FC/OT: Anyone experience school re-districting (positive/negative)? Fairfax Co. (VA) considering redrawing school boundaries....

[Midnighter]

And folks in my neck of the woods are sweating bullets. We're currently mapped to the 'best' public high-school pyramid in VA (Langley; TJ notwithstanding), but an FCPS redistricting effort is being considered to plan for anticipated population growth (and other various issues within the entire FCPS system). As such, part of where I live would be re-mapped from Langley, to Herndon, which is - checks notes - #86th overall in VA. Oh, and it apparently has a gang and drop-out problem. It is also 70%+ minority enrollment and underperforming in general (across the board) compared to peer schools. Needless to say, many residents here are not happy. Our zip code is top three in the DMV for property values, and the wealth is tremendous (not me mind you ; Youngkin lives here, Cheney's live here, etc. Moving half the community from one school the other would likely decimate property values.

Anyone experience anything similar? Any good/bad outcomes? We're not really impacted academically since our kids go to private school, and we live in the part that would likely stay mapped to Langley, but if I'm a homeowner who moved here because of the public schools and was told we're changing high schools I'd have some serious issues.

 

[BobPSU92]

Kids still go to school? Such an antiquated notion. Get them a football, basketball, or on skates early and never look back.

 

[Bison13]

And folks in my neck of the woods are sweating bullets. We're currently mapped to the 'best' public high-school pyramid in VA (Langley; TJ notwithstanding), but an FCPS redistricting effort is being considered to plan for anticipated population growth (and other various issues within the entire FCPS system). As such, part of where I live would be re-mapped from Langley, to Herndon, which is - checks notes - #86th overall in VA. Oh, and it apparently has a gang and drop-out problem. It is also 70%+ minority enrollment and underperforming in general (across the board) compared to peer schools. Needless to say, many residents here are not happy. Our zip code is top three in the DMV for property values, and the wealth is tremendous (not me mind you ; Youngkin lives here, Cheney's live here, etc. Moving half the community from one school the other would likely decimate property values.

Anyone experience anything similar? Any good/bad outcomes? We're not really impacted academically since our kids go to private school, and we live in the part that would likely stay mapped to Langley, but if I'm a homeowner who moved here because of the public schools and was told we're changing high schools I'd have some serious issues.

So you are districted to one of the best high schools in the entire country and you still send your kid to private school?

I work in public Education and see this all the time, honestly it’s never good, but I’ll keep the rest of my comments out because everybody here will just think it’s political.

 

[MtNittany]

So you are districted to one of the best high schools in the entire country and you still send your kid to private school?

I work in public Education and see this all the time, honestly it’s never good, but I’ll keep the rest of my comments out because everybody here will just think it’s political.

Is this that traffic-heavy, gubbmint employee/contract-heavy, ego-heavy area of the Mid-Atlantic that no one really wants to visit or live, but has to because they are basically living off our tax dollars and have no choice?

 

[Midnighter]

So you are districted to one of the best high schools in the entire country and you still send your kid to private school?

I work in public Education and see this all the time, honestly it’s never good, but I’ll keep the rest of my comments out because everybody here will just think it’s political.

Yes, but we were doing private before we moved here.

Anyway, thanks for the comment! Definitely a lot of political issues contributing to this, but mostly wanted feedback from folks who went through the experience and what were the outcomes, not trying to get into everything else.

 

[Jriddy]

And folks in my neck of the woods are sweating bullets. We're currently mapped to the 'best' public high-school pyramid in VA (Langley; TJ notwithstanding), but an FCPS redistricting effort is being considered to plan for anticipated population growth (and other various issues within the entire FCPS system). As such, part of where I live would be re-mapped from Langley, to Herndon, which is - checks notes - #86th overall in VA. Oh, and it apparently has a gang and drop-out problem. It is also 70%+ minority enrollment and underperforming in general (across the board) compared to peer schools. Needless to say, many residents here are not happy. Our zip code is top three in the DMV for property values, and the wealth is tremendous (not me mind you ; Youngkin lives here, Cheney's live here, etc. Moving half the community from one school the other would likely decimate property values.

