Kenmore MS (Arlington) - happy, or did you transfer/go private?

[Anonymous]

Kenmore is our neighborhood MS, but we're not sure how well the school caters to those in gifted services, and how well the students generally fare academically. For families who are happy at Kenmore, can you share some positive points, and those who switched (either by transfer or to private school), can you share with us the reason? TIA

[Anonymous]

DS identified as "gifted" attended Kenmore and did fine - honor roll, NJHS, sports. All schools have their challenges but he was happy and had a good core group of friends. Now in the IB program at W-L and doing well.

[Anonymous]

Following. Considering a neighborhood transfer to Kenmore.

[Anonymous]

We moved from the Kenmore district to avoid it (we were moving anyway but staying in that district was a no go for us). We were not happy with the fights and other aspects of the environment that our child with an anxiety disorder would not do well with. We are at another APS middle and very happy. Our friends from our former neighborhood have mixed reviews. Some are happy, some are kicking themselves for not going to private. It just depends on your kid.

[Anonymous]

We have had overall good experience with Kenmore. Both my kids are oblivious, but they have both said that they haven’t seen any fights and feel safe. It is large, so they complain about the noise levels in the cafeteria. They do have alternative places to eat lunch.

The STEAM electives have been really great. We’ve also heard great things about the theater/performing arts, but beyond one kid choosing Dance PE over regular PE, we don’t have first hand experience with that.

Also, starting next year, APS is offering intensive (honors) sections of most core classes- at least for 7th and 8th graders- I’m not sure about 6th.

I know this doesn’t apply to OP, but we have one kid with a disability, and Kenmore has been way more accommodating than our elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have had overall good experience with Kenmore. Both my kids are oblivious, but they have both said that they haven’t seen any fights and feel safe. It is large, so they complain about the noise levels in the cafeteria. They do have alternative places to eat lunch.

The STEAM electives have been really great. We’ve also heard great things about the theater/performing arts, but beyond one kid choosing Dance PE over regular PE, we don’t have first hand experience with that.

Also, starting next year, APS is offering intensive (honors) sections of most core classes- at least for 7th and 8th graders- I’m not sure about 6th.

I know this doesn’t apply to OP, but we have one kid with a disability, and Kenmore has been way more accommodating than our elementary school.

That is true for the other APS MS as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have had overall good experience with Kenmore. Both my kids are oblivious, but they have both said that they haven’t seen any fights and feel safe. It is large, so they complain about the noise levels in the cafeteria. They do have alternative places to eat lunch.

The STEAM electives have been really great. We’ve also heard great things about the theater/performing arts, but beyond one kid choosing Dance PE over regular PE, we don’t have first hand experience with that.

Also, starting next year, APS is offering intensive (honors) sections of most core classes- at least for 7th and 8th graders- I’m not sure about 6th.

I know this doesn’t apply to OP, but we have one kid with a disability, and Kenmore has been way more accommodating than our elementary school.

That is true for the other APS MS as well.

I am assuming that that's why the PP said "APS is offering"

[Anonymous]

OP here - Kenmore seems to have interesting electives that appeal to DD (e.g. robotics/innovation and great selection of the arts), but their reading and math scores are much lower than other APS MS. Does anyone know if the school is undertaking any strong initiative to improve these?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Kenmore seems to have interesting electives that appeal to DD (e.g. robotics/innovation and great selection of the arts), but their reading and math scores are much lower than other APS MS. Does anyone know if the school is undertaking any strong initiative to improve these?

Those scores have been that way for quite a while.

[Anonymous]

None of the middle schools cater to gifted very well. We had a gifted kid at Swanson who we moved to private. Kenmore is probably on the better end for helping smarter kids but none of the schools are great for gifted kids. You won’t have to compete with every other family who thinks their kid is gifted. Not saying your kid is not but there’s less of a Tiger mom vibe at Kenmore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Kenmore seems to have interesting electives that appeal to DD (e.g. robotics/innovation and great selection of the arts), but their reading and math scores are much lower than other APS MS. Does anyone know if the school is undertaking any strong initiative to improve these?

Kenmore has a much higher rate of English language learners than other middle schools in Arlington. I think the low score might reflect the population more than the teaching.

[Anonymous]

Forget academics, there is a ton of fighting at this school. My kid constantly felt unsafe and miserable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Kenmore seems to have interesting electives that appeal to DD (e.g. robotics/innovation and great selection of the arts), but their reading and math scores are much lower than other APS MS. Does anyone know if the school is undertaking any strong initiative to improve these?

Kenmore has a much higher rate of English language learners than other middle schools in Arlington. I think the low score might reflect the population more than the teaching.

I think this is exactly right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Kenmore seems to have interesting electives that appeal to DD (e.g. robotics/innovation and great selection of the arts), but their reading and math scores are much lower than other APS MS. Does anyone know if the school is undertaking any strong initiative to improve these?

Kenmore has a much higher rate of English language learners than other middle schools in Arlington. I think the low score might reflect the population more than the teaching.

I think this is exactly right.

It's better to look at individual school scores by demographic groups. That separates out ELL students from white, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Kenmore seems to have interesting electives that appeal to DD (e.g. robotics/innovation and great selection of the arts), but their reading and math scores are much lower than other APS MS. Does anyone know if the school is undertaking any strong initiative to improve these?

Test scores tend to be reflective of demographics, not teaching quality.