APS Elementary Option Schools- explain how application/lottery works?

[Anonymous]

We were a family that applied to immersion and didn’t yet live in Arlington (this was during Covid lock down). We were ultimately offered a spot - at that point, we had two weeks to produce an Arlington address. So while you don’t need an Arlington address to apply, you need to be prepared to move quickly (we decided to rent a year and then buy as we moved out of DC).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any other groups that get priority? For example kids with documented special needs that would be better served by one of the option schools?

Nope. I'm curious what school and what special needs you think this should be applicable to.....

The double-down-ing on literacy is great for ESL and kids with language-based disorders. But they don't get priority.

So kids with language based disorders should get priority to go to ATS? Talk about a golden ticket..... For real though, ATS isn't doing anything that many other APS schools are doing with regards to literacy and reading instruction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any other groups that get priority? For example kids with documented special needs that would be better served by one of the option schools?

Nope. I'm curious what school and what special needs you think this should be applicable to.....

The double-down-ing on literacy is great for ESL and kids with language-based disorders. But they don't get priority.

So kids with language based disorders should get priority to go to ATS? Talk about a golden ticket..... For real though, ATS isn't doing anything that many other APS schools are doing with regards to literacy and reading instruction.

The question was "why types of students should get priority" and this was my answer. ATS provides double the literacy time in the early years of learning. They also provide appropriate services to those with a specific learning disability in reading while not all ApS schools do. Unfortunately, each school is run differently and the school administration matters. Hate on ATS all you want but it's a great school and many other schools aren't that great for different types of learners. Others should follow this model but choose not to do it for some reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any other groups that get priority? For example kids with documented special needs that would be better served by one of the option schools?

Nope. I'm curious what school and what special needs you think this should be applicable to.....

The double-down-ing on literacy is great for ESL and kids with language-based disorders. But they don't get priority.

So kids with language based disorders should get priority to go to ATS? Talk about a golden ticket..... For real though, ATS isn't doing anything that many other APS schools are doing with regards to literacy and reading instruction.

The question was "why types of students should get priority" and this was my answer. ATS provides double the literacy time in the early years of learning. They also provide appropriate services to those with a specific learning disability in reading while not all ApS schools do. Unfortunately, each school is run differently and the school administration matters. Hate on ATS all you want but it's a great school and many other schools aren't that great for different types of learners. Others should follow this model but choose not to do it for some reason.

I don't hate ATS- they just aren't doing things that are drastically different than other schools. People talk about the model all the time but there isn't one. Once upon a time they did things a little differently but now everyone is doing direct literacy instruction, heggerty, phonics and interventions for kids with disabilities or are struggling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any other groups that get priority? For example kids with documented special needs that would be better served by one of the option schools?

Nope. I'm curious what school and what special needs you think this should be applicable to.....

The double-down-ing on literacy is great for ESL and kids with language-based disorders. But they don't get priority.

So kids with language based disorders should get priority to go to ATS? Talk about a golden ticket..... For real though, ATS isn't doing anything that many other APS schools are doing with regards to literacy and reading instruction.

The question was "why types of students should get priority" and this was my answer. ATS provides double the literacy time in the early years of learning. They also provide appropriate services to those with a specific learning disability in reading while not all ApS schools do. Unfortunately, each school is run differently and the school administration matters. Hate on ATS all you want but it's a great school and many other schools aren't that great for different types of learners. Others should follow this model but choose not to do it for some reason.

I don't hate ATS- they just aren't doing things that are drastically different than other schools. People talk about the model all the time but there isn't one. Once upon a time they did things a little differently but now everyone is doing direct literacy instruction, heggerty, phonics and interventions for kids with disabilities or are struggling.

It's different. From lived experience. For example, neighborhood school would "get to know" the child before services started (October) while at ATS, they started either the first week or second and ended when school ended rather than a month prior. Originally, ATS did the Lucy Caulkins and phonics, which doubled the time. Now they still do double literacy time but without Lucy's stuff. Finally, they start remediating before/without IEP so by the time they get to IEP, it's informed. And extra finally, they follow the IEP without massive parental oversight. I'm totally outing myself at this point.

A note to teachers, you are all great! I have zero complaints about any teacher my children have had at any of their schools. I understand that some admins don't let you do the job you want to do and that's frustrating for you and disheartening for parents. Thank you for doing what you can.

[Anonymous]

Our year, there were 22 spaces available out of 75 slots- the rest were VPI and sibling preference. They're in a bigger building with more classes per grade now, which probably helps, but VPI and sibling admits would likely have increased too. ATS is a terrific school and we were happy there but parents who don't believe in elementary homework should be aware that it starts in kindergarten there and it's nearly every night.