HB-Woodlawn - what is the level of "independent study" in MS?

[Anonymous]

We are interested in applying for middle school placement via the lottery this October, but we're not familiar with how teaching is done at the school. From what we gather from the HB-Woodlawn's website, it seems that there is a higher degree of independent study given to students. Do HB Woodlawn middle schoolers spend their time doing their own research and planning their coursework independently (akin to college-style study), or do they rely on designated textbooks and workbooks outlined by the teacher? How much face-to-face teaching and assessment quizzes are given at the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are interested in applying for middle school placement via the lottery this October, but we're not familiar with how teaching is done at the school. From what we gather from the HB-Woodlawn's website, it seems that there is a higher degree of independent study given to students. Do HB Woodlawn middle schoolers spend their time doing their own research and planning their coursework independently (akin to college-style study), or do they rely on designated textbooks and workbooks outlined by the teacher? How much face-to-face teaching and assessment quizzes are given at the school?

I can’t speak to the middle school curriculum at H-B, but all Arlington high school students can take the “Independent Study” elective with a teacher sponsor.

[Anonymous]

I do not think independent study plays a big role in middle school at HB (it has not been a part of my 8th grader’s experience there). I think it is more of an option available to high school students. But you can certainly ask the school for confirmation if you want more detailed information.

[Anonymous]

HB used to be more independent with planning course work and such but with standardized testing and stuff it's not AS independent.


My middle school student does seem to have more flexibility in how they present their work and what specific topics of interest around a particular subject to work on.

But he’s taking the same classes as all the other middle school kids in the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:HB used to be more independent with planning course work and such but with standardized testing and stuff it's not AS independent.


My middle school student does seem to have more flexibility in how they present their work and what specific topics of interest around a particular subject to work on.

But he’s taking the same classes as all the other middle school kids in the county.

Back in the day, a group of H-B students could create their own elective courses on random topics of interest and find a willing teacher sponsor: Japanese manga, color theory, philosophy, a seminar on Ovid’s “The Art of Love”, swing dancing, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not think independent study plays a big role in middle school at HB (it has not been a part of my 8th grader’s experience there). I think it is more of an option available to high school students. But you can certainly ask the school for confirmation if you want more detailed information.

My kid is in 6th this year and I haven’t heard/seen anything about independent study. He seems to be taking mostly the same classes as his neighborhood middle school friends.

He has face to face teaching every day. The number of quizzes/tests seem to vary in number and style by teacher, but they happen in all non-elective classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are interested in applying for middle school placement via the lottery this October, but we're not familiar with how teaching is done at the school. From what we gather from the HB-Woodlawn's website, it seems that there is a higher degree of independent study given to students. Do HB Woodlawn middle schoolers spend their time doing their own research and planning their coursework independently (akin to college-style study), or do they rely on designated textbooks and workbooks outlined by the teacher? How much face-to-face teaching and assessment quizzes are given at the school?

The next lottery will open next December, and around that same time there will also be an information night where they will explain their philosophy and independent study, etc. and much more. You should plan to attend - usually a weeknight around 7 pm. And no, it's not like college, it's very much like at the other middle schools, but counselors help them plan their curriculum and there is some flexibility as they progress to higher grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are interested in applying for middle school placement via the lottery this October, but we're not familiar with how teaching is done at the school. From what we gather from the HB-Woodlawn's website, it seems that there is a higher degree of independent study given to students. Do HB Woodlawn middle schoolers spend their time doing their own research and planning their coursework independently (akin to college-style study), or do they rely on designated textbooks and workbooks outlined by the teacher? How much face-to-face teaching and assessment quizzes are given at the school?

No, it's like regular middle school, they use the same APS curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are interested in applying for middle school placement via the lottery this October, but we're not familiar with how teaching is done at the school. From what we gather from the HB-Woodlawn's website, it seems that there is a higher degree of independent study given to students. Do HB Woodlawn middle schoolers spend their time doing their own research and planning their coursework independently (akin to college-style study), or do they rely on designated textbooks and workbooks outlined by the teacher? How much face-to-face teaching and assessment quizzes are given at the school?

No, it's like regular middle school, they use the same APS curriculum.

Yeah independent study is optional and rare at HBW now, it’s just same curriculum in a small school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are interested in applying for middle school placement via the lottery this October, but we're not familiar with how teaching is done at the school. From what we gather from the HB-Woodlawn's website, it seems that there is a higher degree of independent study given to students. Do HB Woodlawn middle schoolers spend their time doing their own research and planning their coursework independently (akin to college-style study), or do they rely on designated textbooks and workbooks outlined by the teacher? How much face-to-face teaching and assessment quizzes are given at the school?

The next lottery will open next December, and around that same time there will also be an information night where they will explain their philosophy and independent study, etc. and much more. You should plan to attend - usually a weeknight around 7 pm. And no, it's not like college, it's very much like at the other middle schools, but counselors help them plan their curriculum and there is some flexibility as they progress to higher grades.

A lot of this is good info except HB has no counselors so that part if wrong.

There really isn't independent study in middle school. Middle schoolers take the same classes as other middle schools in APS. The curriculum is mandated by the Virginia standards of learning. There is room in their schedules for an extra elective as compared to the other middle schools, so you get more choice in what to take that way. Also HB teachers seem more flexible in how they let kids approach projects. If a student can make a good case for doing a project differently than proscribed, the teacher is likely to let them, as long as it still meets instructional objectives. As far as tests and quizzes,yes, they still have all of those, although they seem to have less than the other APS middle school I have experience with, and more projects and presentations instead.

