Moving because of declining schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My takeaway might be that something about a big public middle school doesn’t work for your specific child. I wouldn’t assume moving to another large public school (which let’s face it that’s what we have here in this area) will fix it. I’m saying that without knowing your particular issues.

There are options within APS. Have you looked into programs at the Career Center?

Our issue is that when we were elem we had pull out GT programs, and then it switched to pushing and was worthless. My kids are so unchallenged and bored and there is no differentiation until high school, teachers spend all their time on remedial learning and discipline. So much discipline. WL should offer challenging classes, but the crazy super size high school with too little common space worries me.

Career Center would be a better fit if our kids were vocationally minded, but far from that.

There are more programs at Career Center than people realize.

There is definitely differentiation in math. I think if that is your issue, find the money for private. But I would also wait out the effects of the pandemic. Yes, the bright kids whose parents kept things up during the pandemic, now those kids are a bit bored and not challenged. The teachers have a lot to sort through emotionally and academically with kids back in school.

Yes, we are in advanced math. The boredom and frustration was present all through 5th and 6th once GT went away. Basically spent all day reading to themselves waiting for rest of class to do their thing.

Are you talking about during virtual school? I have a current 6th grader who was in 5th grade last year. Also GT. My kid did not spend all day reading to themselves.

But it sounds like you're not well served by public schools at this moment in time. I wouldn't move though. Moving is not going to solve it.

We were unhappy before virtual school, and were hoping it would improve as we got into MS and HS but realize it seems far less likely especially with how 4th high school is never coming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your precious snowflakes will survive and thrive in Arlington schools, and it all will be behind you before you know it. Chill out, OP. Chill out, DCUM.

My child is definitely not thriving, and he’s still in 5th. Thanks though.

Maybe the problem is your child -- or you -- and not the school system's. Have you ever thought about that?

Oh, stop! You sound like the APS School Board — we are doing great so the problem is you. My kids are average and are doing great. But for some kids who are really smart or capable of doing more advanced work, the current climate at MS may be boring. They are doing lots of assessments — which is great for kids who are behind or average and need to see real progress this year. For kids who are “ahead” they are pretty much a waste of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My takeaway might be that something about a big public middle school doesn’t work for your specific child. I wouldn’t assume moving to another large public school (which let’s face it that’s what we have here in this area) will fix it. I’m saying that without knowing your particular issues.

There are options within APS. Have you looked into programs at the Career Center?

Our issue is that when we were elem we had pull out GT programs, and then it switched to pushing and was worthless. My kids are so unchallenged and bored and there is no differentiation until high school, teachers spend all their time on remedial learning and discipline. So much discipline. WL should offer challenging classes, but the crazy super size high school with too little common space worries me.

Career Center would be a better fit if our kids were vocationally minded, but far from that.

There are more programs at Career Center than people realize.

There is definitely differentiation in math. I think if that is your issue, find the money for private. But I would also wait out the effects of the pandemic. Yes, the bright kids whose parents kept things up during the pandemic, now those kids are a bit bored and not challenged. The teachers have a lot to sort through emotionally and academically with kids back in school.

Yes, we are in advanced math. The boredom and frustration was present all through 5th and 6th once GT went away. Basically spent all day reading to themselves waiting for rest of class to do their thing.

Are you talking about during virtual school? I have a current 6th grader who was in 5th grade last year. Also GT. My kid did not spend all day reading to themselves.

But it sounds like you're not well served by public schools at this moment in time. I wouldn't move though. Moving is not going to solve it.

We were unhappy before virtual school, and were hoping it would improve as we got into MS and HS but realize it seems far less likely especially with how 4th high school is never coming.

Fourth high school may not be coming but more parents will opt for private schools, saving APS from itself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In this area it seems to be that if you can’t afford private you just make do with APS. Any other public system in the DMV area is going to be similar with similar issues. If you’re going to move you’d need to move completely out of the area.

