Looking for Best elementary schools (Reston, Fairfax: home, preschool, university) - City-Data Forum

newmom999 · 02-09-2012, 12:32 PM

Hi,

Currently we stay in Loudoun county.My Kid will start going to KG from this Sep onwards,so far he is a good private school(which has from preschool to 8th grade),they teach quite a bit and Kid is already into 1st grade Math/English etc.

Now the problem is,the elementary schools ratings in our area have gone down to 6(as per the great school websites) in the recent years and I also talked to my friend whose kid also goes there,she did say that school is not that good.

Since sending him to the pvt school is expensive,so..we are thinking of moving to a different area next year where the schools are good.I have following questions:

1)Am I thinking too much about the elementary school?

2)Since my kid is learning in a fast pace,I want to make sure I give him the best like any other parent,and hence looking for good schools..Any suggestions on good schools in North VA.Since I work in Reston,I also have to keep in my mind about my commute from home.

3)My plan is to enroll my kid into GT schools( I believe that starts from 3rd grade onwards),if he gets the admission and gets qualifies.Any links/info on that would be appreciated.

Thanks,
NewMom

Tone509 · 02-09-2012, 05:54 PM

On this forum, there's one school of thought - no pun intended - that schools here generally teach the same curriculum county-wide. and that it is the socioeconomic diversity (or lack thereof) that can make the difference at times. If one does subscribe to that theory, then one would want to strive to get into the least expensive home in the most affluent high school pyramid they can afford. In Fairfax County, for example, areas that fall under the Madison and Langley High School pyramids are often mentioned on the forum. Then again, while Fairfax County Public Schools have a (inter)nationally renowned reputation, LCPS isn't that much of a drop-off, or so I've been led to believe. It may be a matter of finding the most affluent community that you can afford.

Movingwesttoeast · 02-10-2012, 08:45 PM

I used to think that the curriculum at all FCPS elementary schools was the same, but that may not be true. Some elementary schools are moving to an "advanced academic" program for ALL students. I have kids at two elementary schools in FC. I received a letter for one school indicating they were enriching the curriculum for all students in math, science, social studies and language arts. This "advanced academics" is not the same as AAP level IV services, but it is meant to enrich and broaden student's education for higher learning. I have heard that the new math program is like the APP level IV. I have to go the upcoming PTA meeting to fully understand what is happening, how the new curriculum differs from the old, and if it is correct that some, but not all schools, are getting this enhancement.
So, while lots of posters say the curriculum is the same across all FCPS elementary schools...that may not be the case.

OrangeFish · 02-11-2012, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Movingwesttoeast

I received a letter for one school indicating they were enriching the curriculum for all students in math, science, social studies and language arts. This "advanced academics" is not the same as AAP level IV services, but it is meant to enrich and broaden student's education for higher learning.

This is a pilot in one cluster and it may be rolled out across the entire County (depending upon the results of the pilot). The new math sequence is different as it is already in place across the entire County.

western loudoun · 02-12-2012, 03:22 PM

Lincoln in Purcellville has the highest sol scores in the state.

CAVA1990 · 02-12-2012, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newmom999

Now the problem is,the elementary schools ratings in our area have gone down to 6(as per the great school websites) in the recent years and I also talked to my friend whose kid also goes there,she did say that school is not that good.

So what made that happen? Did the good teachers leave, class sizes increase, or curriculum change? Perhaps you should call the district office and ask them to provide an explanation. I'd be demanding answers.

sullyguy · 02-12-2012, 05:18 PM

My daughter went to a plain old FCPS elementary and a plain old FCPS middle school. She seems to be doing just fine and I expect her to do quite well at plain old Westfield then on to some college somewhere where she'll do...you know...just fine.

Did I miss something here?

[=I= went to about 4 plain old elementary schools (army brat) - some of them actually somewhere in FCPS! I went to a run-of-the-mill junior high school (wasn't called middle school then). I went to a brand-new high school but, as far as I know, it wasn't especially spectacular. Then I went to a state university. What's the point? The point is I've done quite well. Perhaps angst over trivial differences in schooling isn't where the angst should be focused]

fudgesicko · 02-13-2012, 01:46 PM

I don't want to sound like a bad guy, but isn't elementary too soon to know if your child is gifted/push academics on them (kids want to have fun)? Then again, at that age, I was pretty dumb (kept on trying to force a square peg into a circle shaped hole). If I were you, I wouldn't worry to much about the elementary school, and start saving up for private/elite status high schools. I think colleges will be looking at that more than if your kid chose the correct color to shade the apple as he was peeing themselves/pooping themselves/eating boogers/poking each others eyeballs in elementary school.

Middlin · 02-13-2012, 03:53 PM

I don't think it's a one size fits all kind of thing. My son was bored out of his mind in 1st & 2nd grade and then went to a new ES for 3rd when our school boundaries changed. This school and teacher was much more willing to give him work that would challenge him and he since he scored so high on tests, they automatically placed in the gifted program. He's excited about school and loves to learn. I don't think there is anything wrong with questioning WHY a schools score went down. If the school is doing well on standarized tests (which I think is the minimum a school should do) why wouldn't that be a factor? My Mother was a public HS teacher for 25 years, and teachers tend to teach to the lowest common denominator in the class if thats the majority.

Elementary and middle school lays the foundation for long term education. If the foundation is weak, you aren't going to be successful in HS or college.

In short, I don't think that a high rating on greatschools means that school will work w/ your child if they have a different learning style, or that the gifted program is a one size fits all, or that a large class size will challenge some teachers more than others. I also don't think that private schools are immune to issues either, but paying parents tend to speed up certain problems.

If you think your son would do well in a public school and take advantage of all the opportunities the school provides, I would research areas you can afford to live in and not have a terrible commute and reach out to the principal's of 2 or 3 schools. Any school not willing to discuss academics, learning environment, etc is not a school you want.

Al2012 · 03-13-2012, 12:05 AM

we are currently overseas, and even though our 8 year old son goes to what can be called an elitist company sponsored school, he does not like it ... I think that's mainly because the teachers have to accomodate all, and that means the lowest common denominator ... it would be great to find what schools in Mclean / Great Falls / Vienna (where we plan to come back to in couple of years) can work with the children on a case-by-case situation... or what school will group children of similar learning styles and abilities to have a fun rewarding learning experience... so far, all I see is schools teaching for SOL scores ... any comments / suggestions...