Declining enrollment at APS

[Anonymous]

This bodes poorly:

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/17/us/public-schools-falling-enrollment.html#commentsContainer

https://www.arlnow.com/2021/11/23/ed-talk-the-impacts-of-aps-enrollment-declines/

so basically anyone with means is moving to a resort town or going private...

And I hope they don't close schools here as we have been overcrowded forever.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s too early to panic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s too early to panic.

To add, my school is adding a kindergarten next year

[Anonymous]

You think that it's some kind of huge surprise that people moved from a school system that went virtual to ones that remained in person? It's indicative of nothing except people like to send their kids to school in person. Hope we don't have another pandemic.

[Anonymous]

LOL. “Close schools.”

So hysterical.

[Anonymous]

I can afford not to, but we are staying. I do think about 20% of familes have left. Schools are not overcrowded in the wealthier areas. We used to have 4 classes for each grade, now we have 3 and 2 in some.

[Anonymous]

I am not seeing a down side

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can afford not to, but we are staying. I do think about 20% of familes have left. Schools are not overcrowded in the wealthier areas. We used to have 4 classes for each grade, now we have 3 and 2 in some.

Yes but now we have three classes packed with kids instead of for kids over 4 classes spread out. Our class size tim our north Arlington Elementary is larger than last year but we’re down in actual classes. We lost almost 120 kids the past 2 years. Our 5th grade classes are packed and unmanaged from a behavior perspective. I am regretting not leaving.

[Anonymous]

It means much less federal tax money coming in to the school district. Look for staff to be cut.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can afford not to, but we are staying. I do think about 20% of familes have left. Schools are not overcrowded in the wealthier areas. We used to have 4 classes for each grade, now we have 3 and 2 in some.

Yes but now we have three classes packed with kids instead of for kids over 4 classes spread out. Our class size tim our north Arlington Elementary is larger than last year but we’re down in actual classes. We lost almost 120 kids the past 2 years. Our 5th grade classes are packed and unmanaged from a behavior perspective. I am regretting not leaving.

5th grade is awful this year, in terms of behavior. My child is completely miserable. Absolutely regretting staying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can afford not to, but we are staying. I do think about 20% of familes have left. Schools are not overcrowded in the wealthier areas. We used to have 4 classes for each grade, now we have 3 and 2 in some.

Yes but now we have three classes packed with kids instead of for kids over 4 classes spread out. Our class size tim our north Arlington Elementary is larger than last year but we’re down in actual classes. We lost almost 120 kids the past 2 years. Our 5th grade classes are packed and unmanaged from a behavior perspective. I am regretting not leaving.

5th grade is awful this year, in terms of behavior. My child is completely miserable. Absolutely regretting staying.

Mine is as well. This is a kid who has always had a good relationship with their teachers before this year. The teacher punishes the entire class for the actions of a few which pisses off the kids that behave. I don't blame the kids - its a horrible discipline tactic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It means much less federal tax money coming in to the school district. Look for staff to be cut.

Why do people always post this? We pay taxes if our kids go to public or private school.

[Anonymous]

For kids who think public school is horrible this year. I promise (from a teacher perspective at least) private school is also horrible. I have a number of friends that teach at private school and they are miserable this year (2 of them are leaving teaching all together at the end of the year). It is not like private school kids magically know how to behave better than public school kids. And it is not like private school teachers get amazing support from Admin just because they are private. This year has been a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It means much less federal tax money coming in to the school district. Look for staff to be cut.

They can start with cutting all the positions that have been vacant this year or aren’t getting any applicants. Have you seen the vacancy list?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It means much less federal tax money coming in to the school district. Look for staff to be cut.

Why do people always post this? We pay taxes if our kids go to public or private school.

They are probably referring to per pupil spending. If the declines are really that great teachers (the largest expense in a school by far) will also be cut and it evens out.