Anyone experience anything similar? Any good/bad outcomes? We're not really impacted academically since our kids go to private school, and we live in the part that would likely stay mapped to Langley, but if I'm a homeowner who moved here because of the public schools and was told we're changing high schools I'd have some serious issues.

So this is a very interesting issue. I have 2 boys that go to Herndon High. Herndon has it fair share of issues although I know of no gang problem and I think the minority percentage is about 1/2 of what you stated. Herndon also has plenty of kids going to great schools. Their best pitcher is attending Princeton this coming fall. We have multiple football players that have Ivy offers. We also have had plenty of non athletes go to great school. There is a graduation rate issue - they are trying to improve that but I have no idea whether their efforts will work.

This debate surfaces from time to time but I would submit anyone who has bought a house - at least in the last 25 years - should have had a possible change on their radar screen when they bought their house. Our summer pool has several families who live on the Herndon High side of route 7 and are within 3 miles of Herndon high yet they go to Langley which is about 12 miles from their respective neighborhoods . These wealthy neighborhoods have successfully lobbied vs a change several times over the last 25 years, but it was quite obvious at some point a change would likely be made. If you have females you can send them to Madeira or oakcrest. Private male schools are a bit further if Herndon doesn’t work. And anyone that is zoned for Herndon can go to south lakes if they want an IB program.

will be interested to see how it plays out…

 

[Midnighter]

So this is a very interesting issue. I have 2 boys that go to Herndon High. Herndon has it fair share of issues although I know of no gang problem and I think the minority percentage is about 1/2 of what you stated. Herndon also has plenty of kids going to great schools. Their best pitcher is attending Princeton this coming fall. We have multiple football players that have Ivy offers. We also have had plenty of non athletes go to great school. There is a graduation rate issue - they are trying to improve that but I have no idea whether their efforts will work.

This debate surfaces from time to time but I would submit anyone who has bought a house - at least in the last 25 years - should have had a possible change on their radar screen when they bought their house. Our summer pool has several families who live on the Herndon High side of route 7 and are within 3 miles of Herndon high yet they go to Langley which is about 12 miles from their respective neighborhoods . These wealthy neighborhoods have successfully lobbied vs a change several times over the last 25 years, but it was quite obvious at some point a change would likely be made. If you have females you can send them to Madeira or oakcrest. Private male schools are a bit further if Herndon doesn’t work. And anyone that is zoned for Herndon can go to south lakes if they want an IB program.

will be interested to see how it plays out…

Thanks for the insight! I took the minority enrollment numbers from the US News & World Report profile (with 51% Hispanic - which I've also heard from the School Board reps here). The 'gang' problem was from a parent I know who mentioned it (YMMV).

I believe folks in Great Falls who used to live West of Springvale Rd. towards 7 used to be mapped to Herndon prior to 1994; that is the line many people think it will revert to. I do know the Great Falls Citizens Association has mobilized in a big way around this and agree - will be interesting to see what happens.

 

[Jriddy]

Thanks for the insight! I took the minority enrollment numbers from the US News & World Report profile (with 51% Hispanic - which I've also heard from the School Board reps here). The 'gang' problem was from a parent I know who mentioned it (YMMV).

I believe folks in Great Falls who used to live West of Springvale Rd. towards 7 used to be mapped to Herndon prior to 1994; that is the line many people think it will revert to. I do know the Great Falls Citizens Association has mobilized in a big way around this and agree - will be interesting to see what happens.

Interesting regarding the Hispanic statistic - def seems higher than I would have expected. That written, my sons have a grandparent that was born in Cuba Pre Castro. As a result I believe they are classified as Hispanic…

 

[BobPSU92]

Is this that traffic-heavy, gubbmint employee/contract-heavy, ego-heavy area of the Mid-Atlantic that no one really wants to visit or live, but has to because they are basically living off our tax dollars and have no choice?

