APS middle school boundary process

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here, yes we choiced out of our completely under performing elementary. I won't give details bc it may "out" my identity. For folks satisfied with local schools, good for you. I was not and I know many who share my opinion.

If o Grady has a plan for those of us in s Arlington, best make it known before you see even more flight by the upper middle class. I didn't say "white flight" bc guess what, there are plenty of families of color, including mine, who are not happy and about to leave.

Don’t you get it?
They don’t care. Leave.
Seriously, they need property values to underperform somewhere in the county. Depressed real estate means more opportunities to pack in more affordable housing, which leads to lower test scores, which keeps real estate cheaper...
Catching on yet?
Don’t worry. Some other young family will buy your over priced, half renovated, workforce housing. They’ll pass it on in 10 years. Circle of life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here, yes we choiced out of our completely under performing elementary. I won't give details bc it may "out" my identity. For folks satisfied with local schools, good for you. I was not and I know many who share my opinion.

If o Grady has a plan for those of us in s Arlington, best make it known before you see even more flight by the upper middle class. I didn't say "white flight" bc guess what, there are plenty of families of color, including mine, who are not happy and about to leave.

Don’t you get it?
They don’t care. Leave.
Seriously, they need property values to underperform somewhere in the county. Depressed real estate means more opportunities to pack in more affordable housing, which leads to lower test scores, which keeps real estate cheaper...
Catching on yet?
Don’t worry. Some other young family will buy your over priced, half renovated, workforce housing. They’ll pass it on in 10 years. Circle of life.

This.

[Anonymous]

Yep. I didn't choice out of my S. Arl elementary and then had to move for middle school. Kids who need significant enrichment (of all incomes and races) are poorly served by these schools that are fully preoccupied with the needs of their students and getting them (admirably) up to minimum SOL standards. Some are satisfied with these schools. I agree that they are adequate. But I was not satisfied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yep. I didn't choice out of my S. Arl elementary and then had to move for middle school. Kids who need significant enrichment (of all incomes and races) are poorly served by these schools that are fully preoccupied with the needs of their students and getting them (admirably) up to minimum SOL standards. Some are satisfied with these schools. I agree that they are adequate. But I was not satisfied.

So you were happy with your neighborhood school for elementary? Did you even give the middle school a chance?

[Anonymous]

OK in early grades, but increasingly unhappy as my children got into the upper grades and overcrowding worsened (increasing the class sizes at our title I school). Couldn't gamble on middle school. Didn't give it a chance. Elementary school experience was OK at first and then increasingly worse. Plenty were OK with the school, some (who I strongly disagree with) thought it was "great." I felt it was just on the bubble with a downward trajectory. It required a great deal more advocacy and constant vigilance on academics than the N. Arl elementary we transferred to. Happy with our new middle school as well. Not alone in my dissatisfaction. Many families left during that time for private or other school systems and felt the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK in early grades, but increasingly unhappy as my children got into the upper grades and overcrowding worsened (increasing the class sizes at our title I school). Couldn't gamble on middle school. Didn't give it a chance. Elementary school experience was OK at first and then increasingly worse. Plenty were OK with the school, some (who I strongly disagree with) thought it was "great." I felt it was just on the bubble with a downward trajectory. It required a great deal more advocacy and constant vigilance on academics than the N. Arl elementary we transferred to. Happy with our new middle school as well. Not alone in my dissatisfaction. Many families left during that time for private or other school systems and felt the same.

I’m guessing this was Barcroft.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK in early grades, but increasingly unhappy as my children got into the upper grades and overcrowding worsened (increasing the class sizes at our title I school). Couldn't gamble on middle school. Didn't give it a chance. Elementary school experience was OK at first and then increasingly worse. Plenty were OK with the school, some (who I strongly disagree with) thought it was "great." I felt it was just on the bubble with a downward trajectory. It required a great deal more advocacy and constant vigilance on academics than the N. Arl elementary we transferred to. Happy with our new middle school as well. Not alone in my dissatisfaction. Many families left during that time for private or other school systems and felt the same.

No one is blaming you. In fact it is refreshing to get an honest assessment of an educated middle class family’s experience in one of the really poorly ranked south Arlington schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK in early grades, but increasingly unhappy as my children got into the upper grades and overcrowding worsened (increasing the class sizes at our title I school). Couldn't gamble on middle school. Didn't give it a chance. Elementary school experience was OK at first and then increasingly worse. Plenty were OK with the school, some (who I strongly disagree with) thought it was "great." I felt it was just on the bubble with a downward trajectory. It required a great deal more advocacy and constant vigilance on academics than the N. Arl elementary we transferred to. Happy with our new middle school as well. Not alone in my dissatisfaction. Many families left during that time for private or other school systems and felt the same.

