Alexandria public schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've been very happy with Alexandria publics, especially after disappointing privates. I think this board exhibits a high whine factor about ACPS. It is a -CITY- system. It's diverse. The academically higher-ranked kids do exceptionally well.

I was curious as to when you, the Alexandria public school cheerleader, would chime in. ACPS's schools suck, period. You just don't get it, and never will.

[Anonymous]

I'm another ACPS "cheerleader," I guess, with a daughter who recently graduated from TC. The "Yale or Jail" reputation is a myth. There are lots and lots of kids who graduate from TC (and who went all the way through ACPS) who go on to schools that are very good but not nearly as difficult to get into as the Ivy League, such as American, Smith, College of Charleston, U. of Georgia, UNC, Elon, Tulane, Oberlin, and, of course, ALL of the Virginia schools, such as UVA, JMU, Va Tech, VCU, William and Mary, etc. Your child's hand won't be held at TC, but multiple opportunities are there for the taking.

[Anonymous]

I'm so tired of tired of seeing people jump all over anyone who has something positive to say about an "unpopular" school. It's not harmful to hear everyone's opinions on the matter. People have different experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm another ACPS "cheerleader," I guess, with a daughter who recently graduated from TC. The "Yale or Jail" reputation is a myth. There are lots and lots of kids who graduate from TC (and who went all the way through ACPS) who go on to schools that are very good but not nearly as difficult to get into as the Ivy League, such as American, Smith, College of Charleston, U. of Georgia, UNC, Elon, Tulane, Oberlin, and, of course, ALL of the Virginia schools, such as UVA, JMU, Va Tech, VCU, William and Mary, etc. Your child's hand won't be held at TC, but multiple opportunities are there for the taking.

OP, I guess there are several of us "ACPS cheerleaders." The PP is spot on.

[Anonymous]

Another ACPS cheerleader here - Lyes Crouch was/is great, GW has been wonderful - and kids will def. attend TC. Don't know who the naysayers are but they are really misinformed.

[Anonymous]

My child attends Charles Barrett. It is supposed to be one of the better elementary schools.

It's pretty been "meh" and I haven't seen anything that makes it great.

I have friends with kids at George Mason and Douglas MacArthur and they say the same. The schools are ok but they don't say the "love the school" or that it's great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm so tired of tired of seeing people jump all over anyone who has something positive to say about an "unpopular" school. It's not harmful to hear everyone's opinions on the matter. People have different experiences.

Yes! Thank you!

[Anonymous]

They suck worse than south Arlington which is pretty damn bad

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They suck worse than south Arlington which is pretty damn bad

Nice language. Makes me really value your opinion!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They suck worse than south Arlington which is pretty damn bad

Nice language. Makes me really value your opinion!

Statistically speaking, the pp is correct. They do in fact suck worse than S Arl.

[Anonymous]

Who are you people? Why the hate? I dont get it at all. Just one more opinion, but I would never move my terrific kids out of ACPS - and - for the record, we moved from an expensive "well thoght of" private if that makes any difference. The move was our choice -and by that, I mean both kids and parents decided together. Why leave private? Our choice may seem strange since the kids were doing well - excelling in fact- and no social, financial or "learning" concerns - if that is on your mind - they were popular, engaged, top of the class etc. We moved for the neighborhood cohort - yes- we thought the friends and social situation in public was better because both the kids and parents seemed more mature - and more intellectual - a better peer group all around. We got sucked into the private school machine in pre school, but after a few years the kool-aid was sour. We thought the private teachers and administration were sub-par - and not worth the money. Our kids play sports and wanted to be with their team mates - lots of drama in our small private that seemed so silly - even to kids not yet in middle school. In public math and Science are much better, History and Language arts are equal, foreign language, art and music are much much better and field trips are about the same. I'm not afraid to say it - if you met my kids and their friends you would say wow- what great kids - polite, smart, poised, caring and motivated to help out and excel - little go getters that self organize and collaborate in ways that many adults would envy. They love their school and the environment it provides. They have bonded with some amazing teachers and have empathy for those less fortunate. Reading some of these posts I can't help but wonder where you negative types were raised and went to school ... I'm guessing not Alexandria City or ACPS.

