King Abdullah Academy Closing: FCPS Buy for HS?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:If you think people complaining about FCPS spending $150M for something that’s been in the plans for 20 years is bad, wait to see how they react to spending $150M for something (Aviation Acadeny, TJ West, etc) that’s been in no plans.

Well, just to play devils advocate here, people appear to be upset about the secrecy and lack of disclosure, not necessarily about the school; and just because you spent 20 years assuming that the western school would benefit your area doesn’t mean that the school board is beholden to you.

No one is upset about nonexistent "secrecy"'except one poster on here, you.

Not just on here, aren’t you up in arms about some next door posts? Weird that you just conveniently forget your talking points when it suits your argument.

The only person desperately parroting talking points is you.

The rest of us are discussing this great new school!

So you really think that the budget should revolve around you? It’d be interesting to take a poll of Fairfax county to see how many people would support a magnet over a school devoted to fixing pretend capacity issues in your area. (Though I’ll concede that your split feeder situation does suck, but will remind you that you bought your house knowing the situation).

I think you’d probably get 80% support a new magnet with available options for their kids to go to it if they are smart enough.

It’s the reason it’s actually being discussed by the board, rather than just anonymous internet buffoons on an anonymous forum pretending like they deserve a school just because there was a placeholder in the CIP.

I think you two are pushing back so vociferously because you know I’m right. The community would be ecstatic to get a magnet west over placating a bunch of insufferable constituents who believe they are owed anything.

Of course people would vote that way because they would potentially benefit from a magnet school, whereas if they aren't in the area of KAA they wouldn't benefit from it. People are obviously going to vote in their self interest.

Honestly, most people are not interested in a magnet--except, maybe DCUM.

People in the western part of the county for sure are interested. Imagine not having to schlep to Alexandria every day because your kid’s a genius.

If your kid is indeed a "genius," which is doubtful, then s/he can schlep away to Alexandria. No one cares about your kid's commute when plenty of other kids simply need a high school.
DP

Sorry, I didn’t realize that there were kids who live in Fairfax who don’t currently have a public high school that they can attend.

If, on the other hand, you just want a high school closer to your house, then I gladly reverse uno your second sentence back your way that “No one cares about your kid’s commute” especially when you chose your house knowing the schools.

My kid's high school commute is perfectly doable and we're not in an area that will be rezoned. I'm talking about the need for a new high school where the KAA property is. You're the only weirdo on this thread arguing that there isn't a need for a school there and that it should become a magnet school because you obviously think your kid would qualify to attend. It's not going to be a magnet school - nor should it. Move on.

I think that PP was just pointing out the irony of the same people complaining about their kid's 30 minute commute to Oakton saying nobody cares if a kid has an hour commute to TJ.

DP but one of those is a choice and the other is assigned. Surely you can see the difference? Nobody is forcing a child to go to TJ (except maybe their parents), any child can get a great, STEM-oriented education at any high school.

You also made a choice to buy or rent a house in the Oakton pyramid with the long commute, no? The last major rezoning was a while ago now so my empathy wears thin.

What about the people being shipped to Oakton by THRU who purchased in Chantilly pyramid?

Just say you live on ladybank lane and think splitting up the neighborhood is not consistent with the goals of the school board. That's a better look than attacking the possibility of a magnet school.

But, it is okay to insult people for thinking that a high school that resolves the issues of neighborhoods nearby--and resolves overcrowding in schools in the viciinity- is selfish? That is what you -or another magnet supporter--has been doing. Repeatedly.

DP. You are just making stuff up. Any time someone mentions the fact that the school board members brought up the possibility of a magnet school, you or your friend go scorched earth. You are (or she is) trying to drown out the discourse on what the school should be. It’s very transparent, and it’s quite clear which side has the vitriol here.

If you want to argue for it to be a neighborhood school, then do so. No need to be petty in your responses.

They brought up the "possibility." Early on It was mentioned at the School Board meeting that this would be for a Western High School that has been needed for years. Sure, our School Board could create another magnet--but, why would they? They realize this has been an issue for a very long time.
This was also indicated in the reports on the school.