No one is blaming you. In fact it is refreshing to get an honest assessment of an educated middle class family’s experience in one of the really poorly ranked south Arlington schools.

S Arlington definitely has some lackluster schools. But they're not all cut from the same cloth. I don't have any personal experience with Kenmore, and our kids are not of age for Wakefield yet. But I can say we've been very pleased with our elementary school in S Arlington, and Gunston as well. We have friends who are having a good experience at Jefferson.

As an educated person of color, I do value a school's academic performance. We expect our kids to do well. But at the same time, there's no way I'd feel comfortable sending my kids to say Nottingham - with like 8 African American students in the whole school. Or Taylor, to be one of 20 Latino kids among 700. While some white families in N Arlington want their children to be around kids like themselves, some families of color are not interested in being bused to a "white island" either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
No really I’m very serious. Slow claps. You all believed and achieved. I didn’t understand when I bought in south Arlington, that education was a zero sum game in APS. I’m clear about it now. I’m truly happy for you all.

Let me get this straight. You bought in Arlington, knowing that for the most part schools were zoned by neighborhood. Some outliers like Buckingham being bused to Swanson and the Williamsburg island, but overall Arlington has been built around neighborhood schools at least in the twenty years that I've lived here.

Knowing this, you bought in a part of Arlington that it sounds like has less stellar schools, and you're upset that APS didn't turn the entire system on its head to bus kids all over the place thus improving your kids' school for you? I'm not sure where the righteous indignation comes from. Either you bought in a neighborhood you liked and which had schools that worked for you, in which case you shouldn't be upset that people all over Arlington did the same thing by buying in neighborhoods close to schools that work for their family. Or, you bought hoping that the system would bend to your will, in which case you can't really be upset that you lost that battle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
No really I’m very serious. Slow claps. You all believed and achieved. I didn’t understand when I bought in south Arlington, that education was a zero sum game in APS. I’m clear about it now. I’m truly happy for you all.

Let me get this straight. You bought in Arlington, knowing that for the most part schools were zoned by neighborhood. Some outliers like Buckingham being bused to Swanson and the Williamsburg island, but overall Arlington has been built around neighborhood schools at least in the twenty years that I've lived here.

Knowing this, you bought in a part of Arlington that it sounds like has less stellar schools, and you're upset that APS didn't turn the entire system on its head to bus kids all over the place thus improving your kids' school for you? I'm not sure where the righteous indignation comes from. Either you bought in a neighborhood you liked and which had schools that worked for you, in which case you shouldn't be upset that people all over Arlington did the same thing by buying in neighborhoods close to schools that work for their family. Or, you bought hoping that the system would bend to your will, in which case you can't really be upset that you lost that battle.

NP - We live in S Arlington and will apply to every choice elem, because we're zoned for Barcroft. Any choice school is better. I would love to hope we'll be rezoned to the new school because we live east of Mason, but that seems like a poor plan. Barcroft is the most under capacity school in S Arlington, I think. We bought in S Arlington because of the choice option as a fall back, but hoping the school we were zoned for got better. It's only gotten worse. But then, that huge apartment complex, also called Barcroft is supposed to become townhouses? And Food Star is set to become nice apartments. Change is coming!

[Anonymous]

I have heard really good things about Barcroft. Now I am starting to worry that it might not be that great. We thought the Barcroft -> Kenmore -> Wakefield pyramid would be a good one. Now I am not sure what to do - sounds like there are some good choice options for elementary but then what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
No really I’m very serious. Slow claps. You all believed and achieved. I didn’t understand when I bought in south Arlington, that education was a zero sum game in APS. I’m clear about it now. I’m truly happy for you all.

Let me get this straight. You bought in Arlington, knowing that for the most part schools were zoned by neighborhood. Some outliers like Buckingham being bused to Swanson and the Williamsburg island, but overall Arlington has been built around neighborhood schools at least in the twenty years that I've lived here.

Knowing this, you bought in a part of Arlington that it sounds like has less stellar schools, and you're upset that APS didn't turn the entire system on its head to bus kids all over the place thus improving your kids' school for you? I'm not sure where the righteous indignation comes from. Either you bought in a neighborhood you liked and which had schools that worked for you, in which case you shouldn't be upset that people all over Arlington did the same thing by buying in neighborhoods close to schools that work for their family. Or, you bought hoping that the system would bend to your will, in which case you can't really be upset that you lost that battle.

NP - We live in S Arlington and will apply to every choice elem, because we're zoned for Barcroft. Any choice school is better. I would love to hope we'll be rezoned to the new school because we live east of Mason, but that seems like a poor plan. Barcroft is the most under capacity school in S Arlington, I think. We bought in S Arlington because of the choice option as a fall back, but hoping the school we were zoned for got better. It's only gotten worse. But then, that huge apartment complex, also called Barcroft is supposed to become townhouses? And Food Star is set to become nice apartments. Change is coming!