[Anonymous]

ACPS parent here. We are happy with our elementary school (Maury) but its our DDs last year, so we will be moving in the Spring. OP, What you raise is the sad nature of Alexandria. Amazing and family friendly community with bottom ranked schools. It's a dichotomy, unfortunately. Most people we know go public for elementary but then private for Middle School or move to FFX or Arlington counties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who are you people? Why the hate? I dont get it at all. Just one more opinion, but I would never move my terrific kids out of ACPS - and - for the record, we moved from an expensive "well thoght of" private if that makes any difference. The move was our choice -and by that, I mean both kids and parents decided together. Why leave private? Our choice may seem strange since the kids were doing well - excelling in fact- and no social, financial or "learning" concerns - if that is on your mind - they were popular, engaged, top of the class etc. We moved for the neighborhood cohort - yes- we thought the friends and social situation in public was better because both the kids and parents seemed more mature - and more intellectual - a better peer group all around. We got sucked into the private school machine in pre school, but after a few years the kool-aid was sour. We thought the private teachers and administration were sub-par - and not worth the money. Our kids play sports and wanted to be with their team mates - lots of drama in our small private that seemed so silly - even to kids not yet in middle school. In public math and Science are much better, History and Language arts are equal, foreign language, art and music are much much better and field trips are about the same. I'm not afraid to say it - if you met my kids and their friends you would say wow- what great kids - polite, smart, poised, caring and motivated to help out and excel - little go getters that self organize and collaborate in ways that many adults would envy. They love their school and the environment it provides. They have bonded with some amazing teachers and have empathy for those less fortunate. Reading some of these posts I can't help but wonder where you negative types were raised and went to school ... I'm guessing not Alexandria City or ACPS.[/quote]

It would seem people have personal issues impacting their opinions - fear? prejudice? That's my thought, based on all the "you suck" talk going on a few posts above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who are you people? Why the hate? I dont get it at all. Just one more opinion, but I would never move my terrific kids out of ACPS - and - for the record, we moved from an expensive "well thoght of" private if that makes any difference. The move was our choice -and by that, I mean both kids and parents decided together. Why leave private? Our choice may seem strange since the kids were doing well - excelling in fact- and no social, financial or "learning" concerns - if that is on your mind - they were popular, engaged, top of the class etc. We moved for the neighborhood cohort - yes- we thought the friends and social situation in public was better because both the kids and parents seemed more mature - and more intellectual - a better peer group all around. We got sucked into the private school machine in pre school, but after a few years the kool-aid was sour. We thought the private teachers and administration were sub-par - and not worth the money. Our kids play sports and wanted to be with their team mates - lots of drama in our small private that seemed so silly - even to kids not yet in middle school. In public math and Science are much better, History and Language arts are equal, foreign language, art and music are much much better and field trips are about the same. I'm not afraid to say it - if you met my kids and their friends you would say wow- what great kids - polite, smart, poised, caring and motivated to help out and excel - little go getters that self organize and collaborate in ways that many adults would envy. They love their school and the environment it provides. They have bonded with some amazing teachers and have empathy for those less fortunate. Reading some of these posts I can't help but wonder where you negative types were raised and went to school ... I'm guessing not Alexandria City or ACPS.

There exists no neighborhood in Alexandria City that does not include some form of lower income housing. There is no elementary school in Alexandria City with a less than 30% FARMS rate. TC is at 60%.

There are only 2 middle schools - neither is very good. And they are going to move away from the model they have now of splitting the schools further.

[Anonymous]

Where do you want the FARMS kids to go? And why do you think a school with more than a token number of FARMS students is bad?

If you looked at the FARMS rates in many rural communities, you might be surprised at how high they are. But you'd probably never make such a big deal out of it as you do here, where the FARMS kids are more likely to be Hispanic or AA rather than white.