abuse because i priorly said i like to smoke and drink, but i don't see me abusing alcohol to the point where i would danger any of my love ones. if at all it will just trigger fun moments with my girl!

for my morals i believe marijuana should be legalized but with our damned government that wont ever happen, they are to ignorant to look at FACTS and face the truth- thats another subject though.

on the topic of reason, i'm sure you are sucked in and controlled by the Gov't as they play games with the world as we know it. if anyone wants to open their eyes and stop the corruption that we face today as American citizens watch
http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/ either movie will open your eyes.

its doubtful anyone here has the brain capacity to comprehend anything they watch or listen out of that but its worth a try

FUCK all you haters out there pc out

I've been noticing a steady increase in the number of haters on Fairfax Underground...

me too :( where is the love?

in times of economic depression we need to love and help, not hate and degrate!