If you’re feeding into WL I’m guessing you’re Swanson? It gets better at W-L although I don’t know about overcrowding in he coming years.

We opted out of APS.

Opted out? So went private?

Yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your precious snowflakes will survive and thrive in Arlington schools, and it all will be behind you before you know it. Chill out, OP. Chill out, DCUM.

My child is definitely not thriving, and he’s still in 5th. Thanks though.

Maybe the problem is your child -- or you -- and not the school system's. Have you ever thought about that?

Oh, stop! You sound like the APS School Board — we are doing great so the problem is you. My kids are average and are doing great. But for some kids who are really smart or capable of doing more advanced work, the current climate at MS may be boring. They are doing lots of assessments — which is great for kids who are behind or average and need to see real progress this year. For kids who are “ahead” they are pretty much a waste of time.

Nothing is EVER APS fault.

PP STFU about it being the child. Go back to AEM which this bullsh1t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My takeaway might be that something about a big public middle school doesn’t work for your specific child. I wouldn’t assume moving to another large public school (which let’s face it that’s what we have here in this area) will fix it. I’m saying that without knowing your particular issues.

There are options within APS. Have you looked into programs at the Career Center?

Our issue is that when we were elem we had pull out GT programs, and then it switched to pushing and was worthless. My kids are so unchallenged and bored and there is no differentiation until high school, teachers spend all their time on remedial learning and discipline. So much discipline. WL should offer challenging classes, but the crazy super size high school with too little common space worries me.

Career Center would be a better fit if our kids were vocationally minded, but far from that.

There are more programs at Career Center than people realize.

There is definitely differentiation in math. I think if that is your issue, find the money for private. But I would also wait out the effects of the pandemic. Yes, the bright kids whose parents kept things up during the pandemic, now those kids are a bit bored and not challenged. The teachers have a lot to sort through emotionally and academically with kids back in school.

Yes, we are in advanced math. The boredom and frustration was present all through 5th and 6th once GT went away. Basically spent all day reading to themselves waiting for rest of class to do their thing.

Are you talking about during virtual school? I have a current 6th grader who was in 5th grade last year. Also GT. My kid did not spend all day reading to themselves.

But it sounds like you're not well served by public schools at this moment in time. I wouldn't move though. Moving is not going to solve it.

5th and 6th were pre-pandemic; 7th was pandemic year. They all were meh at best. So would love to hear what you child did when the teacher worked with the rest of class on work she had already completed? This wasn't just my DD, I heard it from multiple parents (other GT students). Virtual was actually better in that regard, as it gave our DD a lot more options for what to do in her downtime than just sit and read.

Ok, so my kid was 4th pre-pandemic and she and a few of her classmates worked on a long-term math project together. So when they were done with work in math they went and did that. The group project options had been pushed in by GT as an option for the kids. You didn't have to be GT to participate, which was the model at my kids' elementary school the whole way through. I don't want to go into too many details on the project as it might identify me, but my kid was super into it. A lot of creativity and leadership skills. The kids liked it so much they worked on it during recess even.

Is my child occupied every second? I'm sure not. Sounds like you want tracking - completely separate classes. You should have gone AAP in FCPS but it sounds like your kid is too old. I would just wait it out and try W-L. I have heard good things about it. Do the IB program. If you have younger kids still, move to FCPS and get into AAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My takeaway might be that something about a big public middle school doesn’t work for your specific child. I wouldn’t assume moving to another large public school (which let’s face it that’s what we have here in this area) will fix it. I’m saying that without knowing your particular issues.

There are options within APS. Have you looked into programs at the Career Center?

Our issue is that when we were elem we had pull out GT programs, and then it switched to pushing and was worthless. My kids are so unchallenged and bored and there is no differentiation until high school, teachers spend all their time on remedial learning and discipline. So much discipline. WL should offer challenging classes, but the crazy super size high school with too little common space worries me.

