Abingdon and Claremont - differences?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(OP) Thank you PP - good to know re: overall quality being the same.

One follow-up on the re-zoning discussions- I know Claremont has been discussed as a possible school to relocate (and not Abingdon). I know this is the million dollar question- but what kind of odds would you put on Claremont moving- 50/50? If I knew for certain it was moving (even further from our home and a longer bus ride), it might push us toward Abingdon. I know no one knows the real answer, but I guess I'm asking: given the APS situation, and if it were you, would you go to Claremont if you didn't want to have to move schools?

Thanks-

Out of curiosity, what is it about changing buildings that is worrisome? Distance, or something else? IF Claremont immersion moves, I would bet it goes to Carlin Springs. It's a comparably sized building and a logical location for a Spanish immersion program. I do believe, based on conversations I've had with APS staff members, that option school location schools will probably be incremental rather than all at once. So, question is - will they start by moving Key immersion or Claremont immersion?

there is no compelling reason to move Claremont immersion. If you look at the location study- While Claremont could have some benefits as a neighborhood school, that area does not currently need seats, etc. Claremont thinks it could be somewhat more attractive to native speakers by moving, but it is getting a decent amount of native speaker applicants.

there is a compelling reason to move Key. They need a neighborhood school for the bursting Rosslyn/Courthouse school population.

[Anonymous]

OP here: The main reason we prefer not to move schools (if Claremont were to move) is the additional driving distance on the bus and activities (since we have 3 kids and 2 working parents, proximity and convenience are important). It's the oldest child who has a slot at Claremont...so this is just thinking down the road.

I haven't been following the boundary study too closely, but it does seem like the Claremont neighborhood is currently served by Abingdon, so I'm not sure why moving the school would be a huge help...but again I'm not tracking on all the other issues and don't want to start that debate here.

I'm starting to think in the long-run, bilingual education would be a huge benefit and maybe one we should take (even though we're not sure and don't speak Spanish ourselves). (We were very high in the lottery waitlist and just got a notice of a spot, which is why this is suddenly a choice we didn't think we'd have.)

[Anonymous]

Claremont does use ipads at the younger age. My son used it in Kinder, but they use it as part of centers. So they rotate through various activities. I am not sure how long they get at each activity, but I don't think it is very long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(OP) Thank you PP - good to know re: overall quality being the same.

One follow-up on the re-zoning discussions- I know Claremont has been discussed as a possible school to relocate (and not Abingdon). I know this is the million dollar question- but what kind of odds would you put on Claremont moving- 50/50? If I knew for certain it was moving (even further from our home and a longer bus ride), it might push us toward Abingdon. I know no one knows the real answer, but I guess I'm asking: given the APS situation, and if it were you, would you go to Claremont if you didn't want to have to move schools?

Thanks-

Out of curiosity, what is it about changing buildings that is worrisome? Distance, or something else? IF Claremont immersion moves, I would bet it goes to Carlin Springs. It's a comparably sized building and a logical location for a Spanish immersion program. I do believe, based on conversations I've had with APS staff members, that option school location schools will probably be incremental rather than all at once. So, question is - will they start by moving Key immersion or Claremont immersion?

there is no compelling reason to move Claremont immersion. If you look at the location study- While Claremont could have some benefits as a neighborhood school, that area does not currently need seats, etc. Claremont thinks it could be somewhat more attractive to native speakers by moving, but it is getting a decent amount of native speaker applicants.

there is a compelling reason to move Key. They need a neighborhood school for the bursting Rosslyn/Courthouse school population.

The location study was not about capacity or moving neighborhood seats where they are "needed." It was about moving option schools to locations where they make more sense. First, they were looking at just proximity and efficiency. Next, the other considerations of demographics, contiguity, stability, alignment. Since it's an option school, alignment and contiguity and stability don't really come into play. From the proximity, efficiency, and demographic criteria, Claremont makes more sense as a neighborhood school, and Carlin Springs makes more sense as an option school. These are the same reasons it's compelling to move Key. They probably won't move either, but that doesn't mean they should not or that there aren't compelling reasons to move them both. It just might not be feasible given the parental blowback from those who live near Claremont/Key and who are already in the program who don't want the schools to move further away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: The main reason we prefer not to move schools (if Claremont were to move) is the additional driving distance on the bus and activities (since we have 3 kids and 2 working parents, proximity and convenience are important). It's the oldest child who has a slot at Claremont...so this is just thinking down the road.

I haven't been following the boundary study too closely, but it does seem like the Claremont neighborhood is currently served by Abingdon, so I'm not sure why moving the school would be a huge help...but again I'm not tracking on all the other issues and don't want to start that debate here.

I'm starting to think in the long-run, bilingual education would be a huge benefit and maybe one we should take (even though we're not sure and don't speak Spanish ourselves). (We were very high in the lottery waitlist and just got a notice of a spot, which is why this is suddenly a choice we didn't think we'd have.)

If Claremont's program does move while your kids are there, you still don't HAVE to move with it and can continue in the same location as a neighborhood school. It will be a change in student body and classmates; but other kids in the neighborhood will be there with them and they will have had at least some bilingual learning. Same if you find the program isn't a good fit - you can still return to your neighborhood school, except then it would be a building change if immersion doesn't move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(OP) Thank you PP - good to know re: overall quality being the same.

One follow-up on the re-zoning discussions- I know Claremont has been discussed as a possible school to relocate (and not Abingdon). I know this is the million dollar question- but what kind of odds would you put on Claremont moving- 50/50? If I knew for certain it was moving (even further from our home and a longer bus ride), it might push us toward Abingdon. I know no one knows the real answer, but I guess I'm asking: given the APS situation, and if it were you, would you go to Claremont if you didn't want to have to move schools?

Thanks-

Out of curiosity, what is it about changing buildings that is worrisome? Distance, or something else? IF Claremont immersion moves, I would bet it goes to Carlin Springs. It's a comparably sized building and a logical location for a Spanish immersion program. I do believe, based on conversations I've had with APS staff members, that option school location schools will probably be incremental rather than all at once. So, question is - will they start by moving Key immersion or Claremont immersion?

there is no compelling reason to move Claremont immersion. If you look at the location study- While Claremont could have some benefits as a neighborhood school, that area does not currently need seats, etc. Claremont thinks it could be somewhat more attractive to native speakers by moving, but it is getting a decent amount of native speaker applicants.

there is a compelling reason to move Key. They need a neighborhood school for the bursting Rosslyn/Courthouse school population.

this is a short-sighted analysis. Enrollment projections indicate a future elementary school still needed in current Oakridge zone even after Fleet opens and boundaries adjusted. Claremont would help absorb that capacity and also the students displaced from the school immersion would move to. Multiple benefits to moving Claremont immersion, especially when you look at a broader long-range vision and needs.