Arlington Tech list of classes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Online info night was last night. It sounds like AP options are limited since their real focus is the DE opportunity with NOVA. Limited music opportunities. No sports.

They have added a short-answer component to the lottery application. It sounds like it’s basically a chance for them to make sure families know what it is they are applying for before putting them in the lottery.

The students all seemed very passionate about their school. They were emphatic it was as rigorous as IB but different, as rigorous or even better than AP since it’s real college credit rather than taking a test. They said it’s a lot like TJ since they learn basically the same things.

One benefit similar to HB is the size. 87 kids in the class of 2023. There are 130 spots available for next year’s freshmen class.

Interesting saying it is similar to TJ. I do not mean this to be disparaging on the kids who attend Arlington Tech but having met the kids from both schools, I see very different student profiles. I personally do not consider the programs similar but maybe I am wrong?

What is the profile of a kid at Arlington Tech? What's the profile of a kid at TJ?

Ha, I know I am not sure how to explain this. Kids at TJ I picture kids that are highly academically inclined that are basically devoting their life to school to get into a top college and likely STEM career. I mean TJ requires AP calculus to graduate. I think TJ also offer more math options than APS as a whole offer. TJ also has a high GPA entrance requirement and a high math entrance requirement whereas tech requires a C average.

Arlington Tech (and maybe I have a completely wrong view of it) seems like a school for kids that don't desire a traditional HS experience. Almost like one is a STEM vocational school and one is a college prep STEM school. I am not sure if that makes sense and maybe I am wrong! I am not trying to disparage tech kids at all so I hope it doesn't come off that way. I just think both schools serve two different but related purposes.

I highly recommend reviewing where kids at Arlington tech go to college before calling it vocational. It is Stem focused but not as challenging as TJ. I reviewed this year and compared to all Arlington high schools- Arlington Tech grads were very successful at getting into well rated schools. There are vocational classes at the career center which is a separate but co-located program, Tech students can take classes with.

Arlington Tech is like HB Woodlawn, a lottery school- but you would apply only if the program appealed to you. This is my sons first year and he is planning on going on to an engineering college degree, so he is loving it.

[Anonymous]

Parent of 9th grade AT student and it is definitely college prep and a great school. Look at the college admissions stats - it’s definitely not a vocational school. Really passionate and committed teachers, small classes and the school is really nice on the inside (despite its external appearance). The construction is actually next door on a different part of the lot, so really not disruptive at all. And lots of kids go to their neighborhood schools for sports.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for setting me straight about the school! My kid loves STEM and was thinking about applying to TJ (he is only in 6th now) but I worry about the stress aspect of it. Would you say that Tech gives somewhat similar educational opportunities with less stress?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for setting me straight about the school! My kid loves STEM and was thinking about applying to TJ (he is only in 6th now) but I worry about the stress aspect of it. Would you say that Tech gives somewhat similar educational opportunities with less stress?

I've known kids who've gone to both and AT is definitely less stressful. It seems to me AT is more practical-focused, hands-on education while still being college prep. It's challenging classes but not as advanced coursework as TJ.

Because of the dual-enrollment focus it appeals more to students who are focused on going to in-state schools. You can graduate with an AA degree and then just do 2 years at a VA college to get your bachelors.

[Anonymous]

TJ seems to be extremely demanding - like homework every night till 11. AT has homework too but along the lines of 2 or 3 hours a night not 4 or 5. AT also teaches lots of soft skills, the kids have to figure out how to do projects and present on them, which has been really great for our kid who was very worried about talking in class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TJ seems to be extremely demanding - like homework every night till 11. AT has homework too but along the lines of 2 or 3 hours a night not 4 or 5. AT also teaches lots of soft skills, the kids have to figure out how to do projects and present on them, which has been really great for our kid who was very worried about talking in class.

Yeah that is what I worry about. We went to visit the school for an event and he fell in love but I want him to have time for music, sports and friends too!

[Anonymous]

I know kids at both. I think AT offers a tech focused program. But it is nothing like TJ. TJ is a full service high school of 2000 kids with amazing music program and full high school sports. Also hundreds of clubs. TJ runs 8-10 full research labs with equipment colleges salivate over. AT is a great tech focused program especially if you stay in Arlington. But TJ is another level. Kids are doing homework til 11. That’s true. But mostly because of sports and clubs. Not because it’s 4-5 hours a night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for setting me straight about the school! My kid loves STEM and was thinking about applying to TJ (he is only in 6th now) but I worry about the stress aspect of it. Would you say that Tech gives somewhat similar educational opportunities with less stress?

Arlington Tech has more hands on opportunities, with the resources of the Career Center facilities. The comprehensive high schools also have strong STEM classes and I know W-L offers IB Design Tech, a hands-on engineering and design class with lots of high-tech fabrication tools like CNC milling machines, etc.

What really sets Arlington Tech apart is the focus on making through a robust STEM focused curriculum within a smaller high school setting. College credit and getting an associates degree by graduation are also huge pluses. The program won’t appeal to all STEM oriented students however.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Online info night was last night. It sounds like AP options are limited since their real focus is the DE opportunity with NOVA. Limited music opportunities. No sports.