Couldn’t it be a hybrid? A mix of academy and local school? Seems like they could get two wins with that approach.

I would think one of the extra buildings could incorporate an academy. But, I would guess it depends on the need and the type of academy.

[Anonymous]

https://www.ffxnow.com/2025/06/16/fcps-surprises-with-purchase-of-discontinuing-herndon-private-school/

from the Fairfax Now article:

“This was a great opportunity, and I’m glad that we were able to exercise the flexibility to achieve this,” Mason District Representative Ricardy Anderson said. “… [I’m] really looking forward to the relief to the western part of the division so we can start to take off some of the other overcrowding issues that we have elsewhere.”

[Anonymous]

It's obviously not going to be another magnet school, but some people cling to small statements the board makes like "We will involve the community" or "it's possible" and project their hope.

The facts are they've been discussing another western school, competed for that specific site years ago, allocated budget to acquire land for a HS, and generally have a major need to relieve capacity. It's going to be a high school. They could add some academy programs, a special education program, work with NASA on an astronaut school etc, but the main purpose will be a regular high school.

If someone wants to still hope for a magnet school just smile and nod. No need to engage

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's obviously not going to be another magnet school, but some people cling to small statements the board makes like "We will involve the community" or "it's possible" and project their hope.

The facts are they've been discussing another western school, competed for that specific site years ago, allocated budget to acquire land for a HS, and generally have a major need to relieve capacity. It's going to be a high school. They could add some academy programs, a special education program, work with NASA on an astronaut school etc, but the main purpose will be a regular high school.

If someone wants to still hope for a magnet school just smile and nod. No need to engage

There’s that dismissive vitriol that we’ve all come to expect from you.

When the chairman of the sb says it’s being considered, it’s not really as remote a possibility as you claim.

[Anonymous]

And, from another Anderson on the School Board (Fairfax Now article):

“I am very grateful that we were able to move forward on this, because I think that it is a unique opportunity to be able to capture a school property that is almost complete,” said School Board Vice Chair and Springfield District Representative Sandy Anderson, who introduced the motion. “I think that it offers an elegant solution to a problem that we have been grappling with for a very long time, trying to figure out a location for a western high school.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And, from another Anderson on the School Board (Fairfax Now article):

“I am very grateful that we were able to move forward on this, because I think that it is a unique opportunity to be able to capture a school property that is almost complete,” said School Board Vice Chair and Springfield District Representative Sandy Anderson, who introduced the motion. “I think that it offers an elegant solution to a problem that we have been grappling with for a very long time, trying to figure out a location for a western high school.”

I don’t read that as a plug for a local school. In fact, just to point out the obvious: a magnet School of x people vs. a local school of x people has the exact same impact on capacity numbers for the county.

Especially since they are not factoring the new school into the current boundary review, I think there is compelling circumstantial evidence that they are at least strongly considering a magnet or academy there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And, from another Anderson on the School Board (Fairfax Now article):

“I am very grateful that we were able to move forward on this, because I think that it is a unique opportunity to be able to capture a school property that is almost complete,” said School Board Vice Chair and Springfield District Representative Sandy Anderson, who introduced the motion. “I think that it offers an elegant solution to a problem that we have been grappling with for a very long time, trying to figure out a location for a western high school.”

I don’t read that as a plug for a local school. In fact, just to point out the obvious: a magnet School of x people vs. a local school of x people has the exact same impact on capacity numbers for the county.

Especially since they are not factoring the new school into the current boundary review, I think there is compelling circumstantial evidence that they are at least strongly considering a magnet or academy there.

This, any semi-intelligent group of people would pause the boundary study if KAA was in the mix as the long awaited western high school.

[Anonymous]

Finally acquiring a site in western Fairfax, with a building no less, and converting it into something other than a neighborhood high school would be one of the largest self-owns in FCPS history.

My kids won’t attend this school either way, and I realize the thread is just sport at this point for some person who wants to bait the folks in the Floris/Oak Hill area, but anyway…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Finally acquiring a site in western Fairfax, with a building no less, and converting it into something other than a neighborhood high school would be one of the largest self-owns in FCPS history.