Virginia laughs at Florida. New Jersey laughs at both of them.

 

[MtNittany]

Virginia laughs at Florida. New Jersey laughs at both of them.

FL understands its place. It can never compare to the perfection of VA or NJ. Especially Juno Beach and Delray.

 

[NittanyBuff]

And folks in my neck of the woods are sweating bullets. We're currently mapped to the 'best' public high-school pyramid in VA (Langley; TJ notwithstanding), but an FCPS redistricting effort is being considered to plan for anticipated population growth (and other various issues within the entire FCPS system). As such, part of where I live would be re-mapped from Langley, to Herndon, which is - checks notes - #86th overall in VA. Oh, and it apparently has a gang and drop-out problem. It is also 70%+ minority enrollment and underperforming in general (across the board) compared to peer schools. Needless to say, many residents here are not happy. Our zip code is top three in the DMV for property values, and the wealth is tremendous (not me mind you ; Youngkin lives here, Cheney's live here, etc. Moving half the community from one school the other would likely decimate property values.

Anyone experience anything similar? Any good/bad outcomes? We're not really impacted academically since our kids go to private school, and we live in the part that would likely stay mapped to Langley, but if I'm a homeowner who moved here because of the public schools and was told we're changing high schools I'd have some serious issues.

Actually was speaking to a parent of a kid who was going to Herndon Middle I believe and the terrible experience he had there, they moved to Loudoun and he's much happier now. Good luck

 

[Ceasar]

And folks in my neck of the woods are sweating bullets. We're currently mapped to the 'best' public high-school pyramid in VA (Langley; TJ notwithstanding), but an FCPS redistricting effort is being considered to plan for anticipated population growth (and other various issues within the entire FCPS system). As such, part of where I live would be re-mapped from Langley, to Herndon, which is - checks notes - #86th overall in VA. Oh, and it apparently has a gang and drop-out problem. It is also 70%+ minority enrollment and underperforming in general (across the board) compared to peer schools. Needless to say, many residents here are not happy. Our zip code is top three in the DMV for property values, and the wealth is tremendous (not me mind you ; Youngkin lives here, Cheney's live here, etc. Moving half the community from one school the other would likely decimate property values.

Anyone experience anything similar? Any good/bad outcomes? We're not really impacted academically since our kids go to private school, and we live in the part that would likely stay mapped to Langley, but if I'm a homeowner who moved here because of the public schools and was told we're changing high schools I'd have some serious issues.

I have spent just a little time in Herndon and am very surprised to see this about its demographics. Good information, Midnighter, thanks. I definitely understand your point about property values. And I applaud your choice of private school for your kids. They will thank you one day.

 

[PSU Mike]

I know this doesn’t give you the feedback you’re seeking, but here are my thoughts.

With reasonably good information, anybody that bought a property since this possibility has been floated paid a price that reflects that uncertainty. That is, there would have been a higher price point if Langley hoods were “guaranteed” to remain Langley, and a lower price point if a Langley home was certain to become a Herndon home. As long as the status quo holds, the ones that essentially gambled that Langley would remain the school - particularly those with school-age children — are winners.

Home buying always involves many uncertainties. While I feel for people that get truly blindsided by something, yours is not an area where a neighbor’s lack of education about these uncertainties should make you lose any sleep.

Good luck.

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

If your kids jock out, that’d be my only concern (lacrosse)

 

[Connorpozlee]

So you are districted to one of the best high schools in the entire country and you still send your kid to private school?

I work in public Education and see this all the time, honestly it’s never good, but I’ll keep the rest of my comments out because everybody here will just think it’s political.

I work in public schools as well. I have one more year of paying for Catholic school which will wrap up 20 years of doing so for my four daughters. I have no money and absolutely no complaints about the decision to send our kids to Catholic school.

 

[retsio]

My Father (Principal at Abington for 24 years), always cautioned when looking and comparing School Districts -- compare the Percentage of High School graduates that are accepted to 4 year colleges in each/any class -- that will provide information about the quality of the teachers, administrators and how the school board (residents) values a top notch education. Are they preparing kids for a good future.