They have added a short-answer component to the lottery application. It sounds like it’s basically a chance for them to make sure families know what it is they are applying for before putting them in the lottery.

The students all seemed very passionate about their school. They were emphatic it was as rigorous as IB but different, as rigorous or even better than AP since it’s real college credit rather than taking a test. They said it’s a lot like TJ since they learn basically the same things.

One benefit similar to HB is the size. 87 kids in the class of 2023. There are 130 spots available for next year’s freshmen class.

Interesting saying it is similar to TJ. I do not mean this to be disparaging on the kids who attend Arlington Tech but having met the kids from both schools, I see very different student profiles. I personally do not consider the programs similar but maybe I am wrong?

What is the profile of a kid at Arlington Tech? What's the profile of a kid at TJ?

Ha, I know I am not sure how to explain this. Kids at TJ I picture kids that are highly academically inclined that are basically devoting their life to school to get into a top college and likely STEM career. I mean TJ requires AP calculus to graduate. I think TJ also offer more math options than APS as a whole offer. TJ also has a high GPA entrance requirement and a high math entrance requirement whereas tech requires a C average.

Arlington Tech (and maybe I have a completely wrong view of it) seems like a school for kids that don't desire a traditional HS experience. Almost like one is a STEM vocational school and one is a college prep STEM school. I am not sure if that makes sense and maybe I am wrong! I am not trying to disparage tech kids at all so I hope it doesn't come off that way. I just think both schools serve two different but related purposes.

This seems like a fair summary of the two programs. My kid is hoping to go to Tech next year, and while he wants to go to college, he is really attracted to the more vocational aspects of Tech too.

I’m just happy he seems excited about school for the first time after visiting Tech.

[Anonymous]

Does AT have advanced Spanish for kids coming from the bilingual program at Gunston?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Online info night was last night. It sounds like AP options are limited since their real focus is the DE opportunity with NOVA. Limited music opportunities. No sports.

They have added a short-answer component to the lottery application. It sounds like it’s basically a chance for them to make sure families know what it is they are applying for before putting them in the lottery.

The students all seemed very passionate about their school. They were emphatic it was as rigorous as IB but different, as rigorous or even better than AP since it’s real college credit rather than taking a test. They said it’s a lot like TJ since they learn basically the same things.

One benefit similar to HB is the size. 87 kids in the class of 2023. There are 130 spots available for next year’s freshmen class.

Interesting saying it is similar to TJ. I do not mean this to be disparaging on the kids who attend Arlington Tech but having met the kids from both schools, I see very different student profiles. I personally do not consider the programs similar but maybe I am wrong?

What is the profile of a kid at Arlington Tech? What's the profile of a kid at TJ?

Ha, I know I am not sure how to explain this. Kids at TJ I picture kids that are highly academically inclined that are basically devoting their life to school to get into a top college and likely STEM career. I mean TJ requires AP calculus to graduate. I think TJ also offer more math options than APS as a whole offer. TJ also has a high GPA entrance requirement and a high math entrance requirement whereas tech requires a C average.

Arlington Tech (and maybe I have a completely wrong view of it) seems like a school for kids that don't desire a traditional HS experience. Almost like one is a STEM vocational school and one is a college prep STEM school. I am not sure if that makes sense and maybe I am wrong! I am not trying to disparage tech kids at all so I hope it doesn't come off that way. I just think both schools serve two different but related purposes.

Do you have actual knowledge of either school? Do you even have a kid in high school at all? Or is this just based on your uninformed impression?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Online info night was last night. It sounds like AP options are limited since their real focus is the DE opportunity with NOVA. Limited music opportunities. No sports.

They have added a short-answer component to the lottery application. It sounds like it’s basically a chance for them to make sure families know what it is they are applying for before putting them in the lottery.

The students all seemed very passionate about their school. They were emphatic it was as rigorous as IB but different, as rigorous or even better than AP since it’s real college credit rather than taking a test. They said it’s a lot like TJ since they learn basically the same things.

One benefit similar to HB is the size. 87 kids in the class of 2023. There are 130 spots available for next year’s freshmen class.

Interesting saying it is similar to TJ. I do not mean this to be disparaging on the kids who attend Arlington Tech but having met the kids from both schools, I see very different student profiles. I personally do not consider the programs similar but maybe I am wrong?

What is the profile of a kid at Arlington Tech? What's the profile of a kid at TJ?

Ha, I know I am not sure how to explain this. Kids at TJ I picture kids that are highly academically inclined that are basically devoting their life to school to get into a top college and likely STEM career. I mean TJ requires AP calculus to graduate. I think TJ also offer more math options than APS as a whole offer. TJ also has a high GPA entrance requirement and a high math entrance requirement whereas tech requires a C average.

Arlington Tech (and maybe I have a completely wrong view of it) seems like a school for kids that don't desire a traditional HS experience. Almost like one is a STEM vocational school and one is a college prep STEM school. I am not sure if that makes sense and maybe I am wrong! I am not trying to disparage tech kids at all so I hope it doesn't come off that way. I just think both schools serve two different but related purposes.

You sound like you don't have a high school student. Taking AP Calc before the end of high school isn't really all that unusual or rigorous.