APS middle school boundary process

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote: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?

Please go visit the school, meet with the principal and talk to current parents (of both younger and older kids) before making judgments about a school based on an anonymous forum.

This. I have heard good things about these schools, too. I know people in W&L zone that sent their kids to Wakefield because they liked it. I have heard there is less bullying there.

+1--- Randolph parent. We have friends with kids at Barcroft. They are happy.

Those parents need to speak up more, so that people aren't scared off.

Schools like Randolph and Barcroft are poised to have stronger cohorts of kids in the coming years, but parents need to be reassured by more than their neighbors. They need to feel supported by the school board and APS. Michelle Rhee literally went knocking on doors and spoke to parents about the neighborhood schools. Is time for APS to step up and serve all of their students, in all schools. Randolph is largely serving Barcroft apts, not the SFH’s that surround it. Those families need to be convinced that their children won’t be overlooked for 6 years, because “ they will be fine”. They need to be reassured that their kids won’t be subjuncted to the lowest common denominator “ teach to the test and only the test” drill drill drill classroom. If that means school within schools, like they do conversely in Fairfax, then it needs to happen. Perhaps IB at Randolph could be part of that solution. UMC families at Barcroft can choice to Randolph. Between Alcova, Barcroft, and Douglas Park a larger high performing group could be achieved. I’m not saying to write off Barcroft elementary, but I think it’s going to have to happen 1 school at a time. Henry is great, Hoffman Boston is doing really well... I think you focus on the next school you can meaningfully impact. I suggest Randolph. It has a history of IB, and most importantly a school board member living within it’s neighborhood.
I know there are umc parents happy enough with those schools right now, and I don’t mean to challenge their experiences. This should be about a stronger push to increase their numbers.

UMC?

Upper middle class. But really it’s just short hand for educated middle class.

Ah okay. I agree with what is being said here. I've been watching those schools, though Henry is so far over capacity we can't transfer there. It would be nice to know that my kids won't be lost in the shuffle if we go to Barcroft and aren't just sitting around "being fine" while others play catch up. Can people propose that to the county? I have written several times to express my opinion.

Reid Goldstein would be a wonderful ally in this. He could help make this happen. I bet he would even go visit some families. It is time for someone to host a coffee with him and parents currently at the school. One school at a time. It can be done.

I would love it if someone would come and talk to us. Weren't there some coffee sessions a few years back? Or was that for CARD?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

Please go visit the school, meet with the principal and talk to current parents (of both younger and older kids) before making judgments about a school based on an anonymous forum.

This. I have heard good things about these schools, too. I know people in W&L zone that sent their kids to Wakefield because they liked it. I have heard there is less bullying there.

+1--- Randolph parent. We have friends with kids at Barcroft. They are happy.

Those parents need to speak up more, so that people aren't scared off.

Schools like Randolph and Barcroft are poised to have stronger cohorts of kids in the coming years, but parents need to be reassured by more than their neighbors. They need to feel supported by the school board and APS. Michelle Rhee literally went knocking on doors and spoke to parents about the neighborhood schools. Is time for APS to step up and serve all of their students, in all schools. Randolph is largely serving Barcroft apts, not the SFH’s that surround it. Those families need to be convinced that their children won’t be overlooked for 6 years, because “ they will be fine”. They need to be reassured that their kids won’t be subjuncted to the lowest common denominator “ teach to the test and only the test” drill drill drill classroom. If that means school within schools, like they do conversely in Fairfax, then it needs to happen. Perhaps IB at Randolph could be part of that solution. UMC families at Barcroft can choice to Randolph. Between Alcova, Barcroft, and Douglas Park a larger high performing group could be achieved. I’m not saying to write off Barcroft elementary, but I think it’s going to have to happen 1 school at a time. Henry is great, Hoffman Boston is doing really well... I think you focus on the next school you can meaningfully impact. I suggest Randolph. It has a history of IB, and most importantly a school board member living within it’s neighborhood.
I know there are umc parents happy enough with those schools right now, and I don’t mean to challenge their experiences. This should be about a stronger push to increase their numbers.

UMC?

Upper middle class. But really it’s just short hand for educated middle class.

Ah okay. I agree with what is being said here. I've been watching those schools, though Henry is so far over capacity we can't transfer there. It would be nice to know that my kids won't be lost in the shuffle if we go to Barcroft and aren't just sitting around "being fine" while others play catch up. Can people propose that to the county? I have written several times to express my opinion.

Reid Goldstein would be a wonderful ally in this. He could help make this happen. I bet he would even go visit some families. It is time for someone to host a coffee with him and parents currently at the school. One school at a time. It can be done.

I would love it if someone would come and talk to us. Weren't there some coffee sessions a few years back? Or was that for CARD?