Career Center would be a better fit if our kids were vocationally minded, but far from that.

There are more programs at Career Center than people realize.

There is definitely differentiation in math. I think if that is your issue, find the money for private. But I would also wait out the effects of the pandemic. Yes, the bright kids whose parents kept things up during the pandemic, now those kids are a bit bored and not challenged. The teachers have a lot to sort through emotionally and academically with kids back in school.

Yes, we are in advanced math. The boredom and frustration was present all through 5th and 6th once GT went away. Basically spent all day reading to themselves waiting for rest of class to do their thing.

Are you talking about during virtual school? I have a current 6th grader who was in 5th grade last year. Also GT. My kid did not spend all day reading to themselves.

But it sounds like you're not well served by public schools at this moment in time. I wouldn't move though. Moving is not going to solve it.

5th and 6th were pre-pandemic; 7th was pandemic year. They all were meh at best. So would love to hear what you child did when the teacher worked with the rest of class on work she had already completed? This wasn't just my DD, I heard it from multiple parents (other GT students). Virtual was actually better in that regard, as it gave our DD a lot more options for what to do in her downtime than just sit and read.

Ok, so my kid was 4th pre-pandemic and she and a few of her classmates worked on a long-term math project together. So when they were done with work in math they went and did that. The group project options had been pushed in by GT as an option for the kids. You didn't have to be GT to participate, which was the model at my kids' elementary school the whole way through. I don't want to go into too many details on the project as it might identify me, but my kid was super into it. A lot of creativity and leadership skills. The kids liked it so much they worked on it during recess even.

Is my child occupied every second? I'm sure not. Sounds like you want tracking - completely separate classes. You should have gone AAP in FCPS but it sounds like your kid is too old. I would just wait it out and try W-L. I have heard good things about it. Do the IB program. If you have younger kids still, move to FCPS and get into AAP.

Not tracking, just a teachers who have enough classtime, ratios, and resources to engage my child with something at their level. They meet the class baseline and that's it, they are left on their own. She doesn't need a separate class, your project is exactly the type of thing, especially a group project. Maybe our GT was just bad that last few years? I feel like they did nothing compared to prior years projects and enrichment. I mean, these are motivated kids, all you need is to give them an idea, a framework, and latitude and they will go at it. But a single student sitting at their desk, what can they kick off on their own without any resources?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My takeaway might be that something about a big public middle school doesn’t work for your specific child. I wouldn’t assume moving to another large public school (which let’s face it that’s what we have here in this area) will fix it. I’m saying that without knowing your particular issues.

There are options within APS. Have you looked into programs at the Career Center?

Our issue is that when we were elem we had pull out GT programs, and then it switched to pushing and was worthless. My kids are so unchallenged and bored and there is no differentiation until high school, teachers spend all their time on remedial learning and discipline. So much discipline. WL should offer challenging classes, but the crazy super size high school with too little common space worries me.

Career Center would be a better fit if our kids were vocationally minded, but far from that.

There are more programs at Career Center than people realize.

There is definitely differentiation in math. I think if that is your issue, find the money for private. But I would also wait out the effects of the pandemic. Yes, the bright kids whose parents kept things up during the pandemic, now those kids are a bit bored and not challenged. The teachers have a lot to sort through emotionally and academically with kids back in school.

Yes, we are in advanced math. The boredom and frustration was present all through 5th and 6th once GT went away. Basically spent all day reading to themselves waiting for rest of class to do their thing.

Are you talking about during virtual school? I have a current 6th grader who was in 5th grade last year. Also GT. My kid did not spend all day reading to themselves.

But it sounds like you're not well served by public schools at this moment in time. I wouldn't move though. Moving is not going to solve it.