Obviously private schools can have a 100% graduation rate - Blair, Lawrenceville, Delbarton, Peddie, Wyoming Sem., Hill, to name a few - and many in New England and the South. Good teachers, good leadership, good connections and many alumni for donations.

 

[Midnighter]

I know this doesn’t give you the feedback you’re seeking, but here are my thoughts.

With reasonably good information, anybody that bought a property since this possibility has been floated paid a price that reflects that uncertainty. That is, there would have been a higher price point if Langley hoods were “guaranteed” to remain Langley, and a lower price point if a Langley home was certain to become a Herndon home. As long as the status quo holds, the ones that essentially gambled that Langley would remain the school - particularly those with school-age children — are winners.

Home buying always involves many uncertainties. While I feel for people that get truly blindsided by something, yours is not an area where a neighbor’s lack of education about these uncertainties should make you lose any sleep.

Good luck.

Nothing officially announced in terms of potential new re-districting; just that it is under consideration - and this is only within the last few days. If you're interested in some of the consternation around this (re-districting is not unique to Langley/Herndon; it will be county wide) - check out:

FCPS HS Boundary

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

yours is not an area where a neighbor’s lack of education about these uncertainties should make you lose any sleep.

wut?

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

Always look at the high school bb roster pics.

 

[PSU Mike]

yours is not an area where a neighbor’s lack of education about these uncertainties should make you lose any sleep.

wut?

Anybody that bought in that area should have known about this risk.

So while @Midnighter may wonder about his own “payout” he need not concern himself beyond that.

 

[Midnighter]

So you are districted to one of the best high schools in the entire country and you still send your kid to private school?

I work in public Education and see this all the time, honestly it’s never good, but I’ll keep the rest of my comments out because everybody here will just think it’s political.

I'd add it's rather shocking to see the college placement numbers for Langley versus our private; both have top schools and of course Langley is bigger, but they have a staggering number of Ivy League placements and tons of Georgetown, UVA, Michigan, etc. I think our private had three total go to UVA - Langley probably had a dozen. What's funny/sad is some, but not all and not even most, of the consideration for private school is thinking it will help them get into better colleges - and while I do believe it offers better preparation, colleges prefer to have a public-school standout versus a private. Sigh.

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

Is your private thru 12th grade?

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

from moms

 

[BobPSU92]

Nothing officially announced in terms of potential new re-districting; just that it is under consideration - and this is only within the last few days. If you're interested in some of the consternation around this (re-districting is not unique to Langley/Herndon; it will be county wide) - check out:

FCPS HS Boundary

Is this gerrymandering or someone else mandering? Womandering?

 

[Midnighter]

Is this gerrymandering or someone else mandering? Womandering?

It's converting your top LB prospect to undersized DE because you can't recruit DE's. Positional whack-a-mole to address a symptom, not the cause.

 

[BobPSU92]

It's converting your top LB prospect to undersized DE because you can't recruit DE's. Positional whack-a-mole to address a symptom, not the cause.

As a Penn Stater, I understand now.

 

[Midnighter]

Is your private thru 12th grade?

Yup. We didn't consider any non K-12 schools; best chance in a competitive environment is K acceptance as they have the most spots and the fewest criteria for acceptance (they do have personal visits, letters from pre-schools, WPPS, but nothing compared to what 8th graders go through for 9th). Post-COVID the acceptance rates have hit Ivy League type lows as parents became disenfranchised with the slow movement of FCPS.

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

Does this school field a football team?

 

[Midnighter]

Does this school field a football team?

It does. And sports are mandatory.

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

Impressive. Is the lax team competitive ? The privates in SE PA recruit and field killer teams (nephews attended LaSalle, didn’t play lax)

 

[Midnighter]

Impressive. Is the lax team competitive ? The privates in SE PA recruit and field killer teams (nephews attended LaSalle, didn’t play lax)

Pretty good I think; since my kids aren't playing sports there yet I'm not too well versed in how good they are.