In high school, students can do an independent study if they want, and there is also a course in which the topics are driven by student interest (I think). But they have to do this on top of fulfilling all the standard diploma requirements, and those classes are regular classes. Except, as in middle school, it seems like my high school kid has a little less tests/quizzes than a friend at another APS HS.

Students in high school do design their own course schedules, so choice and independence definitely comes into play there.

In general, the school gives students a high degree of independence, so yes, in that sense, it does remind me a lot of college. For instance, if students finish their work in a class, it's not unusual for a teacher to let them leave, increasingly so as they get older.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are interested in applying for middle school placement via the lottery this October, but we're not familiar with how teaching is done at the school. From what we gather from the HB-Woodlawn's website, it seems that there is a higher degree of independent study given to students. Do HB Woodlawn middle schoolers spend their time doing their own research and planning their coursework independently (akin to college-style study), or do they rely on designated textbooks and workbooks outlined by the teacher? How much face-to-face teaching and assessment quizzes are given at the school?

The next lottery will open next December, and around that same time there will also be an information night where they will explain their philosophy and independent study, etc. and much more. You should plan to attend - usually a weeknight around 7 pm. And no, it's not like college, it's very much like at the other middle schools, but counselors help them plan their curriculum and there is some flexibility as they progress to higher grades.

A lot of this is good info except HB has no counselors so that part if wrong.

There really isn't independent study in middle school. Middle schoolers take the same classes as other middle schools in APS. The curriculum is mandated by the Virginia standards of learning. There is room in their schedules for an extra elective as compared to the other middle schools, so you get more choice in what to take that way. Also HB teachers seem more flexible in how they let kids approach projects. If a student can make a good case for doing a project differently than proscribed, the teacher is likely to let them, as long as it still meets instructional objectives. As far as tests and quizzes,yes, they still have all of those, although they seem to have less than the other APS middle school I have experience with, and more projects and presentations instead.

In high school, students can do an independent study if they want, and there is also a course in which the topics are driven by student interest (I think). But they have to do this on top of fulfilling all the standard diploma requirements, and those classes are regular classes. Except, as in middle school, it seems like my high school kid has a little less tests/quizzes than a friend at another APS HS.

Students in high school do design their own course schedules, so choice and independence definitely comes into play there.

In general, the school gives students a high degree of independence, so yes, in that sense, it does remind me a lot of college. For instance, if students finish their work in a class, it's not unusual for a teacher to let them leave, increasingly so as they get older.

They do have counselors, who are also teachers, just not separate counseling staff. Each kid at HB has a counselor, an assigned TA in middle school who stays with them for 6/7/8, and one they pick who stays with them for 9/10/11/12.

[Anonymous]

Just a reminder that if you don’t luck out with the HB lottery, the Independent Study course can be pursued at any of the comprehensive high schools. It’s considered an elective. But I’m not sure about Arlington Tech.

[Anonymous]

Why don’t other schools let high school students leave campus, it would help with overcrowding if kids could go elsewhere to study or grab lunch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are interested in applying for middle school placement via the lottery this October, but we're not familiar with how teaching is done at the school. From what we gather from the HB-Woodlawn's website, it seems that there is a higher degree of independent study given to students. Do HB Woodlawn middle schoolers spend their time doing their own research and planning their coursework independently (akin to college-style study), or do they rely on designated textbooks and workbooks outlined by the teacher? How much face-to-face teaching and assessment quizzes are given at the school?

The next lottery will open next December, and around that same time there will also be an information night where they will explain their philosophy and independent study, etc. and much more. You should plan to attend - usually a weeknight around 7 pm. And no, it's not like college, it's very much like at the other middle schools, but counselors help them plan their curriculum and there is some flexibility as they progress to higher grades.

A lot of this is good info except HB has no counselors so that part if wrong.

There really isn't independent study in middle school. Middle schoolers take the same classes as other middle schools in APS. The curriculum is mandated by the Virginia standards of learning. There is room in their schedules for an extra elective as compared to the other middle schools, so you get more choice in what to take that way. Also HB teachers seem more flexible in how they let kids approach projects. If a student can make a good case for doing a project differently than proscribed, the teacher is likely to let them, as long as it still meets instructional objectives. As far as tests and quizzes,yes, they still have all of those, although they seem to have less than the other APS middle school I have experience with, and more projects and presentations instead.

In high school, students can do an independent study if they want, and there is also a course in which the topics are driven by student interest (I think). But they have to do this on top of fulfilling all the standard diploma requirements, and those classes are regular classes. Except, as in middle school, it seems like my high school kid has a little less tests/quizzes than a friend at another APS HS.

Students in high school do design their own course schedules, so choice and independence definitely comes into play there.

In general, the school gives students a high degree of independence, so yes, in that sense, it does remind me a lot of college. For instance, if students finish their work in a class, it's not unusual for a teacher to let them leave, increasingly so as they get older.

They do have counselors, who are also teachers, just not separate counseling staff. Each kid at HB has a counselor, an assigned TA in middle school who stays with them for 6/7/8, and one they pick who stays with them for 9/10/11/12.

I thought kids got a different TA for each year of middle school but then picked another TA to stick with them through all 4 years of high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t other schools let high school students leave campus, it would help with overcrowding if kids could go elsewhere to study or grab lunch.

Arlington’s high school open campus policies have been limited to seniors since the 1980s. So only seniors can leave. Some high schools in Montgomery Country still have open campus for all students and a longer lunch period so clubs can meet.