Don’t you just hate it when you’re headed North on Reston Parkway, and someone enters from the Toll Road and tries to skooch over 5 lanes to make a left on Sunset Hills?

In today’s Reston Insider:

• Yard Sale Mania: At a new location.

• Concerts at Lake Anne: They’re back!

• The intangibles: Why South Lakes and Herndon High are better than their rankings

THE BIG IDEA

Challenging the Elite: How South Lakes HS and Herndon HS Measure Up to Northern Virginia's Best

If I told you that our two local public high schools, South Lakes and Herndon, were in the top 15% nationwide (out of 27,145 public and private high schools), you’d think that is pretty good, right?

If I followed up by saying that one of them, South Lakes High School, was ranked in the top 8% nationwide, you would be even more impressed.

Yet, when many compare these two schools to their peers elsewhere in Northern Virginia, they believe them to be inferior—despite being among the best in the nation.

People are often fighting to move into “elite” school pyramids “rolling up” to Langley, Oakton, McLean, and Marshall when nearly every high school in our area is considered elite by most normal measures. Sure, the aforementioned schools are in the top 1% of the nation, but we’re arguing over the difference between Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc., and NYU, Georgetown, UVA, and Michigan.

The point is that there are incredible opportunities to be found at any of our Northern Virginia high schools, not the least of which can be found at South Lakes and Herndon.

In fact, one of the intangible benefits to be gained at our local high schools is a more socio-economic diverse student body. The fact that there are more lower-income students at these two high schools tends to lower their rankings because those at lower incomes often have more obstacles outside of school, limiting their resources and otherwise preventing their ability to study at the same level as those with more means. Yet, the students attending South Lakes and Herndon who do have means are not limited in their opportunities and go on to the top colleges and universities like others across the Fairfax County Public School system. And, by the way, many of those students with lesser means will find their way to those top schools, as well.

But the reason I say there is an intangible benefit to these more diverse schools despite their slightly lower rankings is that so many parents and students reference how the diversity of students widened their perspectives on the world and life—something that simply isn’t measured by ranking systems. (I encourage you to read some reviews of South Lakes and Herndon on Niche.com.)

So, the next time U.S. News and World Report drops its rankings of the best high schools or best universities, consider that our schools are far more complex than their rankings may indicate. Often the intangible experiences are the ones that truly shape your character and future pathways.

What do you think? (Reply or leave a comment).

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

They’re back: The Lake Anne of Reston Condo Association and Reston Community Center got their acts together agreed to bring Sunset Concerts at Lake Anne back this Summer after a brief stint at Reston Station.

Heavy hitter: Herndon may be getting serious about its economic development after hiring a heavy hitter who landed several “big fish” in Arlington.

Keeping up with the times: Should Fairfax County employees get a pay raise?

A new logo that doesn’t suck: Check out George Mason’s new logo. Modern, pragmatic, and classic. Not bad, says this graduate school alumnus.

Chopping cherry trees: Nearly perfectly preserved cherries were found underneath George Washington’s Mount Vernon mansion.

WHAT TO DO

🏷️ Yard Sale Mania: Reston Association is hosting a mega community yard sale (80+ sellers) in South Reston on Saturday, April 27, 8:30 am - 1 pm.

🤣 Laugh Your Head Off: Head to the Barns at Wolf Trap for an evening of comedy.

🪴 Seasonal Plant Sale: It’s Spring planting season, so why not get your perennials, fruit trees, annuals, herbs, and more straight from the soil once tilled by George Washington himself (cough…among others)? It’s at Mount Vernon on Saturday, April 27, 9 am - 3 pm.

🎤 Matteo Bocelli: Tickets are still available to see Matteo Bocelli at the Capital One Hall in Tysons.

🎵 Broadway in Reston: If you’re yearning to see a musical but can’t bear the thought of taking the Bolt bus to NYC for the weekend, head to the Reston Community Center to see The Prom, performed by the Reston Community Players. The production runs from April 26 through May 5. Get tickets here.

COMING UP

🚴 Bike to Work Day: May 17 is Bike to Work Day, so you better get that bike tuned up now. You’ll join more than 16,000 people expected to participate across the DMV to start a habit of commuting by bike. You can jump in on the fun at the Herndon Town Green or at the Bike Lane in Reston.

RESTON ASSOCIATION

Hook, line, & sinker: Ever wonder about the wild fish in Reston’s lakes? RA sent professionals to evaluate the conditions, and the video is fascinating.

EVENTS | NOTABLE DATES

Yard Sale Mania: Reston Association is hosting a mega community yard sale (80+ sellers) in South Reston on Saturday, April 27, 8:30 am - 1 pm.

Drainage 101: Everything you ever wanted to know about drainage and erosion. Tuesday, April 30 at 6 pm. Also on Zoom.

Spring Festival: Enjoy entertainment, animals, craft making for kids, displays from local environmental groups, canoe/kayak rentals on Lake Audubon ($5/half hour), a native plant sale, fishing activities, and more. May 4 at 1 pm.

THANKS!

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