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

Uncle Rick is sending over some cross s. They need to start yesterday. Piano Schmiano.

 

[Mufasa94]

I don’t have direct experience, but I know of communities that previously had different schools that went through a merger decades ago to create Woodland Hills HS (think of Steve Breaston, Miles Sanders, etc.) outside of Pittsburgh.

Churchill used to be the nicest eastern suburb in the county and was included. While it itself isn’t dangerous, no way I’d own a home there.

Here’s a story about some of the district’s students for just this year:

Through long history of trauma and hardship, Woodland Hills students and staff remain resilient

On a field behind Woodland Hills High School, upbeat music from a marching band sounded while nearly 200 students in graduation caps and gowns paraded...

www.post-gazette.com

 

[TiogaLion]

My Father (Principal at Abington for 24 years), always cautioned when looking and comparing School Districts -- compare the Percentage of High School graduates that are accepted to 4 year colleges in each/any class -- that will provide information about the quality of the teachers, administrators and how the school board (residents) values a top notch education. Are they preparing kids for a good future.

Obviously private schools can have a 100% graduation rate - Blair, Lawrenceville, Delbarton, Peddie, Wyoming Sem., Hill, to name a few - and many in New England and the South. Good teachers, good leadership, good connections and many alumni for donations.

It's about the parents. If you take children whose parents truly value an education you find that school has "good" teachers. Kids with parents that don't care and won't get involved with discipline and homework generally go to a school with "bad" teachers. Switch the kids between the two sets of parents and you'll find the "good" and "bad" labels on the teachers are also switched.

 

[PSU Mike]

It's about the parents. If you take children whose parents truly value an education you find that school has "good" teachers. Kids with parents that don't care and won't get involved with discipline and homework generally go to a school with "bad" teachers. Switch the kids between the two sets of parents and you'll find the "good" and "bad" labels on the teachers are also switched.

 

[Connorpozlee]

It's about the parents. If you take children whose parents truly value an education you find that school has "good" teachers. Kids with parents that don't care and won't get involved with discipline and homework generally go to a school with "bad" teachers. Switch the kids between the two sets of parents and you'll find the "good" and "bad" labels on the teachers are also switched.

I disagree with this. I know many great teachers who teach at tough schools (really. the only schools I’ve worked at) who would also be great teachers in higher socioeconomic schools. I don’t think it necessarily works in reverse.

 

[PSU87]

Uncle Rick is sending over some cross s. They need to start yesterday. Piano Schmiano.

They can't do lacrosse and piano?

I tried to tell my two athletically gifted children that my meniscus torn, labrum torn broken arse body can no longer play basketball.... but I still play guitar and piano.

The music thing will last them longer.....

 

[Midnighter]

It's about the parents. If you take children whose parents truly value an education you find that school has "good" teachers. Kids with parents that don't care and won't get involved with discipline and homework generally go to a school with "bad" teachers. Switch the kids between the two sets of parents and you'll find the "good" and "bad" labels on the teachers are also switched.

I think the bigger issue, and my MIL, SIL, and BIL are all current or former teachers in Bucks Co./Philadelphia school districts, is school administrators. They handcuff teachers by being lax on disciplinary/grading which demotivates staff who already have to deal with threats of violence, absenteeism, criminal behavior, etc.

 

[Bkmtnittany1]

I think the bigger issue, and my MIL, SIL, and BIL are all current or former teachers in Bucks Co./Philadelphia school districts, is school administrators. They handcuff teachers by being lax on disciplinary/grading which demotivates staff who already have to deal with threats of violence, absenteeism, criminal behavior, etc.

Never had to deal with that problem in my 35 years in the classroom. Retired 7 years ago and that’s all I hear from teachers today. Glad I am done!

 

[BobPSU92]

Question: Do any parents send kids from these fancy-a$$ Virginia schools to Penn State? Do these kids smell too good for Penn State?