Dp - WTF?!?!?! Are you talking about?
Seriously, where on earth did you get that Barcroft apts is going to turned into town homes? I need to know where you heard this, but it can not be a credible source.
Sure, if Barcroft were gone -Wakefield, Barcroft, and Randolph would see a substantial shift in their demographics. Yes.
Except NO, because it ISN’T going to happen.
Unless your name is Delashmutt and you have some news to share...
I’m guessing not.
There are plans to ADD MORE AFFORDABLE APTS to BARCROFT APARTMENTS. HUNDREDS MORE!

Please, for the love of god, go read the the Columbia Pike plan.
Barcroft apts is a lynchpin in the affordable housing mafia’s agenda. I guarantee the development rights have been transferred. It’s a hill they will die on. It’s 57 acres and it will remain a blight on Arlington for years to come.
Oh, and guess what? Our lovely county voted just voted to conserve housing districts. So those older apartments can’t be turned into sfh’s now. Just voted on.

You people really have no clue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
No really I’m very serious. Slow claps. You all believed and achieved. I didn’t understand when I bought in south Arlington, that education was a zero sum game in APS. I’m clear about it now. I’m truly happy for you all.

Let me get this straight. You bought in Arlington, knowing that for the most part schools were zoned by neighborhood. Some outliers like Buckingham being bused to Swanson and the Williamsburg island, but overall Arlington has been built around neighborhood schools at least in the twenty years that I've lived here.

Knowing this, you bought in a part of Arlington that it sounds like has less stellar schools, and you're upset that APS didn't turn the entire system on its head to bus kids all over the place thus improving your kids' school for you? I'm not sure where the righteous indignation comes from. Either you bought in a neighborhood you liked and which had schools that worked for you, in which case you shouldn't be upset that people all over Arlington did the same thing by buying in neighborhoods close to schools that work for their family. Or, you bought hoping that the system would bend to your will, in which case you can't really be upset that you lost that battle.

NP - We live in S Arlington and will apply to every choice elem, because we're zoned for Barcroft. Any choice school is better. I would love to hope we'll be rezoned to the new school because we live east of Mason, but that seems like a poor plan. Barcroft is the most under capacity school in S Arlington, I think. We bought in S Arlington because of the choice option as a fall back, but hoping the school we were zoned for got better. It's only gotten worse. But then, that huge apartment complex, also called Barcroft is supposed to become townhouses? And Food Star is set to become nice apartments. Change is coming!

Dp - WTF?!?!?! Are you talking about?
Seriously, where on earth did you get that Barcroft apts is going to turned into town homes? I need to know where you heard this, but it can not be a credible source.
Sure, if Barcroft were gone -Wakefield, Barcroft, and Randolph would see a substantial shift in their demographics. Yes.
Except NO, because it ISN’T going to happen.
Unless your name is Delashmutt and you have some news to share...
I’m guessing not.
There are plans to ADD MORE AFFORDABLE APTS to BARCROFT APARTMENTS. HUNDREDS MORE!

Please, for the love of god, go read the the Columbia Pike plan.
Barcroft apts is a lynchpin in the affordable housing mafia’s agenda. I guarantee the development rights have been transferred. It’s a hill they will die on. It’s 57 acres and it will remain a blight on Arlington for years to come.
Oh, and guess what? Our lovely county voted just voted to conserve housing districts. So those older apartments can’t be turned into sfh’s now. Just voted on.

You people really have no clue.

I was going off the potential redevelopment mentioned in the plan, that shows the possibility of townhouses. Those tend to house less people, but you are correct that it would add density.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
No really I’m very serious. Slow claps. You all believed and achieved. I didn’t understand when I bought in south Arlington, that education was a zero sum game in APS. I’m clear about it now. I’m truly happy for you all.

Let me get this straight. You bought in Arlington, knowing that for the most part schools were zoned by neighborhood. Some outliers like Buckingham being bused to Swanson and the Williamsburg island, but overall Arlington has been built around neighborhood schools at least in the twenty years that I've lived here.

Knowing this, you bought in a part of Arlington that it sounds like has less stellar schools, and you're upset that APS didn't turn the entire system on its head to bus kids all over the place thus improving your kids' school for you? I'm not sure where the righteous indignation comes from. Either you bought in a neighborhood you liked and which had schools that worked for you, in which case you shouldn't be upset that people all over Arlington did the same thing by buying in neighborhoods close to schools that work for their family. Or, you bought hoping that the system would bend to your will, in which case you can't really be upset that you lost that battle.