5th and 6th were pre-pandemic; 7th was pandemic year. They all were meh at best. So would love to hear what you child did when the teacher worked with the rest of class on work she had already completed? This wasn't just my DD, I heard it from multiple parents (other GT students). Virtual was actually better in that regard, as it gave our DD a lot more options for what to do in her downtime than just sit and read.

Ok, so my kid was 4th pre-pandemic and she and a few of her classmates worked on a long-term math project together. So when they were done with work in math they went and did that. The group project options had been pushed in by GT as an option for the kids. You didn't have to be GT to participate, which was the model at my kids' elementary school the whole way through. I don't want to go into too many details on the project as it might identify me, but my kid was super into it. A lot of creativity and leadership skills. The kids liked it so much they worked on it during recess even.

Is my child occupied every second? I'm sure not. Sounds like you want tracking - completely separate classes. You should have gone AAP in FCPS but it sounds like your kid is too old. I would just wait it out and try W-L. I have heard good things about it. Do the IB program. If you have younger kids still, move to FCPS and get into AAP.

Not tracking, just a teachers who have enough classtime, ratios, and resources to engage my child with something at their level. They meet the class baseline and that's it, they are left on their own. She doesn't need a separate class, your project is exactly the type of thing, especially a group project. Maybe our GT was just bad that last few years? I feel like they did nothing compared to prior years projects and enrichment. I mean, these are motivated kids, all you need is to give them an idea, a framework, and latitude and they will go at it. But a single student sitting at their desk, what can they kick off on their own without any resources?

So maybe your starting point is figuring out what your GT person at your kids' school is actually doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My takeaway might be that something about a big public middle school doesn’t work for your specific child. I wouldn’t assume moving to another large public school (which let’s face it that’s what we have here in this area) will fix it. I’m saying that without knowing your particular issues.

There are options within APS. Have you looked into programs at the Career Center?

Our issue is that when we were elem we had pull out GT programs, and then it switched to pushing and was worthless. My kids are so unchallenged and bored and there is no differentiation until high school, teachers spend all their time on remedial learning and discipline. So much discipline. WL should offer challenging classes, but the crazy super size high school with too little common space worries me.

Career Center would be a better fit if our kids were vocationally minded, but far from that.

There are more programs at Career Center than people realize.

There is definitely differentiation in math. I think if that is your issue, find the money for private. But I would also wait out the effects of the pandemic. Yes, the bright kids whose parents kept things up during the pandemic, now those kids are a bit bored and not challenged. The teachers have a lot to sort through emotionally and academically with kids back in school.

Yes, we are in advanced math. The boredom and frustration was present all through 5th and 6th once GT went away. Basically spent all day reading to themselves waiting for rest of class to do their thing.

Are you talking about during virtual school? I have a current 6th grader who was in 5th grade last year. Also GT. My kid did not spend all day reading to themselves.

But it sounds like you're not well served by public schools at this moment in time. I wouldn't move though. Moving is not going to solve it.

5th and 6th were pre-pandemic; 7th was pandemic year. They all were meh at best. So would love to hear what you child did when the teacher worked with the rest of class on work she had already completed? This wasn't just my DD, I heard it from multiple parents (other GT students). Virtual was actually better in that regard, as it gave our DD a lot more options for what to do in her downtime than just sit and read.

Ok, so my kid was 4th pre-pandemic and she and a few of her classmates worked on a long-term math project together. So when they were done with work in math they went and did that. The group project options had been pushed in by GT as an option for the kids. You didn't have to be GT to participate, which was the model at my kids' elementary school the whole way through. I don't want to go into too many details on the project as it might identify me, but my kid was super into it. A lot of creativity and leadership skills. The kids liked it so much they worked on it during recess even.

Is my child occupied every second? I'm sure not. Sounds like you want tracking - completely separate classes. You should have gone AAP in FCPS but it sounds like your kid is too old. I would just wait it out and try W-L. I have heard good things about it. Do the IB program. If you have younger kids still, move to FCPS and get into AAP.