My kids won’t attend this school either way, and I realize the thread is just sport at this point for some person who wants to bait the folks in the Floris/Oak Hill area, but anyway…

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And, from another Anderson on the School Board (Fairfax Now article):

“I am very grateful that we were able to move forward on this, because I think that it is a unique opportunity to be able to capture a school property that is almost complete,” said School Board Vice Chair and Springfield District Representative Sandy Anderson, who introduced the motion. “I think that it offers an elegant solution to a problem that we have been grappling with for a very long time, trying to figure out a location for a western high school.”

I don’t read that as a plug for a local school. In fact, just to point out the obvious: a magnet School of x people vs. a local school of x people has the exact same impact on capacity numbers for the county.

Especially since they are not factoring the new school into the current boundary review, I think there is compelling circumstantial evidence that they are at least strongly considering a magnet or academy there.

A magnet school would have the same impact on capacity numbers for the county as a whole, but it definitely wouldn’t have the targeted impact on overcrowding that’s needed. And reducing overcrowding is probably one of the top concerns of many people in the county (everyone agrees something needs to be done about Coates). Whereas I’ve never seen “the lack of magnet schools” raised as an issue by anyone until FCPS bought this school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Finally acquiring a site in western Fairfax, with a building no less, and converting it into something other than a neighborhood high school would be one of the largest self-owns in FCPS history.

My kids won’t attend this school either way, and I realize the thread is just sport at this point for some person who wants to bait the folks in the Floris/Oak Hill area, but anyway…

Not sure how it’d be a self-own. It’d expand the win from just a localized area to half of the county, and allow more students to go to a strong academic program. Would give them a lot of good press and counter a narrative that they only care about the lower-performers in the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Finally acquiring a site in western Fairfax, with a building no less, and converting it into something other than a neighborhood high school would be one of the largest self-owns in FCPS history.

My kids won’t attend this school either way, and I realize the thread is just sport at this point for some person who wants to bait the folks in the Floris/Oak Hill area, but anyway…

Not sure how it’d be a self-own. It’d expand the win from just a localized area to half of the county, and allow more students to go to a strong academic program. Would give them a lot of good press and counter a narrative that they only care about the lower-performers in the county.

ALL schools in Fairfax County should have strong academic programs.

[Anonymous]

Western FCPS HSs' Capacity now and prediction

https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/fcps.fts/viz/SY2024-25CapacityDashboard/ReadMe

Link from: https://www.fcps.edu/facilities-planning-future/facilities-and-membership-dashboards

HS : capacity util now vs. 2029-30
Herndon: 81% vs. 69%
South Lake: 96% vs. 100%
Oakton: 98% vs. 95%
Westfield: 97% vs. 94%
Chantilly: 125% vs. 110%
Centreville: 118% vs. 69% (renovation planned???)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Finally acquiring a site in western Fairfax, with a building no less, and converting it into something other than a neighborhood high school would be one of the largest self-owns in FCPS history.

My kids won’t attend this school either way, and I realize the thread is just sport at this point for some person who wants to bait the folks in the Floris/Oak Hill area, but anyway…

I hate the term gaslighting, but the topic of this thread has taken a pretty overwhelmingly turn in the past few days. I am unlikely to benefit from this school personally, but the obvious use for it is as a traditional high school to serve an area without a neighborhood school. The idea that a magnet school is going to help relieve capacity issues is some trickle down economic thinking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Finally acquiring a site in western Fairfax, with a building no less, and converting it into something other than a neighborhood high school would be one of the largest self-owns in FCPS history.

My kids won’t attend this school either way, and I realize the thread is just sport at this point for some person who wants to bait the folks in the Floris/Oak Hill area, but anyway…

I hate the term gaslighting, but the topic of this thread has taken a pretty overwhelmingly turn in the past few days. I am unlikely to benefit from this school personally, but the obvious use for it is as a traditional high school to serve an area without a neighborhood school. The idea that a magnet school is going to help relieve capacity issues is some trickle down economic thinking.

+1
And, there is a need. Those numbers posted prove it.