It was for card.
This is really a very specific issue for Alcova Heights, Douglas Park, and Barcroft neighborhoods.
Also- Alcova needs to not just sit around waiting to be zoned Fleet. I know you all think it’s happening and all your problems will be solved... don’t hold your breath. You would be wise to work on creating a great school and not just crossing your fingers you’ll be zoned away.

[Anonymous]

MAYBE it can happen. Be prepared to spend every free moment in meetings/school board office hours/more meetings or running a grass roots campaign and get significant numbers of influential parents (who contribute to SB campaigns) directly involved. Because that's what it will take to get the kinds of programs and fixes you are talking about. You will have swim upstream through APS the entire way. Henry was fixed by Penrose gentrification, not APS action.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MAYBE it can happen. Be prepared to spend every free moment in meetings/school board office hours/more meetings or running a grass roots campaign and get significant numbers of influential parents (who contribute to SB campaigns) directly involved. Because that's what it will take to get the kinds of programs and fixes you are talking about. You will have swim upstream through APS the entire way. Henry was fixed by Penrose gentrification, not APS action.

That’s true, and by the crickets on the south Arlington thread just started... not looking like there is much of a ground swell. It definitely a different personality type that buys on the south side. Pluses and minuses to that.

[Anonymous]

Also, be prepared to be accused of (1) not supporting your school/principal and (2) implying that students who receive free and reduced lunch are stupid. Even though you say (and believe) the opposite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MAYBE it can happen. Be prepared to spend every free moment in meetings/school board office hours/more meetings or running a grass roots campaign and get significant numbers of influential parents (who contribute to SB campaigns) directly involved. Because that's what it will take to get the kinds of programs and fixes you are talking about. You will have swim upstream through APS the entire way. Henry was fixed by Penrose gentrification, not APS action.

That’s true, and by the crickets on the south Arlington thread just started... not looking like there is much of a ground swell. It definitely a different personality type that buys on the south side. Pluses and minuses to that.

Here's the link:
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/690327.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MAYBE it can happen. Be prepared to spend every free moment in meetings/school board office hours/more meetings or running a grass roots campaign and get significant numbers of influential parents (who contribute to SB campaigns) directly involved. Because that's what it will take to get the kinds of programs and fixes you are talking about. You will have swim upstream through APS the entire way. Henry was fixed by Penrose gentrification, not APS action.

NP here. I tend to agree that Henry's performance (and perception) improved thanks to changes in the local neighborhoods, rather than thanks to APS initiatives. Is the same true for Hoffman-Boston? That school was perceived to be very weak about five years ago when I was looking at Pre-K programs for my child. Now it seems to be thriving. That's great, but do we know how and why that change occurred?

I live in one of the south Arlington neighborhoods (Alcova, Barcroft, Douglas Park) mentioned recently on this thread, so I'm interested in this topic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MAYBE it can happen. Be prepared to spend every free moment in meetings/school board office hours/more meetings or running a grass roots campaign and get significant numbers of influential parents (who contribute to SB campaigns) directly involved. Because that's what it will take to get the kinds of programs and fixes you are talking about. You will have swim upstream through APS the entire way. Henry was fixed by Penrose gentrification, not APS action.

NP here. I tend to agree that Henry's performance (and perception) improved thanks to changes in the local neighborhoods, rather than thanks to APS initiatives. Is the same true for Hoffman-Boston? That school was perceived to be very weak about five years ago when I was looking at Pre-K programs for my child. Now it seems to be thriving. That's great, but do we know how and why that change occurred?

I live in one of the south Arlington neighborhoods (Alcova, Barcroft, Douglas Park) mentioned recently on this thread, so I'm interested in this topic.

Hoffman has a strong principal and a stem focus, but mainly benefitted from losing market rate affordable apartments.
It’s a self fulfilling prophecy- lower class starts to get pushed out. Middle class people start feeling more comfortable. The demographics shift.
Part of Douglas Park is currently zoned Hoffman Boston. That will very likely change during the next round of boundaries. The whole neighborhood got to stay together for middle school, now they will all be together for elementary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, be prepared to be accused of (1) not supporting your school/principal and (2) implying that students who receive free and reduced lunch are stupid. Even though you say (and believe) the opposite.

+1. This has got to stop. Simply advocating for change and demanding better schools does not make one insensitive to lower-income families. There is something to be said for "a rising tide lifts all boats." And I do agree that meaningful change needs to happen one school at a time. The issues are too complex and systemic to "fix" 4-5 schools all at once. Between Patrick Henry, Claremont, Abingdon and Hoffman-Boston, S Arlington has a base from which to work. Let's make Randolph a better school, and then Barcroft or Carlin Springs, etc.