NP - We live in S Arlington and will apply to every choice elem, because we're zoned for Barcroft. Any choice school is better. I would love to hope we'll be rezoned to the new school because we live east of Mason, but that seems like a poor plan. Barcroft is the most under capacity school in S Arlington, I think. We bought in S Arlington because of the choice option as a fall back, but hoping the school we were zoned for got better. It's only gotten worse. But then, that huge apartment complex, also called Barcroft is supposed to become townhouses? And Food Star is set to become nice apartments. Change is coming!

Dp - WTF?!?!?! Are you talking about?
Seriously, where on earth did you get that Barcroft apts is going to turned into town homes? I need to know where you heard this, but it can not be a credible source.
Sure, if Barcroft were gone -Wakefield, Barcroft, and Randolph would see a substantial shift in their demographics. Yes.
Except NO, because it ISN’T going to happen.
Unless your name is Delashmutt and you have some news to share...
I’m guessing not.
There are plans to ADD MORE AFFORDABLE APTS to BARCROFT APARTMENTS. HUNDREDS MORE!

Please, for the love of god, go read the the Columbia Pike plan.
Barcroft apts is a lynchpin in the affordable housing mafia’s agenda. I guarantee the development rights have been transferred. It’s a hill they will die on. It’s 57 acres and it will remain a blight on Arlington for years to come.
Oh, and guess what? Our lovely county voted just voted to conserve housing districts. So those older apartments can’t be turned into sfh’s now. Just voted on.

You people really have no clue.

NP. My spouse and I voted in the primaries and guess what, our candidate came in dead last. I don't know why all these people just assume "democrat" means doing the right thing (and trust me when I say, we are not Trump supporters). Who the hell told these stupid CB members do conserve housing districts. Didn't the papers say something like 14 of them?

SERIOUSLY--we all need to vote these people out of office now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
No really I’m very serious. Slow claps. You all believed and achieved. I didn’t understand when I bought in south Arlington, that education was a zero sum game in APS. I’m clear about it now. I’m truly happy for you all.

Let me get this straight. You bought in Arlington, knowing that for the most part schools were zoned by neighborhood. Some outliers like Buckingham being bused to Swanson and the Williamsburg island, but overall Arlington has been built around neighborhood schools at least in the twenty years that I've lived here.

Knowing this, you bought in a part of Arlington that it sounds like has less stellar schools, and you're upset that APS didn't turn the entire system on its head to bus kids all over the place thus improving your kids' school for you? I'm not sure where the righteous indignation comes from. Either you bought in a neighborhood you liked and which had schools that worked for you, in which case you shouldn't be upset that people all over Arlington did the same thing by buying in neighborhoods close to schools that work for their family. Or, you bought hoping that the system would bend to your will, in which case you can't really be upset that you lost that battle.

NP - We live in S Arlington and will apply to every choice elem, because we're zoned for Barcroft. Any choice school is better. I would love to hope we'll be rezoned to the new school because we live east of Mason, but that seems like a poor plan. Barcroft is the most under capacity school in S Arlington, I think. We bought in S Arlington because of the choice option as a fall back, but hoping the school we were zoned for got better. It's only gotten worse. But then, that huge apartment complex, also called Barcroft is supposed to become townhouses? And Food Star is set to become nice apartments. Change is coming!

Dp - WTF?!?!?! Are you talking about?
Seriously, where on earth did you get that Barcroft apts is going to turned into town homes? I need to know where you heard this, but it can not be a credible source.
Sure, if Barcroft were gone -Wakefield, Barcroft, and Randolph would see a substantial shift in their demographics. Yes.
Except NO, because it ISN’T going to happen.
Unless your name is Delashmutt and you have some news to share...
I’m guessing not.
There are plans to ADD MORE AFFORDABLE APTS to BARCROFT APARTMENTS. HUNDREDS MORE!

Please, for the love of god, go read the the Columbia Pike plan.
Barcroft apts is a lynchpin in the affordable housing mafia’s agenda. I guarantee the development rights have been transferred. It’s a hill they will die on. It’s 57 acres and it will remain a blight on Arlington for years to come.
Oh, and guess what? Our lovely county voted just voted to conserve housing districts. So those older apartments can’t be turned into sfh’s now. Just voted on.

You people really have no clue.

NP. My spouse and I voted in the primaries and guess what, our candidate came in dead last. I don't know why all these people just assume "democrat" means doing the right thing (and trust me when I say, we are not Trump supporters). Who the hell told these stupid CB members do conserve housing districts. Didn't the papers say something like 14 of them?

SERIOUSLY--we all need to vote these people out of office now.

Don't all of them that have children go to choice schools or live in N Arl?