US News rated 2 city of Richmond high schools in top 10 in Virginia (Alexandria: credit, school districts)

[Charlesaf3]

City schools get a lot of grief here, some of which is deserved, some isn't

So I thought I'd point out that 2 of the top ten high schools in Virginia, as rated by US News, were city of Richmond schools. The list is below.

Truth is, Richmond has some awful schools. But it also has 3 first class elementary schools, and 3 first class high schools (if you include Maggie walker, in which the city has the most slots, and least competition for them).

The weak link remains middle school, though Binford, Hill, and to a lesser extent the IB program at Brown show promise.



Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
6560 Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA 22312

#2
McLean High School
1633 Davidson Rd, Mclean, VA 22101

#3
Madison High
2500 James Madison Dr, Vienna, VA 22181

#4
George Mason High School
7124 Leesburg Pk, Falls Church, VA 22043

#5
Oakton High
2900 Sutton Rd, Vienna, VA 22181

#6
Langley High
6520 Georgetown Pk, Mclean, VA 22101

#7
Woodson High
9525 Main St, Fairfax, VA 22031

#8
Deep Run High
4801 Twin Hickory Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23059

#9
Richmond Community High
201 East Brookland Park Blvd, Richmond, VA 23222

#10
Open High
600 South Pine St, Richmond, VA 23220

[gladhands]

Those schools have about 200 kids each. They're more like specialty programs than good high schools.

[aquest1]

Originally Posted by gladhands

Those schools have about 200 kids each. They're more like specialty programs than good high schools.

To be fair, much of the USNWR list is of smaller uber-selective specialty schools throughout the country. It's a list that should be viewed in light of its own bias.

[sls76]

Yeah, if they only looked at the specialty centers at Godwin, Freeman, or James River those would rank much higher. But honestly I'm not familiar with how the specialty centers in the city rank.

If I were looking for a place with a great high school regardless of whether my child was admitted to a specialty center, I would focus on Deep Run, Godwin, Freeman, Cosby, or Midlothian in no particular order.

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by aquest1

To be fair, much of the USNWR list is of smaller uber-selective specialty schools throughout the country. It's a list that should be viewed in light of its own bias.

And most of those uber-selective specialized schools will have over 1000 students.

[sls76]

And the city really can't claim credit for MW although you're right--it's a cake walk to get into from the city compared with Henrico or Chesterfield.

[Charlesaf3]

all good points above, but the important point I was trying to make is that you can get a first class education in a number of city schools, which people often don't realize.

Yes, its limited to say 150 kids a year total or some such - can't remember how many slots the city gets at maggie walker. - just checked, around 50 a year.

But the truth is, that's almost enough slots for all the kids who currently are interested in a good education. It's much easier to get an excellent education than it looks.

I'm speaking not just theoretically, but as a parent of a kid in Richmond public schools, who is very focused on education.

[sls76]

Originally Posted by Charlesaf3

all good points above, but the important point I was trying to make is that you can get a first class education in a number of city schools, which people often don't realize.

Yes, its limited to say 150 kids a year total or some such - can't remember how many slots the city gets at maggie walker. - just checked, around 50 a year.

But the truth is, that's almost enough slots for all the kids who currently are interested in a good education. It's much easier to get an excellent education than it looks.

I'm speaking not just theoretically, but as a parent of a kid in Richmond public schools, who is very focused on education.

I get what you're saying. In Henrico there's 1 spot for about every 15 kids identified (my estimate based on a back of the envelope calculation) as gifted in both math and language arts. But Henrico, like Chesterfield, also has excellent specialty centers and several excellent high schools if you don't go into a specialty center.

[VA Yankee]

/\

I never feel that a school who can glean off the top X% of candidates is an accurate reflection of a school districts performance, I give more credence to the first regular school that is recognized. It is also safe to say that a school with open enrollment where parents have waited in line, entered a lottery, have to transport their child is a true reflection. Those parents who are committed enough to be involved in this way are the same parents who will be ensuring that homework is done, the child gets sleep and the child is school. I'm glad your happy with the education your child receives but what happens in middle school or high school if you don't get placement where you want?

[Charlesaf3]

You can get a great public education in Richmond. Not sure you can get a good public education, beyond elementary school, where you can.

If you can't get into a specialty school in high school you are toast. If you can, you'll be surrounded by highly motivated kids and parents.

If my daughter can't compete her way into a richmond specialty school, I will a) talk my wife down off the ledge, b) write a check to St. Catherines, and C) stop worrying about her education...

And I'm merely saying that there is the possibility of a good education in the city, I'm certainly not defending the school district's performance. Good people are trying to change it now, and making progress, but a good fair bit is still the usual urban car crash/clusterf. The system currently fails the vast majority of the kids in it.