Not tracking, just a teachers who have enough classtime, ratios, and resources to engage my child with something at their level. They meet the class baseline and that's it, they are left on their own. She doesn't need a separate class, your project is exactly the type of thing, especially a group project. Maybe our GT was just bad that last few years? I feel like they did nothing compared to prior years projects and enrichment. I mean, these are motivated kids, all you need is to give them an idea, a framework, and latitude and they will go at it. But a single student sitting at their desk, what can they kick off on their own without any resources?

So maybe your starting point is figuring out what your GT person at your kids' school is actually doing.

I met with her many times, and she said she was "developing" something and popping into the kids classes. My kid didn't even know she was the GT teacher. It is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do people really move if their local school declines in quality, or do majority of people just accept it and take their lumps?

We attend an APS middle school which is highly regarded but has been a total train wreck, and with the mishandling of the high school overcrowding I'm really skeptical of how our WL experience will be.

But the prospect of moving is daunting, and with price so high I fear we would need to move somewhere like Loudoun to afford anything zoned for a good school. And who knows if its actually better?

Wish we could afford private, and so frustrating because we moved to Arlington from DC because of the "good" schools, which apparently was faded glory from years past.

People generally make the best decisions and do the best they can for their families based on whatever factors they choose, by factors (like employment) that choose for them, or combination of all.

But this is really a stupid question. You know yourself that you moved for school quality - you moved from DC to Arlington because of the schools.
So what is the real purpose of your post?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do people really move if their local school declines in quality, or do majority of people just accept it and take their lumps?

We attend an APS middle school which is highly regarded but has been a total train wreck, and with the mishandling of the high school overcrowding I'm really skeptical of how our WL experience will be.

But the prospect of moving is daunting, and with price so high I fear we would need to move somewhere like Loudoun to afford anything zoned for a good school. And who knows if its actually better?

Wish we could afford private, and so frustrating because we moved to Arlington from DC because of the "good" schools, which apparently was faded glory from years past.

People generally make the best decisions and do the best they can for their families based on whatever factors they choose, by factors (like employment) that choose for them, or combination of all.

But this is really a stupid question. You know yourself that you moved for school quality - you moved from DC to Arlington because of the schools.
So what is the real purpose of your post?

I guess my question is so people move AGAIN if it doesn’t pan out?? It seems ridiculous to move again for schools, but things are such a mess in APS. Then I wonder with the cost of moving, would private be cheaper (for just high school). I don’t know. It’s just frustrating, I just want a teacher to pay some attention to my kids needs, not much just meet them where they are once a week or so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do people really move if their local school declines in quality, or do majority of people just accept it and take their lumps?

We attend an APS middle school which is highly regarded but has been a total train wreck, and with the mishandling of the high school overcrowding I'm really skeptical of how our WL experience will be.

But the prospect of moving is daunting, and with price so high I fear we would need to move somewhere like Loudoun to afford anything zoned for a good school. And who knows if its actually better?

Wish we could afford private, and so frustrating because we moved to Arlington from DC because of the "good" schools, which apparently was faded glory from years past.

Join the crowd. MCPS though. Alas, simply the State of American education...

[Anonymous]

Everything is a mess. There was/is a major pandemic.

Uprooting your lives for some other public school is not going to help.

Try private and see if it's better is really the best advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everything is a mess. There was/is a major pandemic.

Uprooting your lives for some other public school is not going to help.

Try private and see if it's better is really the best advice.

Sure, but if its better, then we are on the hook for $100k+ or do ANOTHER school change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everything is a mess. There was/is a major pandemic.

Uprooting your lives for some other public school is not going to help.

Try private and see if it's better is really the best advice.

Sure, but if its better, then we are on the hook for $100k+ or do ANOTHER school change.

You're looking for answers no one has for you. Some teachers/years are better than others. And guess what, private isn't perfect either and then you paid for it and feel extra annoyed. Ask me how I know.