Jefferson vs. Swanson vs. Williamsburg

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Can you please tell me about these schools? We live in the Jefferson middle school zone, but are considering moving to either the Swanson or Williamsburg zones. I have heard that Swanson is the best academically (test scores) and draws from N. Arlington, then comes Williamsburg (lower scores, but still a good school, mostly N. Arlington students, and a pocket of students from the Rosslyn area), and then Jefferson.

Do you have any experience/knowledge about Jefferson's IB program? I am worried about sending my DD to Jefferson. Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

If you are in the Jefferson school district, you have the option to send your child to Kenmore (in addition to HB Woodlawn which, I'm sure you know, is hard to get a spot for and Gunston, which I don't think you'd go to if your kids aren't already doing the immersion program).

But you might want to consider Kenmore if you're not happy with Jefferson - it's our neighborhood school and while my kids aren't there yet our neighbors attend (or have attended) and were happy with it. It's a brand new building and has an Arts and Communications Technology Focus. I've hard in particular if you have children involved in music it's a great environment/facility.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thank you. But to be honest, I am just as worried about Kenmore as I am about Jefferson. The test scores are dramatically lower than those for Swanson and Williamsburg, and there are many more disruptive behavior/safety incidents at Jeff/Ken also. I have been inside the Kenmore building, and it is beautiful. It's the students I am worried about!

[Anonymous]

OP again -- worried about Gunston, Kenmore, and Jefferson equally. Have been doing more research and it looks like Williamsburg and Swanson are maybe equals, similar to W-L and Yorktown (which go back and forth on test scores, but W-L definitely has a more diverse population).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thank you. But to be honest, I am just as worried about Kenmore as I am about Jefferson. The test scores are dramatically lower than those for Swanson and Williamsburg, and there are many more disruptive behavior/safety incidents at Jeff/Ken also.

PP again - the test scores are going to be lower because both of these middle schools have a very diverse student population with a lot of non-native English speakers, whereas the student population at Swanson and Williamsburg is overwhelmingly white.

I don't think my neighbors would send their children to Kenmore if they thought it was unsafe. Also my sister in law is a teacher at TJ and has had nothing but good things to say about her kids and the school in general.

I hope you can find some more first-hand experiences to help you make a decision. Have you ever been to visit any of these middle schools during a school day? I would call the principals and ask if you can come in for a tour so you can see it for yourself and/or call and ask if they can connect you to someone from the PTA who might be able to answer questions or put you in touch with current/former families and parents. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thank you. PP, your sister in law teaches at Jefferson? Or does she teach somewhere else ("TJ")? Thanks again! Have not yet visited the schools, but it is on my "to do" list.

[Anonymous]

OP here again - I obviously need to visit the schools, but someone just told me that Jefferson is in the basement of the Thomas Jefferson Community Center. Is this true??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thank you. But to be honest, I am just as worried about Kenmore as I am about Jefferson. The test scores are dramatically lower than those for Swanson and Williamsburg, and there are many more disruptive behavior/safety incidents at Jeff/Ken also.

PP again - the test scores are going to be lower because both of these middle schools have a very diverse student population with a lot of non-native English speakers, whereas the student population at Swanson and Williamsburg is overwhelmingly white.

I don't think my neighbors would send their children to Kenmore if they thought it was unsafe. Also my sister in law is a teacher at TJ and has had nothing but good things to say about her kids and the school in general.

I hope you can find some more first-hand experiences to help you make a decision. Have you ever been to visit any of these middle schools during a school day? I would call the principals and ask if you can come in for a tour so you can see it for yourself and/or call and ask if they can connect you to someone from the PTA who might be able to answer questions or put you in touch with current/former families and parents. Good luck.

Agree with this. My niece goes to Kenmore and my SIL has been happy with it - especially their band/orchestra program which is supposed to be first rate. I think it really depends a lot on your child as well...if your child is motivated and has a good group of friends who are also motivated, you should not have to worry about test scores. Same with the safety incidents...I work at a diverse high school in FCPS and we do have fights occasionally. But they are not between the IB students who are on the honor roll. So unless you feel like your child is for some reason "at risk", I would not worry too much. I really don't think you can go wrong with any of the Arlington schools.

[Anonymous]

PP here. I would also look at the size projections for all of these schools over the next 5 years. N. Arlington schools are getting extremely overcrowded - it is mostly at the elementary level now, but of course that will spread up to middle and high school as the students get older. We are in the Swanson district and I believe they are projecting huge growth over the next few years. Here is a chart:

http://www.apsva.us/15401081104241813/lib/15401081104241813/FallProjections09-14.pdf

[Anonymous]

OP here. My DD is definitley not "at risk" and is a very motivated student. Jefferson's website says all of its students are in the IB program - but are kids who are stronger academically provided with differentiated instruction (like in the elementary school we are in in Arlington, DD is in some advanced groupings). I'd love to hear from a Jefferson parent who has a child who is very strong academically. Thanks for any and all replies, please keep them coming!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My DD is definitley not "at risk" and is a very motivated student. Jefferson's website says all of its students are in the IB program - but are kids who are stronger academically provided with differentiated instruction (like in the elementary school we are in in Arlington, DD is in some advanced groupings). I'd love to hear from a Jefferson parent who has a child who is very strong academically. Thanks for any and all replies, please keep them coming!

OP, not sure what part of Arlington you live in, but if you are in N. Arlington you should join MONA (Moms of N. Arlington) and post on their listserv. I am sure you would get lots of answers there and they would be more specific and from actual parents. MONA is a great resource for school related questions as well as other parenting and Arlington issues.

www.monamoms.org

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:...in the elementary school we are in in Arlington, DD is in some advanced groupings...

my son's K teacher told us at the Back to School Night (or whatever the name) that Arl doesn't do pull out for gifted students...

[Anonymous]

Arl doesn't do pull out for gifted students...

Yes, it does. But not in K. Or, at least, the gifted teacher pulls out all the kids. Regular pull-outs don't happen until later.

[Anonymous]

OP here. My child's elem school in Arlington does group the most advanced students together for language arts (in 1st and 2nd grade for sure based upon my personal experience).

I would like to know if anything similar happens at Jefferson? Or does differentiation occur at all in middle schools in Arlington? Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it does. But not in K. Or, at least, the gifted teacher pulls out all the kids. Regular pull-outs don't happen until later.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My child's elem school in Arlington does group the most advanced students together for language arts (in 1st and 2nd grade for sure based upon my personal experience).

Thanks. I posted "Arl doesn't do pull out for gifted students." Perhaps the teacher was referring to our school only. Or I misunderstood her. Wasn't really paying attention to the topic as I don't have any pull-out worthy kids