Leesburg High Schools (Purcellville, Blue Ridge: credit, litigation, work)

[RobG]

Is there anyone with children in Leesburg High Schools (Loudoun County High School, Heritage High School, Loudoun Valley & Stonebridge) that can give me some flavor as to the current situation in the high schools. Specifically, whether the schools are overcrowded, how they are perceived in an academic sense, are there any safety issues, etc. Thanks.

[not2creative]

I currently have a daughter at Heritage. Before the school was built my oldest daughter went to County. County WAS very overcrowed the buildi is also 50 years old. Heritage was opened in 2003 the facility is wonderful. As far as academic's I believe a students performance it is based in part on the teacher.

The areas that feed into Valley are really growing. There is expected to be another H.S. built to offset some of the additional students.

Loudoun County Schools:
http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/lou...te/default.asp

I hope this info helps. Where are you considering moving from?

[KellyAnn08]

I have a kid in Harmony, the feeder to Valley. The situation is this now for Valley: Blue Ridge MS for 6-7, Harmony IS for 8-9, but 9th graders have opportunity to play Valley Sports, etc. but still don't have complete access to all HS activities. I have been very happy with the education level, however, not happy with the separation of 9th graders from the school. Some people like that - I don't. Supposedly, for next year, this years rising 8th graders will attend Harmony until 10th grade, yet I have not seen the "official" report on this, so if you are leaning this way, check that out.

As for County, I have had several people that I helped move out of there b/c they did want to have their kids in that school district. I have had friends whose kids attended Heritage, and they loved it.

Valley is a good school, however, it is overcrowded, that is why they have split up the grades so much. Western Loudoun is due for 2 add'l HS's. HOwever, the town of Purcellville and the County are almost at a point of litigation over the town extending utilities to HS #2 for western Loudoun (they call it some other #, aka: The Fields location off Schoolhouse Rd.). It is very disturbing to me, as I have lived out this way for 7 years and hoped this would all be resolved by the time my kids were ready for HS. Now, I don't even know if any of my kids will see this happen. They are years behind and I had to do over again, I would have stayed in Ashburn, where the county governs and they are spending the majority of the $$$'s for new and gorgeous school's and they are not facing the same overcrowding as we are out here.

Definately look at the county website that was linked in another posting, as you can see all of the info available and see the boundary lines. If the choices you mentioned were mine, I would look very closely at Heritage HS.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by RobG

Is there anyone with children in Leesburg High Schools (Loudoun County High School, Heritage High School, Loudoun Valley & Stonebridge) that can give me some flavor as to the current situation in the high schools. Specifically, whether the schools are overcrowded, how they are perceived in an academic sense, are there any safety issues, etc. Thanks.

[KellyAnn08]

I just noticed you also mentioned Stonebridge. I lived in Ashburn Farm and could kick myself for leaving. In my eyes, and many people I know in Ashburn, LOVE Stonebridge. I have been trying to convince my kids that we should move back so they can go to Stonebridge. It is a great school.

Originally Posted by KellyAnn08

I have a kid in Harmony, the feeder to Valley. The situation is this now for Valley: Blue Ridge MS for 6-7, Harmony IS for 8-9, but 9th graders have opportunity to play Valley Sports, etc. but still don't have complete access to all HS activities. I have been very happy with the education level, however, not happy with the separation of 9th graders from the school. Some people like that - I don't. Supposedly, for next year, this years rising 8th graders will attend Harmony until 10th grade, yet I have not seen the "official" report on this, so if you are leaning this way, check that out.

As for County, I have had several people that I helped move out of there b/c they did want to have their kids in that school district. I have had friends whose kids attended Heritage, and they loved it.

Valley is a good school, however, it is overcrowded, that is why they have split up the grades so much. Western Loudoun is due for 2 add'l HS's. HOwever, the town of Purcellville and the County are almost at a point of litigation over the town extending utilities to HS #2 for western Loudoun (they call it some other #, aka: The Fields location off Schoolhouse Rd.). It is very disturbing to me, as I have lived out this way for 7 years and hoped this would all be resolved by the time my kids were ready for HS. Now, I don't even know if any of my kids will see this happen. They are years behind and I had to do over again, I would have stayed in Ashburn, where the county governs and they are spending the majority of the $$$'s for new and gorgeous school's and they are not facing the same overcrowding as we are out here.

Definately look at the county website that was linked in another posting, as you can see all of the info available and see the boundary lines. If the choices you mentioned were mine, I would look very closely at Heritage HS.

Good luck.

[5stones]

Stonebridge is a very good school, it's Ashburn and not Leesburg as KellyAnn stated.

If we were still in the area my daughter would be attending Heritage. I felt it was a fine school and education for my daughter would be fine. but if your kid tended toward trouble, trouble could be found (as in any HS) I know some people have moved to go to County instead of Heritage...

Valley has a better rep as far a student body BUT...It is VERY over crowded.

County is a mixed bag...some people love it some hate it. It empasses a huge area and some more rural areas in Luckettes etc... Our friends that have kids there like it.

The new HS situation is such a mess and a shame. That HS was supposed to open in the fall of 2007 (back in 2004 that what they planned)

HS is a tough call so much is personal expirence, so many parents want to blame the school if thier "angel" isn't preforming etc... but some kids are just LAZY and won't do the work and just don't care. Some are so used to getting by in elem and MS on "extra credit and parent involement" etc.. that when the time comes for them to pony up and work for the grades they can't cut it.

Good luck...choosing a HS wasthe hardest thing about our move...elementary schools are SO EASY!!!