Opinions re Falls Church High School (Alexandria, McLean: construction, private school, colleges)

[Moth]

I have read the data, but I am looking for opinions and hearsay. Thanks.

[claremarie]

I think the data speaks for itself.

Not the most high-performing student body in Fairfax County, because of the large numbers of immigrants and other low-income families. Most families with the means to live elsewhere, or to send their children to a private school, would probably do so. Having said that, the county pours extra resources into schools like these with many needy students, and that can work to the benefit of the entire student body. And if your children are strong students, they may well end up at better colleges than their intellectual peers at schools like Langley, Woodson, McLean, or Madison, where hundreds of driven high-achievers are competing for the limited number of slots that any top college will allot to a single high school.

[dullnboring]

I have two friends who went there. Neither have any complaints. While the school may not stack up as well in regards to test scores and graduation rates with other high schools in Northern Virginia, the school does possess the same curriculum and has the same opportunities afforded at higher-performing schools and in my opinion, academically-inclined children will thrive there just as they would at any school, provided the school isn't an abysmal inner city school (which FCHS is not).

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by dullnboring

I have two friends who went there. Neither have any complaints. While the school may not stack up as well in regards to test scores and graduation rates with other high schools in Northern Virginia, the school does possess the same curriculum and has the same opportunities afforded at higher-performing schools and in my opinion, academically-inclined children will thrive there just as they would at any school, provided the school isn't an abysmal inner city school (which FCHS is not).

i with dull-n-boring. if you child wants to suceed @ FCHS they will. I did just fine at TC Williams down Rt. 7 in Alexandria. TC has an even worse reputation but as long as i handled my business the distrations didnt get to me. I think Fairfax County schools are overrated anyway, but you WILL get a good education at almost any HS in Northern Virginia.

[Moth]

What distractions?

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by Moth

What distractions?

you had a few thugs, a few yuppies, a few illegals, and the construction of the new TC and the old TC falling apart. Dont get it twisted, every school in NoVA has its problems but we are a LOT better off than schools in DC and most other parts of the country. Basic every high school in NoVA has part of the first three distractions, but if you stay focused on your business you can suceed in HS in NoVA.

[saganista]

Nothing new to add, but I do think that Falls Church HS and Marshall HS get marked down just because they aren't in the top three or four among schools within 15 miles of them. These don't become 'bad schools' simply because there are other traditionally excellent schools in the vicinity. They're both perfectly good schools in their own right, and as has been said, good students should do well and be well prepared at either one of them...