My New Favorite Anger at APS: XXL WL

[Anonymous]

Did you apply to Arlington Tech?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“My new favorite anger” indicates that maybe you’re always looking for something to be bothered about. Maybe try it before you get upset

Are you new to APS?

lol, no, that's why I picked up on the wording

[Anonymous]

Could she do the IB program? Do you think that would help? Sorry my kids didn't get into HBW either

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, you have my sympathy over here from Alexandria City, where they will never build even a second high school no matter how huge ACHS (formerly TC) gets, now at over 4,000 students and counting…

Woah, is this for real?!! Over 4,000 students??? That's insane. How large are the average class sizes? Why won't they build another school? Same reason as APS, I suppose...?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, you have my sympathy over here from Alexandria City, where they will never build even a second high school no matter how huge ACHS (formerly TC) gets, now at over 4,000 students and counting…

Woah, is this for real?!! Over 4,000 students??? That's insane. How large are the average class sizes? Why won't they build another school? Same reason as APS, I suppose...?

The reason given: “equity”

I wish I were kidding. The school board voted against a second high school a few years ago because they said it would lead to segregation. There was even this whole “One TC” campaign to support it.

ACPS is a hopeless lost cause.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, my DD is a junior at W-L and happy there. She's challenged (takes a mix of regular, IB and AP classes, has to work hard, gets a mix of As and Bs), teachers have been responsive when we have issues and seem to know who she is, has made friends pretty easily. The classes don't seem to be too big and while the total size is growing, they will have more space so I'd expect at least in the next few years they'd still be able to maintain the class sizes.

She does band + a couple clubs. Most of her friends are in band. If your DD has any inclination toward the arts, I'd really encourage a band/orchestra/chorus/theater class as a great way to find community. I was pleased to hear from a freshman parent this year that she had previously directed HS and MS band and was impressed at how welcoming the marching band group, and especially the older girls, were to her DD.

DD's main complaint related to size is the chaotic, loud cafeteria but she gets around that by bringing her lunch and eating elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Then move or go private.

Oh, buy another house or hemorrhage money in private.

Please note, I alluded to boxed wine -- we don't have the money to go private, and moving means a long drive to our jobs which has its own compounding costs.

All because school board is holding out hope it can make WL miserable enough to have people move away or go private.

Catholic school? Usually cheaper than some of the big name privates. I have many neighbors who send their kids to Catholic HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Turn Kenmore into an HS.

Yes!!!!!!! Lots of room. If need be move Carlin Springs to the old hospital site (full county immersion, maybe?) Room for stadiums, pool, parking and in a different part of the county from the other HS. It’s there. Get it done!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Then move or go private.

Oh, buy another house or hemorrhage money in private.

Please note, I alluded to boxed wine -- we don't have the money to go private, and moving means a long drive to our jobs which has its own compounding costs.

All because school board is holding out hope it can make WL miserable enough to have people move away or go private.

You crack me up. Perfect. W/L will be too big.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, you have my sympathy over here from Alexandria City, where they will never build even a second high school no matter how huge ACHS (formerly TC) gets, now at over 4,000 students and counting…

Woah, is this for real?!! Over 4,000 students??? That's insane. How large are the average class sizes? Why won't they build another school? Same reason as APS, I suppose...?

The reason given: “equity”

I wish I were kidding. The school board voted against a second high school a few years ago because they said it would lead to segregation. There was even this whole “One TC” campaign to support it.

ACPS is a hopeless lost cause.

Schools must focus 100% on equity. Not academics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, my DD is a junior at W-L and happy there. She's challenged (takes a mix of regular, IB and AP classes, has to work hard, gets a mix of As and Bs), teachers have been responsive when we have issues and seem to know who she is, has made friends pretty easily. The classes don't seem to be too big and while the total size is growing, they will have more space so I'd expect at least in the next few years they'd still be able to maintain the class sizes.

She does band + a couple clubs. Most of her friends are in band. If your DD has any inclination toward the arts, I'd really encourage a band/orchestra/chorus/theater class as a great way to find community. I was pleased to hear from a freshman parent this year that she had previously directed HS and MS band and was impressed at how welcoming the marching band group, and especially the older girls, were to her DD.

DD's main complaint related to size is the chaotic, loud cafeteria but she gets around that by bringing her lunch and eating elsewhere.

+1. My DD is a junior as well and loves it. No complaints on the size. DD is involved in sports and a variety of clubs and the counselors have been great. You can easily find your tribe there. I think you’re being overly dramatic and should give it a chance before bad mouthing it.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think WMS had issues only because of size… DC went there and it was really meh… and now they love being a freshman at W-L. It is soooo much better run than WMS and has a really nice positive energy. Hang in there, OP. You may be pleasantly surprised.

[Anonymous]

OP I'm sorry. You want what's best for your child and feel like you're not getting it. That is SO frustrating. FWIW I think a lot of people have a less than "ideal" HS experience. What is ideal anyway? I had over 600 in my graduating class. I met with my HS counselor once. They asked where i was applying to college. I told them the list. They said ok, do you have any questions. I didn't, and that was it. Nobody at the HS looked out for me. Luckily I was the kind of kid who took AP classes and worked hard. I was in a few clubs because I'd seen too many 80s movies about HS and they gave me the impression that you were supposed to be in clubs in HS, so I did. They were all fairly unremarkable. If my parents had been involved and been able to guide me that would have been helpful. So, if you don't think your kid is getting the guidance from school I think they can still get it if you step in. The same may be true of extracurriculars. Sports outside of school. Art/dance/theater/service groups outside of school. Good luck. You're a great parent to be looking out for your kid like you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Turn Kenmore into an HS.

Yes!!!!!!! Lots of room. If need be move Carlin Springs to the old hospital site (full county immersion, maybe?) Room for stadiums, pool, parking and in a different part of the county from the other HS. It’s there. Get it done!!

Hahaha, that may happen when our grandkids are in high school.

[Anonymous]

OP, please get help with your anger problems.